The Integrated Aqua-Vegeculture System
The iAVs paper published by The Journal of the World Aquaculture Society (JWAS) in December 1997 is finally available. The claimed article that has been ‘available’ on ResearchGate has the correct title, but the wrong date of publication, the wrong…
Dr. Merle Jensen, Professor Emeritus Plant Sciences, background includes intensive agriculture/food support systems for developing agricultural communities and aerospace application. He has also served as a consultant to a number of major corporations and organizations regarding greenhouse vegetable production and…
Dr. Doug Sanders played a significant role in the research team for Integrated AquaVegeculture Systems (iAVs). He was a part of the investigative team and advisory body that conducted scientific investigations on iAVs. His expertise in vegetable production systems and…
Mark here. Just learned that Gary has ‘passed on’ on Saturday July 1 following a heart attack a couple weeks back. His surviving spouse reports it was relatively peaceful. Just learned this a few minutes ago so haven’t had time…
EXAMPLE OF MALICIOUS INCOMPETENCE within the so-called International AID and development assistance entities. Described by way of a letter I sent to the Director-General of UN/FAO in 2018 … ++++++++++++ The Honorable Jose Graziano da Silva, Director-General Food and Agriculture…
Apparently, considerably more than a few alleged sentients ‘out there’ feel (believe vs know) that I am “bitter”, or that’s the term most often heard (of the non-vulgar variety). And that is perhaps one way, albeit a minimalistic way, to describe my ‘condition’ (reality).…
When evaluating productivity and economic viability, it is essential to base expectations on rational, evidence-based yield and value data-not on the fantastical claims often promoted by commercial interests or hobbyist forums. Here is a clear, comparative analysis of leaf (lettuce)…
An iAVs Methodology Case Study. In 2019, El-Essawy, Nasr, and Sewilam published a pilot study comparing a Deep Water Culture (DWC) aquaponics system with a sand-based system at the American University in Cairo. The sand-based system was not built to the…
tl;dr; Sand is a superior growing medium compared to gravel or clay pebbles due to its better mechanical filtration, vastly greater surface area for beneficial bacteria, increased aeration, enhanced microbial activity, maximal nutrient capture, and other advantages. This leads to…
tl;dr; Industrial farming is unsustainable and threatens global food security. We need a food production system that’s water-efficient, organic, low-energy, affordable, accessible, resilient, adaptable, scalable, and non-polluting. iAVs meets all these criteria, offering exceptional yields with minimal resources and proven…
iAVs has the capacity to produce fish and fresh vegetables sufficient to provide a family with 200 kg of fish and 1,400 kg of vegetables (fruit) per year in a footprint equal to a large automobile parking space. * *Assumes a sub-tropical or temperate climate or…
Expanding Your Expertise: Recommended Resources We’re here to teach you the specifics of building and running a successful iAVs. However, like any rewarding project, it draws upon foundational skills. Think of iAVs as integrating two core areas: horticulture (the vast…
tl;dr; Sand filtration for water purification is ancient, simple, and effective. It works by physically straining out particles and then using microbes to break down waste. This creates a soil-like environment where plants can thrive, cleaning the filter in the…
tl;dr; iAVs research and commercial results significantly outperform UVI’s best yields and the findings of a 2013 commercial aquaponics survey. iAVs demonstrates higher fish and plant production, leading to greater revenue potential, especially when professionally managed in a controlled environment.…
tl;dr; UVI’s aquaponics data is scientifically invalid due to lack of controls and replication. iAVs, in contrast, is simpler, more efficient, and more productive, especially for high-value crops. Flood & Drain systems lack any verifiable data. iAVs is the “good,”…
This video is a great short explainer for those new to iAVs, and/or those that have not had experience gardening with sand. This is also useful information for those that propagate their own plants. Thanks Mike for the great video!…
All successful businesses comprise three core functions: Competency in (or coordinated access to) each of the three essential components of business is mandatory for commercial viability. Food production businesses are in no way exceptions to the rule. Ever heard the old…
tl;dr; Prioritize the soil ecology and plants (pH 6.4-6.8) over the fish when managing pH. Choose fish species (like Tilapia) that tolerate the pH range optimal for plants and microbes. Don’t overfeed the fish, and keep plants growing actively…
tl;dr; Aquaponics needs to become a scientific discipline, using the scientific method to replace opinion and pseudoscience with verifiable knowledge. This requires rigorous research, proper experimental design, statistical analysis, and peer-reviewed publication. Let’s bring scientific rigor to aquaponics for it…
tl;dr; Basic flood and drain aquaponics is inefficient. Convert your system to iAVs in 5 easy steps: replace gravel with sand, add a permeable sock, use a digital timer for intermittent flooding, and inoculate with beneficial bacteria. Expect safer fish,…