The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is working to combat food insecurity and food deserts in Pine Bluff and Fayetteville, Arkansas, through cooperation with local preK-12 schools, Dr. Karleah Harris, assistant professor for UAPB’s Department of Human Sciences, said. Specifically, the project focuses on teaching children to raise fish and grow vegetables and fruit indoors through the use of aquaponics systems.
“Aquaponics is a system where plants and fish are grown in the same water tanks,” Dr. Harris said. “The waste from the fish provides essential nutrients to the plants. Aquaponics systems are convenient solutions for schools or households because they can be set up and maintained indoors.”
Utilizing their aquaponics system, students and teachers at Watson Chapel Junior High School have gained hands-on experience raising channel catfish while at the same time growing an assortment of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, including strawberries, mustard, and turnip greens, and spearmint.
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