I am very pleased and honored to represent EBF and AGC Green-Tech Co. at the

University of Arizona Controlled Environment Agricultural Center for

Food Production and Environmental Stewardship's Greenhouse Crop Production

and Engineering Design Short Course shortcourse. Many of you are already

aware of Portland Purple Water's work with EBF on Franz Schreier's

Aquaponics Solar Greenhouse. This is the first time that Schreier's design

and collected technologies are being presented to a collected group of

greenhouse industry professionals. I'm looking forward to meeting industry

leaders and excited for the week ahead.

On February 29, Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar announced the creation of a new National Water Trails System. The system is intended to  “increase access to water-based outdoor recreation, encourage community stewardship of local waterways, and promote tourism that fuels local economies.”

“Rivers, lakes, and other waterways are the lifeblood of our communities, connecting us to our environment, our culture, our economy, and our way of life,” Salazar said. “The new National Water Trail System will help fulfill President Obama’s vision for healthy and accessible rivers as we work to restore and conserve our nation’s treasured waterways.”

The Chattahoochee River Water Trail in Georgia will be the first to be designated under the new system. With each designation, signage, technical assistance and resources will be provided to build on and promote the development of quality water trails. With this, water trails will become great examples and catalysts for restoring other local waterways in the community!

a comfortable living from a small piece of land."
Abraham Lincoln

Who are we to argue with Abe? Aquaponics is FINE ART!

Seven days left to sign up for our workshop: Aquaponics for Everyone.

A few spaces remain, sign up today.

Sugar Snap Pea (with friends!) update: 39 days

Food’s first function is as nourishment, but within Industrial Food Production profit is always placed before consideration of and for the end user. That means that you and your well-being, my Water Ninjas, are less important to the Industrial Food Industry than the difference between what you will pay for food-type products versus what those food-type products costs to make. This frankenchicken production facility design presents an amazing opportunity for the Dollar Menu-aires. Cost of production just fell by a significant percentage either boosting profits or passing some of that savings onto the end user (thereby making it difficult to consider purchasing healthier options). Is it possible that the Half-dollar Menu is just right around the corner?

So… you could take advantage of the Dollar Menu-aires potential new windfall and place a call to your stockbroker to buy some shares… but, better yet why not make an investment in yourself? Opt out of the Industrial Food Production machine. Come learn about aquaponics, learn how to grow your own highly nutritious food, anywhere. Aquaponics??? Sounds complicated. Not sure you can do it? What are you, chicken?

Then, this morning, I came across this quote in How to Grow More Vegetables by John Jeavons: “The homegrown tomato requires no fuel in its transport, no packaging will be sent to the landfill, no political decisions about who will be allowed to work the fields or what level of pollutants is acceptable in our groundwater.” Yep, I agree, that’s exactly what I’ve recently concluded as well. Nice to have a master like Jeavons confirm my thoughts. Finally, here is sugar snap pea update at 36 days (with friends in the foreground).

Ok, my water ninjas… now it’s your turn… Aquaponics for Everyone.

Sustainable Water Management Conference – March 18-21, 2012

Focused on water resource integration, this conference combines technical presentations with in-depth discussions on legal, regulatory, and legislative matters facing water utilities today.

Topics include:

• Water Conservation
• Water Resources
• Water Environment
• Sustainable Utilities and Infrastructure
• Urban Planning, Design, and Construction
• Community Sustainability

The conference is geared toward professionals involved in all aspects of water resources and conservation.

Walk for Water – March 24, 2012

Celebrate World Water Day by simulating a typical water-gathering experience for women and children in sub-Saharan Africa. Participants will haul water for 3.1 miles around the Willamette River.

Participants can also celebrate through a non-competitive 5k fun-run that mirrors the route for the Walk for Water.

2012 Land Grant and Sea Grant National Water Conference – May 20-24, 2012

• speakers address current and future water management issues
• tech sessions offer insight into research results and education programs
• informal networking opportunities
• workshops with national experts on specific water issues
• tours providing exposure to water management issues on our own Northwest Pacific Coast

This opens up the potential for massive planting of a chemical and energy-intensive GE crops which could spread its mutant genes and seeds across the nation. This could lead to the contamination of feed to organic animals,  poisoning of farm workers, and destruction of our soils.

The best way to guarantee where your food comes form is growing your own! Portland Purple Water is passionate about giving people the tools to live their greatest lives, from growing your own food to capturing your rainwater. We are currently working on a project that could potentially combine the benefits of Aquaponics, Rainwater Harvesting, and solar energy – please stay tuned and check back here for updates.

Until then, check out our upcoming workshop “Aquaponics for All” on February 25th!

So check back in as we all seek to conserve water, decrease our impact on the environment, and have a little fun too.

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Best,

Jason Garvey

Portland Purple Water