Planting Seeds of Opportunity

The ACRES Project uses aquaponics and hydroponics as well as more traditional growing methods to produce sustainable, local food, employment opportunities, job skills training, and community integration for individuals with autism and other disabilities. Our greenhouse is overflowing with people, plants, and purpose!

Acres Aquaponics

What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics is a highly efficient and sustainable method of indoor agriculture where fish and vegetables grow in tandem without the use of soil, artificial pesticides, or fertilizers.

Fish grow in tanks in a miniature closed-loop ecosystem. The waste produced by the fish fertilizes the plants, which in turn filter the water for the fish.

What is Hydroponics?

Hydroponic growing shares many of the same advantages, but gives the ability to more precisely adjust fertilizer levels to the needs of each type of plant.

Growing Opportunities

Adults with autism often have difficulty finding, keeping, and achieving success on the job. Impairments in social skills and organizational abilities leave many of these adults without employment, or working at jobs they cannot sustain. Acres Aquaponics provides individuals with an employment opportunity that fits.

The different skills and procedures required to operate an aquaponics & hydroponics system allow for many different job opportunities. Planting, data entry, fish care, chemistry, and sales are just a few of the job skills that can be developed through aquaponics, our greenhouse.

Support the ACRES Project

With your support, you can help the ACRES Project to accomplish its mission of providing even more jobs and helping more neurodivergent individuals, expanding our programs so we can further help the community, and completing our first housing project!

DONATE

What We Grow & Where to Buy?

Acres Aquaponics currently focuses on producing herbs, lettuces, and microgreens. Opportunities to buy limited amounts of our produce will be posted on our Facebook page as they arise.

During the warmer months, we also sell local produce (either grown/harvested by participants or generously donated by local farmers) from our self-service farm stand located in the front yard of The ACRES Project at 2400 Bernel Road.

Every purchase from Acres Aquaponics supports the program and those who benefit from it!