Commercial Ventures

As people become more and more disenfranchised with the state of modern agricultural practices, there has been a high demand for responsible and sustainable food production. Now is the perfect time to start a commercial Aquaponic operation. A properly run Aquaponic Farm can yield high returns on investment as well as support a high quality of life for the owners and operators.

We are quickly becoming a vital resource for start up ventures of any size. We can offer discounts, training, and resources to existing members of the commercial aquaponic community.

As a service to our up and coming Aquaponic farmers, we have provided a questionnaire. The purpose of this questionnaire is to bring to light all of the variables and issues that you need to think about before starting an Aquaponic business. Answer as completely and honestly as you can and you will have a much broader understanding of what it will take to get up and running.

The following questions are posed to gain a better understanding of your overall objectives and to establish a foundation of parameters we can work within. Please answer as fully as possible. Feel free to add any additional information, criteria or item availability such as land, labor or building material access. If you are not sure about a question, note it accordingly and we will go over the details later.

Personal and Business Organization

Why did you decide on an Aquaponic business?

Do you have the time to devote to this new enterprise?

Will this new enterprise complement your current enterprises?

Do you have enough personal energy to do this?

Do you have written objectives describing the desired outcome?

Do you have any experience working in a greenhouse, growing vegetables or raising fish?

Do you have any special skills and abilities that can be applied to this venture?

Do you have the skills and experience necessary to do this?

Do you like to supervise people?

Have you managed a business before?

What are you personal and business goals?

Do you have the necessary resources to reach your goals? If not, where could the funds come from?

Who is going to be involved in this business?

Can you count on your family members for support?

What is the order of organization? (Owner/president/vice president/manager,etc.)

What access do you have to a labor force?

How much labor will be required?

How much will it cost?

Is seasonal labor available?

Will you need housing for your workers?

Does this enterprise use existing labor in off-seasons?

When do you plan to start up?

What is your overall financial situation? Can you sustain yourself for a period of up to three years while your business is established?

What is your current employment status?

Target Market

Who do you want to sell to?

Where do the customers live, and how will their location influence your selling to them?

What is the size of the potential customer base?

What are the customers’ needs and desires?

What type of crop, products, sizes and quantities do you want to sell?

Is there a demand in your area for the crops you wish to produce?

What are the seasonal price fluctuations you can expect?

What are the quality standards that you must meet?

How many hours will it take to research direct markets?

Are there legal or food-safety considerations?

Do you want to sell wholesale, retail, both?

Do you only want to supply your household and possibly a few others?

Is this a project for educational purposes?

Who are your competitors?

How are you going to get your product to market

Site Selection

Do you have an existing parcel of land?

Do you have adequate facilities?

What additional machinery will you need?

Can you rent or borrow machinery or storage facilities?

Do you care what the neighbors think about your new enterprise?

What utilities do you have access to?

Is there electricity? Natural Gas? Propane?

What access to water do you have?

What is the water quality?

Are there any natural windbreaks?

What is the topography like?