Central State University Extension Hosts Aquaponics Field Day on Nov. 7

Wilberforce, Ohio---Join Central State University Extension (CSUE) to see its functioning aquaponics system with fish ready for harvest during the CSUE Aquaponics Field Day held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Aquaponics demonstration Center on the CSU Research and Extension Farm, US 42 E, Wilberforce.

The tour will be held at the aquaponics facility located next to the CSU water tower (on the south side of State Route 42 across from the secondary entrance to campus.)

Participants will also be able to view progress on a different demonstration system being built in the same greenhouse.

Speakers will include Marc Amante, CSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resource Educator, Southwest Ohio, and Dr. Kumar Nedunuri, Professor, Environmental Sciences. The CSUE aquaponics operation is currently raising approximately 200 tilapia within its green house as well as a variety of greens, herbs and cucumbers.

“Aquaponics is a closed loop system that combines conventional aquaculture (the raising of aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a mutually symbiotic environment. The aquaponics system utilizes the waste of one element for the benefit of another other. In this case, the waste produced by the fish benefits the growing plants,” says CSUE Program Leader for Agricultural and Natural Resources Dr. Cindy Folck.

Both demonstration and research systems are operated by CSUE.

“Central State has two aquaponics systems, one for research and one for community engagement and workshops,” says Dr. Krishna Kumar Nedunuri, CSUE researcher for aquaponics, professor of Environmental Engineering, and director of the International Center for Water Resources Management at CSU.

The field day is free to all participants; the program is funded by a NIFA/USDA grant.

Mask will be required to tour the aquaponics facility and group size will be limited due to COVID-19 safety guidelines.

For more information, contact CSUE Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Leader Dr. Cindy Folck at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (937) 376-6101. To register, contact CSUE Administrative Assistant Heather Williams at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..