EP73: Solving the Biggest Problems Facing Agriculture Using Aquaponics with Kurt Wagaman of Superior Fresh

Published: Nov. 6, 2019, 10 a.m.

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\\u201cWhen you marry aquaculture and hydroponics, you get aquaponics.\\u201d

Kurt Wagaman (5:04 - 5:09)


Kurt Wagaman is the GM at Superior Fresh, an industry-leading aquaponics facility specializing in leafy greens, Atlantic salmon, and Steelheads. Their facility is situated on a 720-acre native restoration property nestled in the Coulee Region of Wisconsin. Superior Fresh\\u2019s flagship facility is the largest of its kind, filled with state-of-the-art equipment and technology.

What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics can be broken down into two separate technologies

Hydroponics, which is growing leafy greens in a greenhouse, and aquaculture, the practice of raising fish in a facility. When you marry the two, you get aquaponics.

Aquaponics lets companies like Superior Fresh get certified as organic and achieve rapid and sustainable growth.\\xa0

Superior Fresh\\u2019s Incredible (and Sustainable) Output

Superior Fresh can produce 8 million pounds of leafy greens annually and 1.6 million pounds of fresh fish. They use a fraction of the land and water when compared to the same output from regular land and water farming.\\xa0

Superior Fresh is the first landlocked Atlantic salmon farm in the United States using recirculating aquaculture technologies. Their state-of-the-art systems allow them to bring in certified disease-free eggs and have complete control of the life-cycle from hatch to harvest.

A Commitment to Sustainability

Superior Fresh isn\\u2019t backed by your regular venture capitalists. They\\u2019re funded by philanthropists who want to create an example of using aquaponics to grow large amounts of healthy foods in a way that is sustainable and beneficial to the local area.\\xa0

Superior Fresh has led restoration efforts to the point where they\\u2019ve restored hundreds of acres of land and water to where they were a hundred years ago.

\\u201cOur commitment to sustainability carries as much gravity as one can possibly imagine from a startup.\\u201d\\xa0

- Kurt Wagaman (12:48 - 12:59)

Superior Fresh is focused on nutrient recycling. The vast majority of the water they use is recycled and plays a role in farming for both their fish and leafy greens.

Superior Fresh supports local organizations, including the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as well as local high schools. They participate in focus study groups for the University of Wisconsin\\u2019s marketing programs.\\xa0

\\u201cSuperior Fresh is a solution to some of the threats and problems that agriculture is facing.\\u201d - Lori Taylor (9:24 - 9:33)

Two of the biggest threats facing agriculture are sustainability and the ability to feed an ever-growing global population. Superior Fresh addresses both of those problems by providing healthy nutritious (and delicious) food in a way that benefits the planet, and the local communities they operate in.\\xa0

If you want to experience first-hand what Superior Fresh is offering, pick up some of their products at a local retailer near you.

How to get involved

  • Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!\\xa0
  • Reach out to us - we\\u2019d love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.\\xa0
  • Learn more about Superior Fresh.

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we\\u2019d love for you to help us spread the word!

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