Aquaponics in Oregon: Discover the Growing Potential Conference

Aquaponics is more than a growing trend. It is a burgeoning industry that is expanding all over the globe. This highly sustainable closed-loop ecosystem creates the optimum environment for fish and plants to thrive naturally. This growing technique grows pure, chemical free food free of pesticides and fertilizers. Using only 10% of the water that is required in conventional agriculture, aquaponics also uses less water than the aquaculture and hydroponic industries as there is no discharge or water exchanges required.

​We heard from some of the top commercial growers, innovators and educators in this emerging green industry and discovered what challenges and opportunities aquaponics presents in rural, suburban and urban areas. Attendees were able to network, connect and learn from aquaponics pioneers and found out how to get involved in this growing movement.

Conference Program | Participant Evaluation

Aquaponics Tour

Presentations

Keynote Presentation

The Realities of Commercial Aquaponics

Just How Profitable is Aquaponics We Asked

Aquaponics & Aquaculture
Michael Hasey (Bio), The Farming Fish
 
Organic Certification & Regulation
Olivia Hasey (Bio), The Farming Fish
Rick Boatner, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

The Challenges of Growing Commercially
Joel Kelley, Live Local Organic

One Step Closer to Mars with Aquaponics
STEM students, Meadow Park Middle School

Small Farm / Growing Organic Story
Jason Waligoske, Yep Yep Organic Farm (Bio)

Aquaponics: Removing the Barriers to Grow the Industry
Aquaponic Project Estimator
Kate Wildrick (Bio & Abstract), Ingenuity Innovation Center

How Aquaponics Can Drive Social Impact
Bucky Buchstaber, Fly Fishing Collaborative (Bio)

Aquaponics: Community Building, Food and Medicine
Sally Keasler (Bio), Pure Food Aquaponics

Serving the Underserved
Arthur Shavers & Shantea Johnson, Mudbone Grown

Sponsors and Additional Support

Key Sponsors:

• Blue Den Ranch
• Brewfish Farm
• Ingenuity Innovation Center
• Northwest Television
• Oregon Aquaculture Association
• Oregon Chapter: American Fisheries Society
• Santiam Valley Ranch
  
  

Beer and Wine Sponsors:

• Lagunitas Brewing Company
  
  

Thank you to the following speakers and vendors who made this conference possible!

• Blue Den Ranch, Scio
• BrewFish Farm, Monmouth
• Fly Fishing Collaborative, Newberg
• Ingenuity Innovation Center, St. Helens
• Live Local Organic, Milwaukie
• Lagunitas Brewery, Petunia, CA
• Meadow Park Middle School, Beaverton
• Mudbone Grown LLC, Portland
• MurrayHallam.com, Australia
• National Aquaculture Association, Washington DC
• Northwest Television, Dallas
• Oregon Aquaculture Association, Turner
• Oregon Chapter: American Fisheries Society
• Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Salem
• Oregon Sea Grant, Newport
• Portland Metro Aquaponics Meet Up
• Pure Food Aquaponics, Helvetia
• Pentair, Apopka, FL
• Santiam Valley Ranch, Turner
• The Farming Fish, Rogue River
• Volcano Veggies, Bend
• Western Oregon University
• Yep Yep Farm, Dexter
  
  

Vendor Information and Displays:

• Oregon Aquaculture Association
• National Aquaculture Association
• Oregon Sea Grant
• Helios Greenhouse
• Hydrofarm 
• Norwesco  
• Portland Metro Aquaponics
• Windriver Produce
  
  

Door prizes and silent auction donations:

• Clint Bentz, Blue Den Ranch
• Brian Trout Ranch
• Bucky Buchstaber, Fly Fishing Collaborative
• Joel Kelly, Live Local Organic
• Kate Wildrick, Ingenuity Innovation Center
• Lyf Gildersleeve, Flying Fish Company
• Olivia Hittner, The Farming Fish
• Pentair
• Sally Keasler, Pure Food Aquaponics
  
  

Appreciation is extended to those who donated their time and expertise to make Aquaponics in Oregon possible :

• Louis and Karen Hans, BrewFish Farm
• Kate Wildrick, Ingenuity Innovation Center
• Clint Bentz, Oregon Aquaculture Association
• Kathy Bridges, Oregon Aquaculture Association
• Katie Young, Oregon Aquaculture Association