Forever alive in our memory.
Gary Donaldson, much loved and respected friend, husband to Jan and passionate teacher and advocate of the iAVs system and master of this website, passed away on Saturday morning 1st July, 2023 at 3:40am.
You will be missed Gary. Your contribution to the iAVs system and helping achieve the goal for food security for everyone will always be inspiring and your lamp will be carried on with those lives that you touched and forever changed for the very best.
Rest In Peace
Securing Our Future: Food, Water, and Affordability
Food and water are essential for life, but in a world facing unprecedented challenges, securing a reliable, affordable, and sustainable supply of both is becoming increasingly critical. Recent global events have highlighted the fragility of our traditional food and water systems, reminding us of our vulnerability to disruptions.
iAVs is a scientifically proven method of food production that empowers you to grow fresh, clean, organic food with minimal resources.
iAVs is designed for flexibility. You can start with a small system perfect for home use and easily scale up to a large commercial operation as your needs grow. Its modular design allows you to expand your setup over time, making it a long-term, adaptable solution.
iAVs: A Simple Solution for a Complex World.
Explore our website to learn more about this innovative approach to food production and discover how you can start building a more secure and sustainable future today.
Here’s how iAVs can help you:
Build Resilience Against Scarcity and Inflation: Create a sustainable and affordable food source, protecting yourself from price fluctuations and resource limitations.
Take Control of Your Food Source: Grow your own food locally, reducing reliance on global supply chains and ensuring freshness.
Ensure Quality and Safety: Produce food and conserve water with confidence, knowing exactly what goes into your system.
Why iAVs is Different
pH is stable
When built and run according to our guidelines, iAVs provides a stable pH environment for consistent growth, saving you time and money on pH testing and adjustments.
No mechanical filter
iAVs is naturally efficient. The sand biofilter does it all – cleaning and nourishing – so you don’t need to buy or maintain extra filters.
No supplements
When built and run according to our recommendations, iAVs uses fish to provide all the plant nutrients, eliminating the need for synthetic fertilizers and supplements.
Empowering Sustainable Food Production with iAVs
iAVs is built on the principle of open-source knowledge, making sustainable food production accessible to everyone. You can access all the core information you need to build and operate an iAVs system right here, completely free of charge.
We also understand that some individuals and communities may benefit from more personalized support. For those seeking deeper guidance, we offer optional resources and dedicated support to help you succeed. Your contributions directly support our mission to expand iAVs education and outreach globally.
If you’re passionate about creating a more resilient and sustainable food future, iAVs offers a powerful and accessible path forward.
To get started:
See iAVs in action. These videos provide visual explanations of the core components and how they work together to create a sustainable food production cycle.
Explore real-world applications and research findings related to iAVs. Our blog features articles on system design, management techniques, and community implementations.
Discover iAVs History & Design. Get a free preview of the iAVs Handbook, including a chapter on its origins, core principles, and essential components.
Meet the iAVs Research Group
R Sneed
R Sneed is a researcher who has been honored as a Fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers for his contributions to the field of controlled environmental agriculture.
P.A. Sanchez
P.A. Sanchez is a researcher who has been honored as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his contributions to the field of soil science and sustainable agriculture.
Thomas Losordo
Thomas Losordo, Ph.D., is a renowned expert in the field of Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and has made substantial contributions to the development and advancement of sustainable aquaculture practices.
Stanley W. Buol
Stanley W. Buol, Ph.D., is an expert in Geomorphology, Mineralogy, and Soil Genesis and has dedicated his career to researching and understanding the formation and properties of soils. Buol has conducted extensive research on the processes that shape soils and the factors influencing their composition and fertility.
Merle Jensen
Merle Jensen was a horticulturist who was instrumental in the development of hydroponic greenhouse culture.
He was a professor at the University of Arizona and was known for his work on the use of sand as a substrate for growing plants. Merle Jensen was project leader for the development of the agricultural systems in the Land Pavilion at Epcot Center, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Merle is founder of the Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC) at the University of Arizona and has been elected as a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science.
Marc A. Buchanan
Marc A. Buchanan, Ph.D., is an expert in Agricultural Ecology and Soil Science with a specialization in agricultural ecology, Buchanan has conducted extensive research on the interactions between agriculture, ecosystems, and soil health.
L. George Wilson
L. George Wilson, Ph.D., is a distinguished expert in the field of Horticultural Science. Dr. Wilson holds the title of Fellow of the Crop Science Society of America (FCSSA).
J. Burkholder
J. Burkholder, Ph.D., FAAAS, is an expert in Aquatic Ecology with a specialization in Phycology, the study of algae.
Throughout her career, she has focused on the ecological dynamics of aquatic systems, particularly the interactions between algae and their environment. is a researcher who has been honored as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for her contributions to the field of aquaponics and sustainable agriculture.
J. Lawrence Apple
J. Lawrence Apple, Ph.D., is an expert in International Development and Plant Pathology and has dedicated a career to researching and implementing sustainable agricultural practices in the context of international development.
Donald Huisingh
Donald Huisingh, Ph.D., is a distinguished expert in the field of Ecology and Environmental Resource Recovery.
Blanche C. Haning
Blanche C. Haning, Ph.D., is an expert in Integrated Pest Management and Plant Pathology.
B.A. Costa-Pierce
B.A. Costa-Pierce is a researcher who has been honored as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his contributions to the field of aquaponics and sustainable agriculture.
Ronald G. Hodson
Ronald G. Hodson holds a Ph.D. in Aquatic Ecology and has dedicated hiscaree r to studying and managing aquatic ecosystems. With a specialization in aquatic ecosystems, fisheries management and genetics, Hodson has conducted extensive research on the interactions between aquatic organisms, their environment, and the genetic factors
influencing their growth and survival.
Robert P. Patterson
Robert P. Patterson holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy and has dedicated his career to researching and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. With a specialization in soil fertility and plant physiology, Patterson has
conducted extensive research on the interactions between plants, soil, and nutrients.
Paul V. Nelson
Paul V. Nelson is a renowned authority in the field of Botanical Mineral Nutrition and Greenhouse Management and has been honored as a Fellow by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS) for his contributions to the field of horticulture and sustainable agriculture.
Dr. Edward A. Estes
Dr. Edward A. Estes holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, specializing in sustainable agriculture and an expert in Aquacultural Economics.
Douglas C. Sanders
Douglas C. Sanders (deceased) was a distinguished scientist and expert in the field of olericulture and was a renowned authority in the field of plant physiology. He holds the title of Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science (FASHS).