Presentation by speakers and panel discussion recorded at Great Lakes Bioneers McHenry County 2014 speaker series.
Andy McGhee (Chicago Botanic Garden's Aquaponics Specialist) is the staff aquaponics specialist for the Chicago Botanic Garden's Windy City Harvest (WCH) educational programs. He designed, implemented and manages the operations of two aquaponics systems for the Chicago Botanic Garden's WCH: One, a modest educational and research system for the WCH adult education program, is located at Richard J. Daley College. A larger training and small production system is located inside the Cook County Jail V.R.I.C. facility. He has worked for many years as a construction project manager, specializing in historic and landmark building re-use/development. He has a life-long interest in community development, the natural environment and issues of environmental sustainability.
Kirk Cashmore (local hydroponics farmer) is the owner of Cashmore’s Produce and Ponics, a farm started in 2010 with a different approach to traditional growing. Its current approach is vertical hydroponics with a twist of adventure, ingenuity, and self-sustainability. Now, after three years of construction, design, and tweaking a barn for inside year round food production, the operation in Harvard, Illinois is capable of producing 3200 heads of lettuce and 180 tomato plants. Heated with one bio mass heater and a homemade solar air furnace, its fuel footprint is relatively small. Kirk delivers his fresh produce weekly to local establishments and farmers markets.
David Nabong is a garden and horticultural specialist with Brew and Grow Alternative Garden Supply located in Crystal Lake, IL. This position involves product support with sales and horticultural support for hobbyist customers as well as being the liaison to area high schools that benefitted from Brew and Grow's donation event. At MCC, David is an adjunct instructor to the horticultural department, currently teaching Topics in Horticulture: Intro to Hydroponics. This semester long course involves hands-on experience and theoretical study on hydro/aquaponic plant production and system maintenance.
