Mercedes Cevallos/ Contributing Writer
news@fiusm.com
A professor of biology at Florida Keys Community College will be delivering a lecture on Aquaponics, a food production system that combines the raising of aquatic animals with the cultivation of plants in water.
Bill Irwin, chair of the Department of Mathematics, Biological and Physical Sciences at FKCC, will examine the different methods used in agriculture.
Irwin hopes to explain the history of global food production, as well as discuss changes in economic and nutritional values of society’s foods.
He also wishes to shed light on the sustainability of current agricultural methods by using a model aquaponic system along with images and descriptions of a wide range of designs.
Aquaponics mainly combines aquaculture — the raising of fish — with hydroponics — the growing of plants in a liquid nitrous solution.
“This is one system that you use to raise both plants and fish together,” Irwin said. “Because you do it together, it is very natural and can be organic. It’s a very successful way to produce a huge amount of food — with very little energy, very little cost and very little input.”
Irwin wants to demonstrate how anyone can produce a significant amount of organic vegetables and fish with little effort and low costs in an eco-friendly and sustainable way.
He thinks that these kinds of lectures are important for people to learn more about the planet and the sustainable ways to produce food.
“It is extremely important for everyone to be thinking about waste and to do more sustainable things in our lifestyles,” he said. “As part of the population of the planet, we all are able to produce and provide some of our food.”
For him, aquaponics is a powerful and creative system to protect our planet and produce healthy and nutritious foods.
Mayra Quiroga, a graduate student in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, is excited for this talk.
“This lecture will provide knowledge for everybody,” she said. “Furthermore, it is significant for a journalist to communicate and explain to the society about the new methods of sustainability and discoveries in agriculture.”
More than studying topics of biology and science, Irwin has also worked with organizations of animal rescue and sustainable issues.
According to Elaine Pritzker, program manager of the School of Environment, Arts and Society, thinks that this talk will contribute to the interests of students and the community of Florida.
“He is talking about a large issue of sustainability in South Florida, which is obviously of interest to our students,” Pritzker said. “This is an extra opportunity to hear from an expert in the area, who is able to show more about different models and applications of this topic.”
Olga Salazar, a sophomore biology major, supports this.
“I believe this is a good opportunity, not only for students but also for the community to know and learn about sustainable issues,” she said. “It will teach us how to protect our environment.”
Sponsored by the School of Environment, Arts and Society, the lecture will be held on Friday, April 17 at 7 p.m. in the Murray E. Nelson Government and Cultural Center, 102050 Overseas Hwy, MM 102, Key Largo, FL 33037.
It is free and open to the public.
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