The purpose of this poster session is to describe a unique and creative way of utilizing the multiple conceptual skill sets that aquaponics can provide to young learners with disabilities. These skills can then lead ultimately to employment, independence, and improved quality of life. The Growing Together Aquaponics Program provides job training and employment opportunities to high school and college students with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (ID/D) (i.e., Autism Spectrum, Deaf, Blind, Cerebral Palsy, etc.). Growing Together has developed a unique community-wide partnership between Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and the North Country Brewing Company, both located within the Slippery Rock Borough, Pennsylvania. The brewery provides valuable land space for the aquaponic system, and employment opportunities within its three restaurants. Their canning facility houses two unique aquaponic systems. One located within the cannery, the other located on a deck above the Tap Room restaurant and bar. This fully inclusive, community-based program demonstrates to community members and patrons of the potential for successful employment skills and abilities of individuals with disabilities independently managing an aquaponic facility.
The university's role is to provide mentor who support, when necessary, high school students with disabilities as they learn how to operate an aquaponic system start to finish, fish to crops, business to distribution. Mentors are typically special education, recreation therapy, or related fields of study earning service-learning credits for specific college credits. Ten local school districts also send students with ID/D to the program five days a week further developing partnerships in an aquaponic demonstration model. The program also provides training opportunities to adults with ID/D who are residents in group home settings as well as classes for middle school students and senior citizens.
Students enrolled in the program are certified in the Serv Safe food handling certification program and progress through a series of developmental steps with the ultimate level demonstrating stewardship and leadership skills by then teaching classes to middle school students and community seniors during weekend classes. All crops grown within the two systems are provided to the North Country Brewing Company restaurants throughout western Pennsylvania.
Future and immediate plans call for the development of a medium sized greenhouse and aquaponic system in the middle of downtown Slippery Rock and adjacent to the North Country Brewing Company Pub. This will provide the opportunity to sell crops to regional restaurants and businesses, subsequently hiring our program graduates.