1. Global Awareness

We aim to organize and maintain The Association to promote aquaponics technology globally.

2. Aquaponic Benefits

We encourage and promote the benefits of aquaponically grown food.

3. Diverse Methods

We encourage and promote the creation of aquaponic growers and systems of all sizes.

4. Consumers & Officials

We encourage and promote the education of consumers and food safety officials on the inherent benefits of aquaponically grown food.

Julie Ellen Flegal-Smallwood
Chair

Julie Flegal-Smallwood, PhD is currently the Association Chair. She is the Director for a Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution STEM grant at Redlands Community College in El Reno, OK,  and as a part of that initiative manages two greenhouses with aquaponic systems, as well as two indoor aquaponic systems. She has teaching experience at all levels from preschool to graduate students. She finds something unique about each age and developmental level, and “teacher” or “professor” is her favorite label.  In addition to teaching, Dr. Julie has professional experience with both state and federal government, the department of corrections, and private practice/consulting. Dr. Julie lives on an 80-acre farm with a large German Shepherd (Duke), a cat (Marble), and a small herd of cattle.  Her truck is almost always covered in red Oklahoma dirt. She is somewhat accident prone, love chocolate, Vanilla Dr Pepper, Chuck Taylors, and cowboy boots.

Janelle Hager
Vice Chair

Janelle Hager is a State Specialist in Aquaponics at Kentucky State University (KSU). She has nine years of experience working in aquaponics research, extension, and teaching. She developed the first fully online aquaponics curriculum for both undergraduate and graduate students at KSU (AQU 452/552). Her research focuses on finding practical solutions to improve aquaponic practices for small or limited resources farmers. She is currently working towards her PhD in Plant and Soil Science at the University of Kentucky focusing on microbial nutrient cycling in aquaponic systems.

Phil Reasons
Director of Advocacy and Policy

Phil has invested 40 years in the farm lands of the mid-west where he developed animal husbandry and agriculture experience ranging from small organic gardening to large scale cattle and row crop production Phil was the Director of Development for the Peace through Water Foundation and has served as coordinator for several natural disaster relief efforts. His efforts have taken him around the world working with local communities to develop sustainable food production. Currently Phil is the President of Aquasol, a nonprofit supporting international humanitarian projects by providing sustainable solutions to agricultural production and food security

Annemarie Deutschmann
Community Aquaponics Director

Annemarie began her career in community outreach fifteen years ago working with a very large non-profit and in the senior industry. Over that time, she developed lasting relationships within sales, marketing, and project management. Her many strengths include fundraising, spearheading projects, and collaborating within public and private corporations. With food insecurity rising within senior living communities and motivated by a personal loss due to malnutrition, Her business was formed. She sees aquaponics as a vehicle to educate the public on how sustainable farming can help mitigate food insecurity. Annemarie believes that aquaponics is a tool for many. Her belief is that, it can heal our land, feed our people and lift our spirits.

Cori Byrge
Communications Director

Meet Cori, a passionate advocate for aquaponics and its potential to transform sustainable agriculture. With a keen interest in this innovative farming method, Cori is dedicated to spreading awareness and educating others about the benefits of aquaponics. Through her efforts, Cori hopes to inspire more people to explore this eco-friendly and efficient approach to food production.

Paul Brown
Research Director

Paul Brown is a Professor at Purdue University in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources.  He joined Purdue In 1989 after graduating from the University of Tennessee (BS 1980, MS 1983) and Texas A&M University (1987).  He spent 2 years with the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University of Illinois.  His research is focused on nutrition of aquatic animals.  He has published research on nutrition of over 20 species of fish and crustacean in both freshwater and marine settings.

Joe Pate

George "Joe" Pate is a leading aquaponic consultant and the founder of Regenerative Ecosystems- an agricultural consulting company specializing in the research, development, and implementation of regenerative agriculture practices and bio-technologies. Joe grew up in Northern Kentucky, surrounded by farms and forest. Raised by a horticultural expert, he spent much of his youth working in food and ornamental gardens, observing nature, and learning how to ‘communicate’ with plants. Driven by a desire to make the world a better place and to “be the change,” Joe has dedicated his life to learning and researching ways to increase the sustainability of agriculture systems and to enhance the accessibility of information to people around the world. It is his hope that by sharing information, creating open-source material, and collaborating with other passionate individuals, we can create a truly self-sufficient and resilient agricultural system that will regenerate our ecosystems.

Michael McLeon

Windham School District Career & Technical Education Teacher, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Michael Campus

Michael McLeon is a career & technical education teacher with the Windham School District. He provides educational services to students at the Michael campus in Anderson County, Texas. Mr McLeon is part of a team responsible for developing a method of growing crops and herbs within the correctional environment using aquaponics and hydroponics to provide fresh food for residents, food banks, homeless shelters and children’s homes. The program provides residents with an opportunity to make a positive difference while obtaining useful skills.

Mr McLeon advocates correctional gardening programs that teach students a new skill that can fuel a growing industry. He is the first correctional officer to serve as a member of the American Correctional Association’s Sustainability Committee. 

Ammar Hdaifeh

Ammar Hdaifeh is a highly educated professional with two international master's degrees in Process and Bioprocess Engineering and Analyzing and Managing Health and Food Risk from Oniris Nantes in France. He is passionate about using research results to create products that reduce global food waste, promote healthy eating, and protect the environment. Ammar has dedicated his career to food and environmental risk assessment and has extensive experience in the field.

Ammar Hdaifeh is an invaluable asset to any organization looking to make a positive impact on the world. His deep knowledge and expertise, combined with his passion for creating sustainable food solutions, make him an invaluable asset to any organization looking to make a positive impact on the world.

Danielle Maitland

Danielle Maitland is the Director of Science and Cultivation Technology at Aqualitas Inc., a licensed producer in Nova Scotia, Canada that aquaponically cultivates cannabis and koi. Danielle is also a PhD candidate at Dalhousie University, researching the development of fish diets for aquaponics that maintain fish welfare while improving cannabis/crop production and quality. Danielle is a licensed Professional Engineering (P.Eng.), with an MSc in Sustainable Aquaculture from the University of Stirling, Scotland, and an MASc in Chemical Engineering from McMaster University, Canada.