Training for first-of-its-kind system in Haiti will bring fresh fish and vegetables to many

May 24, 2011

Montello, WI — As the country of Haiti struggles in so many ways, there is good news as well. The launch of the first Living Food Bank aquaponic system will bring fresh fish and vegetables to many. The construction of this system is nearing completion on the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission (NWHCM) campus in Saint-Louis Du Nord, Haiti and the training for the individuals who will oversee the operation of the system has been completed in Montello, Wisconsin.

Trainees Chris Clarke (left) and Ed and Lora Ginter in an aquaponics demonstration greenhouse at Nelson and Pade, Inc., in Montello, WI, earlier this year. Photo submitted

Nelson and Pade, Inc., a Wisconsin-based company specializing in aquaponics and the creator of the Living Food Bank, in collaboration with NWHCM, has trained three enthusiastic people who will be managing the new aquaponic system at NWHCM. The Living Food Bank uses a science-based aquaponic system, solar energy and a tropical greenhouse to grow high quality fish and vegetable crops. Aquaponics is an integrated method of raising fish and vegetables in a soilless system. In Haiti, tilapia, a fast-growing fresh water fish, along with leafy greens such as Swiss chard, collards and kale, and peas, beans, eggplant, tomatoes and peppers will all be grown.

Ed and Lora Ginter, from Kentucky, and Chris Clarke, from Montana, traveled to Nelson and Pade, Inc.’s facility in Montello to complete a two-month Extended Stay Learning Program. Nelson and Pade, Inc.’s new demonstration greenhouse has various aquaponic systems in operation which are very close in design to the systems in Haiti so, even though the training took place far from Haiti, the information and application is parallel to the system at NWHCM.

Ed, Lora and Chris learned the daily operation of the systems, water quality testing and monitoring, fish feeding and feed calculations, filter maintenance, seeding, transplanting, harvesting and system assembly.

Nelson and Pade, Inc.’s John Pade and Education Director, Sarah Kaatz, provided direction and education to Ed, Lora and Chris. Other advanced principles covered included fish biology, fish stocking, plant culturing and health, pest scouting and control, bio-security, nutrient dynamics, system and greenhouse maintenance and more. Plus, the team assembled, tested, crated and shipped the complete solar energy system to Haiti.

Ed, Lora and Chris will travel to Haiti – Ed and Lora as long-term missionaries working to oversee this and other aquaponics projects, and Chris to assist with the start up and operation of this system. Rebecca Nelson and John Pade will also travel back to Haiti, to help with the start up of the system. As NWHCM expands their aquaponics projects and installs additional Living Food Bank aquaponic systems, they will have a serious impact on the availability of fresh food in Northwest Haiti and beyond.

This project is headed toward success due to the combination of using a science-based aquaponic system design and a comprehensive training program from Nelson and Pade, Inc., along with the well-established and very capable Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, a holistic ministry that currently feeds 15,000 servings per day, provides medical and surgical services, nutrition programs and many other services to residents of northwest Haiti.

For more information on aquaponics, systems or training programs, visit www.aquaponics.com.

Press release from Nelson and Pade, Inc.