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Blue Acre Appalachian Aquaponics is an aquaponics production and training center located in Kermit, West Virginia. This project is funded by the WVDEP and US OSM Abandoned Mine Land Pilot program and began operation in late 2020.
Aquaponics is a system in which the waste produced by farmed fish supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water. The Blue Acre greenhouse has capacity to produce over 150,000 heads of fresh lettuce and over 20,000 pounds of fresh tilapia each year. Its aim is to operate the facility sustainably and employee 3 to 5 full-time staff while also offering workforce development and beginning farmer education and training opportunities. Blue Acre hopes to become a production model that can be replicated across Central Appalachia, increasing our ability to provide healthy and nutritious local food to our communities while growing farm businesses. The facility will also implement an education program that will introduce aquaculture to college students, school groups, and others interested in learning about this production model. |
