A well-known pioneering aquaponics innovator, hobbyist, and Youtube contributer, Rob Torcellini is the founder of Bigelow Brook Farm. Listen as we discuss Rob's journey, trials, inventions, and experimentations: why he chose a geodesic dome for his greenhouse, or why a rocket mass heater, and topics including his modified bell siphon, greenhouse heating, and the different kinds of wood stoves he uses. We discuss his video series on YouTube, his experience with solar energy, and what the biggest barrier is from being a pioneering hobbyist to becoming a commercial producer, such as licensing, planning your greenhouse systems, and running your numbers. He talks about why you should diversify your business, the benefits of Grow Grips and why Rob invented these and other innovations, and his use of expanded shale for media beds. We discuss why he chose to grow Koi fish, the winter nitrogen cycle, and what crops grow best in his systems, including various types of tomatoes, culinary herbs such as thyme, oregano, sage, and parsley, as well as vegetables like green beans, celery and cucumbers. Discover which plant grows surprisingly well in an aquaponic system! Understand Rob's motto: "Slow and steady." Finally, learn what kind of beneficial bacteria he uses to deal with caterpillars, why he chose to grow June-bearing strawberries instead of ever-bearing strawberries... and which type of system is most ideal for growing strawberries! This is part 1 of a series with Rob. Keep your ears flexed for more! Check out his YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/web4deb/videos
