Eden Gardens Farm: A Series of Lessons on Aquaponics

Author/Creator

Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2019

Type of Work

Department

Program

MA in Environmental Studies

Citation of Original Publication

Rights

This work may be protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. To obtain information or permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Goucher Special Collections & Archives at 410-337-6347 or email archives@goucher.edu.

Abstract

Aquaponics is a sustainable method of food production that combines aquaculture and hydroponics to produce both plants and fish for consumption. Eden Gardens is a 120 -cre farm of the nonprofit organization of Glodev in its early stages of production that uses aquaponics as well as other forms of sustainable agriculture to produce food for its community in Jacksonville, Florida. The farm currently has two greenhouses, a garden, and an orchard. Future stages of the farm consist of the addition of seven greenhouses, a community garden, and a farmers market. In order to expand Eden Gardens’ reach to the community, an educational program would help to connect the work at Eden Gardens’ to the younger demographic of the Jacksonville community. Through the development of an educational curriculum that examines and assesses Eden Gardens mission and organizational development priorities, I will better understand what the staff are looking for out of an educational program. A curriculum that consists of environmental, outdoor education, with a focus on aquaponics agriculture will connect the young demographic of Jacksonville Florida with skills in science, sustainability, food production, and social values to better enable them to build a better world for future generations.