Excursion reflection

                

             We went into the more industrial area of Denver yesterday to visit a little place with a big cause called UrbiCulture. UrbiCulture is an evolving user of the aquaponic method of growing produce. Aquaponics is a blending of aquaculture and hydroponics. They are big on economical reconstruction and are determined to do what they can to make a change. It was a long trip there, a lot of garbage, semi trucks, and rural railroad tracks. When we finally neared closer there was a guide to lead the way. They welcomed us, seemingly glad to have the company.

                      We started it off by introducing ourselves and naming our favorite fruit or vegentable and then we were off to explore. I remember hearing the sound of gushing water and images of fishes  and plants flashing through my mind. When we entered everyones imaginations were brought to life through the real thing. He warned us that they were in the middle of reconstruction so there was only little that we could examine. I found myself looking into the murky, rusty colored water of the fish tank and smiling at the many pelopia fishes swimming around. There were at at least 300 pelopia. Our tour guide gave us cups of fish food to throw into the middle of the gigantic tank to view the fishes.

          Most of us even got the chance to be apart of the transplanting proccess of Urbiculture by transplanting baby basil plants into a type of clay that gives rocks oxygen. We then put them into little compartments in the aquaponics set up under the lamps. It was very intertesting. They also used and odd substance called rock wool to keep the plants moist. They were based of of a 2 tier structure which meant twice as much herbs and leafy greens!

Photo of transplanting:

                       When our stay came to an end he answered a few questions to conclude our visit. We left making our way through the unbalanced industrial passages back to school.

                                                   Reflection Questions:

                    1: What did you see at UrbiCulture that you have never seen before?

                  I have never seen plants grown in anything but soil, the aquaponics structure they had was also quite different from the one I witnessed before. 

                        2: What is an aquaponics system? 

           An aquaponics system is basically a system specifically created as a better and easier way to produce food. In a short summary, aquaponics uses the filtered waste of fishes to supply their plants with nutrients. If you want to know more in detail you may visit their site at  http://www.urbiculturefarms.com/aquaponics–what-we-do.html     

                               3: Who invented aquaponics?       

                      It all started in Milwakee in an urban town about twenty years ago through a project called “Growing Power” . The method of aquaponics has been around for well over two decades.

                            4:  Why are people building the aquaponics system?                       

                             Well it is obviously a more healthy, organic way of growing and it involves less effort and water. At UrbiCulture they typically use 10 to 20 gallons of water for 3,000 plants. An average garden uses up to 1,000 gallons of water for less plants and the thing about aquaponics is that water is recycled! Yes there is less effort in maintaining a aquaponic based garden but the difficult part is having a good structure. Enable to have a well functioned aquaponic system you have to build it accordingly. Check out an  informational diagram on aquaponics below.

                                  5: What is the benefit to the community of having an aquaponics systems available?

                           I believe there are many benefits for having aquaponic systems available in a community. Not only is it an opportunity to make a change but also an opportunity to bring the community together through something remarkable. An aquaponic system is probably one of the next best options in organic food. It might even become more conroversial in the next decade, growing better food in a balanced systems for families locally.

                           6: What is your overall impression of UrbiCulture and the work that they are doing?

                                 My overall impression is the fact that they are concerned about our worlds economical status. They are starting off small but have high standards in what change they can bring through their efforts. It was an informative experience to see something different in the world and learn more about it while seeing it up close and personal.