OKO FARMS

OKO farms

Official website: http://www.okofarms.com/

They utilize a hybrid of aquaculture and hydroponics known as aquaponics to raise freshwater fish along with a variety of vegetables and herbs. On their farm, waste water from the fish tank is constantly pumped through several hydroponic grow beds to provide nutrient rich fertilizer for their plants. In return, the plants filter all of the toxic waste from the water while it cycles through the system. This constant cycling of nutrients via fish waste creates an extremely efficient recycling system that allows us to avoid the toxic environmental run-off that characterizes current aquaculture practices.

By implementing aquaponics in New York City, they shrink their carbon footprint for fish consumption, reduce the ecosystem pollution and health concerns associated with commercial-scale aquaculture, and produce a high-yield of organically grown vegetables in dense urban spaces.