Aquaponics Institute of Technology
Donation protected
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.
There is a global problem of hunger, famine, poverty, diminishing global resources, decreasing available arable land for crops, and the global climate is in a crisis. Changes need to be made in order to accommodate the growing global population and depletion of food and natural resources. Conceptual ideas of new state-of-the-art communities and reorganization of existing communities to provide sustainable renewable food resources require trained experts to bring these ideas to life by being able to design, build, manage, and maintain these communities.
The Aquaponics Institute of Technology is a pioneer in Aquaponics education. It is first school of its kind and it will likely draw national and international attention due to the school’s potential impact on world hunger and for teaching the ability to create renewable food resources. The school will exist as a non-profit nationally accredited degree producing school, a research facility, and charitable organization. An entirely new job market is expected to emerge from the education this school will provide.
OUR NEED
We are seeking to raise $2,500 to obtain our tax-exempt status, establish a website, create an advisory board, and cover other starting business expenses.
Your Donation.
Your small donation can help kick-start a change in the current global hunger crisis while helping to combat climate change. Your donation will become tax deductible once our tax-exempt status is approved.
All donations of $50 or more will receive an “I Love Aquaponics Institute of Technology” window decal. Please donate today!
THE SCHOOL
A New Kind of School.
The Aquaponics Institute of Technology is a pioneer in Aquaponics education. It is the first school of its kind and it is likely to draw national and international attention due to the school’s potential impact on world hunger, while combating the global climate crisis. The school will become nationally accredited, exist as a non-profit technical school, conduct research to improve food growth methods, while also being a charitable organization. An entirely new job market is expected to emerge from the education this school will provide.
Graduates from these programs will be able to design, construct, maintain, and manage small to large scale sustainable food resource systems, depending on their program concentration, in addition to home and business certification programs.
The Aquaponics Institute of Technology is formed in Washington State and is currently working towards obtaining 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.
Mission.
The mission of the school is to provide formal accredited online and resident training and certification in beginner and advanced programs of Aquaponics to students in the United States and the global community, while also participating in research and charity programs.
The school will operate as a “green” organization using solar, minimal water, and maintaining a small carbon footprint.
The Aquaponics Institute of Technology will work with the US Department of Education, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), resident and online accrediting agencies, and other agencies to develop highly competitive degree and certification programs to fit the growing global requirements.
THE PROBLEM
Quick Facts .
- Agriculture produces an average of 23.7 million tons of food every day.
- To provide for a population of 9.7 billion in 2050, food production will need to increase from the current 8.4 billion tons to almost 13.5 billion tons a year.
- Fifty percent of the additional food required to meet demand in 2050 will need to come from land already under cultivation.
- Seventy-five percent of the genetic diversity of crops has already been lost.
- Some 31.4 percent of the commercial wild fish stocks regularly monitored by FAO were overfished in 2013, a level that has been stable since 2007.
THE SOLUTION
Sustainable Development Goals.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has been promoting Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) since 1992. In 2014, UNESCO hosted the World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development (WCESD) in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan; the conference was well attended by 1,100 delegates from 153 countries, including 76 ministerial level representatives; there was not one representative or reporter from the United States. The conference brought together major education and training institutions such as ministries with responsibility for ESD (both Basic Education and Higher Education Ministries), and major international organizations involved in education and ESD.
On 25 September 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN, 2015). At the core of the 2030 Agenda are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The universal, transformational and inclusive SDGs describe major development challenges for humanity. The aim of the 17 SDGs is to secure a sustainable, peaceful, prosperous and equitable life on earth for everyone now and in the future. There has been little to no participation from the United States during WCESD conferences and they have made little to no progress in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Aquaponics Institute of Technology will effectively address 9 of the 17 (53%) SDGs. The Conclusion and Next Steps from the 2014 conference report confirm that the mission of the Aquaponics Institute of Technology is well on par with the goals of the global community:
“In a world of 7 billion people, with limited natural resources, unsustainable consumption and production patterns, ongoing ecological degradation, escalating risk and persistent inequalities, the need for holistic, transformational education systems is urgent. It is now widely recognized that simply ensuring access to education is an insufficient objective; the content and purpose of education is a vital concern that must be taken forward on all fronts. There is a need to recognize that unsustainable patterns affect people globally (e.g. climate change, poverty, natural resource depletion etc.); thus there is a need to address challenges collectively if we are to meet future generation’s needs.”
Self-Sufficient Communities.
There are more groups appearing that are making efforts to create self-sufficient communities with sustainable resources. A few notable projects include the Regen Villages in the Netherlands, the Seasteading Institute in Polynesia, the Venus Project in Florida, and Plant Chicago in, of course, Chicago.
These pioneers are developing sustainable resources within their respective communities to help pave the way to a better future. However, these plans require educated professionals to design, build, maintain, and manage the sustainable food resource systems; current systems are designed by architects, agriculture, aquaculture, plumbers, and other professionals, not those that are specifically educated in this field. This is this the emergence of a new job market.
Although these projects are highly commendable, smaller and more economically feasible efforts must be made for the benefit of the global population. The main point is that trained professionals are needed regardless of the projects level.
Microsoft.
Microsoft Corporation has been growing hydroponic greens in their Café 34 since about 2015 under the guidance of their Urban Farmer. Other large companies will likely follow Microsoft’s lead in promoting sustainability and a green environment.
If Microsoft is hiring an Urban Farmer, what do you suppose the future holds for other organizations? Imagine the possibilities if there is certification for these future job positions.
PROGRESS
The Aquaponics Institute of Technology has made exciting progress in promoting the school. Following are some advancements that will take place once the tax-exempt status is reeived:
1. The Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) (aka Washington State Department of Education) has agreed to potentially allow Aquaponics Institute of Technology in to the state's K-12 sustainability program, in addition to its Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs.
2. The Director, Washington State University (WSU), Mason County Extension, has agreed to submit a joint grant application with the Aquaponics Institute of Technology to conduct a feasibility study and potentially work with WSU in the future.
3. Introductions to some of Washington State's senior leadership will be made, through a new supporter; the introductions are to garner support and potential funding from the state of Washington.
4. Correspondence has been sent to UNESCO, FAO, and Vice President Al Gore, Founder and Chairman, The Climate Reality Project, to garner global support for the development of the school.
LINKS
Please follow any links provided in words or pictures to view any cited references.
Photographs and other diagrams are copyrighted by their respective owners.
There is a global problem of hunger, famine, poverty, diminishing global resources, decreasing available arable land for crops, and the global climate is in a crisis. Changes need to be made in order to accommodate the growing global population and depletion of food and natural resources. Conceptual ideas of new state-of-the-art communities and reorganization of existing communities to provide sustainable renewable food resources require trained experts to bring these ideas to life by being able to design, build, manage, and maintain these communities.
The Aquaponics Institute of Technology is a pioneer in Aquaponics education. It is first school of its kind and it will likely draw national and international attention due to the school’s potential impact on world hunger and for teaching the ability to create renewable food resources. The school will exist as a non-profit nationally accredited degree producing school, a research facility, and charitable organization. An entirely new job market is expected to emerge from the education this school will provide.
OUR NEED
We are seeking to raise $2,500 to obtain our tax-exempt status, establish a website, create an advisory board, and cover other starting business expenses.
Your Donation.
Your small donation can help kick-start a change in the current global hunger crisis while helping to combat climate change. Your donation will become tax deductible once our tax-exempt status is approved.
All donations of $50 or more will receive an “I Love Aquaponics Institute of Technology” window decal. Please donate today!
THE SCHOOL
A New Kind of School.
The Aquaponics Institute of Technology is a pioneer in Aquaponics education. It is the first school of its kind and it is likely to draw national and international attention due to the school’s potential impact on world hunger, while combating the global climate crisis. The school will become nationally accredited, exist as a non-profit technical school, conduct research to improve food growth methods, while also being a charitable organization. An entirely new job market is expected to emerge from the education this school will provide.
Graduates from these programs will be able to design, construct, maintain, and manage small to large scale sustainable food resource systems, depending on their program concentration, in addition to home and business certification programs.
The Aquaponics Institute of Technology is formed in Washington State and is currently working towards obtaining 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.
Mission.
The mission of the school is to provide formal accredited online and resident training and certification in beginner and advanced programs of Aquaponics to students in the United States and the global community, while also participating in research and charity programs.
The school will operate as a “green” organization using solar, minimal water, and maintaining a small carbon footprint.
The Aquaponics Institute of Technology will work with the US Department of Education, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), resident and online accrediting agencies, and other agencies to develop highly competitive degree and certification programs to fit the growing global requirements.
THE PROBLEM
Quick Facts .
- Agriculture produces an average of 23.7 million tons of food every day.
- To provide for a population of 9.7 billion in 2050, food production will need to increase from the current 8.4 billion tons to almost 13.5 billion tons a year.
- Fifty percent of the additional food required to meet demand in 2050 will need to come from land already under cultivation.
- Seventy-five percent of the genetic diversity of crops has already been lost.
- Some 31.4 percent of the commercial wild fish stocks regularly monitored by FAO were overfished in 2013, a level that has been stable since 2007.
THE SOLUTION
Sustainable Development Goals.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has been promoting Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) since 1992. In 2014, UNESCO hosted the World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development (WCESD) in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan; the conference was well attended by 1,100 delegates from 153 countries, including 76 ministerial level representatives; there was not one representative or reporter from the United States. The conference brought together major education and training institutions such as ministries with responsibility for ESD (both Basic Education and Higher Education Ministries), and major international organizations involved in education and ESD.
On 25 September 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN, 2015). At the core of the 2030 Agenda are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The universal, transformational and inclusive SDGs describe major development challenges for humanity. The aim of the 17 SDGs is to secure a sustainable, peaceful, prosperous and equitable life on earth for everyone now and in the future. There has been little to no participation from the United States during WCESD conferences and they have made little to no progress in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Aquaponics Institute of Technology will effectively address 9 of the 17 (53%) SDGs. The Conclusion and Next Steps from the 2014 conference report confirm that the mission of the Aquaponics Institute of Technology is well on par with the goals of the global community:
“In a world of 7 billion people, with limited natural resources, unsustainable consumption and production patterns, ongoing ecological degradation, escalating risk and persistent inequalities, the need for holistic, transformational education systems is urgent. It is now widely recognized that simply ensuring access to education is an insufficient objective; the content and purpose of education is a vital concern that must be taken forward on all fronts. There is a need to recognize that unsustainable patterns affect people globally (e.g. climate change, poverty, natural resource depletion etc.); thus there is a need to address challenges collectively if we are to meet future generation’s needs.”
Self-Sufficient Communities.
There are more groups appearing that are making efforts to create self-sufficient communities with sustainable resources. A few notable projects include the Regen Villages in the Netherlands, the Seasteading Institute in Polynesia, the Venus Project in Florida, and Plant Chicago in, of course, Chicago.
These pioneers are developing sustainable resources within their respective communities to help pave the way to a better future. However, these plans require educated professionals to design, build, maintain, and manage the sustainable food resource systems; current systems are designed by architects, agriculture, aquaculture, plumbers, and other professionals, not those that are specifically educated in this field. This is this the emergence of a new job market.
Although these projects are highly commendable, smaller and more economically feasible efforts must be made for the benefit of the global population. The main point is that trained professionals are needed regardless of the projects level.
Microsoft.
Microsoft Corporation has been growing hydroponic greens in their Café 34 since about 2015 under the guidance of their Urban Farmer. Other large companies will likely follow Microsoft’s lead in promoting sustainability and a green environment.
If Microsoft is hiring an Urban Farmer, what do you suppose the future holds for other organizations? Imagine the possibilities if there is certification for these future job positions.
PROGRESS
The Aquaponics Institute of Technology has made exciting progress in promoting the school. Following are some advancements that will take place once the tax-exempt status is reeived:
1. The Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) (aka Washington State Department of Education) has agreed to potentially allow Aquaponics Institute of Technology in to the state's K-12 sustainability program, in addition to its Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs.
2. The Director, Washington State University (WSU), Mason County Extension, has agreed to submit a joint grant application with the Aquaponics Institute of Technology to conduct a feasibility study and potentially work with WSU in the future.
3. Introductions to some of Washington State's senior leadership will be made, through a new supporter; the introductions are to garner support and potential funding from the state of Washington.
4. Correspondence has been sent to UNESCO, FAO, and Vice President Al Gore, Founder and Chairman, The Climate Reality Project, to garner global support for the development of the school.
LINKS
Please follow any links provided in words or pictures to view any cited references.
Photographs and other diagrams are copyrighted by their respective owners.
Organizer
Richard Lomsdale
Organizer
Olympia, WA
