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).
Latest Aquaponics Lab at Adventist Christian Academy in Charlotte, NC
"Garden 6" Underway at Adventist Christian Academy
(February 2015)
We are proud to partner with Adventist Christian Academy in Charlotte, NC to build the latest Aquaponics Lab (Garden 6/100). The Lab will include a greenhouse with aquaponics and hydroponics systems for STEM learning opportunities. Solar panels will power pumps, fans and accessories, a true display of education through sustainable practices. Below are some words from ACA Principal Fred Armstrong:
"Charlotte’s Adventist Christian Academy is excited about partnering with 100 Gardens this year as we move our educational program to match the goals of the S.T.E.M. initiative. We are looking for ways to create healthier, more ecologically conscious and higher thinking citizens for tomorrow’s world. We also want our students to be involved with taking a role in helping our less fortunate neighbors in a practical and sustainable way, even at the earliest of elementary school grade levels. The Aquaponics lab as designed and supported by 100 Gardens is a huge part of meeting these goals on our campus. It’s ability to connect us with other learners both locally and internationally is taking our students educational experience way beyond the classroom. 100 Gardens’ is our connection to the future of education in 2015."
Aquaponics Training System for Haiti Up and Running at Stonewall Jackson YDC (Jan 2015)
Students in the Horticulture Program at Stonewall Jackson YDC have completed and "turned on" the aquaponics training system that will be used in Haiti at the St. Vincent's School for the Handicapped. This is a prototype system that will be tested by the students at SJYDC in conjunction with an identical unit that will be installed at St. Vincent's in March 2015. This system is a scaled down version of the University of the Virgin Island's Commercial Aquaponics System, built with materials that can be acquired in Haiti such as plastic drums, concrete block and plastic plastic sheeting....read more
NCDPS "On the Scene" 2015
Stonewall Jackson YDC Horticulture Program Featured on NC Dept. of Public Safety Newsletter (Jan 2015)
CONCORD | Produce grown by students at Stonewall Jackson Youth Development Center is helping to feed the homebound of Cabarrus County. A special partnership to donate the vegetables grown as part of the youth development center’s horticulture program sprouted in October between Cabarrus County Meals on Wheels, the youth development center and 100 Gardens LLC, a Charlotte-based initiative working to connect the area community to struggling communities in Haiti. Sam Fleming from 100 Gardens modeled this partnership upon a similar collaboration in Charlotte between Friendship Trays and Friendship Gardens....read more
Fabrication of the drain manifold by Stonewall Jackson Horticulture students.
Prototype for Haiti Under Construction at Stonewall Jackson YDC (November 2014)
100 Gardens will be installing a demonstration aquaponics unit in Port au Prince, Haiti in early 2015. The system will be located at the St. Vincent's School for the Handicapped. The system is a scaled down version of the larger system to be installed at the future location of St. Vincent's in 2016 .
The purpose of the system is to give students at St. Vincent's real world experience managing an aquaponic system before the larger unit is installed, which will be used to produce some of the food for the 300+ students at St. Vincent's. The students in the Stonewall Jackson Horticulture Program have designed, with the assistance of 100 Gardens, the prototype training system that will be built in Haiti in early 2015. SJ students have begun fabrication and installation of system components. While building the system, SJ students learn teamwork, leadership, construction and management skills. For updates please follow the blog.
Garinger students accessing the plants ready for harvesting
First Fall Harvests From the Garinger High School Aquaponic System (November 2014)
Students at Garinger High School are harvesting the first rounds of lettuce from the Aquaponic system. This system is student managed and student run. Every week students will be harvesting 180 servings of leafy greens for Friendship Trays. For updates please visit the 100 Gardens Blog.
SIHS students harvesting fresh lettuce from one of the aquaponic systems
First Harvest of Aquaponic Produce at South Iredell High School (October 2014)
The AquaLab at South Iredell High School in Troutman, NC is now producing food! The lab includes indoor fish tanks located inside the AG Mechanics workshop with a roll-up door that leads directly into the greenhouse. This week students started to harvest the first heads of lettuce from the system and the catfish are thriving! Follow the 100 Gardens Blog for updates!
Kitchen staff from Cabarrus MOW accepting produce from Stonewall Jackson YDC
New Partnership between Stonewall Jackson YDC and Cabarrus County Meals on Wheels (10/27/14)
Every week starting October 2014, the horticulture program at Stonewall Jackson YDC is donating produce from the raised beds and aquaponic systems to the Cabarrus Meals on Wheels program. So far the students from SJ have donated more than 15kg of peppers, turnips, and romaine lettuce. Click here to view the Stonewall Jackson YDC Horticulture Blog!
Food Science class with Sam Fleming
Food Science and Aquaponics Lecture at CPCC (September 19th 2014)
The Food Science class taught by Chef Jess Cochrane was a great audience! Everything from GMO's, the problems with commercial organics, GAP certification, food production in developing countries, and anything food related was explored in an open discussion type setting. Big thanks to all of the students for their enthusiam concerning the future of food!
