FoodChain is one of Kentucky�s most innovative nonprofits!
Since 2013, we have been operating KY�s first indoor aquaponics farm in an abandoned bread factory in order to demonstrate how cities can turn underutilized, industrial spaces into food production. Aquaponics is a creative approach to sustainable agriculture where two industries, aquaculture (farming fish) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil) are combined to make the most efficient system!
Our farm is a deep-water recirculating system with 7,000 gallons of water, 500 tilapia, and thousands of plants. The fish waste (ammonia) is converted to plant food (nitrate) by super helpful bacteria (nitrification!). This way fish get clean water that is filtered by the plants and we don�t have to use any chemical, petroleum based fertilizers to grow our super delicious plants! This recirculating water system uses 90% less water than traditional irrigated agriculture.