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Commenced:
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01/07/2014 |
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Submitted:
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09/01/2016 |
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Last updated:
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23/03/2017 |
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Location:
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Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, USA, Phoenixville, PA, US |
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Phone:
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email permscape@gmail.com |
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Website:
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http://www.permscape.com |
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Climate zone:
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Cool Temperate |
Our ongoing mission is to create a sustainable indoor four season food supply that can be replicated in an average basement or garage. Our approach is constantly evolving. Years of research are unearthing successful innovative techniques. We grow multiple crops, fodder, and a high density of aquatic protein (fish, clams, lobster, and shrimp) in a relatively small and scalable recirculating aquaculture system. The system is sized to fit into a basement, garage, or greenhouse. There are many free plans of such systems available on-line as well as many free videos on youtube. The organic and metabolic waste products from our aquaculture system are converted by bacteria. Nitrosomonas bacteria takes NH3 (un-ionized ammonia) and NH4 (ionized ammonia) from the fish waste and converts it into NO2 (nitrite). This is in turn converted into NO3 (nitrate) by Nitrobacter Bacteria. The nitrate is circulated through plants and they strip out the nitrates. The clean water is then returned to the fish tank. We use a bioreactor, clay media beds, and the roots of the plants themselves to host the beneficial bacteria. Any solids waste from cleaning the media is fed to composting worms, or used for nursery operations and crop fertigation. The fish food, which is processed by the fish to grow aquatic biomass, is nearly all that is needed to produce bioavailable concentrations of dissolved nutrients that mimic any chemical fertilizer concoction available from a hydroponic growing supply store. The only inputs needed in addition to the fish food are chelated iron and electricity to run the system. The system uses less than 1.536kwh of energy daily and can be run off of a small solar panel. The system detritus is fed to our freshwater lobsters, shrimp, and worms. Or, it is composted to constantly create new living soils for our outdoor gardens.
Aquaponics systems function as a mini-ecosystem and are extremely productive. Check back for more updates.
Note: The various badges displayed in people profiles are largely honesty-based self-proclamations by the individuals themselves. There are reporting functions users can use if they know of blatant misrepresentation (for both people and projects). Legitimacy, competency and reputation for all people and projects can be evidenced and/or developed through their providing regular updates on permaculture work they’re involved in, before/after photographs, etc. A spirit of objective nurturing of both people and projects through knowledge/encouragement/inspiration/resource sharing is the aim of the Worldwide Permaculture Network.
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MemberA member is a permaculturist who has never taken a PDC course. These cannot become PDC teachers. Members may be novice or highly experienced permaculturists or anywhere in between. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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Permaculture MatchmakerOne of these badges will show if you select your gender and the "I'm single, looking for a permaculture partner" option in your profile. |
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PDCPeople who claim to have taken a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course somewhere in the world. |
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PDC VerifiedPeople who have entered an email address for the teacher of their PDC course, and have had their PDC status verified by that teacher. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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PRI PDCPeople who’ve taken a Permaculture Research Institute PDC somewhere in the world. |
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PDC TeacherPeople who claim to teach some version of PDC somewhere in the world. |
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PRI TeacherWith the exception of the ‘Member’ who has never taken a PDC, all of the above can apply to become a PRI PDC Teacher. PRI PDC Teachers are those who the PRI recognise, through a vetting board, as determined and competent to teach the full 72-hour course as developed by Permaculture founder Bill Mollison – covering all the topics of The Designers’ Manual as well as possible (i.e. not cherry picking only aspects the teacher feels most interested or competent in). Such teachers also commit to focussing on the design science, and not including subjective spiritual/metaphysical elements. The reason these items are not included in the PDC curriculum is because they are “belief” based. Permaculture Design education concerns itself with teaching good design based on strategies and techniques which are scientifically provable. PRI PDC Teachers may be given teaching and/or consultancy offerings as they become available as the network grows. |
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Community ProjectCommunity projects are projects that help develop sustainable community interaction and increase localised resiliency. |
Aquaponics System - 2016 has ended - What is in store for 2017?
Goji Berries in my Aquaponics System
2016 Goji trials were a success. We were able to grow Goji berries from cuttings into fruit in the Permscape.com aquaponics research system in Pennsylvania. We also grew them outside as companion plants. Looking forward to 2017
Hugelkultur raised bed in a suburban neighborhood
Hugelkultur raised bed in a suburban neighborhood - They work!
Photos of Vegetables growing in Aquaponics in 2016
I finally got around to posting some photos of the outside aquaponics garden in 2016. We are building raised soil beds this year (2017). They will be entirely fertilized by the aquaculture project tanks. Updates will follow.
Photos of various fish and plants in the aquaponics system during 2016
Assorted photos taken by John Stevenson of Permscape.com - Aquaponics System – Fish and Plants 2016
Growing Fodder in our recirculating aquaponic farm system
Returning the surplus - Suburban edible landscape
Mushrooms in Aquaponics
Starting Seeds - Using recycled water to grow seedlings
Vermiculture and Aquaponics - Recycling fish waste and creating rich soil, vegetables and protein with worms
Recycling fish waste to grow soil, worms, and plant fertility.