Farm Training Program
Farm Training Program
The Oko Farms Aquaponics Training Program is NYC’s only farm training initiative dedicated to both aspiring and seasoned growers. This engaging three-month program immerses participants in aquaponics, an ancient approach to agriculture that merges plant cultivation with fish farming. This integrated approach to farming provides a distinctive learning experience for beginning farmers and strengthens the skills of established growers.
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This program is ideal for:
- Aspiring farmers
- Professional farmers
- Farm educators
Importantly, no prior experience in aquaponics is required to enroll.
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To participate, you need:
- A commitment to complete the full program
- A willingness to engage with the community and share knowledge with others
- An open mind and flexibility to adapt to various tasks throughout the training
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$2500; monthly payments available, email jess@okofarms.org for more information.
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3 Months (August-October); 10-16hours/week; Saturdays mandatory
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Oko Farms Flatbush and Bushwick locations
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Participants will explore various facets of aquaponics, including:
- Microbiology
- Aquaculture
- Soilless plant cultivation
- Water quality parameters
- System design
- Small farm planning for urban and rural environments
The curriculum features hands-on experiential learning alongside formal lectures, engaging videos, and comprehensive reading materials.
PROGRAM GOALS
Oko Farms strives to ensure that participants exit the program with a strong foundation in Aquaponics System operation, design, and build. There is a strong emphasis on aquaponics as an ecosystem management approach to food cultivation. Trainees will leave with the skills to develop and maintain sustainable aquaponics operations of various sizes along with the capacity to engage the public and train others on diverse topics relating to aquaponics, fish welfare, and ecosystem sustainability.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
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FORMAL WORKSHOPS
Trainees will receive formal workshops in topics that include, but are not limited to: aquaponics systems hardware, technology, and design; educational applications for aquaponics; water quality dynamics; record keeping; botany; crop planning, fish biology, welfare, selection, and nutrition; disease management; and best practices.
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AQUAPONICS INSTALLATION + DESIGN
Trainees will learn all aspects of building an aquaponics system from the ground up, from materials selection to final construction.
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YOUTH + COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Sustainable urban aquaculture via aquaponics is a relatively new practice to many people, particularly New York City residents. Trainees will participate in guided farm tours aimed at school groups and community members to increase their ability to speak comfortably about
Aquaponics farming
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HANDS-ON FARM WORK
Trainees will participate in a variety of farm-related tasks to enhance their educational experience and empower them with skills to run their operations. These activities allow trainees to experience firsthand the subjects covered in the lecture: seed starting and transplanting; caring for livestock; pest and disease management (for livestock and plants); aquaponics hardware monitoring and maintenance; composting; harvesting, sorting and produce sales/donation
Come farm with us!
Participants will leave with the skills to develop and maintain sustainable aquaponics operations of various sizes along with the capacity to engage the public on the diverse topics relating to aquaponics, fish welfare and ecosystem sustainability.
This program is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under sub award number ENE25-189.