By Colle Davis, Inventor,
Portable Farms™ Aquaponics Systems
While attending the University of California at Davis in the early 1970s to pursue my education in Renewable Natural Resources, one of the jobs I took to help support my growing family was to clean out the fish tanks at the Tilapia Project on campus. If you have ever cleaned out a fish tank with the coarse sand over the plastic spacers in the bottom of the tank, you know this is neither fun, nor clean work.
Briefly, here’s how it worked: The fish poop would settle to the bottom of the tank. The bacteria in the gravel at the bottom of the tank went to work to break it down into simpler components, and the somewhat cleaner water was then lifted back up using an air-lift pump to an external filter on the top, outside of the tank. From there, it flowed back into the tank for the fish and by that time, the water was cleaner and more oxygenated.
This simple system created a wonderful opportunity for the heavy fish waste to feed a wide variety of bacteria, some of which produced truly awful smelling byproducts. The cleaning involved removing the fish from the tank and then draining out the water, removing the sand and the plastic risers and washing everything thoroughly so the water would run clear. I thought there had to be a better way to accomplish this arduous task. My young engineering and science mind, working together, set my path to find a way to simplify the tank-cleaning process, so I could at least spread out the time between tank cleanings.
The air-lift pump moved the water up and over the edge of the tank and that gave me an idea. I placed a regular plastic dishpan across the top, at one end of the fish tank. I drilled a hole in the side about a half an inch up from the bottom and placed about two inches of coarse sand in the pan. Then I extended the air lift pump a couple of inches to lift the water up and into the gravel in the dish pan. I did not put in all the plastic spacers or the sand back in the tank. The tank only had one spacer, an air lift pipe, but no sand at all.
Then, I planted some tomato seeds and orange seeds in the sand, filled the tank with water, placed the fish back in the water, and turned on the air stones (bubbles). For three days, nothing happened except the fish were happy and the water stayed clear, and then, as if by magic, the tomato seeds sprouted! Eight days later, the orange seeds sprouted. I was absolutely ecstatic. I was a raging success on my first try. The tank was clean and clear, the fish were happy, and the plants were growing. I had found the solution to all my problems.
Five days later, all the plants died and I was crestfallen. What could have happened? I mean besides my committing my first mass killing? The plants were telling me that they could not have their roots wet all the time. This became my very first painful and memorable lesson in aquaponics, and the beginning of Portable Farms™ Aquaponics Systems as we know them today. The air lift pump was doing its job as required, but what I didn’t know was that it only needed to run a couple of hours a day to keep the roots damp for my young, growing plants. My first catastrophic mistake, and one of the reasons the Portable Farms™ Aquaponics Systems are nearly bulletproof today. I am teachable.
That was the beginning of an idea. On that day, I committed myself to find a way to create an automated aquaponics system that would grow enough food to feed the world. I declared that I would create a system that could be sized to be able to grow food for backyard farmers or commercial growers to feed many people anywhere in the world. The hook was set.
Here are the problems the world is currently facing today: Food and poverty go hand in hand, and that the problems I faced in the 1970’s would become larger than anything we could possibly imagine then. In the 1970’s, the global population was 3.4 billion. Today, it’s 6 billion and expected to be at around 8 billion in the next 15 years.
According to Feeding America, 1 in 8 people in the United States go to bed hungry each night. Globally, 1 billion people are unable to secure a nutritionally adequate diet to keep them healthy and active, and 100 million of those people suffer from the consequences of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM). Childhood malnutrition claims the lives of 5 million children each year.
According to projections made by the Committee on Foreign Relations in their report on Global Food Insecurity presented to the United States Senate (February 2009), “By 2050, it is projected that population growth will require a doubling in farm output, yet growth rates in food production in some regions have been stagnated.” As countries become more affluent, the need for protein in their diet increases faster than the population or food production.
PEM is the most lethal form of malnutrition and hunger. It is basically a lack of calories and protein because protein is necessary for key body functions including provision of essential amino acids and the development and maintenance of muscles.
My New Challenges
I realized, even on the tragic day my plants died, that aquaponics was a ‘game changer’ and could offer an affordable way for people ANYWHERE to become immediately self-sufficient for table vegetables and fresh fish. Over the past forty years, I have continued to tinker with aquaponics to learn everything I could find about the topic. I went through periods when I would become disinterested or too busy to focus on my idea and I didn’t touch it. But I was always thinking of ways to solve a piece of the aquaponics puzzle so the system would become more stable, more productive and less expensive to duplicate.
I knew that if I could just find a way to keep the sprouting seeds dryer and not waterlogged while they were growing, they would mature and produce food. Also, I needed to find a simple way to automate the system so it would remove the fish poop out of the circulating closed loop water system without having to clean it by hand. So, I accepted my challenges and then spent many years working to solve these obstacles.
This small Portable Farms Aquaponics System attracted WORLDWIDE attention in 24 hours.
Then, the real opportunity arrived for me. My beautiful wife, Phyllis, and I moved into a house in Southern California several years ago that had a very large koi pond in the backyard with three enormous white and orange Kohaku koi that were two feet long (whom we named Hickory, Dickory and Doc, because they swam in clockwise circles all day and all night). The pond had a large pump that would feed the water to a water fall which was a kind of a stream/fountain. The house, the location, the yard, everything was perfect. Phyllis turned to me one day as we sitting on our covered patio and said in her kindest and most loving manner, “Okay, you’ve been screwing around with this long enough. You perfect it and I’ll market it.”
I decided that I would take her up on her offer, so I set about refining my ideas for a new aquaponics system with many of the ideas that had been percolating in my mind over the years.
Now, I ask you, how could I refuse an offer like that? I began researching new products on the market and then I started building.
In my process of experimentation, we designed a pumping system that kept the water in the fish tanks clear and remove the fish poop from the water and off the bottom of the tank, plus, we could calibrate the flow at the correct rate for the water to flow through the gravel in the grow trays. The pump was very inexpensive to operate and it didn’t become clogged or damaged from constant use as the water pumped the water and fish poop through the system.
So, there in the backyard in our beautiful gated community, Home Owner Association restricted house, we built not one, not two, but three aquaponics systems of varying sizes. Our neighbors loved us though because we gave them all the vegetables and fish that we could not consume instead of selling them. Almost overnight, people started calling and asking for tours to see our farms and the word spread faster than we could have ever anticipated.
Gradually, over a year’s time, we perfected our system, gave it name, a Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System. Phyllis built a terrific website and calls and orders started coming in the minute we announced it was for sale.
We sent out one single 400-word Press Release on PR Newswire, June 18, 2008, that we had written ourselves at the kitchen table, announcing our new aquaponics system and within 10 days, we received thousands of inquiries from people in 110 countries.
Within three months, we had simply outgrown that big house and moved to a 2.5 acre ‘ranch’ in Escondido, California, a former orchid farm, that had over an acre of flat land for us to expand our research center and get serious about presenting our ideas to the world.
We bought a little red tractor and Phyllis and I cleared and maintained the land ourselves (which was no small task because the property had been badly neglected for many years). We built three hoop houses ourselves to enclose our various sized aquaponics systems from pests and weather, and another hoop house as a future guest and training center. (I should mention that our hoop houses proved to be highly inadequate enclosures for our aquaponics systems because they would blow down in high wind storms, and didn’t provide adequate insulation against the intense heat that comes and goes in Southern California. We learned the hard way.)
As we experimented with our fish tanks and pumps and flow rates, we continued to make mistakes on a regularly frustrating basis. We killed fish, we killed more plants, we wrecked pumps, and we cooked everything in a small greenhouses once when we accidentally tripped a circuit breaker and didn’t know it for 10 hours on a record (112 degree F) hot day.
Portable Farms Aquaponics Research Center - Escondido, California, 2008
This farm might might LOOK LIKE MUCH, but Phyllis and I built it with our own two hands. This major effort required much blood, sweat and tears and months of work to clear the land and build the farms.
A month or so after we moved to Escondido and we had completed a couple of farms, a local newspaper asked to interview us for a story and we jumped at the chance for some local publicity. The article was then ‘picked up’ by the Union Tribune (the largest newspaper in San Diego) and on the day after Christmas 2008, and before New Year’s Day 2009 we began receiving hundreds of requests for private tours of our farms.
Photo shows our VERY EARLY designs we used for our 700 gallon fish tanks and classifiers in the Portable Farms. Our current designs are far easier to install and maintain.
We had people on tours that would stand in our hoop houses overlooking the lush gardens of fresh vegetables growing in the gravel trays and openly weep because they were so overwhelmed with the possibilities of fresh food for themselves, and the simplicity of our systems. After the tours, we invited people to sit under a large blue tent under an enormous red flaming bougainvillea bush, offered them cold water and made them comfortable, which gave us chance to give them our ‘sale’s pitch.’ During that time, we listened to their concerns of food security (access and availability), food prices, issues related to State and global droughts effecting farmers, food quality, food transportation, genetically modified foods and chemicals in the foods that are available today at local stores. They also expressed their concerns about the lack of taste in many of today’s vegetables and fruits, as compared to the taste of food they remembered when they were growing up. And of course, they repeatedly expressed their concerns about global hunger and the devastating effects of famine.
Photo shows our VERY EARLY designs we used for gravel-filled grow beds in the Portable Farms.
Our design for grow beds are radically improved today and are FAR more efficient.
We realized this was a terrific opportunity to hear from our potential customers and learn what was on their minds regarding health, politics, nutrition, the war, climate change, civil liberties, farming, gas prices, and on and on. It was a fascinating experience to spend time listening to such a cross section of people who shared similar concerns and closely held opinions about our world today. We had created our own ‘focus group’ and people were very forthcoming about their support of our product and about their personal fears that were growing in this world’s quickly souring economy. Our time with them strengthened our purpose and made us clearly aware that people held strong opinions about becoming self-sustaining. We said to each other, “We may be ahead of the curve, but we’re in the right place at the right time with a product that has a chance to change the world.”
Over the year, over 5,000 people came to our small farms and toured our aquaponics systems from early morning until the sun went over the ridge of the mountain. It was a very exciting time for us, personally, but professionally, there weren’t enough hours in the day to manage our small but growing business so we decided to downsize.
That summer, two Southern California documentary filmmakers requested permission to interview me and tour our systems, on camera, and again, we welcomed the attention to ‘get the word out’ about our new invention. Here are links to those two documentaries. One of them is by Beck Bamberger, CLICK HERE as Next 500 unveils the future of business as we yet know it. The leading companies of tomorrow are doing business today in a new way.
That summer, two Southern California documentary filmmakers requested permission to interview me and tour our systems, on camera, and again, we welcomed the attention to ‘get the word out’ about our new invention. Here are links to those two documentaries. One of them is by Beck Bamberger, as Next 500 unveils the future of business as we yet know it. The leading companies of tomorrow are doing business today in a new way. (YouTube video of interview below.)
Beck Bamberger, Series entitled Next 500, Interviews Colle Davis about Portable Farms Aquaponics Systems
Since we decided that we wouldn’t offer as many tours as we had in the past, and our research on the farm had finally created our ‘finished product,’ and we had received our patent pending, we decided to simplify our lives and move away from the farm and leave all the responsibility of keeping 5,000 fish happy and fed, and planting and harvesting 5,000 vegetables. So, we sold two of our aquaponics systems and donated the third (and largest) system to a local non-profit center who work to feed refugees here in San Diego, California.
We launched a one-day farm sale that we advertised on Craigslist and sold our small red tractor and all our farm equipment, and extra furniture that we had accumulated, and moved into a lovely home October 2009 that had just been redecorated in San Diego, near the beach and overlooking Mission Bay. We were so exhausted (mentally, physically, physiologically, emotionally and spiritually) that we simply collapsed into a heap to rethink our strategies.
Small Portable Farms Aquaponics System
Our new backyard in San Diego had ample room to build our own aquaponics system, just for us, so with the help of our friend, Lane McClelland, we put up a small 10’ x 16’ aquaponics system on our sundeck which took about a week to complete.
After we rested and recuperated, we built a small farm in our backyard (photo above) and provided tours again on a limited basis. After marking our third year in the business of selling Portable Farms, we began receiving an increase in international inquiries which forced us to rethink how to sell the farms globally. After months of work and fully redesigning our systems to be much more effective and able to incorporate local materials anywhere in the world, we relaunched our marketing under a technology licensing structure. This allows us to sell the technology to companies or individuals for defined territories anywhere in the world.
Commerical 10,000 sq ft Portable Farms Aquaponics System in Botswana, Africa
Our first international technology license was sold in Botswana, Africa. The License Holder, a major construction company with thirty years of experience, had been searching for 2½ years for the perfect aquaponics system to bring to their country. After extensive research, they approached Colle Davis, inventor of Portable Farms™, with the request to become the premier License Holder for Botswana, Africa to fulfill their plans to sell fish and vegetables to local markets near each installation. The License Holder anticipates direct government involvement for the wide-spread installation of Portable Farms™ in Botswana because of the country’s need for fresh food. The project includes a visitor’s center, three commercial sized Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System Units, a fish processing center, a farmers market, and upgraded utilities for the area.
The License Holder, the owner of a major construction company with thirty years of experience, had been searching for 2½ years for the perfect aquaponics system to bring to his country. His company recently completed the largest fish hatchery in Southern Africa. After extensive research, he approached Colle Davis, inventor of Portable Farms™ Aquaponics Systems, with the request to become the premier License Holder for Portable Farms™ technology in Botswana, Africa. The License Holder is quoted as saying, “After studying various aquaponics systems throughout the world and attending several trainings, I chose Portable Farms™ because of three key features: One, the systems don’t require constant monitoring and cleaning, and two, they can be operated by semi-skilled labor, and three, they focus on sustainability.”
The initial crops chosen by the license holder based on local demand are tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and herbs. The 10,000 sq ft (1,000 m2) Portable Farm™ currently being completed in Botswana produces 60,000 vegetables and 21,000 pounds (9,000 kg) of tilapia fish, per year to be sold locally. The Technology License was assigned for the entire country of Botswana to fulfill his company’s plans to sell fish and vegetables to local markets near each installation. He anticipates direct government involvement for the wide-spread installation of Portable Farms™ in Botswana because of the country’s need for fresh food. The Botswana project includes a visitor’s center, three 10,000 sq ft Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System units, a fish processing center, a farmers market, and upgraded utilities for the area.
Portable Farms Aquaponics System in Playa Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico
Portable Farms Aquaponics System in Playa Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico
Because our company was growing, we researched additional needs for manufacturing and exporting around the world and learned that we could have our pumping systems redesigned and manufactured in Mexico, so ONCE AGAIN, we found ourselves packing and moving. This time it was only 20 miles south of the San Diego Border to Playa Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico. We found a beautiful, enormous stucco house on the beach of the Pacific Ocean that won our hearts. The house was so large, somebody could have roller skated in the living room and it had a very large fenced yard for a Portable Farms Aquaponics System – a perfect spot for us to live. Unfortunately, a freak accident caused the electrical circuit in the wall caught the drapes on fire above our bed and burned the contents of the house. What was not fire damaged was smoke or water damaged and we lost 99% of everything we owned. The Portable Farm Aquaponics System that was built along side the house suffered only minor minor roof damage and someone bought the entire system the next week, disassembled it, packed in on a truck and moved it (fish and all) to reassemble on their property. We moved to a furnished house nearby to give us tome to re-evaluate our business and decide what we would do to NEXT.
After a month of dealing with logistics of the fire and after a month of much thought, we decided to move away from the border of Mexico (for a variety of reasons) and to move far deeper into Latin America. We packed up a small 8′ trailer (filled with computers and a few surviving items not lost in the fire) along with our dog, Dolly, and our parrot, Shorty, and set out for the long drive through Central Mexico and deep into Latin America. It was a fascinating trip despite the fact that the transmission in our car caused our car to break down in the middle of the Sonora Desert and detained us for several days for repairs. And because of global interest, we have moved our headquarters and research center to Latin America in order to better serve both developing and developed countries. The Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System technology lends itself to the use of local materials and utilization of local labor. Traffic and inquiries have increased 270% in the last ninety days (as of February 1, 2012).
We are happy to report that we are enjoying our new location and our new life. Colle spoke recently to a global group in Panama about the farms and self-sufficiency for small groups and continues to work on refining the systems in his new research facility. Phyllis has found innovative ways to enhance production in the farms using organic methods and is enjoying working with our license holders to maximize their plant production. We both feel as if we have found a ‘new lease on life’ and are filled with energy for the new direction for our company.
We launched our new product, a PatioPonics Portable Farms Aquaponics Systems worldwide on August 1, 2011 for homeowners to enjoy small farms on their patio or sundeck in their backyards.
We are happy to report that we are enjoying our new location and our new life. Colle spoke recently to a global group in Panama about the farms and self-sufficiency for small groups and continues to work on refining the systems in his new research facility. Phyllis has found innovative ways to enhance production in the farms using organic methods and is enjoying working with our license holders to maximize their plant production. We both feel as if we have found a ‘new lease on life’ and are filled with energy for the new direction for our company.
We launched our new product, a PatioPonics Portable Farms Aquaponics Systems worldwide on August 1, 2011 for homeowners to enjoy small farms on their patio or sundeck in their backyards. (YouTube Video below.)
PatioPonics Portable Farms introduced by Inventor, Colle Davis
We are also launching KoiPonics Pumping Systems worldwide that clean koi ponds until they are crystal clear, in mid-2012, so we are very busy with pre-sales and manufacturing our new systems.
We lauched the eductional arm of our company, Aquaponics University, on September 1, 2011, to train people about aquaponics and to build their own Portable Farms Aquaponics System.
Currently, we are focusing our efforts on expanding the Technology Licensing aspect of our business to cover as much territory as possible and make Portable Farms(TM) Aquaponics Systems available anywhere in the world. As of February 1, 2012, we have received interest from 34 countries and 11 US States and Canada regarding our Technology Licensing.
In December 2011, Portable Farms Ltd. expanded to a new license holder in Lagos, Nigeria.
Portable Farms SALMON Aquaponics Systems are Now Available: CLICK HERE for more information.
Thank you for reading our story.
Regards,
Colle and Phyllis Davis
Inventors
760-208-2663- SKYPE EMAIL
While attending the University of California at Davis in the early 1970s to pursue my education in Renewable Natural Resources, one of the jobs I took to help support my growing family was to clean out the fish tanks at the Tilapia Project on campus. If you have ever cleaned out a fish tank with the coarse sand over the plastic spacers in the bottom of the tank, you know this is neither fun, nor clean work.
Here are the problems the world is currently facing today: Food and poverty go hand in hand, and that the problems I faced in the 1970’s would become larger than anything we could possibly imagine then. In the 1970’s, the global population was 3.4 billion. Today, it’s 6 billion and expected to be at around 8 billion in the next 15 years.
