Press
Below please find published press releases and statements.
RECIRCULATING FARMS COALITION CREATES FIRST INTERACTIVE MAP OF U.S. COMMERCIAL WATER FARMS – HELPS CONSUMERS FIND FRESH LOCAL FOOD TO CELEBRATE EARTH DAY
Media contact: Marianne Cufone – 813-785-8386 or info@recirculatingfarms.org
For immediate release: April 20, 2012
New Orleans, LA – Today, in honor of the upcoming 41st Earth Day on April 22, the Recirculating Farms Coalition released a new interactive map that shows consumers where to buy vegetables, fruits, herbs, and seafood, as well as decorative plants and fish from innovative farms. The organization is a collaborative group of farmers, chefs, fishermen, educators, scientists and many others who promote unique growing methods – recirculating farming.
“Recirculating farms are amazing – they use inventive ways to be space, energy, and water efficient”, says Executive Director Marianne Cufone. “Because they can be so eco-friendly, Earth Day is the perfect time to get the word out that these farms are operating all over the U.S. Our new map helps people find and learn about them.”
Recirculating farms are what they sound like; they use naturally cleaned, recycled water, without soil, to raise plants and fish. There are many styles of recirculating farms, but generally they all fall into three categories: hydroponic (growing plants), aquaculture (growing fish), or aquaponic (growing plants and fish together).
Though recirculating technology is not new – it is similar to that used for ages in hanging gardens, fish ponds, and more modernly in aquariums – it is ever improving. Today, these farms can grow more, faster, in less space, using rainwater and renewable energy sources like solar or wind power. Still, they are not well known in the U.S.
One focus for the Recirculating Farms Coalition is to raise awareness about these farms. Creating a map that shows commercial recirculating farms is a way to reach out to people who want to visit and purchase from the farms and are interested in supporting local, sustainable businesses.
The new map uses color-coding to identify the type of farm – hydroponic, aquaculture or aquaponic – and provides location and contact information. It is a work-in-progress, the Coalition expects to add more farms and additional details to each entry, including what is grown and where products can be purchased if they are sold off-site.
“We are always learning about new recirculating farms, and farmers are contacting and joining the Coalition. This map will expand and be an important resource for consumers who want sustainably grown, fresh local food. We are excited to debut this in time for Earth Day, to help people find fresh food and other products that are both good for us and out planet”, Cufone said.
Other Releases and Statements:
February 9, 2012 – AMPS Builds New Orleans’ 1st “Aeroponic” Recirculating Farm, Demonstrates Sustainable Urban Agriculture – National
October 3, 2011 – New Orleans “Worst food desert in U.S.” and “Best City in America for Foodies” – Louisiana
September 15, 2011 – U.S. Food and Jobs Crises Spawn New Nationwide Farming Coalition – National
September 15, 2011 – U.S. Food and Jobs Crises Spawn New Nationwide Farming Coalition – California
September 15, 2011 – U.S. Food and Jobs Crises Spawn New Nationwide Farming Coalition – Louisiana
September 15, 2011 – U.S. Food and Jobs Crises Spawn New Nationwide Farming Coalition – New York
September 15, 2011 – U.S. Food and Jobs Crises Spawn New Nationwide Farming Coalition – Texas
September 15, 2011 – U.S. Food and Jobs Crises Spawn New Nationwide Farming Coalition – Wisconsin
