Progress 06/01/17 to 05/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:This research and extension capacity-building project targets the following stakeholders: CSU and OSU Faculty: OSU faculty train CSU faculty, scientists, and students on aquaculture and hydroponics. Faculty members from both institutes engage in scholarly publications, research and extension publications, conference presentations, radio/TV talk shows, Social media, and training graduate and undergraduate students. CSU and OSU Extension staff: Training students on practical aspects of aquaponics and hydroponics, and water quality, organizing workshops, and field days, preparing extension outreach materials, and communication with CSU and OSU public relations and media office for dissemination of science-based knowledge on aquaponics to the clientele under the leadership of Land Grant Director, Associate Research and Extension Directors. CSU and OSU students: Students engage in experiential learning through direct engagement in the greenhouse construction, design and installation of aquaponics equipment, selection of suitable plant and fish species, conduct academic degree-oriented research studies, and perform data collection, analysis, and interpretation. They will also present the information in professional and extension conferences and seek professional internships and development. Growers/industry collaborators: Marginal, urban, and immigrant farmers, NPOs, crop consultants, and local community leaders, and unemployed youth are either directly involved in the planning and construction of aquaponics and extension activities or participating through hands-on workshops on producing fish and vegetables. State and Federal Employees: USDA-NRCS and other collaborators with CSU and OSU in organizing workshops on urban agriculture to growers. State: ODA, SWCD, OEPA, OEFFA, and ODNR: For project visibility, diversity and outreach. Others: Minority and disadvantage groups within communities that have access to CSU and OSU, and others. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?CSU staff (PIs and Extension Program Leaders) had conducted about 9 workshops and conferences to urban producers and disseminated their research findings through posters by involving both non-profit and community/business organizations. OSU also conducted many workshops at its Piketon campus and at several other locations in Ohio. The grant has supported and/or trained about seven CSU undergraduate students from Environmental Engineering and Biology programs, two graduate students from OSU, and facilitated collaborative research between faculty and students from both campuses. Two graduate students have completed their graduate studies and received their respective degrees. One student graduated with an M.S. from the School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University in July 2022 and another student with an M.E. in the Food, Agriculture and Biological Engineering Dept. in January 2021. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?More than 100 people visited our aquaponics research including state and federal legislators, The Ohio State University President, vice-presidents, and several deans, industry representatives, Middle- and high school students and teachers, and farmers. Several radio/TV talk shows were performed. Both universities prepared multiple traditional and electronic Extension outreach materials and disseminated them at several professional forums through their Extension outreach programs especially via a state-wide a day long field night and training workshop on August 5, 2021. More than 30 professionals including young and new farmers, industry representatives, minority farmers, consultants and OSU Extension educators, and local county officials. Fifty percent of the attendants were farmers, 38% were educators, and 12% were others. The PIs presented and shared their experiences on managing aquaponics production effectively by monitoring recirculating water quality at the Ohio Aquaculture Association's Annual Conference held in Westerville near Columbus, Ohio on January 28-29, 2022. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? A research pilot plant system for growing vegetables and fish simultaneously using aquaponics technology was being operated continuously at Central State University and Ohio State University as part of the funded 1890 Capacity Building Grant from the USDA NIFA. Researchers at both locations have been the monitoring the water quality and were measuring the nutrient availability through water to the floating grow beds where two types of lettuce were being grown. For both systems, total grow space for each bed is 3.3 m2. The production was carried using Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) and tilapia (oreochromis niloticus) with mixed green and red lettuce (Lactuca sativa) plantings in a 6 m x 6 m greenhouse space. Essential nutrients are provided to the lettuce from the natural waste generated by the aquatic life that is given a constant supply of feed based on 3% of their total body weight. Biofilters in the system transformed the urea waste, ammonia (NH3), into nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) which can be absorbed by plant roots. Water quality parameters, such as pH and dissolved oxygen, were maintained at appropriate levels for maximum plant growth. This study emphasized the need to maintain different pH and dissolved oxygen levels across the system rather than to maintain uniform levels to maximize the transformation of bioavailable nutrients to plants. A combination of anoxic and aerobic bacteria converted fish waste into essential nutrients for plant growth. Over a plant growth period of 7-8 weeks, the steady increase in the concentration of NO-species coincided with significant growth in the lettuce plants. The red variants outperformed the green in respect to leaf biomass. Fresh lettuce head mass was greater under perch production than tilapia which was carried out previously. Aquaponics biomass was approximately 25% greater than that of hydroponics done at an external greenhouse. Aquaponic plants had better leaf geometry, higher photosynthetic rates, and greater chlorophyll content than those grown under hydroponic conditions. Quality of the lettuce produced in the aquaponics system matched comparable to hydroponic samples. Aquaponic lettuce samples had greater macronutrients P, K, Ca, and Mg and lower S. The samples contained higher levels of Fe, Cu, Mg, Mn, Zn and comparable Mo. The gray water samples from rain barrels that collected water from the greenhouse were analyzed for their use in aquaponics systems. These samples had a lower pH of 6.5 compared to pH 8.3 for tap water which released heavy metals such as Cd and Cr and lower micronutrients such as Zn, Mn, and B. The protein content of aquaponics fish was comparable to imported fish. All fish samples contained essential and non-essential amino acids. Aquaponics fish had a significantly higher amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids and lower amount of saturated fatty acids content than the imported fish. Aquaponics fish showed better or higher nutritional quality compared to imported fish. Similarly, the macronutrient density was higher in U.S. grown aquaponics fish than imported fish. Aquaponically grown fish are a comparable source of protein, lipids, and nutrients to be used as supplements to treat malnutrition. A techno-economic analysis on the system identified labor, greenhouse cost, market value of the lettuce and its grow space as prime factors controlling theprofitability. Two graduate students completed thesis work on the economics and food nutrition in aquaponic systems. Both universities prepared multiple traditional and electronic Extension outreach materials and disseminated them at several professional forums through their Extension outreach programs especially via a state-wide a day long field night and training workshop on August 5, 2021. More than 30 professionals including young and new farmers, industry representatives, minority farmers, consultants and OSU Extension educators, and local county officials. Fifty percent of the attendants were farmers, 38% were educators, and 12% were others. About 87% of the participants considered our speakers were well prepared and delivered useful information. With 87% of the participants considered the program, agenda and contents were very relevant and easy to follow and 94% of the participants considered the facilities and the logistic support of the aquaponics field night were adequate. About 94% of the participants reportedly learned new and useful knowledge by attending this field night. About 94% of them were very satisfied with the field night and with 50% of them considered this is one of the best field nights while the rest of the 50% considered above average field night, when compared to previous educational and training opportunities on aquaponics, water quality, and hydroponics. Fifty percent of the participants inquired how could be convey this opportunity to schools and other education institutes including vocational facilities. More than 50% of the participants were interested to know more about business opportunities and plan. It was surprising that 56% of the participants were female and the rest 44 were male. Average of the participants was 44 years which ranges from 14 to 70 years old.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Natalia Zappernick, K.V. Nedunuri, K.R. Islam, Sami Khanal, T. Worley, S.L. Laki, Ajay Shah, Techno-economic analysis of a recirculating tilapia-lettuce aquaponics system, Journal of Cleaner Production, 365, 2022, 132753, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132753.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Shib Nath Pattadar, Mohammad Arifur Rahman, Khandakar Rafiq Islam*, Krishna Kumar V. Nedunuri, Brian Slater, (2022) Food Quality of Aquaponics Produced Nile Tilapia - A Potential Nutrition Source (submitted to aquaculture Manuscript Number AQUACULTURE-D-22-03157).

Progress 06/01/20 to 05/31/21

Outputs
Target Audience:This research and extension capacity-building project targets the following stakeholders: CSU and OSU Faculty: OSU faculty train CSU faculty, scientists, and students on aquaculture and hydroponics. Faculty members from both institutes engage in scholarly publications, research and extension publications, conference presentations, radio/TV talk shows, Social media, and training graduate and undergraduate students. CSU and OSU Extension staff: Training students on practical aspects of aquaponics and hydroponics, and water quality, organizing workshops, and field days, preparing extension outreach materials, and communication with CSU and OSU public relations and media office for dissemination of science-based knowledge on aquaponics to the clientele under the leadership of Land Grant Director, Associate Research and Extension Directors. CSU and OSU students: Students engage in experiential learning through direct engagement in the greenhouse construction, design and installation of aquaponics equipment, selection of suitable plant and fish species, conduct academic degree-oriented research studies, and perform data collection, analysis, and interpretation. They will also present the information in professional and extension conferences and seek professional internships and development. Growers/industry collaborators: Marginal, urban, and immigrant farmers, NPOs, crop consultants, and local community leaders, and unemployed youth are either directly involved in the planning and construction of aquaponics and extension activities or participating through hands-on workshops on producing fish and vegetables. ?Others: Minority and disadvantage groups within communities that have access to CSU and OSU, and others. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?CSU staff (PIs and Extension Program Leaders) had conducted about 6 workshops and conferences to urban producers and disseminated their research findings through posters by involving both non-profit and community/business organizations. OSU also conducted many workshops at its Piketon campus and at several other locations in Ohio. The grant has supported and/or trained about seven CSU undergraduate students from Environmental Engineering and Biology programs, two graduate students from OSU, and facilitated collaborative research between students from both campuses. Both graduate students have completed their academic meeting to fulfill their requirements for graduate studies. Shivnath Pattadar is a graduate student in the School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University. He is planning to graduate in the spring semester of 2022. Natalia Zappernick is a M.E. in the Food, Agriculture and Biological Engineering Dept. of the Ohio State University. Natalia graduated in January 2021. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?E. Archer, "Aquaponics: The Water-Based Eco-Alternative" Growth of Lettuce in an Aquaponics System using Tilapia Fish Technological Advances in Science, Medicine and Engineering Conference 2021, July 2, 2021 - July 4, 2021 D. Latham, Aquaponics: Sustainably Design, Operate, and Scale-up, Undergraduate Environmental Engineering Student Internship Presentation, International Center for Water Resources Management, December 11, 2020. N. Zappernick,K. Nedunuri, K.R. Islam, A. Shah. 2020. A systems perceptive in optimizing nutrient transformations in aerobic biofilters in tilapia-lettuce recirculating aquaponics systems. NABEC Annual Conference. July 28th, 2020. Award winning Outstanding Oral Presentation. 3. Peer reviewed journal articles N. Zappernick, K.V. Nedunuri, K.R. Islam, S. Khanal, T. Worley, S.L. Laki, A. Shah*, Techno-economic analysis of tilapia-lettuce aquaponics production system, Clean energy production, 2021 ( in review) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are planning to complete Amino acid, fatty acid- and sugar profilingof fish/lettuce.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? A research pilot plant system for growing vegetables and fish simultaneously using aquaponics technology was being operated continuously at Central State University as part of the funded capacity building grant from the USDA NIFA. Researchers at both locations have been the monitoring the water quality and are measuring the nutrient availability through water to the floating grow beds where two types of lettuce are being grown. For both systems, total grow space for each bed is 3.3 m2. The production was carried using Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) with mixed green and red lettuce (Lactuca sativa) plantings in a 6 m x 6 m greenhouse space. Essential nutrients are provided to the lettuce from the natural waste generated by the aquatic life that is given a constant supply of feed based on 3% of their total body weight. Biofilters in the system transformed the urea waste, ammonia (NH3), into nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) which can be absorbed by plant roots. Water quality parameters, such as pH and dissolved oxygen, were maintained at appropriate levels for maximum plant growth. Over a plant growth period of 7-8 weeks, the steady increase in the concentration of NO-species coincided with significant growth in the lettuce plants. The red variants outperformed the green in respect to leaf biomass. Fresh lettuce head mass was greater under perch production than tilapia which was carried out previously. Aquaponics biomass was approximately 25% greater than that of hydroponics done at an external greenhouse. Quality of the lettuce produced in the aquaponics system matched or surpassed comparative samples. A graduate student completed thesis work on the economics and pitfalls of alternate research systems. Both universities prepared multiple traditional and electronic Extension outreach materials and disseminated them at several professional forums through their Extension outreach programs especially via a state-wide a day long field night and training workshop on August 5, 2021. More than 30 professionals including young and new farmers, industry representatives, minority farmers, consultants and OSU Extension educators, and local county officials. Fifty percent of the attendants were farmers, 38% were educators, and 12% were others. About 87% of the participants considered our speakers were well prepared and delivered useful information. With 87% of the participants considered the program, agenda and contents were very relevant and easy to follow and 94% of the participants considered the facilities and the logistic support of the aquaponics field night were adequate. About 94% of the participants reportedly learned new and useful knowledge by attending this field night. About 94% of them were very satisfied with the field night and with 50% of them considered this is one of the best field nights while the rest of the 50% considered above average field night, when compared to previous educational and training opportunities on aquaponics, water quality, and hydroponics. Fifty percent of the participants inquired how could be convey this opportunity to schools and other education institutes including vocational facilities. More than 50% of the participants were interested to know more about business opportunities and plan. It was surprising that 56% of the participants were female and the rest 44 were male. Average of the participants was 44 years which ranges from 14 to 70 years old.

Publications

Progress 06/01/19 to 05/31/20

Outputs
Target Audience:This research and extension capacity-building project targets the following stakeholders: CSU and OSU Faculty: OSU faculty train CSU faculty on aquaculture and hydroponics. Faculty members from both institutes engage in scholarly publications, research and extension publications, conference presentations, radio/TV talk shows, Social media, and training graduate and undergraduate students. CSU and OSU Extension staff: Training students on practical aspects of aquaponics and water quality, organizing workshops, in-service and field days, preparing extension outreach materials and communication with CSU and OSU public relations and media office for dissemination of science-based knowledge on aquaponics to the clientele under the leadership of Land Grant Director, Associate Research and Extension Directors. CSU and OSU students: Students engage in experiential learning through direct engagement in the greenhouse construction, design and installation of aquaponics equipment, selection of suitable plant and fish species, conduct experiments, and perform data collection and interpretation. They will also present the information in professional and extension conferences and seek professional internships and development. Growers: Marginal, urban, and immigrant farmers, NPOs, crop consultants, and local community leaders, and unemployed youth are either directly involved in the planning and construction of aquaponics and extension activities or participating through hands-on workshops on producing fish and vegetables. State and Federal Employees: USDA NRCS and other collaborators with CSU and OSU in organizing workshops on urban agriculture to growers. State: ODA, SWCD, OEPA, OEFFA, and ODNR: For project visibility, diversity and outreach. Others: Minority and disadvantage groups within communities that have access to CSU and OSU, and others. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The PIs at CSU Research and Extension and OSU Research and Piketon Extension staff have been involved in the following training and professional development activities: Knowledge dissemination to farmers in "Aquaponics Twilight Tour: Thursday, December 17, 2019,at Central State University Aquaponics Building".1. Knowledge dissemination to farmers in "Aquaponics Twilight Tour: Thursday, January 30, 2020, at Central State University Aquaponics Building". 2. Trained three undergraduate students in environmental engineering, one graduate student in Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering at OSU on running the aquaponics system and in using various YSI multicomponent water quality sensors. 3. Onegraduate student in the School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University is planning to graduate in the spring semester of 2022 and another graduate student is an M.E. in the Food, Agriculture and Biological Engineering Dept. of the Ohio State Universit and is planning to graduate in the fall semester of 2020. 4. Both CSU and OSU faculty have used their research greenhouses to train and assist staff in the CSU Extension AquaponicsGreenhouse in designing,building, and operatinga 60 ft X 30 ft extension aquaponics facility at Central State University. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of the research have been presented or being presented at international/nationalconferences. 1. Pattadar, S.N., Maxwell, J., Smith, M., Bergefurd, B., Krishnakumar, N., Slater, B., and K.R. Islam (2020). Is fish quality healthier in aquaponics? Paper presented at World Aquaculture Society America Conference, February 9-12, 2020 Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. 2. Bergefurd, B.R., Islam, K.R., Nedunuri, K.K., Matthew Smith, M., Worley, T. (2020). "Building Educational Capacity Through Collaborative Aquaponics Extension Education". AQUACULTURE AMERICA 2020 -- "Hawaii Aquaculture: A Tradition of Navigating with Innovation, Technology and Culture", Honolulu, Hawaii USA. 3. Maxwell, J., Pattadar, S.N., Smith, M., Bergefurd, B., Krishnakumar, N., Slater, B., and K.R. Islam. Aquaponics system impacts on lettuce yield and quality. Poster presented at World Aquaculture Society America Conference, February 9-12, 2020 Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. 4. N. Zappernick, K.V. Nedunuri. K.R. Islam, A. Shah, Exploring the characterization of solids in a recirculating aquaponics system, Northeast Agricultural and Biological Engineering Conference (NABEC), July 26-29, 2020. 5.N. Zappernick, K.V. Nedunuri. K.R. Islam, A. Shah,A Systems Perspectivein optimizing Nutrient transformations in Aerobic Biofilters In Tilapia-Lettuce Recirculating Aquaponics SystemsNortheast Agricultural and Biological Engineering Conference (NABEC), July 26-29, 2020. 4. Peer reviewed journal articles Pattadar, S.N., Maxwell, J., Smith, M., Bergefurd, B., Krishnakumar, N., Slater, B., and K.R. Islam (2020) Comparative analysis on food quality of exotic and introduced tilapia species raised under aquaponic systems (in preparation). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Both CSU and OSU have completed multiple plant (lettuce) harvests with tilapia fish providingessential plant nutrients through mineralization and recirculating water. The PDs will repeat the set of experiments using yellow perch. The impact of using rainwater from different locations in Ohio on the quality of recirculation water and its impact on fish and lettuce production needs to be completed. This is to be followed by an economic feasibility evaluation. Analysis of fish and lettuce for nutritional value will also be completed during the next reporting period.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? A functioning engineering research pilot plant system for growing vegetables and fish simultaneously using aquaponics technology was designed, built, and is being operated continuously at Central State University as part of the funded capacity-building grant from the USDA NIFA. The plant is about 700-gallon capacity running in triplicate units to ensure statistical reliability and also accommodate uncertainties inherent to the system from variations in tilapia, lettuce, and water quality of the production water. A similar system was being run at the Ohio State University (OSU) in its Piketon campus to understand our research question whether the vegetable production and fish health would be sensitive to changes in water quality. The OSU plant also served as a training system for CSU PIs and students that provided an avenue to share about 25 years of experience on aquaculture available from the OSU PIs at the Piketon extension campus. Researchers at both locations have been monitoring the water use and water quality and are measuring the nutrient availability through the water to the floating grow beds where two types of lettuce are being grown. For both systems, the total grow space for each bed is 3.3 m2. At each harvest, lettuce fresh marketable fresh yield per grow bed (3.3 m2) was 3.56 and 1.55 kg for the aquaponic system and hydroponic systems, respectively. Total lettuce fresh marketable yield calculated at each harvest was 10.8 and 4.7 kg/ha of grow space for aquaponic and hydroponic systems, respectively. Among many parameters that are currently being investigated, we have found dissolved oxygen and pH to be critical in controlling the system. Tilapia has grown to about three quarter a pound size for six months. The pilot plant is being used to develop hydrodynamic and kinetic design parameters that are crucial to design, optimization, and the scale-up of aquaponics systems to suit the needs of urban growers, rural small farmers, and other community centers which emphasize on sustainable food production systems using vegetables and fish. OSU has completed two fish harvests and around 26 plant harvests, whereas CSU has completed one fish harvest and around 13 plant harvests using their respective aquaponic and hydroponic systems. OSU has completed the analysis of fish and lettuce yields, fish protein, amino acid, and fatty acid profiling, nutrition density, and water quality, whereas CSU has completed the systems-level analysis of water quality. This task has just begun following the completion of multiple harvests of fish and lettuce at both institutes. A graduate student thesis, which is currently in progress, is looking into the economics and pitfalls of alternate research systems. Both universities prepared multiple traditional and electronic Extension outreach materials and disseminated them at several professional forums through their Extension outreach programs.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Pattadar, S.N., Maxwell, J., Smith, M., Bergefurd, B., Krishnakumar, N., Slater, B., and K.R. Islam (2020). Is fish quality healthier in aquaponics? Paper presented at World Aquaculture Society America Conference, February 9-12, 2020 Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Bergefurd, B.R., Islam, K.R., Nedunuri, K.K., Matthew Smith, M., Worley, T. (2020). Building Educational Capacity Through Collaborative Aquaponics Extension Education. AQUACULTURE AMERICA 2020 -- Hawaii Aquaculture: A Tradition of Navigating with Innovation, Technology and Culture, Honolulu, Hawaii USA.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Maxwell, J., Pattadar, S.N., Smith, M., Bergefurd, B., Krishnakumar, N., Slater, B., and K.R. Islam. Aquaponics system impacts on lettuce yield and quality. Poster presented at World Aquaculture Society America Conference, February 9-12, 2020 Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Exploring the characterization of solids in a recirculating aquaponics system Authors: N. Zappernick, K.V. Nedunuri. K.R. Islam, A. Shah,Northeast Agricultural and Biological Engineering Conference (NABEC), July 26-29, 2020
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: A Systems Perspective in optimizing Nutrient transformations in Aerobic Biofilters In Tilapia-Lettuce Recirculating Aquaponics Systems Authors: N. Zappernick, K.V. Nedunuri. K.R. Islam, A. Shah, Northeast Agricultural and Biological Engineering Conference (NABEC), July 26-29, 2020

Progress 06/01/18 to 05/31/19

Outputs
Target Audience:CSU and OSU Faculty: OSU faculty train CSU faculty on aquaculture and hydroponics. Faculty members from both institutes engage in scholarly publications, research and extension publications, conference presentations, radio/TV talk shows, Social media, and training graduate and undergraduate students. CSU and OSU Extension staff: Training students on practical aspects of aquaponics and water quality, organizing workshops, in-service and field days, preparing extension outreach materials and communication with CSU and OSU public relations and media office for dissemination of science-based knowledge on aquaponics to the clientele under the leadership of Land Grant Director, Associate Research and Extension Directors. CSU and OSU students: Students engage in experiential learning through direct engagement in the greenhouse construction, design and installation of aquaponics equipment, selection of suitable plant and fish species, conduct experiments, and perform data collection and interpretation. They will also present the information in professional and extension conferences and seek professional internships and development. Growers: Marginal, urban, and immigrant farmers, NPOs, crop consultants, and local community leaders, and unemployed youth are either directly involved in the planning and construction of aquaponics and extension activities or participating through hands-on workshops on producing fish and vegetables. State and Federal Employees: USDA NRCS and other collaborators with CSU and OSU in organizing workshops on urban agriculture to growers. State: ODA, SWCD, OEPA, OEFFA, and ODNR: For project visibility, diversity and outreach. Others: Minority and disadvantage groups within communities that have access to CSU and OSU, and others. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The following is a list of training and profesisonal development activities that researchers have been engagged at both Central State and Ohio State Universities. K.V. Nedunuri, K.R. Islam, and co-workers from OSU and CSU held a workshop on "Economics of Small Farms on Urban Landscapes" with an emphasis on Aquaculture on April 5-6, 2019 at Outreach Education Technical Assistance (OETA) Farmers Conference at Wilberforce, Ohio. CSU Extension in collaboration with Rid-All conducted Urban Aquaponics Workshop on July 14, 2018 at Central State Dayton Campus. Publications from OSU Extension Smith MA. 2019 at . Water quality. Fish Farmers of Ohio Meeting. Wooster, Ohio. April 13. (invited) Smith MA and Scott HM. 2019. Cooperating to enhance aquatic farming in Ohio and the Midwest. National Institute for Animal Agriculture Annual Meeting. Aquatic Livestock Committee Meeting. Des Moines, Iowa. April 9. (invited) Smith MA*, Lynch WE Jr., and Brehm M. 2019. Intensification of ponds in the Midwest. Iowa Aquaculture annual conference. Ames, Iowa. March 22. Smith MA*. 2019. Water quality. Indiana Aquaculture Association, Inc. annual conference. Russiaville, Indiana. March 15. Smith MA*. 2019. Water quality. Wisconsin Aquaculture Association. Workshop on Fish Health and Water Quality. Eau Claire, Wisconsin. February 16. Smith MA*. 2019. Pike County CTC aquaculture presentation. Guest Lecture Day at Pike County CTC. Piketon, Ohio. February 4. (invited) Smith MA*. 2018. Knowing your risks: aquaculture farm biosecurity. Ohio Aquaculture Association and OSU ABC workshop. Ohio Department of Agriculture, Reynoldsburg, Ohio. November 10. Presented for Dr. Kathleen Hartman with USDA APHIS. (invited) Smith MA*. 2018. World, U.S. and Ohio Aquaculture Production. Ohio Aquaculture Association and OSU Fish Health Workshop. Ohio Department of Agriculture, Reynoldsburg, Ohio. November 9. (invited) Smith MA*. 2018. Introduction to aquatic farming with emphasis on aquaponics. Greenhouse and Nursery Management. Teacher Uttara Samarakoon, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Greenhouse and Nursery Management course. Ohio State University Agriculture Technical Institute. Wooster, Ohio. October 22. (invited lecturer) Smith MA*. 2018. Introduction to aquatic farming. Retirees of the Colleges of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Education and Human Ecology and the School of Environment and Natural Resources Luncheon. MCL Restaurant and Bakery. Upper Arlington, Ohio. October 15. (invited) Smith MA*. 2018. Aquaponics in the classroom: teaching real-world skills through conservation. Gwynne Conservation Area. Farm Science Review, London, Ohio. September 19. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results, experiences, and observations from implementation of the grant have been communicated in the following ways:. 1. Through the OETA conference which attracted begining, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers in the State of Ohio. 2. Interviewed by Ohio State University CFAES Extension. Aquaculture in Ohio. Buckeye AgriPod Podcast. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/buckeye-agripod/id1445569894?mt=2 (December 18, 2018). 3. Both OSU and CSU have begun creating a series of You-tube videos demonstrating the design, operation, and economics of aquaponics.systems. An initial video introducing aquaponics to various stakeholders can be viewed athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk0rNzUBmT0&feature=youtu.be. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. Experiments at OSU will be repeated using yellow perch. Experiments at CSU will begin in the month of July. Both OSU and CSU systems will continue to collect crop and fish yields, and water quality data. 2. CSU has already built Aquaponics Greenhouse which will be used for Extension of Research from OSU and CSU. The greenhouse is equiipped with rain barrels to collect rain water. This will be used to study the effect of using gray water in recirculatingaquaponic systems. 3.Organize train the trainer meetings, field days, tours and Radio/TV talk shows; Write popular articles;

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Joint collaborative efforts between Central State University (CSU) and Ohio State University (OSU) during the design, equipment acquisition, site selection, installation, and operation of Aquaponic Systems at CSU and OSU. The OSU Aquaponic system was fully operated in early September 2018 with 50 Tilapia fish introduced into the 1700 liters capacity tank. Lettuce was planted in early October 2018. The CSU staff was trained in all aspects of the installation and operation while OSU Aquaponics System was being built and during intial trials with floating rafts, fish tanks and accessories. The CSU Aquaponics Research System completed equipment acquisiton, finalized and acquired fully automated greenhouse for research. CSU succesfully completed the necessary paper work with OSU's guidance and received IUCAC certification to use fish in aquaponics research. CSU willcompleteits installation during June, 2019 and will becomeoperational in July, 2019. Four foam rafts (63 cm long x 127 cm wide) for both hydroponic and aquaponic systems were added to each of the growing bed containing 378.5 liters of recirculating water. Twenty-four plants were planted in each raft. Lettuce was harvested on a 7-week harvesting period. So far, 4 harvests were performed based on 50% sampling (14 plants out of 28 plants per raft). For both systems, total grow space for each bed is 3.3 m2. At each harvest, lettuce fresh marketable fresh yield per bed (3.3 m2) were 3.56 and 1.55 kg for aquaponic system and hydroponic systems, respectively. Total lettuce fresh marketable yield calculated at each harvest were 10.8 and 4.7 kg/ha of grow space for aquaponic and hydroponic systems, respectively. Two graduate students from The Ohio State University were hired to work onthe project - One M.S. student (Natalia Zappernick) from the Dept. of Food, Agriculture and Biological Engineering, and the other one a Ph.D. student (Shivnath Pattadar) from the School of Environment and Natural Resources. While Ms. Natalia will be pursuing her degree on techno-economic analysis of the Aquaponic and hydroponic systems, Mr. Shivnath will be pursuing his Ph.D. on Aquaponic and hydroponic productions systems. One undergraduate student Darrel Latham worked in 2018 Summer and two undergraduate students Mr. Darrel Latham, Mr. Daniel R. Lee are directly employed and Ms. Emily Archer through the land grant program are assisting PIs at Central State University with installation and operation. These students major in Environmental Engineering program in the International Center for Water Resources Management. The quality of the incoming water is28.3, 28.5, 0.23, 1.1, 13.7, 18.4, and 0.02 mg/L of Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca and Cu, respectively as evaluated in the water quality lab at Central State University. Other trace metals have also been evaluated using ICP MS to ensure no toxicity from the metals coming from the supply water. The water quality properties are as follows: Table 1. Water quality properties of hydroponic and aquaponic systems _____________________________________________________________________________________ System Temp DO ECw pH TDS (0C) (mg/L) mS/cm) (mg/L) _____________________________________________________________________________________ Hydroponic 21.3+0.55 8.3+0.63 0.6+0.02 6.7+0.99 307.7+9 Aquaponic 20.3+0.61 7.3+0.53 0.72+0.04 6.7+0.9 378+9 _____________________________________________________________________________________ DO=Dissolve oxygen, ECw=Electrical conductivity of water, TDS=Total dissolved solids. Mean data were presented with standard deviations. 7. Mass balance equations for water were developed around the vegetable beds (floating rafts) both for hydroponic and aquapnic systems using transpiration data for lettuce based on data obtained from the published literature. This model will be refined to incorporate transpiration data from the actual experiments being performed at OSU and CSU.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Economics of Small Farms on Urban Landscapes

Progress 06/01/17 to 05/31/18

Outputs
Target Audience:This research and extension capacity-building project targets the following stakeholders: CSU and OSU Faculty: OSU faculty train CSU faculty on aquaculture and hydroponics. Faculty members from both institutes engage in scholarly publications, research and extension publications, conference presentations, radio/TV talk shows, Social media, and training graduate and undergraduate students. CSU and OSU Extension staff: Training students on practical aspects of aquaponics and water quality, organizing workshops, in-service and field days, preparing extension outreach materials and communication with CSU and OSU public relations and media office for dissemination of science-based knowledge on aquaponics to the clientele under the leadership of Land Grant Director, Associate Research and Extension Directors. CSU and OSU students: Students engage in experiential learning through direct engagement in the greenhouse construction, design and installation of aquaponics equipment, selection of suitable plant and fish species, conduct experiments, and perform data collection and interpretation. They will also present the information in professional and extension conferences and seek professional internships and development. Growers: Marginal, urban, and immigrant farmers, NPOs, crop consultants, and local community leaders, and unemployed youth are either directly involved in the planning and construction of aquaponics and extension activities or participating through hands-on workshops on producing fish and vegetables. State and Federal Employees: USDA NRCS and other collaborators with CSU and OSU in organizing workshops on urban agriculture to growers. State: ODA, SWCD, OEPA, OEFFA, and ODNR: For project visibility, diversity and outreach. Others: Minority and disadvantage groups within communities that have access to CSU and OSU, and others. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?CSU Faculty, lab technicians, and Cooperative Extension Program (CEP) (Nedunuri, K.V., Drs. Clarence Bunch, and N. Zhang) have received training on the following equipment: Knowledge dissemination in collaboration on Aquaponics at RiD-ALL Green partnership on September 16, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Knowledg dissemination on Hydroponics and Aquaponics at Possum Creek MetroPark - Education Building - 4790 Frytown Road, Dayton, OH, 45418 on January 16th, 2018. Training session on Thermo Fisher Scientific Flash smart CN-S Elemental Analyzer on dates September 27-29, 2018, Professional development session in methods development on Agilent 7890 GC-MS with purge and trap system between March 12 and March16, 2018 Professional development session in methods development Agilent ICP MS 7900 CX between May 15 and May18, 2018. Knowledge dissemination at Urban Agriculture: Community gardening, Urban farming, High tunnels, and Aquaponics/Aquaculture at Sustainable Agriculture for a Sustainable Community at "Minority, Women, and Small Farmers' Conference", Wilberforce, Ohio, April 6-7, 2018. Knowledge dissemination in collaboration with RiD-ALL Green Partnership at Urban Aquaponics Workshop for Hamilton-Butler Counties, Civic Garden Center, Cincinnati, May 21, 2018 At OSU, several personnel associated with the project were trained on Shimadzu TOC /TON Analyzer, Shimadzu 7100 ICP Spectroscopy, and Microwave Digestion System. All these equipment will be used in aquaponics research by both institutes to analyze nutrients, metals and organics in the recirculating water, plant and fish samples. Moreover, OSU Research and Piketon Extension staff (Smith, M.A. Bergefurd, and V.S. Shedekar) have conducted the following training and professional development activities: Integration of CFAES and beyond for successful sustainable agriculture research, extension, and outreach. OSU Community Engagement Conference. Columbus, Ohio. Jan 24-25. Aquaculture Boot Camp. Piketon, Ohio. April 14. RAS and Biofiltration Intro. Aquaculture Boot Camp. OSU South Centers, Piketon, Ohio. April 14. Aeration BMPs in aquaculture. North Central Aquaculture Conference (Joint conference between NCRAC, Missouri Aquaculture Association, and the Kansas Aquaculture Association). Kansas City, Missouri. February 9. (invited) Water quality BMPs. North Central Aquaculture Conference (Joint conference between NCRAC, Missouri Aquaculture Association, and the Kansas Aquaculture Association). Kansas City, Missouri. February 9. (invited) Opportunities to increase aquaculture profitability in Ohio. Ohio Aquaculture Association Annual Conference. Columbus, Ohio. January 25. (invited) Fish health in aquaponics. Ohio Aquaculture Association Annual Conference. Columbus, Ohio. January 26. (invited) How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Several approaches via field day and tour, training and meeting, and teaching and presentations were used to reach communities of interest. In addition, traditional and electronic outlets were used to outreach clientele. Several professional and applied educational presentations were delivered at professional meetings. The OSU organized two day-long professional meetings, once in Fall 2017 and another time in Spring 2018 with CSU to train faculty, extension staff, and students on aquaponics design, equipment, and supplies at both institutes. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Start collecting data from the experiment at both sites. Recruit student to initiate the graduate research work. Organize few more train the trainer meetings, field days, tours and Radio/TV talk shows; Write popular articles; Start teaching a water quality course, etc.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The capacity-building project is a collaborative effort between Central State University (CSU) and The Ohio State University (OSU) Research and Extension faculty members, scientists, and staff. The implementation timeline described in the proposal was converted into an actual joint work plan between CSU and OSU including activities in each quarter, names of responsible personnel, and supervisors. Research site selection and experimental layout plan were completed at both institutes. A 30-ft. wide x 60-ft. long x 9-ft. tall with a slanted roof 7.5-ft. high greenhouse construction was completed at CSU (see Fig. 1). The conceptual design of experiments from the proposal was converted into an engineering design using a 30-ft. wide x 30-ft. long space within the current greenhouse system at CSU. Six poly-tank 100-gallon cylindrical fish tanks 32-in. high and 32-in. diameter and six 60-gallon conical demineralization tanks 22-in. diameter x 31-in. depth were installed. Nelson and Pades bundles of floating rafts (2-ft. x 4-ft.) were acquired for two 10-ft. long x 5-ft. wide x 4-ft. wide tables for growing lettuce. Three 45-watt water pumps and three 50-watt air pumps and connecting pipes are being acquired for water circulation. Research site selection and purchase of supplies and equipment was also completed at The OSU. A 20-year precipitation data from recording gage at the Dayton International Airport was obtained from the National Climate Data Center and was used to estimate rainfall intensities for different return periods and durations. Mean monthly and annual rainfall for the region over a 20-year period were computed. Maximum 24-hour annual rainfall was computed for each year from actual rainfall data. Exceedance probabilities and return periods were calculated for 24-hour maximum rainfall. This information was used to calculate the maximum volume of water that would be collected for the design storm in 20-years harvested over the slanted roof of the greenhouse. A harvestable volume of 5000-gallon was estimated based on a worst case scenario of a 24-hour, 10-year rainfall event on projected roof area of 1800-sq. ft. and a cistern designed to capture rainwater from greenhouse roof. Rainwater samples were collected and analyzed for aquaponic quality evaluation. Researchers and student workers/interns were hired at both institutes. Graduate student was identified at School of Environment and Natural Resources, College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University. Figure 1: Location of CSU Aquaponics Greenhouse near CSU elevated water storage tank

Publications