Growing Industries Aquaculture & Aquaponic Economic Development

Dr. Chris Hartleb Rebecca Nelson and John Pade University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Nelson and Pade, Inc.® Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility Montello, Wis Aquaponic Innovation Center

Ron Johnson and Jim Held University of Wisconsin-Extension Aquaculture

• Aquaculture is the science and industry of fish farming. • Benefits: • Most efficient production of protein • Conservative uses of resources, water, space and labor • Sustainability & consistency • Economic engine Aquaculture Business Incubator

• Leveraged funding: U.S. Department of Commerce – Workforce Education & Training for Environmentally & Economically Sustainable Great Lakes Aquaculture ($291,000) • Short courses for industry – Nine in 2014-15 • Over 211 training events in aquaculture/aquaponics • Internships for future industry innovators • Expanded aquaculture minor at UW-Stevens Point Aquaculture Economic Development Success

• Rules & regulations listening sessions • Wisconsin Walleye Initiative • Private fish farm capacity study (DNR, DATCP, DIOA, WEDC) • Lake sturgeon options for private industry • New businesses: 25 • Retained businesses: 8 • Eleven workshops with >900 attendees • Community outreach with >1,200 participants at 8 major events Aquaponics

• Aquaponics is an integrated, soilless system for raising fish and plants. • Benefits: • Sustainable and natural • Highly efficient • Conservative uses of resources, water, space and labor • Free of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers • Produces both a protein and a vegetable crop from one integrated system • Continuous production of food 365 days per year Aquaponics as a Commercial Industry

Status - Industry Needs - • Small but rapidly growing industry – • Industry and student demand for further education experiencing exponential growth. in aquaponics. • Driven by: • Employment opportunities • Food security & Food quality • Currently have • Community demand for locally grown • Limited fresh water and land • Investors looking to establish large commercial ventures. • Students looking for information on how to pursue a career in aquaponics. • Further research in crop diversity and system efficiency Achievements of This Public-Private Partnership University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Nelson and Pade, Inc.®

– Educate the workforce • Offer university aquaponics courses – Enrolled >133 students in three years; generating 328 credit hours • Offer professional aquaponic certificate program – Approved by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs • Partnered in 3-day Aquaponic Master classes – 1,000+ students from 66 countries; 15% purchased, constructed, or launched new aquaponic business • Established International Aquaponics Society – Create new jobs in innovative, sustainable food production – Conduct innovative research & commercialize results Aquaponics Innovation Center

• Funded as part of the UW-System Economic Development Incentive Grant

Nelson and Pade, Inc.® Demonstration Greenhouse

UWSP-Aquaponics Innovation Center Aquaponics Innovation Center

Meeting the Needs of an Industry

• Educational opportunities • Economic incubator for an industry • Catalyst for economic growth • Commercialize discoveries • New business innovation • Economic development in blue-green industry

Results

• Growing an Industry

– Partnership – Education – Research – Innovation