Now more than ever, as climate change continues to take a toll on our world, people are interested in supporting sustainability.
In Branchburg, one farm is doing just that. AquaSprout Farms grows produce and harvests fish while using a fraction of the land and more than 90 percent less water than conventional farms, and no chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
On top of that, it is 4 times more productive per square foot than conventional farms. Conventional farms produce about 104,000 lettuce heads per every 44,500 square feet in one growing season. But even in the fall and winter, the farm's 2,700-square-foot greenhouse, located on Woodfern Road just outside of the Neshanic Station section of the township, can produce 880 pounds of tilapia and 6,570 heads of lettuce every growing season, and 27,000 heads per year.
That’s because AquaSprout Farms uses an organic aquaponic farming method in which tilapia and vegetables grow together in one body of recirculating water. In a holistic agricultural approach, the fish fertilize the plants and the plants detoxify the water.
Other aquaponics farms in New Jersey include AeroFarms in Newark and HS Farms in Toms River.
Conventional farms use large amounts of water to hydrate their crops but a high percentage is lost through run-off and weeds. However, since plants sit directly in water at aquaponic farms, the only water lost is through evaporation and transpiration.
AquaSprout Farms also chooses not to use chemical herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, growth hormones and antibiotics. Instead, they use natural defense systems, such as ladybugs, which protect the plants naturally from aphids by eating the pests.
However, despite its sustainability, aquaponic farming has been slow to catch on both in New Jersey and in the United States. AquaSprout Farms co-owner Keith Mitzak, who runs the farm alongside his twin brother, Stephen Mitzak, sees that slowly changing.
“I think just the general population isn’t as knowledgeable about it,” he said. “If there are people that are interested in it, the startup costs are very high. But it's coming up more and more as time goes on — you’ll also see more hydroponics and aeroponics farms popping up because of climate change, plus farmers like being able to control their own environments.”
AquaSprout Farms has seen that change happening for themselves. Mitzak said the local community has been “fascinated” with AquaSprout Farms, and their customers have grown exponentially since they began operations in 2018.
“Compared to last year, it's night and day,” he said. “Last year at one farmers market, we might have only made 35 sales but this year, its easily 110-plus at a given farmers market. I don’t know if that also has to do with COVID-19, but our sales took a big jump.”
Keith Mitzak, who also works full-time with Hewlett-Packard Financial Services, and Stephen Mitzak, who is also a full-time accountant, founded AquaSprout Farms after Keith stumbled upon a book about aquaponic farming called “Aquaponic Food Production” by Rebecca L. Nelson in 2011.
The brothers, who have always been interested in the environment and health and nutrition, then went to different conferences and seminars across the country to learn more about aquaponic farming. In 2016, they discovered the Branchburg property that would become AquaSprout Farms and decided to pull the trigger on their passion.
AquaSprout Farms produces greens year-round such as kale, swiss chard, basil, arugula, microgreens and a variety of lettuces including summer crisp, butterhead and romaine. The brothers also have seasonal offerings such as cherry tomatoes. They plan to add more produce varieties, including radishes and chives starting this winter.
Produce from AquaSprout Farms is sold at the Bridgewater Farmers’ Market, Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Bernardsville Farmers’ Market and Duke Farms’ Market. Plus, the Mitzaks sell their microgreens to Matt’s Red Rooster Grill in Flemington and tilapia to Metropolitan Seafood in Lebanon. They planned on reaching out to more restaurants this year for possible sourcing but due to COVID-19, that has been postponed until next year.
Customers do seem to be hooked on AquaSprout Farms' lettuce, which Mitzak said lacks bitterness.
He frequently hears comments such as “this is the best lettuce I’ve ever had,” or “even my kids will eat your lettuce,” laughed Mitzak.
“I believe since its grown without soil and its roots are always in water, it’s a little more succulent,” he continued. "Usually if lettuce is out in the field or it’s a little too hot it gets bitter, but since our lettuce still has the water and nutrients it doesn’t get bitter.”
Go: Find AquaSprouts Farms produce at the Bridgewater Farmers’ Market, Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Bernardsville Farmers’ Market and Duke Farms’ Market. Find Find AquaSprouts Farms tilapia at Metropolitan Seafood in Lebanon.
Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA Today Network New Jersey since 2014, after becoming a blogger-turned-reporter following the creation of her award-winning travel blog. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Contact: [email protected] or @JIntersimone.
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