The Muscogee Nation Conservation District hosted its second annual Aquaponics training. They partnered with Oklahoma State University Extension Office and Olive Branch Aquaponics at the Morris Indian Community Center on Feb. 22.
OSU Ferguson College of Agriculture Graduate Student Teal Hendrickson spent the morning of the training introducing her research on hydroponic systems, which are similar to aquaponics.
Owner and Founder of Olive Branch Aquaponics Bob Rider spent the afternoon sharing his independent research and experience to participants. In his research, Rider has refined his technique to grow plants at four times the rate of normal production. He has developed a partnership with Langston University to study just how he does it. Representatives from the university collect data from Rider's laboratory where he records each thing he does in accordance with a grant project that funds the research.
Rider has practiced aquaponics at his farm for 16 years on the Muscogee (Creek) Reservation in Beggs, Okla. He has done aquaponic farming full-time for four years.