Urban Agriculture
Aquaponic Food Growing Systems | Food Processing | Foodpreneurship | Sustainable & Circular Economies
Highland Park, Richmond, Virginia, USA
​Program Objectives:
The PFG Urban Agriculture Initiative aims to establish a Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) based Aquaponics Production Facility, an innovative project designed to address critical social and environmental issues through sustainable food production and processing solutions for Richmond, Virginia, and beyond.
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Impact Goal: 500 Urban Gardens | 1000 Fruit Trees Planted | 50 Food Processing Job Candidates | 50 Foodpreneurs
Total Program Budget: $450,000
Program Location: Richmond, Virginia, USA
Program Period: January 2025 - December 2027
Active Project: ​IBC-Tank Based Aquaponic System Training
​Project Sponsor: City of Richmond - Office of Sustainability’s Neighborhood Climate Resilience Grant Program
Project Collaborators: RVA Adult Autism Services
Project Objectives: To provide training for 100 individuals from low-income families and adults with autism in and around the Highland Park, Richmond, Virginia neighborhood. The initiative fosters inclusivity, economic empowerment, and resilience. Participants will learn to build small-scale IBC-based aquaponics systems while cultivating fresh vegetables and seafood. This project will be mirrored in Ghana using distance learning.​​
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Click here to learn more about the Neighborhood Climate Resilience Grant.
​IBC-Tank Based Aquaponic Systems:
Transforming intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) into a thriving aquaponics ecosystem, where delectable seafood flourishes below while fresh vegetables thrive above! The nutrient-rich waste from the seafood nourishes the growth of vibrant plants, fostering a perfect balance of life.
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HOW DOES IT WORK?
The fish in the tank produce ammonia, algae, and other waste, which can become harmful without proper water cleaning or replacement, leading to the fish's demise. This water is pumped into the grow bed, where beneficial bacteria convert the fish waste, such as ammonia, into nitrates for plant uptake. The purified water from the grow bed returns to the fish tank, and the cycle begins anew.
​Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Using Shipping Containers & IBC Tanks
In response to the need for a more resilient food system amidst shifting weather conditions, we have developed a production facility concept that transforms shipping containers and recycled IBC tanks into scalable food-growing units suitable for global deployment. This standardization facilitates food production in various environments, supporting disaster preparedness and tackling food deserts. Modular designs enhance quality control, cost efficiency, and operational effectiveness, while situating these facilities in rural areas minimizes post-harvest losses and improves logistics, allowing local farmers to reach broader markets.​
Facility Description
The food-growing facility features a sustainable design utilizing four repurposed shipping containers, that can be powered by renewable energy sources like solar panels, and serves several key functions:
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Food Growing Room: A specialized area for cultivating a variety of crops.
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Food Preparation & Processing Room: Designed for safe and efficient food processing and value addition.
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Cold Storage: Crucial for keeping produce fresh and preserving its quality.