Sacramento Food Desert Solution: Farms in a Box™
Anthony T. Jones, Ph.D. AquaponicsWerks
916.990.3699 [email protected]
Sacramento has “food deserts”
In the capital of ‘Farm to Fork’, areas of Sacramento County are food deserts where healthy food options are not available, convenient or assessable.
Bring appropriate scaled farms into these neighborhood develops healthier outlook in terms of nutrition.
Farm in a Box™
Modular food production
Based on ISO shipping container
Small solutions, local experimentation
Free exchange of knowledge
Aquaponic boxes
Organic fish, fruits and vegetables are produced in the street or on vacant land.
Avoid unnecessary travel
Provide meaningful food consumption
Local employment
Local produce
A Greenhouse tops a container with fish cultures
A relatively secure approach to building a farm in food deserts
Closed-loop agriculture
Various crop options, fish options and energy options are available to suit local input, local taste, local climate
Adjustable scaffolding allows for reconfiguration
Crop selection dictates layout of greenhouse space.
20-ft container occupies parking space or vacant lot
Containers can be place in areas where appropriate and visible to the community.
Multiple arrangements can add to the yield.
As the adoption becomes more widespread within the neighborhoods, added modules can be configured to meet the increase in demand.
Benefits
• Once built, low cost of operation and maintenance.
• Seeds (1₵) grow into high quality organic produce ($3- 5/lbs) in 6 to 8 weeks.
• Periodic fish production.
• Minor water useage.
• Minor electrical useage.
For further details:
Anthony T. Jones, Ph.D.
AquaponicsWerks
916.990.3699