Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Starting a not for profit for AP in Chicago, IL. Well this has become a passion for some time now and there is a definite need here in the city for those less fortunate to receive much needed quality nutrients and protein in their diets. We have several food banks here but many of the donations are canned goods. My business partner and I, both who have owned our own tech based companies here in Chicago for some time have exposure to great support to get this going. After being on this site for a short time, I know we will be needing help in getting this going. It will possibly be a large facility and we will have funding to pay for consulting, perhaps from a few of you here if you're willing. We will know more in the very short future, ie. a couple of weeks. It will be indoors, but we may have the ability to modify the structure, ie glass roof and so on. We will be offsetting electrical costs via wind and solar. We would like to go vertical with NFT for weight constraints. We are already in talks with local foodbanks who will be the beneficiaries of the produce. Hopefully we can get more help from all the experts here and perhaps for those willing we could pay some consulting fees and fly some of you to Chicago. This is already slated to get some big media attenion (yeah AP). But as said, we will want to make sure we have thought in advance of as much as can be planned for. Thanks all, wish us luck. Website should be up in a week or so for the new charity, I'll post it here when it's running.

for philanthropy, Chigago and AP

I'm sure you will, but make sure whoever is giving the advice is walking (or has walked) the talk, and apply the usual due diligence when selecting them. Anyway, please keep us updated on progress, and all the best with it.

Oh, and never ever do anything that nature will do for you for free. So use natural light, gravity, heat and so on to save costs, if at all possible/practical.

That too...
You might be able to distribute the weight by having fishtanks
below the roof...