Urban Ag / CEA Aquaponics

 

Kentucky State University's College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources is world renowned for it's aquaculture research facility. The School of Aquaculture collaborates with the Urban Agriculture Team to provide opportunities for STEM undergraduates and Urban Ag graduates to work together on aquaponic and controlled environment agriculture research systems. Aquaponic systems combine fish production (aquaculture) with hydroponic plant production, with the fish waste providing nutrients to feed the plants. Student interns and research assistants learn how to maintain aquaponic and hydroponic systems to produce fresh vegetables like leafy greens and cherry tomatoes in sustainable and efficent ways. The collaboration between the aquaculture and urban agriculture team creates new research ideas and fosters hands-on learning experiences for Kentucky State University students. The team plans to work closely with the aquaculture research center while they conduct light and produce safety research studies with watercress, upland cress, swiss chard, and dwarf cherry tomatoes. 

Learn more about the KYSU aquaculture center below: 
https://www.kysu.edu/academics/college-ahnr/school-of-anr/ag-res/division-of-aquaculture.php 

 

Image from the Urban Agriculture student visit at the KYSU Aquaculture Center Greenhouse where they demonstrate growing leafy greens and fish together in an aquaponics system. 2025