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.
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.
MicroFarm Specifications
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, plumbing and aeration systems and 12 individual 4′ x 6′ rafts tanks.
Our smallest Aquaponic MicroFarm, 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*:
- 6,480 – 7,560 heads of lettuce/year
(132 – 220 heads/week)
- 6,480 – 7,560 heads of lettuce/year
- 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 System Cost:
- Contact us for pricing
MicroFarm 2
The MicroFarm 2 is an excellent, low-cost way to get started with an aquaponics business. The fish and filter tank configuration is the same as the MicroFarm 1. The MicroFarm 2 includes the germination trays, accelerated plant nursery and full-length raft tanks to utilize the conveyor style of lettuce production.
The MicroFarm 2 includes 3 - 200 gal fish tanks, filter tanks (clarifiers and mineralization tanks
), degas and sump tanks, plumbing and aeration systems, and 2 - 6' x 24' rafts tanks, plus, the germination trays and 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:
- 11,600 - 13,800 heads of lettuce/year (223 -265 heads/week)
- Fish Production:
- 970 lbs/year
- System Dimensions:
- 18' x 56' - 1,008 sq. ft.
- Suggested total area indoors or greenhouse:
- 24' x 64' - 1,536 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 System Cost:
- Contact us for pricing
MicroFarm 3
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 System Cost:
- Contact us for pricing
| Systems Include: | |
|---|---|
| Fish tank(s) with pre-drilled holes | Net covers for fish tanks |
| Filter tanks with pre-drilled holes | Thermometer, fish net |
| Individual 4′ x 6′ raft tanks (MF 1 only) | Raft tanks: easy-to-assemble frame, hardware, underlayment and custom fit liner (MF 2 and 3 only) |
| Accelerated Plant Nursery frame, hardware, channels and plumbing (MF 2 and 3 only) | Air blower/pump and aeration components |
| Water pump and plumbing parts: PVC-straight pipe, elbows, tees, unions, Uni-Seals, valves | Seed Germination Kits: MicroFarm 1 (1), MicroFarm 2 (2), MicroFarm 3 (3) |
| Stands for fish, tanks, filter tanks and raft tanks. Stands include pre-cut wood, hardware and assembly instructions. Stands are un-assembled. | Documentation and Educational Materials
|
Optional:
- Grow lights
- Test kits
- Growing Supplies
- Nelson and Pade Grower Support Program
- See more options in our shop!
Not Included with system:
- System Assembly
- Palletizing fee, freight and any other fees or costs related to the shipment of your system
- Optional equipment, supplies, services or training listed on the order form or website.
These are all available at an additional cost. - Plumbing connection from your incoming water source to the system automatic fill valve.
- Plumbing from the system drain to your drain.
- To save you money on freight, we do not include straight pipe, some connecting pipes and high-density polystyrene 4′ by 8′ by 1.5″ sheets (for the raft tank walls).
Note: All included system plumbing 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
Looking for a larger system?
Check out our complete line of Commercial Systems, which include our patented ZDEP® (near Zero Discharge/Extra Production) system.
Call us at 608-297-8708 or email info@aquaponics.com for more information.