Poleman helps build aquaponics system for school in Bahamas
The food-systems collaboration between UVM and South Andros High is based on reciprocity. In January, Walter Poleman, senior lecturer at the Rubenstein School and GreenHouse faculty director, took students from his service-learning course to the Bahamas to help build an aquaponics system at the school’s farm. In the system, waste from freshwater tilapia provides nutrients for assorted vegetables, which in turn remove excess nitrogen, a waste byproduct. Last summer, South Andros students assisted with a garden project at UVM.
“Food systems are at the heart of place-based ecological design. Composting, pollination, and aquaponics are all directly inspired through ecological design. Developing creative ways to grow food on school campuses provides incredible opportunities for engaging students with the community,” Poleman says. “The fundamental collaboration in our evolving, place-based ecological design model is between university and community. Successful engagement grows from healthy partnerships, and authentic connection with local K-12 schools can be particularly synergistic.”