Growing Together Aquaponics Gets Transplanted

Closeup photo of green leafy sprout growing up through rich, brown soil.

Have you heard? Growing Together Aquaponics is moving. See below for press release. The great news is they are, and continue to be, awesome! They are already growing produce for our second season of “Lettuce Help with Dinner.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Growing Together Aquaponics is moving out of North Country Brewing.

Growing Together Aquaponics, the job training program for people with disabilities located within North Country Brewery’s Taproom and canning facility in Slippery Rock was informed that their leased 1,000 square foot area would not be renewed for a sixth year. A new, larger site is in the works.

Slippery Rock, PA: Apr 23, 2023 Growing Together Aquaponics’ partnership with host North Country Brewing will conclude in May, 2023. Though the group does not have a new location finalized, a potential, more conducive space for teaching and learning is on the horizon. At its heart, the aquaponics program is designed to give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to develop job training skills leading to competitive, integrated employment in their communities.

“We are so grateful for the support and partnership we have received from North Country Brewing owner, Bob McCafferty over the years,” shares the founder of Growing Together Aquaponics, and retired Slippery Rock University professor, Dr. Robert Arnhold.

The aquaponics program found a home in the corner of the brewery’s canning warehouse in Slippery Rock, PA when the group was unable to find 1,000 square feet of space within Slippery Rock University’s campus in 2017. For five and one-half years, the aquaponics program has grown, drawing local families to both the aquaponic system and the brewery through their kids club and other programming. The group participates in the local farmers market and sells plants and delicious produce within the surrounding communities.

Putting Down New Roots

Despite the fast-approaching date to move their aquaponic system, the group plans to continue providing greens for local Volant restaurant Georgetown Eats and its partnership with local company, Rock Falls Coffee.

“Right now, our goal is to minimize their impending move’s impact on production and current program participants. Our long-term plan is to eventually build a greenhouse that will allow the system to operate at full capacity and employ more individuals. Our potential new partnership, which cannot yet be disclosed, will provide an opportunity for us to make this goal a reality,” said Marena Toth, COO of Growing Together Aquaponics.

Growing Together Aquaponics needs community support more than ever. Needs include:

Use of a box truck for one-two days.
Volunteers for moving day.
Gardening supplies are always appreciated.
Donations for move-related expenses and for the greenhouse fund.

If you would like to help, learn more, or donate, please contact the group at www.gtaquaponics.org.

The mission of the Growing Together Aquaponics is to provide individuals with disabilities with job-training skills leading to competitive, integrated employment through working in an aquaponics system and to distribute fresh produce throughout the community. Program completers will serve as stewards of healthy nutrition and improved quality of life.