Aquaponics Greenhouse Hopes to Rebuild After Snow Collapses Roof

A local aquaponics greenhouse that sells fresh produce through the winter is working to rebuild after heavy snow caused the roof to collapse.

“We have been in production for two winters and we had just installed a special thermal heat blanket to help us keep warm during the winter and cut down our energy costs,” Victory Aquaponics owner Ross Williams said.

After winter blizzard Juno dumped about 30 inches of snow on the region, the roof buckled under the pressure and crushed two years of work invested in completing the two-story sustainable greenhouse.

Fortunately, the fish that are the driving force behind the ecological system inside the greenhouse were safe in the basement and Williams was able to prop up on wooden frames the layers of plastic that comprised the roof.

“It’s working very well, as long as we don’t let too much snow accumulate,” said Williams, who has been diligently clearing the roof each day to ensure the temporary roof is secure.

The roof of the greenhouse is comprised of two sheets of plastic, between which air blows to insulate the greenhouse and keep it warm. The clear plastic allows the sun to shine through, warming the plant life below.

The sustainable farm utilizes the nutrients from fish to feed the produce. The fish secrete ammonia and other nutrients into water that runs through a biological filter and is then pumped up from the basement to the plants.

“There are no pesticides or other inorganic materials used to grow our plants,” Williams said. “And it’s completely sustainable. The water gets cycled around the greenhouse – it’s cleaned, utilized by the plants and then goes back to the fish again.”

And because the water is recycled and utilized through the aquaponics system, much less water is wasted.

Victory Aquaponics is the only year-round operational greenhouse in New Hampshire.

Williams said the closest aquaponics farm that operates through the winter is in Maine.

The greenhouse, located on Brewster Road, grows lettuce, kale, and Swiss chard. They sell the produce at the Salem Farmers Market and other local markets, where they have built up a strong clientele.

Moving forward, the greenhouse hopes to begin growing tomatoes, which are in demand by local restaurants.

The benefit of buying produce from the greenhouse is that it’s alive when people buy it at the farmers market, according to Williams.

“We’re able to sell our lettuce without cutting it. It’s a living plant when we sell it to people and it lasts for weeks in the refrigerator without losing its crispness,” he said. “It’s important for us to be able to do this in the winter because there’s very little produce available in the winter in New Hampshire.”

As they look to rebuild, the small business expects it will cost somewhere around $20,000, about $10,000 for new steel frames and $10,000 for labor. They are fundraising for the cause, “Help Rebuild Victory Aquaponics,” through crowdfunding website gofundme.com.

So far, Victory Aquaponics has raised $400 of its $2,200 goal.

To learn more about Victory Aquaponics and their efforts to rebuild or make a donation, visit the campaign online at www.gofundme.com/victorygreenhouse. The greenhouse also has a page on Facebook with information about their produce and the markets they attend.