2017 Aquaponics Symposium
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Location: Continuing Education and Conference Center, St. Paul Campus, University of Minnesota
9:30 a.m. Aquaponics 101: A Primer for Beginners by Alex Primus
[If you're a novice with aquaponics, come to this early session to learn more about the basics]
10:00 a.m. Welcome, by Nick Phelps
10:15 Advanced Aquaponics Topics, by Paul Venturelli and Neil Anderson
10:45 Aquaponics Biosecurity & Regulations, by Nick Phelps
11:10 Aquaponics, GAPs & FSMA, by Michele Schermann
11:30 Fish and Plant Health Basics by Alex Primus and Neil Anderson
11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Building Local Food Systems through Innovation and Entrepreneurship, by Rebecca Nelson
1:45 p.m. MN Drive Project—Economic Models & Sensory Evaluation, by Gianna Short and Marie Abbey
2:15 p.m. Education: Aquaponics in Classrooms, by Rhiannon Dalrymple, Spark Y
2:45 p.m. Ask the Experts, by Dean Engelmann, Tangletown Gardens; Dave Haider, Urban Organics; Rebecca Nelson, Nelson & Pade, Inc.; Chad Hebert, Urban Farm Project (Invited Speakers)
3:45 p.m. Closing Remarks, by Nick Phelps
4:00 p.m. Tours of Basic Small-Scale Aquaponics Setups at the University of Minnesota (Optional)
2016 Aquaponics Symposium
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Aquaponics in Minnesota: Recent Findings in Economic Sustainability
The second annual symposium on aquaponics in Minnesota brought together a diverse audience to discuss topics in aquaponics economic sustainability.
2016 Agenda and presentations*:
9:30 am – Welcome and overview, Nick Phelps
10:45 am – Modeling economic sustainability for aquaponics producers, Gianna Short, University of Minnesota
10:15 am – CEA: A look at environmental and economic sustainability, Michael Mageau, University of Minnesota, Duluth
10:45 am – “Ask the Experts” Panel discussion: Neil Anderson (University of Minnesota), Dean Englemann (Tangletown Gardens), Zach Robinson (Spark-Y).
11:45 am – Lunch and student research posters
1:00 pm – Sensory evaluation trial of aquaponic-grown and soil-grown lettuces, Zata Vickers, University of Minnesota
1:30 pm – Aquaponics: Consumer perceptions and interests, Carol Russell, Russell Herder, Inc.
2:25 pm – Comparing warm and cool water aquaponics production, Chris Hartleb, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
2015 Aquaponics Symposium
The first-ever symposium on aquaponics in Minnesota was held on May 5, 2015. It brought together a diverse audience of more than 100 people to discuss recent research in food safety and good agriculture practices as they apply to our local industry. In addition, two panel discussions provided an opportunity for Q&A with some of the state’s technical experts and industry leaders.
2015 Agenda and presentations:
May 5, 2015
9:30am – Welcome and overview, Nick Phelps
10:00am – Foodborne illness overview and food safety risks (.pdf), Suzanne Driessen
10:20am – Pathogens of concern and food safety recommendations in aquaponics systems (.pdf), Dr. Jim Lee
11:00am – Break
11:15am – Good agricultural practices in Minnesota aquaponics (.pdf), Michele Schermann
11:45am – Greenhouse plant pests and facility pests of the aquaponics ecosystem, Stephen Kells
12:15pm – Lunch and student poster presentations
1:45pm – Technical panel discussion: Dr. Neil Anderson (UMN), Dr. Jason Danaher (Pentair), Valerie Gamble (MDA), Dr. Nick Phelps (UMN)
2:30pm – Industry panel discussion: Dave Haider (Urban Organics), Ruhel Islam (Gandhi Mahal Restaurant), Zach Robinson (Spark-Y), Dave Roser (Garden Fresh Farms)