Aquaculture America 2020

February 9 - 12, 2020

Honolulu, Hawaii

BUILDING EDUCATIONAL CAPACITY THROUGH COLLABORATIVE AQUAPONICS EXTENSION EDUCATION

 Brad  R. Bergefurd *, Khandakar Rafiq Islam , Krishna Kumar Nedunuri ,  Matthew Smith , Tom Worley
 
The Ohio State University
Piketon, Ohio 45661
bergefurd.1@osu.edu
 

Recirculating aquaponics systems have been emerging as an alternative to mass food production in  rural and urban landscapes .  Significant work on fish breeding and vegetable production in aquaponics systems has been conducted at the Ohio State University (OSU)  and other land grant universities. The success of  aquaponics  systems is sensitive to  address  socio-economic issues, changes in water availability and quality, and  increased  dissemination of unbiased  science-based  aquaponics knowledge is needed.

Outcomes  of  this project were  to connect, develop and expand an 1890's institutional , Central State University (CSU )  aquaponics  research, education and outreach capacity  collaboratively  with  an 1862's institute, OSU, by combining novel and holistic research , extension  and demonstration approaches . O SU  in its capacity as an 1862 doctoral granting institute  has garnered in-depth research and extension capabilities at its South Centers Piketon campus (http://southcenters.osu.edu) in aquaculture, aquaponics and horticulture. The knowledge gained in these areas  was  extended from O SU  to  build the  aquaponics research  and education  capacity  at C SU. This capacity building was  through  development, expansion and transfer of existing science-based knowledge and educational materials  to  develop extension  and  academic curriculum and  training in aquaponics education  to  build  the  educational capacity  of CSU Extension Agents, students and faculty  to teach rural and urban landowners' aquaponics production techniques.

Mirrored aquaponics research and demonstration  production systems, used as the educational settings , were constructed  at OSU and CSU  research campuses ,  to collect research data, demonstrate,  and t ransfer  unbiased  science-based  aquaponics knowledge contributing to expansion of C SU's educational outreach capacity .  Data results, a synopsis of the project, and a discussion will be presented.