The Aquaponic Farmer - by Adrian Southern & Whelm King (Paperback)

About the Book

The Aquaponic Farmer is a complete practical guide to understanding, constructing, and operating a family-farm scale commercial cold-water aquaponic system for raising trout and vegetables. It details a commercial Deep Water Culture system, with step-by-step design, construction, and management principles, based on actual production numbers.

Book Synopsis

Build and operate a profitable commercial aquaponics system that produces both fish and vegetables with 90% less water than traditional farming. Complete business guide covering system design, crop selection, fish management, and marketing strategies for sustainable aquaculture operations.

Why Aquaponics Is the Future of Sustainable Agriculture:

Climate change and water scarcity make traditional farming increasingly difficult. Aquaponics uses 90% less water while producing both protein and vegetables in controlled environments, generating year-round income regardless of weather.

What You'll Build:

• Commercial system design for profitable operations from 1,000-50,000 square feet


• Fish and plant integration that maximizes yields of both crops simultaneously


• Water chemistry management for optimal growing conditions and fish health


• Business planning including startup costs, revenue projections, and market analysis


• Scaling strategies for expanding operations systematically and profitably

Commercial Success Examples:

Operating aquaponics farms report $8-15 per square foot annual revenue, 95% reduction in water usage, and year-round production capabilities in any climate.

Launch your sustainable agriculture business. Complete roadmap for profitable aquaponics operations that address food security while generating substantial income.

From the Back Cover

Profitable cold-water fish and vegetable production. Join the aquaponic farming revolution!

I highly recommend that anyone contemplating an aquaponics endeavor first read this text. The Aquaponic Farmer provides enormous detail on all aspects of designing, building, and operating an aquaponics operation.
-- Michael B. Timmons, co-author Recirculating Aquaculture , and Professor of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University

AQUAPONIC FARMING - raising fish and vegetables together commercially - is the most promising innovation for a sustainable, profitable, localized food system. Until now, systems have largely focused on warm-water fish such as tilapia. A lack of reliable information for raising fish and vegetables in the cool climates of North America and Europe has been a major stumbling block.

The Aquaponic Farmer is the game changer.

Built around a proven 120' greenhouse system operable by one person, the book distills vast experience and complete step-by-step guidance for starting and running a cold-water aquaponics business.

Coverage includes:

• A primer on cold-water aquaponics
• Pros and cons of different systems
• Complete design and construction of a Deep Water Culture system
• Recommended and optional equipment and tools
• System management, standard operating procedures, and maintenance checklists
• Maximizing fish and vegetable production
• Strategies for successful sales and marketing of fish and plants.

As the only comprehensive commercial cold-water resource, The Aquaponic Farmer is essential for farmers contemplating the aquaponics market, aquaponic gardeners looking to go commercial, and anyone focused on sustainability, localization, or high-quality food production.

The Aquaponic Farmer is the essential guide for people serious about setting up a commercial, cold-water aquaponic system.
-- Dr. Daniel Baker, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Vancouver Island University

About the Author

Adrian Southern is an aquaponic farmer and entrepreneur from the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, BC. After founding and operating an intensive urban farm and managing a local farmers market, he is currently steeped in all things aquaponics. After years of system perfection, he founded Raincoast Aquaponics and raises trout and vegetables for a living.

Whelm King is a business manager, project manager, and entrepreneur. He has worked and consulted in a wide variety of fields including the arts, agriculture, publishing, media, and law. His pursues his passions of food sustainability, ethics, and rock climbing in Nanaimo, BC.