Our Mission
To build replicable closed-loop food production systems that can be shipped in a container to any community in the world — from rural Pennsylvania to refugee camps to urban food deserts.
Why Closed-Loop Agriculture Matters
Our mission is to cultivate sustainable, nutrient-dense food through innovative aquaponic farming in Pennsylvania while advancing environmental stewardship, education, and community resilience. We are committed to producing clean, locally grown produce and fish using AI, robotics and regenerative systems that conserve water, eliminate synthetic chemicals, and model the future of responsible agriculture.
The global food system faces converging crises: 735 million people experience chronic hunger (FAO 2023), agriculture consumes 70% of freshwater withdrawals (USGS), and food deserts in the United States leave 19 million Americans without reliable access to fresh food (USDA ERS).
Closed-loop agriculture addresses all three simultaneously. By routing every waste output into another production system, the model eliminates purchased fertilizer. By recirculating water through aquaponic and biofloc systems, it reduces consumption by 90-95%. By powering operations with solar energy, it decouples food production from fossil fuel inputs. And by packaging everything into standard shipping containers, it becomes deployable anywhere.
The Replication Model
The physical infrastructure is equally replicable. A used 53-foot shipping container provides the shell. Spray foam insulation, mini-split HVAC, LED grow lights, IBC totes, and PVC plumbing are available at any building supply store. Nothing requires specialized manufacturing.
Our goal is to publish complete build-out documentation — bill of materials, wiring diagrams, sensor code, Grafana dashboard templates, and operational procedures — for each container type. Any organization can replicate any system independently. This is not a franchise model. It is an open-source agricultural platform.
Our work directly supports UN SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 7: Clean Energy, and SDG 13: Climate Action.
All Donations Are
Tax-Deductible
509(a)(2) public charity — EIN 93-1895646 — Candid Gold Seal 2026. Every dollar funds container build-out, livestock, sensors, and education.
Exclusive Donor and Member Benefits
• Free educational workshop passes
• Behind-the-scenes farm tours with live dashboard walkthroughs
• Priority CSA subscriptions when the farm stand opens
• Naming recognition on farm infrastructure
• Members-only research updates and build-out progress
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the container farm model work in other climates?+
Yes. The containers are climate-controlled, making them independent of external weather. The same container that operates in Pennsylvania winters can operate in Arizona summers or equatorial regions. Solar sizing adjusts for latitude.
How much does it cost to replicate one container?+
A basic container system (structure, insulation, HVAC, lighting, plumbing, sensors) costs approximately $45,000-$80,000 depending on production type. The IoT sensor network adds under $500.
Will you share your designs publicly?+
Yes. We plan to publish complete build-out documentation as open-source for each container type, including bills of materials, wiring diagrams, sensor code, and Grafana templates.
What is your SARE research strategy?+
Our analysis of USDA SARE-funded projects found zero precedent for this combination of systems. Every production season is a research contribution. We are actively pursuing SARE grants.
How can I support the mission?+
Tax-deductible donations, volunteering, corporate sponsorship, research collaboration, or simply spreading the word.