Integrated aquaponics - what it means for agribusiness investors in Australia
Aquaponics is the coming together of two production systems: hydroponics (soilless horticulture) and aquaculture (fish production). As an industry, it has occupied the fringes of both the protected cropping and aquaculture industries. The dilemma for growers has often been in answering the question: Am I a horticulturist growing fish or an aquaculturist growing plants? Aquaponics is rapidly becoming a significant system for organic, fresh food supply as well as biofuel production – forging its credentials in sustainability and paving the way for further integrated production.
Please join us at GOTAFE’s William Orr Campus for a lunchtime gathering, where Geoff Wilson will deliver an illustrated presentation on recent global trends and developments in large scale aquaponics production systems.
Geoff will discuss
• the implications of aquaponics investments in Canada and United States;
• current and future projects in Australia; and,
• the future needs for education and training in this rapidly developing industry.
About the presenter:
Geoff Wilson, a graduate from Dookie Agricultural College (1957) was an agribusiness journalist and communicator for 55 years.
He has worked in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the United States and the People’s Republic of China. His specialties have been livestock industries, grains industries, horticulture, food processing, agroforestry, aquaculture, aquaponics and urban agriculture.
Geoff is passionate about aquaponics, both as a sustainable food production system, but also as a valuable teaching tool for science disciplines such as physics, chemistry and biology; as well as related disciplines such as mathematics.
In January, 2011, Aquaponics Network Australia (ANA) was set up as a not-for-profit information service for the benefit of its financial members – mostly high school science teachers or university lecturers, plus information-hungry home growers. ANA services the Western Pacific region. Geoff Wilson is sole Director of Aquaponix Pty Ltd., the company which owns and operates ANA.
Date: 4th October 2012
Time: 12.30 – 1.30 pm
Location: Room H001,
William Orr Campus,
Wanganui Rd, Shepparton.
Cost: Free
Note: Please bring your lunch and a mug. Tea and coffee will be provided.
Visitors to William Orr Campus are also invited to join us for a stroll around the campus following Geoff’s presentation.
Please RSVP to Leigh Taig
ltaig@gotafe.vic.edu.au or mobile 0438 381 834
Backyard Aquaponics
