100 Gardens

Life is ultimately about systems - organisms, social/economic systems and ecological systems. To encourage new ways of thinking and systemic institutional change, we are forging development partnerships in schools, prisons, and community institutions to establish a network of Aquaponic Gardens (AquaLabs).

"Aquaponics at Home" Guide Under Development (July 2014)

In response to the many emails we receive from those interested in small scale aquaponics at their home, we are currently developing an easy to read, practical guide to home aquaponics. Aquaponics at the home scale has become increasingly popular globally especially in Australia, where thousands of families are using aquaponics to supplement their food budget. Stay tuned for updates!

Educators experiecing aquaponics at Stonewall Jackson YDC

NC New Schools STEM Workshop a Big Hit! (June 2014)

Big thanks to NC New Schools for giving us the opportunity to host a STEM workshop at Stonewall Jackson YDC. Educators from around NC met with students in the Aquaponics Program at Stonewall Jackson and learned how aquaponics can be used as a vehicle for experiential learning. Thanks to all the educator who participated and provided these kind comments!

"What stood out to me was the cross-curricular focus. That's what kids are looking for today. Sometimes kids say "How will I use this?" and when you can put math into a real-life problem they can see the meaning of things like flow rates, radius of the pipe, amount of power in the pump." –Calvin Miller, Teacher, STEM Early College at NC A&T, in reference to how aquaponics touches many academic subjects.

"A key takeaway was how students can channel their interests from one subject or career to another, like the student we saw today whose experience with aquaponics has motivated his interest in owning a mechanic shop. What they need to see is "I am capable of something" and then they ask "So what can I do next?". –Erin Bingham, Teacher, Early College EAST

Haitian community members working hard on the aquaponic system construction

Aquaponics Training Site in Haiti Nearing Completion! (June 2014)

The aquaponic system at Mahanaim, Haiti is nearing construction! The in-ground fish tank and grow beds have been constructed with poured concrete walls. Next the concrete will be finished with plaster, then the shade structure and solar system will be installed.

This project is funded by the Duke Endowment, in partnership with Johnson C. Smith University and Joseph's Exchange. Thanks to all parties involved and follow the blog for updates!

Follow the Mahanaim Aquaponics Blog

Construction underway at SIHS

Construction Begins for the South Iredell High School Aquaponics Lab (May 2013)

The aquaponics lab at South Iredell High School in Troutman, NC is now under construction. The lab will include indoor fish tanks located inside the AG Mechanics workshop. A roll-up door is being installed that open workshop directly into the greenhouse. The greenhouse hydroponic components will be fed by indoor fish tanks.

The Garinger High School Aquaponics Lab is Complete!

The new Aquaponics Lab at Garinger High School is now complete! In collaboration with Friendship Gardens and The Green Teacher Network, the Urban Farm at Garinger will demonstrate various forms of food production and give students hands-on experience. Jacob Huffman, a recipient of a Levine Scholarship at UNCC, facilitated the first Aquaponics system at Garinger High School through his scholarship. This "UVI Type" raft aquaponics system serves as a science lab for Garinger students, as well as supply Frienship Trays with approximately 150 servings of high quality salad greens per week. Visit the facebook album here.

Aquaponics Exhibit at the 2014 Southern Spring Show

Southern Spring Show 2014 (February 2014)

We are proud to announce that The Ultimate Schoolyard Garden Exhibit has received two awards from The American Horticultural Society at the 2014 Southern Spring Show! We give big thanks to The Green Teacher Network for making this exhibit happen! For details on the Ultimate Schoolyard Gardens, visit the Green Teacher Network website here.

Sam with the Agronomists in Bayonnais, Haiti (Villate, Sam, Jaque-Elie)

100 Gardens in Haiti (1/10/14)

100 Gardens will begin instructing a team of agronomists in Bayonnais, Haiti, on an aquaponics training center. The center will be located next to a k-13 school which is currently producing the highest test scores on the Haitian national exams.

For more on the Aquaponics Training Center in Bayonnais, click here.

Please visit the OFCB website for details on other projects going on in Bayonnais.

Ron Morgan giving a presentation about 100 Gardens to The Charlotte Rotary Club

Ron Morgan Speaks for The Charlotte Rotary Club (November 2013)

Ron Morgan presented 100 Gardens to The Charlotte Rotary Club. The Rotary Club engages in many civic projects and has members now exploring various partnership possibilities stratgeies with 100 Gardens. Visit their site here.