Here is a current update as of 5/22/13

As I noted in my last post ... I am going to place all updates on progress here on this blog so I do not have to be pestering you with email copies etc, etc ... if you want more detailed information send me an email at: jpeloquin@thefamilyfishfarmsnetwork.com or call me at: 410-227-0498 and I'll update you on specifics.

Even though we had successfully negotiated our way through the bureaucratic morass of government, our effort in Louisville eventually blew up as it crashed upon the hard rocks of communications and individual greed and dishonesty.  I cannot characterize or explain that any more since legal issues are involved and lawyers will eventually get it settled.  These things are expected in any such attempt to do something innovative.  Especially when one is as underfunded as are we.

However, when one is called to such an endeavor, failing is not an option.  We have every intention of ultimate success as this is simply too important to the People, the Planet, and the Economy to let go.  Accordingly we are now engaged fully with a number of promising initiatives.  I will list them using general descriptors so as not to betray or compromise deals in progress.  As a number of prospective opportunities are in play, I will need to list them in individual posts.

Washington, DC

I can use the the city name with impunity ... I trust.

The District of Columbia should be an example of our country's global leadership in all areas of endeavor.  In fact urban blight is a universal constant both here and in the rest of America.  Our intention is to use urban farming and market forces to change that across the country and to stare right here in Washington. 

We have had several communications with the Mayor's office of Economic Opportunity as well as our councilman's office all with positive results.  Yesterday we met on WebEx with senior staff from the city and the city's Bond Counsel regarding Industrial Resource Bonds.   Our lawyers are no getting in touch with the city's law firm to move that forward.   It is most promising to get to this stage so quickly. Our Councilman represents ward 5 and some of the poorest sections of DC mainly, so called  "Ivy City." 

Other Municipal Developments

In a sister city to the north, we have engaged with a local urban farming company to build a demonstration project on a city site controlled by them.  They will give us the site, build the structure, and provide utilities.  We will pay for the equipment and design, build, and operate.  This is another very positive outcome after the crash.   We have a funding source (both and investor and grantor organization with whom we expect to engage there)

A Major Asset

In concluding this post ... We also have a contract with the prestigious law firm of Foley Lardner to take us through 2 rounds of private equity funding.  The delay has been on our  part as we tried to locate funding for a JBM (justice based management http://www.eei-consultants.com/#Anchor-Justice-Based-5677 ESOP.  Our intentions being to provide every worker with real ownership in the form of voting stock - real ownership means that EVERYworker will be the equal in equity of the President of the company ... a powerful and fundamental component of economic justice.

Stay tuned ... more soon.

A Path Forward ... into the breach my friends.
After a significant period of blog dormancy we are now going through a revival  We are becoming more active on Facebook, Twitter, and especially on Linkedin where we have our main group: Commercial Aquaponics.   We are also have a sub group called: The Network.  Again, on Linkedin.  We really need someone to handle our social media program ... alas, I am he!

We just lost a significant opportunity with a municipality in the mid south as a result of our combined social, business, and environmental innovation.  The other reason, I believe was a lack of having an operating model to demonstrate.  All of these are learning experiences.  We now have a new initiative here in Washington DC and another in Baltimore we are aggressively pursuing.   It is now my intention to blog every few days as we reconstitute and redouble our efforts

As we have observed ... many times in our lives we are at the right place but at the wrong time.  This however is the right place and at the right time.   The future should belong to us.

Traditional Small Scale Aquaponics Cannot be Scaled Up!

If you want to grow some lettuce and tilapia in a small hobby farm and sell a few heads and a few fish - fine!  But do NOT expect to make a profit

All we have seen are failure after failure and still the same myth persists.  New aquaponics systems, small, modular pre engineered NFT systems claiming that simply ganging a hundred or more of these will give you a commercial aquaponics facility. IT IS NOT TRUE!   I don't know about Australia, or South Africa, or even the Caribbean islands but I can tell you with confidence that no commercially successful aquaponics operation exists here in America, nor have there ever been any!

Perfect Hydroponic Tomatos - This is the Model

Why? Anyone with commercial farming experience knows why.  How do they know why?  Because they are not academic researchers, they are professional growers   I have not come to this conclusion lightly.  I preparing to invest 3 million dollars in the creation of a network of automated aquaponics growing units across America.  For the last three years I have been studying, interviewing experts, and comparing existing operations.  I am giving you a synopsis of that work here.

Even though we have repeatedly told the tale on our Commercial Aquaponics Linkedin Group http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4121735&trk=hb_side_g on this group and still ... grower after grower, after grower keeps talking about how they plan to start with a 1,000 sq ft site and scale it up to a commercial venture.  WRONG !   If you want to experiment with the chemistry and reinvent aquaponics one more time, then that's fine.  If you are a researcher in an academic institution and you are doing research into growth issues, or plant ecology, or aquatics, whatever -Fine!

Just don't fool yourself into thinking you can build a small system and scale it up.  You cannot!  It's a bit like making cookies for friends.  The recipe for baking a dozen cookies is totally different, even the equipment used is difference from baking 10,000 cookies.  So it is with commercial aquaponics.  If you are looking for a model to emulate use commercial hydroponics.  Look at the scale, look at the equipment. look at the automation.

You can do hobby, or backyard, or experimental hydroponics but it is not the same thing as commercial scale!  Not at all!

Stevens Point, Murry Hallum, Dr.Racocy, Nelson Pade, Tree Frog ...  No one has been able to make a profit purely from operations in the continental USA. No one has been able to survive more than a few years.  All of the above have turned to seminars/workshops, consulting, and/or equipment sales.  Believe me if they could have made money growing food, they would have continued to do so.

 IF you cannot sell to the large purchasers of greens etc, then you will NOT be profitable.  One more thing!  The Fish are not the profit drivers in aquaponics.  The fish are a fertilizer factory.  Keep the fish alive but focus on the greens!  Lots, and lots, and lots of greens

My advice: Automate to the max, not to save labor costs but to assure, quality dependability, and volume!  It is what we plan to do:  I'll keep you posted on the outcome!  Watch this space and/or visit our blog at: www.familyfishfarms.blogspot.com

20 Oz Oyster Mushroom Grown by Modular Growing Unit

These beautiful delicious and protein rich mushroom was grown using a proprietary system developed by Mike Duncan in Lake-fo-the-Ozarks Missouri.  It was produced in ten days using a modular growing methodology called The High Tech Mushroom Growing System, (HTMGS)

Technology
These wonderful mushrooms and many others can be profitably grown in an affordable modular unit.  The HTMGS employs a monitoring and control system that senses light levels, humidity, PH levels, temperature, air exchange rates.  The system also provides for feedback and self adjust various key elements like, light, temperature, and humidity.  Application of these modern production and food growing methods are creating a revolution in the ability of small farmers to produce a wide range of healthy nutritious mushrooms.   Presently we plan to offer Oysters Mushrooms (several different species)  we can grow almost any of the popular like Bottons, Portabello, Shitake, and Morels among others.

Applications
Mushrooms have a wide range of application other than culinary purposes.  Medical applications include immune system reinforcement, pain alleviation etc.  Another application of these grand single cell organisms is bio remediation.  Certain mushroom species can actually metabolized PCB's and Petroleum products.

Micro Farms:
The key is to become commercially viable, to be able to create and support a sustainable business for the small farm or  urban micro farmer.  In order to do this we are designing a unitized system that will be self-contained and come inclusive with all of the growing elements included.  This will provide all growing units, monitoring systems, HVAC and environmental controls and be fully plug in to local utilities or, alternative power network.

We Aggressively Prepare for Funding Effort

Selected by Foley Lardner ...

The Family Fish Farms Network, Inc is now part of the International Law Firm Foley Lardner's Business Accelerator program.  Foley Lardner LLP The global law firm only selects 4 or 5 new businesses every year to participate in their fast track program.  As part of the agreement the law firm provides legal services necessary to support the new venture's launch including general legal, contractual, and private equity and SEC requirements.   We were advised to open a for profit "C" stock corporation to facilitate equity funding.  We are now a for profit business.  Foley Lardner will also take us through two rounds of private equity funding as part of the  agreement.

Prototype Under Development

As noted previously, our company has several patentable process improvements that will enable traditional Aquaponics to compete in the commercial marketplace while improving production and reducing costs.  We have an operating prototype under development and expect to complete it very early in 2013.  We will use this proof-of-concept to accelerate and improve coverage of our prospective patents.

Crowd Funding Effort Launched

Our company has also launched a Crowd Funding effort aimed at funding the prototype in advance of the private equity offer.  Our project has launched on the IndieGoGo site.  Please, click on the link here and go to the site.  Register and"like," our offering.  Participate in The Healthy Food Alliance Program and become a partner in our development and in our success.Foley Lardner Law Firm

A Grass Roots Model - Crowd Funding

We Are Launching a Crowd Funding Effort!

Funding a start up business is difficult 

under any circumstances but today, with the lack of available financing and the normal aversion of that community to risk of any kind it is doubly so.  In addition we are an innovative, non standard, bold initiative, a paradigm breaking business model.  So, what do we do?   Just like our food growing model, we are cutting out the "suites."  We are going Producer/Direct .  We are coming straight to YOU!  If you are reading this blog you are one of those who believe in sustainable development, fresh local food, and the triple bottom line of:  Economic Viability, Social Responsibility, and Environmental Soundness.  Here is a chance to help and support the kind of enterprise we need in this country and indeed the rest of the world as well.

The Family Fish Farms Network, Inc  We are greenfield start. We have a professional team of growers and seasoned management all dedicated to a new triple bottom line and sustainable model of food production and distribution. We plan to build a national network of Urban Aquaponic Micro Farms using patented technology to create 400+ employee owned independent, linked, and mutually supportive operating units. These will be tied together by a single branding component that will provide standards, training, quality and administrative management through the Cloud.

Soon we will be launching a "crowd funding," effort. We would like your active support. Subsequently we will be offering a private placement memorandum through our Law Firm of Foley Lardner. We believe our representation by the prestigious firm speaks to the credibility of our business model and the integrity of our management team. 

Preview of Our Social Business Pitch  As part of the requirements for the crowd funding site, a short video introduction is necessary.  I produced this last week and have sent it to many of our stake holders and thought I would also place it here on the blog.   I will be blogging regularly now as our Business Plan 3.0 comes together.  Watch the video.  Give me your thoughts.

Urban Farming, Food Security, and Mushrooms

The Revolution is here - Who Will Lead?

Look around you ... Farmer's Markets populate the weekend editions of most major newspapers, Local TV highlights new urban farms sprouting from the trash heaps of decaying neighborhoods and dilapidated and abandoned old  industrial sites.   Food is growing everywhere ... community gardens, urban farms, and backyards across America are sprouting with local food!  We applaud and support this effort to bring true food security back to our country.  It is a matter of national defense and certainly homeland security!

Our food supply chain is too long, too vulnerable, and too dependent upon a thin line of overworked and under supported inspectors and enforcement agents.  These hard working folks are forced to rely upon information often supplied by those whose products are, in fact, suspect and whose partiality can not be trusted.   America is too extended and too dependent.   We import too much of our food.  It is dangerous because it can be easily contaminated and wasteful because of the carbon cost of transport and the environmental cost of greenhouse gasses.

The Opportunity and The Need - Our cities are replete with abandoned buildings and large structures of the rust belt era of manufacturing.  Grow  here, Eat Here needs to become the watchword of local food purveyors.  The US Department of Agriculture has a 250 mile radius for qualification as local food.  Every day an ear of corn, or a head of lettuce travels, it loses both taste and nutrition. For example, Did you Know? Fresh peas can lose up to 50 percent of their nutrients within a week of harvesting.  This is true of many vegetables like Broccoli.  Food is often picked before it ripens to extend shelf life.  It also diminishes its nutritional content.  The average head of lettuce travels 1,500 miles from harvest to table.

A Solution: Food Security and Food Sovereignty - We believe it is now necessary for ... we the people, to develop a solution.  The government can barley run itself.  Let's do this ourselves.  We can form A National Network of linked urban farms.  A National Urban Farming Cooperative that assures healthy fresh food available to every American family.  We can assure nutritional reasonably priced food that includes a variety of local harvests with both protein and carbohydrates in a balanced mix of local food products.  Here is an example of what we have and what we can contribute to this solution.

Mushrooms: The Wonder Food! - The trend towards vegetarian and vegan eating habits brings up the old argument of protein and the issue of B12 deficiency ... I'm no dietitian but we have recently been informed about a food that has more protein than some meat and that can be grown virtually without fertilizer, a food that is fast growing and inexpensive to produce with the right technology.   Oyster Mushrooms, for example  have as much or more protein than many so called "meats."  31grams of protein per 100 grams of weight.  Only braised eye-of-round steak has more with a rating of 40.62.  A broiled t-bone steak (porterhouse) 32.11 and baked lean ground beef only 24.47!

We have the technology and are willing to share it with every urban farm that will join in a national network to accomplish the universal American goal of Food Security and Sovereignty