By Vernon Byrd, University of the Nations, Kona Hawaii CampusAt the University of the Nations, Kona, Hawaii campus, we normally provide lettuce, bunching onions, basil, kale and parsley for the campus cafeteria. Although we normally produce about 800 heads of lettuce per week, the cafeteria uses more than that, but, we have had a surplus since all the students and most staff left the island due to Covid issues.Some staff with their families, mostly from countries closed to travel, remain on the campus and we provide produce for them. We also are able to provide produce to the homeless feeding program and we will supplement what we have been giving them with some tilapia, which are ready for harvest.Do you want to write a short article to share your personal story?Do you have an interesting story about how COVID-19 is affecting your aquaponics? Do you want to share it with the aquaponics community on the Aquaponics Association's social media?Are you expanding your system? Changing what you grow for friends and family? Sourcing fish in your local pond? Instructing the Elementary School maintenance staff via telephone how to buffer pH?Tell us in under 500 words and please include at least two pictures of your aquaponic setup. We will post your stories. Your stories help us all reach new audiences for aquaponics![ninja_form id='34']Help us spread the message!The Aquaponics Association is a nonprofit that connects growers and works to increase aquaponic production. Please consider a General Membership to support this cause.Benefits of Membership include:

• Regular newsletters
• Access to Aquaponics Association Members Forum with chat groups and direct messages
• Ability to participate in working groups to move aquaponics forward: 1) Commercial Aquaponics; 2) Community Aquaponics; 3) Aquaponics in STEM Education; and 4) Aquaponics Research
• Exclusive web content like checklists, best practices, conference presentations and full conference videos from top experts
• Legislative & Regulatory Updates
• Special Member Discounts

Membership fees also support:

• Development and promotion of materials to educate the public about the benefits and opportunities of aquaponics!
• Development of industry standards and best practices
• Infrastructure to connect aquaponic growers from around the world
• Strategic partnerships to expand aquaponics into new fields
• Ability to speak with one voice to policy-makers and regulators on issues like Organic certification, food safety certification, and agriculture policy
• Resources to improve aquaponic growers’ skills, growing capacity, and business opportunities
• Resources to cultivate and develop aquaponics as an emerging green industry

Learn more: General Membership