Eco Lake Farm is a fascinating project that will change the future of farming as we know it
Current farming techniques have caused catastrophic environmental and ecological problems for our planet. This new system of soilless farming that has no impact whatsoever on our environment and particularly on our watercourses will re-set the organic product landscape in our supermarkets, especially as Aquaponic farms are designed to primarily serve the local community and remove long-distance haulage from the supply chain.
Here are a few facts:
Current Farming
- Of all the water on planet earth only 3 % is freshwater, 97% is saltwater.
- Of this 3%, two thirds is frozen in the polar icecaps which leaves just 1% suitable for human consumption
- 70% of this water is currently used by agriculture
- 70% of all land and water contamination comes from agriculture
- 35 to 40% of our arable soil is degraded, which requires harmful fertilisers and herbicides to regenerate
- Use of pesticides on our crops is killing off the pollinating insects such as bees at an alarming rate
- Traditional farming requires the need for heavy machinery, creating large Co2 emissions
- Global livestock farming creates more atmospheric pollutants than all vehicle emissions combined
- 89% of farmed goods are transported long distances before reaching the final end consumer
Aquaponic Farming
- Fish grown in aquatic tanks create Ammonia from their waste
- A Natural Biofilter converts this Ammonia to Nitrites and finally into Nitrates (plant food)
- Plants can be grown in Deep Water Culture tanks or Ziptowers© using the nitrates as food
- The gravity fed water is purified through this process and pumped back to the aquatic tanks
- This process uses 95%less water than traditional farming, the water is constantly recycled
- No fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides are required
- This is a closed loop system so no water is released into the watercourse or soil (it would be pure anyway!)
- The system can be installed into disused farm buildings, warehouses or poly tunnels
- You get two crops from one process, Fruit or Plants and fish
- Fish grown in aquaculture processes can be used for consumption to protect wild fish stocks and our oceans
- They can also be used for river and lake stocking programs to protect and enhance our waterways
- No heavy machinery is required, all of the process is conducted by hand in a warm, dry and controlled environment
- Goods are produced locally, for local trade and consumer consumption, removing heavy transport needs.
eco lake farm & fishery
how aquaponics works.
Our Key Project for 2019
In summary
We see only positive things from this valuable, ecological project
- Sustainable, environmentally friendly farming for the future
- Reduced requirements in supply chain, transport & packaging
- Diversification of farmland for regeneration of the rural community
- A Social Enterprise Scheme for local benefit
- Opening up green spaces for the peaceful enjoyment of the countryside
- 'All Access' & disabled facilities for the inclusion of all
To keep updated on the progress of this project, please use the following links:
THE PROJECT
The technology and know-how will be transferred from a successful farm in North America, that has been developed for colder and temperate climates, breeding native fish such as trout.
We have chosen Cumbria for our UK operation, one of the six identified food production zones in the UK. Much of Cumbria is dedicated to livestock farming, in fact the landscape has been shaped over the years by sheep farming due to it's hilly upland geography.
Finding ways to diversify and regenerate upland farming in Cumbria will be paramount post BREXIT, as 90% of income for Cumbrian farmers currently comes from the EU. When the UK government removes the CAPS payment subsidies after the planned agricultural transition period, livestock farming may be financially unsustainable in this region and rural communities are likely to suffer.
Our plan is to develop a 'showcase' operation for Aquaponics, that could be replicated in other parts of the region and within the UK.
Cumbria and it's World Heritage National Park is also a key angling and visitor destination in the UK, so in an effort to create a true 'ECO PROJECT', angling should also be possible on-site so fish also do not require transporting long distances, There are already two lakes on the chosen location, perfect for outdoor recreation.
The Farm will be established as a SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SCHEME for the benefit of the local community and direct employment of Ex-Servicemen. The Angling will not only open up access to the facility for leisure, outdoor sport, health and wellbeing, but will be designed from the ground up as an "All Access' facility catering for the needs of the disabled.