Visit http://farmedhere.com for more information.

FarmedHere, located in and around Chicago, Illinois, supplies grocery stories like Whole Foods with organic, aquaponically and locally grown produce. Paul and Jolanta Hardej are food pioneers looking to change the way Americans eat. They are Food Patriots, remarkable people who are changing the way Americans eat, buy and educate kids about food. Learn more about Food Patriots and how you can celebrate the food patriots in your own community at www.foodpatriots.com. Request a public screening of Food Patrtiots – the documentary – for your community by visiting us at www.foodpatriots.com/screenings.

Chicago's Urban Wasteland becomes a Thriving Farmland Part 2

How can you turn an urban wasteland into fertile farmland?

That was the daunting question that faced Emmanuel Pratt and Max Sansing when they teamed up to create a self-sustaining agricultural system in the middle of Chicago’s South Side. Using the remarkable science of Aquaponics and some cutting edge technology provided by Intel, Pratt and Sweetwater are actually succeeding in bringing prosperity to where there was once only decay.

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FarmedHere Grand Opening: The World’s Largest Aquaponics System

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34 Comments

  • UniversalPerson

    I'm starting my own media-based aquaponics system soon, with crappie as the fish, in a backyard solar greenhouse. I salute you fellows; we all need more of this kind of stuff!

  • Maher Ghazal

    So sad! I thought our problem was excessive use of energy, not the space our crops occupy. I see that you retire the sun and put fuel in charge. No Tank You!
    Vertical farming in Malaysia takes the advantage of the sun and you in the USA mitigate the sun rays you are blessed with. Poor you are. 

  • CrushProof Studio

    This is correct. There are several very large scale operations in the world. From what I understand they would rather not be on a public map. Which is understandable if you are providing that much food for millions of people.

  • Jennifer B. Casper

    Thanks a lot for the video.
    I additionally have some strategies to grows up to 10 x the plants, in half time, with much healthier plants, while the "fish" execute everything…”
    Look into here for more info:
    www.fine4.info/secret-tips-to-growing-aquaponics-system

  • RupertofOZ

    Largest "vertical farm"… perhaps…

    Largest footprint area for any current aquaponics farm…. probably…

    Largest productive area aquaponics farm… in the world… nope….

    Environmentally sustainable… not in our lifetime…..

    Potentially profitable… probably not past the first two power bills…

  • Sydney Coffin

    Brilliant. I have a school surrounded by 2 graveyards and an animal kill shelter, and we don't even use the earth, air or water that sits there every day. Can we do this there? We also have the highest rate of asthma in the city of Philadelphia where my school sits. Could this change the pattern of pollution there? There are 1400 students trapped inside every day and we don't even have working water fountains on 2 of 3 floors. Can you help me to help where I live?

  • Patrick Bailey

    I hope this catches on all over the country. When people feel a sense of worth and belonging then a Renaissance will happen. It will take time but when the evolution can be seen attitudes will change. Thank you for sharing this.

  • Llittapraise

    Would be nice to see stories like this on the national news. Where are the community activists who always appear on TV when there is only a shooting in the neighborhoods. These brothers are truly doing something to solve MANY problems in our communities. I tip my hat to them. I sure wish I was in the position to donate to the success of the project. I pray someone will come along and supply consistent funding. Continued SUCCESS, gentlemen!!!

  • Liz Entrekin

    My Hero is one who sees what is and molds it to become possibilities for the future. There is no bounds not educational diploma nor ethnicity nor physicality to being a hero only strength of heart and resolve and a deep desire to help. God has provided you guys as heroes for many by opening eyes, hearts, and minds to real solutions. I pray He continues to open doors and ways for you to reach the hearts, aspirations, and minds of thousands more.

  • Amber Bandicoot

    I got $10 that says this will fail due to whites' racism forcing blacks to commit robbery, theft, & vandalism. In the end, the grave marker on this project'll read, "This is why we can't have nice things".

  • test account

    I really like this idea. While this video does come across as at least half advertisement for Intel, I like how these folks are mixing art, science, community development and DIY action to bring about an improvement in their community. I wonder how this would apply in a suburban or rural community context. Any ideas from anyone? I've been looking at different ways to mix Christian ministry, local foods production and community development in urban, suburban and rural contexts. This example provides some good ideas and points to consider (example: community economics). Thanks for the video. Hopefully I'll be able to connect with these folks to find out more.

  • Betty Hudson

    My heart bleed for all the young people who have no hope and can't see the positive of someone creating hope for their community.
    Wake up young People,weed,pot or whatever you call it don't feed nor fill an empty stomach.
    20 years from now, IF you have your head out of that cloud of smoke from weed,you're will be begging someone to someone help your disease body or create a vision of hope for your grandchildren.
    Ask my generation, life is more than frying your brain.LIFE IS ABOUT HAVING AND LIVING A HEALTHY AND HAPPY EXISTENCE.

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