Backyard aquaponics as self-sustained farm in (sub)urban LA

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  • čas přidán 23. 02. 2014
  • Scott Henley wanted to prove he could turn the backyard of his modest Pasadena (Los Angeles) home into a working farm. To turn his 8000-square-foot backyard into a productive farm, Henley turned to aquaponics- a combination of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics: "This is a very efficient way to grow things in a small space. And it also produces a protein source."
    He farms tilapia because they breed fast. The fish waste is broken down in the water by naturally-occurring bacteria into nitrate. The plants take up the nitrates as food and the now-cleaned water is fed back to the fish and the process begins again. The only inputs are sunlight and fish food. It's an inherently organic system because any pesticides would upset the natural balance of the small ecosystem.
    After less than 2 years in operation (he started in the summer of 2012), he- through Whisper Farms- now sells enough produce to restaurants, CSAs, and at the local (Altadena) farmer's market- to cover all costs and produce a small profit. His "experiment" is still not productive enough to create a salary, but he hopes that will change once he's able to sell his fish and create more of a cooperative setup with other farms (to reduce the permitting costs for selling at farmers' markets).
    Whisper Farms: altadenafarmersmarket.com/?ven...
    Filmed by Johnny Sanphillippo -- more of his stories about urbanism, adaptation & resilience: granolashotgun.com/
    Original video: faircompanies.com/videos/view/...
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Komentáře • 537

  • @jamesfadden7420
    @jamesfadden7420 Před 6 lety +81

    "How do I grow it?"
    "Just water the thing" 10/10 instructions

    • @vladimirremmirez7671
      @vladimirremmirez7671 Před 4 lety +2

      kinda of a douche response, they're plenty of crops that take skill to grow you dont just water crops, as you can see his farm looks grotesque

    • @orion9k
      @orion9k Před 4 lety +1

      @@vladimirremmirez7671 looks like a hydroponic to me, they have access to water 24/7

  • @tepeassydac
    @tepeassydac Před 4 lety +6

    You are one of my heroes, Scott! Keep doing it and hopefully your success will encourage more of us to do the same...at least to the extent of feeding ourselves.

  • @TVFILMBUFF
    @TVFILMBUFF Před 10 lety +63

    I absolutely love these operations.
    If I wasnt such a lazy procrastinator...

    • @PEPPERS777
      @PEPPERS777 Před 5 lety +5

      what's crazy is i think i've read this comment years ago, while i was king procrastinator, and totally agreed with you
      tomorrow i'm getting some stuff to start my first aquaponics experiments

    • @myabbayah9092
      @myabbayah9092 Před 5 lety +3

      TVFILMBUFF lol. I thought the same. Your comment made me spit my food. Lol

  • @JaimeBuckley
    @JaimeBuckley Před 9 lety +6

    This is one of the best explained videos you've posted Kirsten. Thanks!!!
    This is exactly what my family has been looking into here in Utah.

  • @Jackwagon
    @Jackwagon Před 10 lety +104

    Such a great point about LA's farmers' markets! So many of the farmers around here (250 miles north) ditch our local markets to drive 6 hours and make the big bucks in LA. This voids the entire concept IMHO. I especially liked this vid because it featured an average fella with an average income doing innovative work with his head and hands.

  • @Reddsmorris1
    @Reddsmorris1 Před 10 lety +17

    Another good video. There isn't enough videos on this subject matter. Thank you

  • @rao3766
    @rao3766 Před 5 lety +4

    Good man. You have that green serenity on your face and in words. Keep doing what you are doing. Well done

  • @martysgarden
    @martysgarden Před 10 lety +26

    Really interesting video, it's great to see people pushing this as it really is the future!

  • @decorator125
    @decorator125 Před 4 lety +1

    This is A.MA.ZING. I am so impressed by your cleverness and drive to do the right thing regarding the food we eat and making use of your yard. I love the way your mind is always working to come up with better ideas. GREAT JOB!!!!

  • @smileyhappyradio
    @smileyhappyradio Před 4 lety +1

    Kirsten, You inspire me to want to do this kind of thing. It surely can't be easy to find all these interesting people, and stories though. I never get tired of watching your channel, its my favorite on youtube. Thanks for all the amazing videos!

  • @-ShootTheGlass-
    @-ShootTheGlass- Před 9 lety +6

    Great video, I'm just investigating different methods and found your explanations very clear and on point. Thanks.

  • @Theprotomodeler
    @Theprotomodeler Před 8 lety +3

    I'm doing this. I have no idea how, but I'm definitely going to watch this video several more times and do my research. thanks again Kirsten for supplying me with a wealth of information!

  • @dmor6696
    @dmor6696 Před 9 lety +7

    I love the way you build your documentaries, the sound of our world, the people that you film speaks to us like we are really there! i don´t get tired of watching your videos
    i hope to have my own channel in the future, showing the birth and growth of my own place :) the information that i gather here will definitely define what i will do there, so for that i
    thank you
    don´t stop filming sustainability and art!

  • @johnnywhite1681
    @johnnywhite1681 Před 4 lety

    Great work! Your on the leading edge of the answers to the soon to come, food shortages. Thank you for sharing.

  • @gladysluna7983
    @gladysluna7983 Před 10 lety +11

    I love all your videos Kirsten.

  • @marig1972
    @marig1972 Před 10 lety +11

    I Love this guy and all the wonderful Eco-friendly concepts, he's implemented! Bravo! This is for me!! This is the future..Now!! :))

  • @expatriateprepper
    @expatriateprepper Před 10 lety +9

    This was a great video with a wealth of information. I am inspired to do my own aquaponics system here in Thailand.

  • @donnagray-vanburen5794

    What a breath of fresh air to listen to this guy! Smart, down to earth guy...practical applications

  • @brutmax1
    @brutmax1 Před 10 lety +5

    That was a nice bit of video, thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.

  • @henrysun2694
    @henrysun2694 Před 5 lety

    I used to having scared feeling when I grew food at my backyard because it looked weird to me while our neighbors bought food from stores, and they looked at me when I picked food from my back yard to eat. But later years I thought about it and believed that they thought back then that I know how to grow food. Now I want to grow food without having weird feeling and see this gentleman is doing it, I am very excited about doing it too. Thank you for sharing this aquaponic systems.

  • @miscible21
    @miscible21 Před 10 lety +2

    This is inspirational. I hope to do something like this one day. Thanks so much for the video!

  • @Survivalgardener
    @Survivalgardener Před 8 lety +11

    Very cool setup. AP is the future! I'm totally hooked on it and have built a few systems so far..

  • @andrewwu8252
    @andrewwu8252 Před 5 lety

    Love your vid! This is how my dad taught me, be able to grow or hunt your own food, fix your own car, make your own toys for the kid out of wood scraps, repairs any appliances at home and cook your own food! Two thumbs up to you bro.

  • @azely6353
    @azely6353 Před 10 lety +27

    Love his will to try to experiment with new techniques and discover what could the possible limits be to home growing with those techniques . Only thing i'd criticize is the little lack of more organization/ space optimization for some things like the compost / front garden / breeding fish tanks but meh he's doing amazing !

    • @yearofthegarden
      @yearofthegarden Před 4 lety

      Yeah those skills come after you've experimented for 10 years and rebuilt your farm 3 times. Not everyone has the work ethic and endurance to withstand that struggle. But as an innovator and educator, he is the spear head to an unlimited trickle down effect.

  • @deadheadhomestead2210
    @deadheadhomestead2210 Před 8 lety +21

    One thought: I bet you could find someone giving away a second hen on Craigslist. That way she can have a buddy :) My chickens freak out if they become separate from the flock. I bet she would enjoy a friend!

  • @royalspin
    @royalspin Před 5 lety +3

    That's awesome and very encouraging for those who are looking at doing this . I like the realistic attitude and the can do attitude .
    I was doing Aquaponics before it had a word to describe it . I was interested in the fish keeping hobby since kindergarten when the Seattle aquarium brought their tide pool critters to our school and gave every child a couple of guppies to see if they could take care of them and be responsible .That was 41 years ago .Since then I've been active in the hobby and worked at a few places such as tropical fish hatcheries and a couple of pet stores . Aside from my regular trade as a communications technician .
    There is amazing potential for feeding the world using this system and it's environmentally friendly aside from the costs of the power which can be solar,wind or micro hydro powered depending on where you live etc .Also using compost to heat the water is another way to reduce the price for heating water and or air temperature for a greenhouse . The beauty of the system is that it can be as simple as a couple of tanks for the average person and then the plants of course or a full scale farming operation .
    It's all about the ambition of the person or people, cooperation and support ,their dedication and their abilities to make it work .
    Also your entirely right about how you can scavenge things for free or low cost .I got several of my fish tanks from 10 gallo up to 200 gallons and plastic and fiberglass ponds for the price of the gas I spent .
    Craigslist can be your friend if you get the jump on everyone else and most importantly follow through .
    Anyway excellent video, I subbed 👍

  • @deadheadhomestead2210
    @deadheadhomestead2210 Před 8 lety +3

    Such an interesting video! I am lucky to live rural with some land, but living in the desert, I have my own agricultural challenges. I think it is so incredible to see that people living in the city are trying to feed themselves and be sustainable. This guy is awesome!

  • @wulfclaw4921
    @wulfclaw4921 Před 4 lety

    The floating foam is a great idea. Good work !!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Wulfy

  • @American-OutdoorsNet
    @American-OutdoorsNet Před 4 lety +1

    Wow! Amazing work and love how you have maximized your property. Great segment.

  • @det3ctiveconan904
    @det3ctiveconan904 Před 5 lety +1

    Very creative man. I admire how you reuse scraps to build amazing things. Love the quail idea, I will be borrowing it,thanks!You wouldn't be here if you stoped trying, so keep up the great work.

  • @Mr.Nafri_
    @Mr.Nafri_ Před 7 lety

    I like you way of thinking man! Tanks for your great work!

  • @wookiefearssilver
    @wookiefearssilver Před 10 lety +6

    Stunning and truly inspirational

  • @hauteswan2541
    @hauteswan2541 Před 5 lety

    Loved to see what you are doing with your fish and plants. I hope to set that up similar in Washington state. We are originally from San Diego, moved to Virginia Beach for 17 years and now we want to find a place in Washington where the air is nice. We may have to do rainbow trout instead but I am excited to show my husband what you have done. I might do much of it indoors depending on the weather and animals there. Thanks for sharing. What you are doing is smart and great for your family!

  • @aron501
    @aron501 Před 6 lety

    Great setup. I live in the California desert. We get cold nights here. The water for my tilapia has gotten down around 60 f and they do fine.

  • @oliverburke8774
    @oliverburke8774 Před 10 lety

    Ah Kirsten, how I do enjoy your videos. Such a CZcams haven!

  • @tsantin5059
    @tsantin5059 Před 4 lety

    This is the best CZcams channel, ever farming and architecture. God bless ya!!

  • @sherylnapier6020
    @sherylnapier6020 Před 9 lety +3

    Wow, very impressive and nicely explained. Thanks for posting this!

  • @TheSoundTownDotCom
    @TheSoundTownDotCom Před 4 lety

    Awesome outlook, endeavour and ultimately pragmatism. What a dude.

  • @reremoanakorau
    @reremoanakorau Před 7 lety

    Loved this, very informative. Keen to try myself, test and adjust for New Zealand conditions. Thanks for sharing

  • @gary.richardson
    @gary.richardson Před 6 lety

    I'm really getting excited about aquaponics and urban farming in general. Hopefully in the next 5 years, there will be at least 500 interconnected urban farmers in my county that can sustain a local supply, off-grid style. Like you, I'm taking a play as I go attitude to help make aquaponics become a feasible endeavor.

  • @kw2616
    @kw2616 Před 7 lety

    Incredible! So wonderful; this guy is so smart! Ty for your video!

  • @AussieGirl3789
    @AussieGirl3789 Před 4 lety

    Outstanding mate! You have a brilliant set-up I'm in awe the best of luck to you and your family I hope you can achieve all your future goals 😊👍🏼🌿

  • @pdisan
    @pdisan Před 10 lety

    Kristen I am FAN of your videos, keep the good work

  • @geeftw69
    @geeftw69 Před 5 lety

    Great video thanks 4 info I'm gonna look into this type of garden 👍👍👍

  • @greglewis604
    @greglewis604 Před 7 lety

    Great ideas. More videos. Thank you for your works.

  • @ger3dine
    @ger3dine Před 10 lety +1

    Impressed with your setup, don't know much about it. Still gardening in the grow and moving to raised bed this spring. Legally impaired at hobby stage. Thanks sharing...

  • @plantmatters4350
    @plantmatters4350 Před 5 lety

    This is a great set up! Awesome work!

  • @beveik
    @beveik Před 10 lety

    This video introduced me to Moringa trees. Ended up buying seeds on ebay to try them out:) thanks

  • @JeffreyIsbell
    @JeffreyIsbell Před 10 lety

    That was really fun to watch. And I agree, this is a better model for civilization. I mean, it's only a start - how it would shake out remains to be seen, but I really like the healthy efficiency.

  • @mr.b282
    @mr.b282 Před 5 lety

    Now that's love of ones hobby. Amazing job!!

  • @hoorayimhelping3978
    @hoorayimhelping3978 Před 4 lety +18

    5:51 whooo boy, that power strip just hanging next to a big bucket of water is probably fine

  • @lindadabulewicz8140
    @lindadabulewicz8140 Před 4 lety

    just watched your video . I started in 1993 . I had a conventional farm . paid off my market garden farm in 6 years. I have two big cash crops on my farm ginger and small cucumbers . Tomatoes peppers and eggplant round off my offerings. I live in the Binghamton , NY area. now that i m 68 years old I want to try hydroponic strawberries and lettuce. My back is too tired out to do cucumbers and tomatoes any more :)

  • @jahmike8283
    @jahmike8283 Před 7 lety

    Great works, big inspiration,starting now. Give thanks bro.

  • @mellorland
    @mellorland Před 9 lety

    Hey I'm in LA too! I love that your experimenting with wasabi! I've just introduced it to my setup about 2 months ago and had some complications at first but now it seems to be growing great. I think the biggest problem with wasabi is that it prefers cold temperatures but then you have the fish that like warm temps so your going to have conflict with tilapia. I had to switch over from my goldfish to koi

  • @FancyFarmOFFICIAL
    @FancyFarmOFFICIAL Před 9 lety

    you are doing a great job dude! keep sharing

  • @JustTheilogs
    @JustTheilogs Před 10 lety +1

    Very interesting! Thank you for making this video!

  • @hankwaffles
    @hankwaffles Před 8 lety +28

    Everyone should grow some of their own food

  • @BrotherGreenThumb
    @BrotherGreenThumb Před 6 lety +1

    INSPIRING!! Thank you Sir!

  • @SIJISFOODWORLD
    @SIJISFOODWORLD Před 4 lety

    good and informative. producing organic food materials AT BACKYARD IS INCREDIBLE

  • @AB-kg6rk
    @AB-kg6rk Před 6 lety

    Brilliant and educational video. Thanks for sharing and Ill use much of your wisdom.

  • @andrewyang1446
    @andrewyang1446 Před 2 měsíci

    “It’s incremental” hits hard. It’s true. Step by step.

  • @rogermathura
    @rogermathura Před 5 lety

    Excellent video. Thanks. Thinking about my own back yard system. Southern Caribbean. It's 2018 now, so I guess you will be adding a few CS plants to garden.

  • @shaunh197
    @shaunh197 Před 10 lety +1

    Great job Scott. Very interesting. Have you considered a tired system, the same floor space can become 2 or 3 times the surface area! Good luck with the R&D.

  • @nicbowman3430
    @nicbowman3430 Před 8 lety +1

    Kool set up bro! !

  • @AL-mm4vq
    @AL-mm4vq Před 5 lety

    awesome... need it to feed myself in general. Love the idea

  • @alexrichey8593
    @alexrichey8593 Před 4 lety

    I would really enjoy meeting you guys as one of your Nieghbors. I really appreciate your enthusiasm for what your doing and would like to learn more about what you do

  • @gaijinguide9017
    @gaijinguide9017 Před 4 lety

    Awesome video! Thanks for sharing

  • @kylehanz1230
    @kylehanz1230 Před 5 lety +1

    "I'm having a real problem struggling" hell yea Scott, hell yea.

  • @cookinghard1
    @cookinghard1 Před 7 lety

    very nice video. thanks for sharing.

  • @dulcemari77
    @dulcemari77 Před 10 lety

    Thank u for your personal information, I will be starting mines

  • @freedomdove
    @freedomdove Před 10 lety

    Nice setup. Probably the best way to grow food in such drought-prone regions.

  • @virid1021
    @virid1021 Před 10 lety +201

    This guy is someone I'd want to be with during a zombie apocalypse.

    • @ISCREAM.STORE1
      @ISCREAM.STORE1 Před 5 lety +11

      we are already there at the zombie apocalypse, as in pretty much all the countries in the world have a zombie government just driving us towards insanity.
      What kind of world do we live in when farmers cannot afford to farm..... think about it!

    • @mn12sc35th
      @mn12sc35th Před 5 lety +4

      People have used these techniques for 1000's of years (directly growing fish with plants in many cases). The technology simply improves the process.

    • @kobedunkz2098
      @kobedunkz2098 Před 4 lety

      hmu when it happens I got your back

  • @marcomartinez2957
    @marcomartinez2957 Před 4 lety

    Pretty ingenuous, keep up the battle

  • @johnvandenburgh8771
    @johnvandenburgh8771 Před 8 lety

    I am amazed that the County/City hasn't shut you down (I am from San Diego and had to leave cause of the police state), thanks for the video. I am in McCall Idaho and will be raising trout. Great info

  • @PauloPinto_AquaponiaCoyote

    Muito bom meu amigo...Very good my friend!!!!! LIKED!!!!

  • @FellVoice
    @FellVoice Před 10 lety +27

    What is the operating cost verses the profits of an aquaponics setup. Estimates on any size will do, thanks in advance.

  • @philiq18
    @philiq18 Před 10 lety

    This is definitely a part of the future for food security and employment. Back to basics.

  • @iplay2wynn
    @iplay2wynn Před 9 lety

    Looking good man. Keep it up.

  • @DjSpinMaster
    @DjSpinMaster Před 10 lety

    Wow what a great video to get ya thinking. =)

  • @Stefan-di9qn
    @Stefan-di9qn Před 5 lety

    impressive,i really love it.

  • @paulipoika
    @paulipoika Před 9 lety +1

    Having my greens every day in my apt .... aquaponics is the answer !

  • @KennebecRedneck
    @KennebecRedneck Před 6 lety

    Awesome. Miringa is a miracle

  • @briangibson3799
    @briangibson3799 Před 9 lety +1

    your doing a great job, if there were more people like you the world would be a better place, keep up the good work,from england

  • @estehlok4417
    @estehlok4417 Před 10 lety

    nice i just heard of whisper farm from a friend at a hydroponic store. looking to get my own aquaponics system set up soon

  • @1412Bunny
    @1412Bunny Před 10 lety

    this is really impressive :)

  • @NenaSilva210
    @NenaSilva210 Před 5 lety

    Absolutely wondaful!

  • @ziwconawalean7070
    @ziwconawalean7070 Před 4 lety +2

    You could use compost heater to heat the water, making the cost of heating just material for the compost heater and labor costs.

  • @christinedeleon1442
    @christinedeleon1442 Před 6 lety

    very inspiring video. would love to learn how to replicate this in my backyard in Glendale.

  • @michaelnew1962
    @michaelnew1962 Před 10 lety +28

    Wonderful camera quality

    • @vinniechavez4310
      @vinniechavez4310 Před 10 lety

      Yes that's COOL!!! self Help!!! not to bad But what the hell do I know???

    • @michaelnew1962
      @michaelnew1962 Před 10 lety +1

      That would depend on your circumstances, and what you are willing to change. :-)

    • @vinniechavez4310
      @vinniechavez4310 Před 10 lety

      michaelnew1962 Ah yes? Agreed!!!

    • @sterrenstof49
      @sterrenstof49 Před 10 lety

      i love it

    • @ygatesatellite4964
      @ygatesatellite4964 Před 6 lety

      interesting points ,if anyone else needs to find out about
      aquaponic systems plans pdf
      try Proutklarton Surviving Instruction Plan (do a search on google ) ? Ive heard some awesome things about it and my colleague got amazing success with it.

  • @stuarttaylorsctconstructio9983

    Well done fella.

  • @scottkolaya2110
    @scottkolaya2110 Před 5 lety +1

    Awesome system! Thanks for the video. Just a little correction: the calculation for the electric is way off. 80+90 = 170W, not 1.7kW. I heard the 1.7kW and if those ran 24x7, that would be about $2000/yr in electric. 170W is more like $200/yr (@14¢/kWh).

  • @jgreliant
    @jgreliant Před 10 lety

    its a nice setup you have there. Keep it up :-)

  • @brandonburrell8517
    @brandonburrell8517 Před 6 lety

    Another great video.

  • @richardclarke687
    @richardclarke687 Před 10 lety

    this is awesome, thanks for sharing yu make great videos

  • @maybuss
    @maybuss Před 6 lety

    Good insights.

  • @TRINITY-ks6nw
    @TRINITY-ks6nw Před rokem

    K Dirksen
    You have performed WELL

  • @Empresslockness
    @Empresslockness Před 10 lety

    Moringa is awesome!!

  • @Urarto
    @Urarto Před 9 lety +2

    Great video.
    You can use black soldier fly larvae as fish and chicken food. The larva lives on rotten fruit.
    I don't know if Tilapia eats water greens. If so, you can use some duckweed as food for the fishes as they are easy and fast to grow.

    • @christopherstaples6758
      @christopherstaples6758 Před 8 lety

      +Ari Khorshid
      exactly what I was going to say
      and they also eat meat , and the matured fly's have no mouths their only goal is to lay eggs and die ...

  • @soulrebelorganics9435
    @soulrebelorganics9435 Před 5 lety

    Awesome man I think it’s awesome

  • @aquaponicssource5005
    @aquaponicssource5005 Před 4 lety

    Aquaponics is so interesting