Desert Verde Farm is the first and only indoor aquaponics farm in New Mexico, but this growing venture is unique for many reasons. Andrew Neighbour, PhD, founded the farm with the intention of addressing the food crisis in New Mexico, where one in five children goes to bed hungry every night. Andrew is a firm believer in building local food systems to address food insecurity by bringing nutritious produce closer to people and avoiding disruptions to the supply chain. Even better is finding a sustainable way to grow food year-round.
With a background in microbiology, Andrew couldn’t help but turn to aquaponics for his indoor farming venture. In this closed-loop system, fish are fed a high-protein diet that provides most of the essential nutrients plants need to grow. The water in the fish tank is pumped through a drum filter that removes uneaten food and fish waste, and a biofilter converts ammonia into plant fertilizer. The nutrient-rich water then flows through troughs to feed the plants. Finally, the water that circulates through the troughs is cleaned by the plants and pumped back to the fish tanks.
Desert Verde says this growing method uses about 95% less water than conventional farming, and there’s no need for chemical fertilizers or pesticides. The greens mature in about 6 weeks and are delivered to customers within 2 days of harvest. Plus, on just 0.1 acres, this indoor space can produce just as much food as a typical 4-acre rural operation.
Desert Verde Farm sells most of its produce to schools and food banks, getting nutritious food into the bellies of those who desperately need it. Customers can also order online for pick-up at the farm on Tuesdays and Fridays. Desert Verde produces about 4,000 heads of lettuce, bok choi, spinach, and culinary herbs every week! Andrew and his team are currently expanding with the intention of boosting production to 6,000 heads a week. If there’s a particular green that customers love but don’t see on the order sheet, Desert Verde Farm will try to find it and grow it for them. The farm only orders from certified seed companies and buys organic whenever
possible. The seeds are sown weekly in biodegradable coco coir plugs. The tilapia in the aquaponics system are purchased from a top-rated breeder, and after two months in a quarantine tank, are moved into one of four 1,000-gallon tanks. Once they grow large enough, the fish are harvested and sold whole to local restaurants.
Desert Verde Farm is passionate about local food and finding sustainable ways to grow it. It offers mentoring and training in Controlled Environment Agriculture, including soilless farming techniques such as aquaponics and hydroponics.
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