Growing Together Aquaponics Expands To Mercer County Career Center

Growing Together Aquaponics expanding to Mercer County Career Center

Mercer County, June 16, 2023 - Growing Together Aquaponics, Inc., a nonprofit job training program, has joined forces with Mercer County Career Center to offer a unique teaching opportunity onsite for individuals with disabilities. This partnership aims to develop job readiness skills while introducing young people to sustainable aquaponic farming.

Growing Together Aquaponics empowers individuals with disabilities through aquaponic farming, a method that combines aquaculture and hydroponics to create a symbiotic system. Fish waste provides nutrients for plants, and the plants purify the water for the fish, resulting in sustainable food production.

"This partnership with Mercer County Career Center opens doors for our participants and expands our community outreach," said Dr. Robert Arnhold, Founder and CEO of Growing Together Aquaponics. "By merging aquaponic farming with job readiness training, we empower individuals with disabilities to develop valuable skills and pursue meaningful employment opportunities in competitive, integrated settings."

The collaboration with Mercer County Career Center provides Growing Together Aquaponics with a new home. The Career Center, known for its vocational education excellence, offers facilities to enhance the learning experience for program participants. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Growing Together Aquaponics to Mercer County Career Center," said Tony Miller, Administrative Director of Mercer County Career Center. "This collaboration expands our offerings and creates an inclusive learning environment. By incorporating aquaponics into our culture, we expose our students to modern, sustainable farming practices and foster empathy, compassion, and understanding of diverse abilities. We hope that this partnership allows us to grow our career opportunities for students in Mercer County.”

Growing Together Aquaponics will continue to serve their Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) students from the New Castle District for the foreseeable future at their other Slippery Rock site. They also will continue to sell the crops raised to local residents in the Mercer and Butler County regions. 

Participants in the program will gain hands-on experience in all aspects of aquaponic farming, including fish care, plant cultivation, water quality management, and system maintenance. They will also learn essential job skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and time management.

Growing Together is asking for community help to finish moving the system on Thursday, June 22nd. The move will begin from 9 am - 4 pm and the group appreciates any support in the way of trailers, trucks, or hands for moving.  

For more information about Growing Together Aquaponics and its programs, visit www.gtaquaponics.org. `To learn about Mercer County Career Center and vocational training opportunities, visit https://www.mercerccc.org/.