Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University Revamps its aquaculture program
New facilities, faculty and focus will increase opportunities for limited-resource producers in Virginia.
After 30 successful years in aquaculture at VSU Randolph Farm, with its 57 research and instruction ponds, fish hatchery, greenhouse-based tanks and automated fish processing facility, Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University is reassessing how best to address the current needs of producers in the growing industry. As one of two land-grant universities in the commonwealth, VSU-VCE advises limited-resource producers about aquaculture opportunities and best practices.
Dr. Nicholas Romano, associate professor, and Extension specialist and coordinator, took the helm of the VSU-VCE program as the aquaculture team leader after the retirement of two of the program’s aquaculture experts. With expertise in sustainable aquaculture, Romano specializes in fish nutrition, aquaponics, pond management, black soldier fly larvae and biofloc (a fish-farming system that recycles waste nutrients as fish food).
Romano explains that cheaper imports and large-scale production of catfish in some Southern states make it difficult for small-scale producers in Virginia to compete. Moreover, pond aquaculture is not feasible for everyone, especially for those in urban areas or with limited resources. However, it is still possible for limited-resource farmers to produce highly marketable products with low startup costs. To assist these farmers Romano plans to upgrade facilities, add staff, conduct workshops for farmers and collaborate with the Agricultural Research Station at VSU to ensure science-based best practices are applied.
Romano suggests producers focus on higher-market species with lower startup costs.
“Inland production of marine shrimp, and aquaponics to grow fish, fruits and vegetables in the same system, are examples of how limited-resource farmers can create highly marketable products sustainably,” he said.
Chris Mullins, VSU College of Agriculture assistant professor, VCE specialist for Indoor Agriculture Systems, and program leader for Food, Agriculture Systems and Agroforestry, oversees the VSU-VCE Aquaculture program, which is managed by Romano with the help of James Hill, VSU-VCE Aquaculture Programs unit coordinator.
“According to Extension agents in Virginia, there is a growing interest in farm-pond management and indoor aquaculture systems among producers,” said Mullins.
VCE helps producers at every stage of their development—whether they are becoming aware of aquaculture, implementing a viable system, or managing and growing a sustainable, profitable business.
“We’re supporting small-scale, limited-resource producers—typically, the underserved growers throughout Virginia,” Mullins explained. “We look at systems that might be inexpensive for small-scale operations, such as DIY-type indoors hydroponic or aquaponics systems or DIY fish cages for ponds. VSU’s focus on smaller producers is what makes us unique.”
Romano noted that the aquaculture industry in Virginia is small, with small-scale entrepreneurs being eclipsed by larger industries, but there are a few ways to combat this disadvantage. One way is to enter niche markets using newer technologies that can be applied anywhere, including urban areas. This can include aquaponics, biofloc technology and black soldier fly larvae farming.
Aquaponics is a system that uses the waste produced by farmed fish to supply nutrients to hydroponically-grown plants, which in turn purify the water. Aquaponics offers a great deal of flexibility in terms of the types of fish or plants grown to satisfy niche markets. To help educate the community, VSU-VCE is developing new workshops, demonstrations, partnerships, events, literature and other resources.
Biofloc technology helps farmers produce marine shrimp or fish inland with minimal startup costs. In this process, an organic carbon source, such as sugar, is added to water. The waste that the shrimp or fish excretes is transformed into nutritional biomass that can be consumed by those same shrimp or fish. This process improves sustainability because there are no water exchanges; therefore, anyone with reliable electricity and the necessary education and equipment can produce and market high-quality, fresh products. Because biofloc technology is relatively new, and its advantages are not well-known to farmers, Romano developed an informative fact sheet. He also plans to create more educational materials and present workshops.
Black soldier fly larvae farming produces two valuable products from unwanted organic waste: highly nutritional larvae with the protein and lipids for livestock and fish, and the organic waste known as frass, which is an effective organic fertilizer. In addition to these two marketable value-added products, producers also can obtain carbon credits. This is an excellent model for creating a circular economy and can be integrated
with different industries, including aquaculture, to improve production. Black soldier fly larvae farming is also gaining a lot of interest.
Romano recently became involved with the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program through which he will provide internship opportunities, teach, conduct demonstrations, and provide pond management and biofloc-technology workshops for stakeholders.
“I am extremely excited to join the VSU-VCE team to help build an innovative aquaculture program that serves existing farmers and provides economically feasible opportunities for others to enter the industry,” said Romano. “We will offer a range of training that will focus on cost-effective and sustainable systems for farmers to produce high-quality and marketable products.”
As the Agricultural Research Station at VSU conducts problem-solving research, VCE will collaborate to develop and apply science-based best practices to optimize production and resource management.
“I am confident that the VSU-VCE aquaculture program will become nationally recognized,” said Romano. “I look forward to seeing the aquaculture industry in Virginia grow.”
Indeed, with expanded facilities, transformational leadership and innovative, sustainable solutions, the changes to the VSU-VCE program will ensure that “GREATER Happens Here.”
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