1. The ​‘Ponics​ Project ​of Springfield, IL
Our mission: ​To increase community wealth and health​ through an aquaponic organic fish & produce
operation offering fun education targeted to kids, workforce training targeted to hard-to-employ
people, and reinvestment in and rehabilitation of abandoned properties.
Local & Sustainably Grown Produce
The only connection
some people have ever
had to the “art of
growing plants without
soil” is a Disney vacation
with the little boat tour
through Epcot’s “Future
World.”
Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics
(raising plants with nutrient rich water) in the same water system, and it isn’t so
“futuristic” anymore. Its benefits of faster, better growth and greater yields are
being embraced by small and large commercial enterprises.
In Illinois, the demand from consumers who want local and sustainably grown
produce is growing. Several successful aquaponics facilities are located in the
Chicago area, including the world’s largest, ​FarmedHere​, which reuses 97% of
fresh water, uses no herbicides or pesticides, grows year round, and delivers
within a small radius.
In Sangamon County alone, the economic benefits of buying local are clear: if
Sangamon Region consumers purchased just 15% of the food they need for
home use locally, it would produce $100 million in new farm income (​A Report
of the Springfield Area Local Food Task Force​, October 2010).
Downstate’s First Aquaponics Operation
The ‘Ponics Project will be the first aquaponics operation south of I-80. Both its
production and its produce will target the most vulnerable members of the
Springfield area, including those living in areas of the city with “Limited Supermarket Access” (for a map of Springfield, see ​The
Reinvestment Fund/TRF​).
The Process
Plants and fish are grown together in one integrated system. The fish waste provides a
food source for the growing plants, and the plants provide a natural filter for the water
the fish live in. This creates a sustainable ecosystem, where both plants and fish can
thrive. Aquaponics is the ideal answer to a fish farmer’s problem of disposing of
nutrient rich water and a hydroponic growers need for nutrient rich water. With modern
plumbing, water filtration and lighting technologies, aquaponic methods of growing
plants and farming fish are the next step in hydroponics. It’s also a fun environment for
kids to participate in and learn from!

2.
About The ‘Ponics Project
Springfield native Jeremy Mann has run a successful General
Contracting, Landscape Design & Aquaponics home installation
business for fifteen years. This creative entrepreneur became
interested in developing a commercial aquaponics operation, with a
mission of community service. “We want The ‘Ponics Project to be a
redevelopment catalyst for underserved neighborhoods,” says
Jeremy.
The Project’s first property was purchased for a song in late 2014, and
is currently undergoing renovations. It is located north of Java Express
on Ninth Street. This historic building, dating back to 1891, has been
used as a City Hall and calaboose ( jail ), as Ridgely Town Hall, as the
Ridgely School room No. 2, as a fire depot for Engine No. 8, and a
People’s Feed and Ice store at different times in its life. It is exciting for the Project “to take root” in the heart of a great neighborhood by
bringing new life to a vacant structure.
How You Can Help
Spread the Word
Follow ​The ‘Ponics Project on Facebook​, or go to​ www.theponicsproject.com​, to watch the progress on our first building. Invite us to your
community meetings so that we can share our mission and our plans and explain how we fit into Sangamon County’s local foods
economy.
Become an Organizational Partner
Let’s work together! We are looking to mesh seamlessly with the missions of other nonprofits in our area. We’ve already had great
discussions with Grace City Fellowship, Clementine Memorial Church, Enos Park, The Greater Springfield Chamber, The Illinois Chamber
of Commerce, The Community Foundation, The U of I Extension Office, Central Illinois Food Bank ,UIS , Lincoln Land Community College,
Gen H, Faith Coalition for the Common Good, Illinois Stewardship Alliance,The Boys and Girls club,The United Way, Habitat for Humanity,
Independence Pointe ( Easter Seals), March of Dimes, Department of Natural Resources, & Department of Agriculture . If your
organization serves people in the community who either need better access to local produce or fish, or are hard-to-employ, please
contact us.
Donate Materials to Finish our First Location
We are doing the rehabilitation work ourselves, to keep the costs as low as possible. As we get closer to finalizing the first phase of
construction, we will need the following items: Signs for the building, lumber products, reclaimed wood and stone, landscape supplies,
electrical supplies, roofing supplies, supplies for a heated floor system, the list goes on and on. The Project could use almost anything and
are even accepting some recyclable products, such as pallets and plastic containers, for various childrens projects. If it holds water, we
want it! Donors will be properly recognized with signage in the building and in all of our materials. If you have any questions about what we
could use or take,​ PLEASE​ call us at ​217/ 679-5450! Before you throw it away, call us !
Budget for a 2015 Monetary Donation
Our 501c3 status is expected to be finalized in 2015. As soon as it is, we will launch a ​CauseVox​ crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for
The ‘Ponics Project’s production, distribution and programmatic initiatives. We’ll be offering donors a variety of thank you gifts at different
levels – including, of course, fresh fish and produce!
For More Information
We’re excited to talk to you more about The ‘Ponics Project! Please contact Jeremy @ 217/679-5450 or theponicsproject@gmail.com