MicroFarm

A perfect way for beginners to start a profitable aquaponic farm

Nelson and Pade Inc.® originally designed the MicroFarm to meet the criteria of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Micro Loan program. The MicroFarm has been so popular, that we now offer three MicroFarms to meet the demand for varying levels of production and investment. Our Aquaponic MicroFarms are designed to continuously grow food year ’round, feeding your family and community.

Efficient Small Farming Venture!

If you are interested in starting an aquaponics business, the MicroFarms from Nelson and Pade, Inc.® are a perfect way to go. Nelson and Pade, Inc.®’s Aquaponic MicroFarms use our proven Clear Flow Aquaponic System® design to create a small commercial aquaponics venture.

Embrace Indoor Farming with a MicroFarm

With sizes ranging from 792 sq. ft. – 1,144 sq. ft., these efficient and proven systems can be set up nearly anywhere. Our Aquaponic MicroFarms are ideal for indoor farming, whether in a greenhouse, warehouse or other structure.

Kits, Modules or Complete Packages – Proven Designs

If you are planning a commercial aquaponics venture, our patented Clear Flow Aquaponic Systems® with ZDEP® are the only fully-developed system packages for large scale aquaponic food production – available as kits, modules or complete system packages. They include the equipment, manuals, documentation, and support you need to get into and be successful in the aquaponics business. Learn more about new Systems Offerings that save you money!

Whether you are looking for a DIY aquaponics kit or a complete package, we have what you need.

A Part-time Family or Retirement Business

Looking for a small business for your family?
Considering a retirement business?
Want to work part time and earn a reasonable profit for your efforts?

The MicroFarm is an excellent option for each of these scenarios. Running a MicroFarm and caring for the fish and plants is therapeutic, enjoyable and rewarding. The premium quality fresh fish and vegetables that you will grow in your Aquaponic MicroFarm and sell in your community will contribute to better health and wellbeing. Contact us for a quote.

What is Aquaponics?

MicroFarm Specifications

MicroFarm

MicroFarm 1

MicroFarm-1 The MicroFarm 1 is ideal for someone who wants to grow diverse crops. It includes 3 – 200 gal fish tanks, filter tanks (clarifiers and mineralization tanks), degas and sump tanks water and air pumps and 12 individual 4′ x 6′ rafts tanks.

The MicroFarm 1 is a great starter system to get into aquaponics, especially if you want to grow a variety of crops to sell at a roadside stand or farmer’s market.

Vegetable Production*:
- 7,777 - 10,368 heads of lettuce/year
  (150 – 200 heads/week)
Fish Production:
- 970 lbs/year
System Dimensions:
- 22′ x 40′ – 880 sq. ft.
Suggested total area indoors or greenhouse:
- 24′ x 48′ – 1,152 sq. ft.
Estimated labor per day**:
- 2-4 hours
Electric Service Requirements:
- 40 amps 120V, 24/7
Grow LightElectrical, approx. at Max:
- HID-6000 watts -or- LED-4500 watts
MicroFarm 1 KIT System Cost:
- $21,120

Request a MicroFarm 1 Order Form

MicroFarm 2

The MicroFarm 2 has the same fish and filter tank configuration as the MicroFarm 1, but a different plant growing area. Rather than 12 individual raft tanks, the MicroFarm 2 has 2 full-length raft tanks to utilize the conveyor style of lettuce production. The MicroFarm 2 is an excellent, low-cost way to get started with an aquaponics business.

The MicroFarm 2 includes 3 - 200 gal fish tanks, filter tanks (clarifiers and mineralization tanks Aquaponic MicroFarm 2 d ), degas and sump tanks, water and air pumps and 2 - 6' x 24' rafts tanks. The full length raft tanks allow a grower to use the super efficient "conveyor-belt" method of growing lettuce, moving the plant rafts forward as the crops mature.

Vegetable Production:
- 7,777 - 10,368 heads of lettuce/year
  (150 – 200 heads/week)
- Fish Production:
  - 970 lbs/year
System Dimensions:
- 22′ x 40′ – 880 sq. ft.
Suggested total area indoors or greenhouse:
- 24′ x 48′ – 1,152 sq. ft.
Estimated labor per day:
- 3-5 hours
Electric Service Requirements:
- 60 amps 120V, 24/7
Grow Light Electrical, approx. at Max:
- HID-8000 watts -or- LED-4500 watts
MicroFarm 2 KIT System Cost:
- $21,120

Request a MicroFarm 2 Order Form

MicroFarm 3

Aquaponic MicroFarm 3 a

The MicroFarm 3 is designed to be a high-production and very profitable small farm. The MicroFarm 3 uses our same proven Clear Flow Aquaponic System® design and incorporates our Accelerated Plant Nursery system to use indoor growing space most efficiently while increasing production. With four fish tanks, both fish and vegetable production is increased.

The MicroFarm 3 includes 4 - 200 gal fish tanks, filter tanks (clarifiers and mineralization tanks), degas and sump tanks, plumbing and aeration systems, 2 - 8' x 24' rafts tanks and a 10' x 12' accelerated plant nursery. The full length raft tanks allow a grower to use the super efficient "conveyor-belt" method of growing lettuce, moving the plant rafts forward as the crops mature.

Vegetable Production:
- 17,100 - 20,900 heads of lettuce/year (328 - 402 heads/week)
Fish Production:
- 1,305 lbs/year
System Dimensions:
- 22' x 52' - 1,144 sq ft.
Suggested total area indoors or greenhouse:
- 30' x 64' - 1,920 sq. ft.
Estimated labor per day:
- 4-6 hours
MicroFarm 3 KIT System Cost:
- $31,480

Request a MicroFarm 3 Order Form

KIT Price Includes: Hard-to-find system components
Fish tanks	Fish tank wood stand Construction Guides
Clear Flow Aquaponic System® Filter tanks	Filter tank stand Construction Guides
Individual 4′ x 6′ raft tanks (MF 1 only) Raft Tank stand Construction Guide (MF1 only)	Custom liners and pad for Raft Tank Frames (MF2 and MF3 only)
Accelerated Plant Nursery with seedling channel (MF3 only)	Accelerated Plant Nursery System Support Stand Construction Guide (MF3 only)
Water pump(s) and hard-to-find plumbing parts	Air pump or blower and hard-to-find aeration components
Seed Germination Kits: MicroFarm 1 (1), MicroFarm 2 (2), MicroFarm 3 (4) An approximate shopping guide for parts not supplied to complete the system	Documentation and Educational Materials Detailed Assembly manual Detailed Operation manual Standard Operating Procedures Book: Aquaponic Food Production

Optional:

What Doesn’t Come with the KIT System?
There are additional items that some people need and others do not, depending on their climate, crop choices, infrastructure, budget, skill set and willingness to source and build some parts locally. Those additional items offered by Nelson and Pade, Inc® are listed on the system order forms. Starting with the KIT system, you can pick and choose what you want from Nelson and Pade, Inc®, source what you want locally, buy additional components when you are ready, reduce your start up costs and spread those costs out over time. This strategy results in a much lower startup cost because you can do some of the work yourselves, source components locally and save on labor and freight.

Note: Any included system plumbing provided is for our standard system configuration. Any modification to the standard configuration will require additional plumbing parts that are not included.

*Plant production numbers assume proper environmental control and aquaponic grow lights to supplement sunlight, totaling 12 hrs./day. Results may vary.

**Labor is for operating the systems. It does not include office hours, business management, marketing or delivery.

Greenhouses for Aquaponics and Indoor Farming

Determine your Net Profit and ROI for your Commercial Aquaponics Farm

Ok, so…the question everyone asks is, “How much can I earn?” There are a lot of variables in that equation (climate, location, infrastructure, utility costs, labor costs, marketing methods, management abilities, etc), but we can give you some guidance. You can easily determine your estimated gross income by taking the number of heads you’ll grow x the price you will sell at, plus the number of pounds of fish x the price you will sell it at. Our customers around the country typically sell their premium lettuce for $4-6/head retail or $2.75-$4/head wholesale and whole tilapia for $4-5/lb.

As a general rule, when our patented Clear Flow Aquaponic Systems® with ZDEP® are used in a commercial aquaponics farming venture, there is an ROI (Return on Investment) of 3-5 years from when the system is started.

We can provide detailed, project-specific start-up cost, operational cost, income, and ROI projections for your aquaponic farm business in our Project Planning service.

Optional Equipment

We offer all of the supplies you need to keep your aquaponic system running…fish food, grow cubes, pest controls, etc.
Aquaponics Store

Nelson and Pade Grower Support Program

The Nelson and Pade Grower Support Program helps aquaponic growers get off to a great start, with proven technical support and continuous access to the leaders of the industry, valuable information, and direct access to over 30 years of experience and success. The Nelson and Pade Grower Support Program is available, for an additional fee, to aquaponic growers using Nelson and Pade, Inc.® Clear Flow Aquaponic Systems®.
Nelson and Pade Grower Support Program

Learn more

Attend our Aquaponics Master Class®.

FSA Loan Program

The FSA is so supportive of aquaponics, they specifically list it as one of the sustainable methods that they will provide Micro Loan funding on.

From the FSA website: “The USDA FSA has a MicroLoan program to meets the needs of small, beginning farmer, niche and non-traditional farm operations, such as truck farms, farms participating in direct marketing and sales such as farmers’ markets, CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture), restaurants and grocery stores, or those using hydroponic, aquaponic, organic and vertical growing methods.”

Learn More about the FSA Micro Loan program

The FSA offers has other loan programs to assist new farmers in getting started.

Learn more about other FSA funding options for larger ventures