What is Aquaponics? Aquaponics is an innovative agricultural system that harnesses recirculating water technology to raise both fish and produce. The fish and produce are part of symbiotic relationship, with the fish providing fertilizer necessary for plant growth, and the plants cleansing the fish habitat
To provide this new technology to the Native American community, The Sheena V Foundation is partnering with Symbiotic Aquaponics, a national, award-winning company that specializes in custom aquaponic system designs, commercial builds, and community education and outreach. Why is it a solution for fresh food on reservations? Aquaponics addresses the challenges of growing produce in harsh climates, and with limited water resources, that many reservations face. Aquaponics also has a faster turn around time than conventional agriculture, and a higher nutritional value than the produce you will find in most grocery aisles. How can I learn more? If you are interested in learning more about the possibilities of working with Sheena V. Foundation on an aquaponics project in your community, please reach out to us using our contact form.
Why are we working to improve
Native American children’s health & wellness?
Native Americans have…
A TWO TIMES HIGHER RATE OF DIABETES THAN WHITES
A SIXTY-EIGHT PERCENT INCREASE IN DIABETES AMONG TEENS
NINETY-FIVE PERCENT OF PATIENTS WITH TYPE II, VERSUS TYPE I, DIABETES
THIRTY PERCENT OF THE POPULATION WITH PRE-DIABETES
Symbiotic Aquaponic
Grow Green for Native American Children
“Grow Up with Us”
Neysa Osborne-Founder
“We are excited about the cooperative projects planned in our “Path to a Healthy Prosperous Future”. I will call a meeting of all the essential programs which I believe will be more than willing to contribute in making this a success, also the diabetes prevention program already has an active youth program which encourages a healthy active life style, one component of this is a running club, also the director wanted to incorporate a gardening aspect into their activities, I believe this can promote what is called generational connectivity or (relationships) to be able to reestablish the youth with their elder generation can only lead to a positive outcome, growing produce to help contribute to these individuals will be rewarding in multiple areas, this will actually promote team building and perhaps teach some skills that can carry into their adult lives, contributing to living longer productive lives, as well as establishing a foundation of wellness which will contribute to future generations. “
“I worked to secure a location for the 10 beds to be located proximity to the Food Nutrition and Distribution Program and Diabetes/Prevention Program, we have a new facility with a weight/exercise room and a full kitchen for healthy food demonstration, so I know all this is just met to be, I believe both programs will be valued contributors in our overall goals of incorporating accessibility to healthy produce and promoting family participation in taking back the health of our tribal members. Along with securing the location a very nice Greenhouse with the heating apparatus included will act as the staging area for the 10 bed system.”
Photographer- Joe Clay
The goal is to ensure local food production while promoting education,
empowerment, natural resource conservation, and self-determination
among Native American Children.