Symbiosis in action 

The Sprouting Project's aquaponic greenhouse consists of a complex system of aquaculture and hydroponics. The variety of lettuces and plants that can be found in the greenhouse are continually fed from fish waste recycled from two 500-gallon tanks resting at the far end of the greenhouse. Within the gigantic blue tanks are numerous species of fish including blue gill, sunfish and bream. The fish are fed organic material and the resulting byproduct and waste provide a nutrient-rich food for the growing lettuces and other plants. The plants then filter the water, purifying it before it is returned to the fish. The aquaponic system produces a yield in about half the amount of time as a traditional soil garden. This frequent harvesting has already provided a serious return on the initial investment for The Sprouting Project, allowing our culinary team to use a considerable amount of local produce that would have normally been purchased from distributors and purveyors.