Hello Aquaponics Association. My name is Devan and I currently work as an environmental scientist at a small consultancy in Massachusetts. I have degree’s in marine biology and a background in aquaculture. I am interested in joining this forum because my company wants to break into the aquaponics world and possibly work with a local high school to help ramp up their already existing aquaponics system. I am excited to learn and collaborate with you all! I am currently looking for open education based grant opportunities, if anyone has any suggestions.
Thanks for the introduction and very exciting to hear that you, your company, and the high school are involving/involved in aquaponics!
I believe the USDA just released an urban agriculture and innovative production grant that may be applicable for your situation.
I’m not familiar with the MA Dept. of agriculture, but they may offer some grant opportunities that would align with what you are trying to accomplish.
Other potential resources include the following agencies:
Based on my experience this time of the year is usually when grant solicitations begin to open up so I would continually check some of these agencies to see if they release any solicitations that may be what you are looking for!
Do not hesitate to reach out directly if you have any questions.
Hi Devan. I am in Mass also. I assume you are out on the shore somewhere? There isn’t much in the western part of the state. Used to be a westernMassAcuaculture Ceter at UMass Amherst but that died out years ago. I just signed up to this today and am glad to see at least one “Local” here. I am retired and am thinking of setting up a 3900 gallon RAS system… very early stages…
Rob
Hi Rob! I agree, so nice to hear from a local :). The company I work for is based in Natick, MA which is about 20 to 30 mins west of Boston. So we aren’t coastal per say, but we are pretty close! What sort of work were you involved with during your time at the Aquaculture Center at Umass?
The company I work (TWB Environmental Research and Consulting) is trying to break into the aquaculture industry as both my boss and I have a passion for it. My boss specializes in intake design and modifications for power and desal industries and we are trying to tie that into the aquaculture industry. We are also trying to partner with Natick high school do to some aquaponics work.
I would be interested in learning more about your previous work, and your plans for the RAS system, if you’d like to share. Here is a link to our website in case you’d like to check it out! Nice meeting you. https://twb-erc.com/
When UMass Amherst had a program (WMCSA WesternMass Center for Sustainable Aquaculture) it was part of the agriculture extension service. I only participated the last year before it shut down and they had a few fieldtrips to a couple of businesses which i think most are defunct now. So i didn’t “Do” much… was just a participant. About the only business still in place is now called GreatFalls Aquaculture in Montague Mass where they raise Barramundi. Not sure what else they do to be honest. I stopped following them when WMCSA shut down… They were “australis aquaculture” back then.
I started out as a Marine Biology student at the University of Washington in Seattle, where my dream goal was to someday start a New England Lobster farm ( I STILL think this would be cool and that it is doable!) Instead, life got in the way and i went into programming and worked for MassMutual for 27 years. I am now retired and am doing all the things i wanted to do. I have an open profile on facebook (Robert Lak) and keep all my projects there. I will be adding an album for my Aqua projects as well…
My current goal is to rip the roof off a barn and replace it with a greenhouse and to build a small RAS aquaculture or aquaponics system in the barn. It’s at the very early planning stage. I hope to raise the Australian redclaw or marron crayfish - much easier than lobster
I did review your company’s website and i learned that Devan was not the same as Devin! You sound like you have been enjoying all a Marine biology degree can open up! Good luck with expanding into aquaculture!
Awesome! Thanks for the additional information. I agree, a lobster farm here in New England would be a pretty cool undertaking. I’m glad to hear retirement is treating you well. Are you currently based in New England still? The greenhouse is a very cool idea! It reminds me a little of Canopy Farms in Maine which is using a greenhouse on the roof of a restaurant to house an aquaponics farm where they grow their own food to sell. I love that concept.
Thank you, and good luck with all your future endeavors!
Devan… Yes i am still here in NE (Western Massachusetts) although we have been doing the SnowBird thing in Florida the past few years. My project will be in Mass.
Thank you for mentioning Canopy farm, I will have to go for a tour. Those picture bring to mind lots of questions!
