US: Year round production at aquaponic farm in Indiana

Since the launch of Green Bridge Growers almost 15 months ago in South Bend Indiana, the organization has focused on growing produce sustainably with aquaponic methods while recruiting young adults with autism to work at the farm.
Jan Pilarski, co-founder and CEO at Green Bridge Growers, started the organization with the aid of her son, Chris Tidmarsh, who has autism. “My son Chris and I share an interest in growing food sustainably, but came to that independently and by different paths,” Pilarski said. “In the workshops and conferences we participated in three years ago related to food justice and sustainable farming, we were exposed to aquaponics. That model of sustainable, year-round growing appealed to us both.”

Pilarski also saw that everything involved with aquaponics, such as the balancing of water chemistry, scheduled procedures, and specific routines needed to care for plants and fish were skills that were ideal for certain people with autism.

“I saw great potential for Chris and others with autism because of the skills required, the local market opportunities, and the chance to contribute to our local community,” Pilarski said.

Click here for the entire interview with Pilarski at SeedStock.com