Assist the Proposed Branson Aquaponic Gardens and Educational Center Become Reality

Assist the Proposed Branson Aquaponic Gardens and Educational Center Become Reality
Written by Shirah Miriam “Mimi” Aumann

A couple of weeks ago, on January 29th, there was the most exciting headline I have ever read in a Branson newspaper. The front page headline in the Branson Daily Independent read: “Mall Could Become Aquaponics Center – Project could produce enough organic food for entire region…” I immediately made efforts to contact Mona Miller, the citizen who had presented the project at the last City of Branson Board of Aldermen meeting.

Recently, FOG blog published the Press Release about the potential for the Branson Aquaponic Gardens and Educational Center proposed project. The Factory Merchants Mall (Red Roof Mall) is soon to be vacated and will come back to the City of Branson . The Board of Aldermen is actively seeking suggestions from the general public as they consider the future of this property which has already been transferred to the City.

There have been a few suggestions that might be somewhat profitable but which also might appeal to a much smaller segment of the population. But we all have to eat, and we all need jobs in order to eat. Logic would dictate that you can’t have one without the other! And this seems to be a very critical need all across the world as the economies of the world, and our own country, are very unstable at this time.

Not only are jobs so needed, but we also need to know that our food is both safe and healthy. Safe, as far as security that it will be there when we need it; and healthy, as far as knowing that it has not been made toxic for our bodies through big commercial industrial farm practices or altered in such ways as to cause many unknown health issues down the line for ourselves and our families…

This proposed plan can provide as many as 750 full-time, year-round jobs. It can put VETS to work and the disabled and the regular citizen just trying to support his/her family.

The aquaponics system is a very innovative system where both veggies and fish are raised together in a symbiotic relationship. We are now working with the top aquaponics systems engineering firm in the world – Nelson and Pade – who designed and built the aquaponics system for Disney’s Tour of Seeds in Florida . We have received an extremely affirming and confirming letter from them with regard to the potential this project can hold for the Branson area.

What is needed at this time is for the citizenry to give positive feedback to the City of Branson Board of Aldermen as they carefully consider this project. The interest and enthusiasm for the project is being expressed from many different corners, not only the local population of Branson. And Branson, with its annual guest population of 8+ million, is of interest to many and varied visitors from across the world.

This is truly an exciting possibility for the area, and the citizenry can be the determining factor in promoting the project with your positive input to the City of Branson . We are getting comments from all over the world as other communities see the impact this type of project could have on their own communities. Branson could become a model for what is possible in situations where vacant buildings and complexes can be turned into indoor food farms, providing safe and healthy food for communities in other parts of the nation.

Quoting a paragraph from the recent letter from Nelson and Pade: “One of the goals of our company is food security for all nations, and this starts at home in the U.S. As a country, we need to ensure food safety and availability, and the proposed project will put Branson at the forefront of this effort. Aquaponics is a growing industry and vital component to food security and environmental sustainability. Providing education is essential to ensure successful installations. The proposed Education Center will bring people from around the world to Branson to learn about this exciting technology.”

If you are on Facebook, please “LIKE” and “SHARE” the project page: Branson Aquaponic Gardens and Educational Center. There you can read the newspaper article, the original proposal made to the Board of Aldermen, the Press Release and the entire letter from Nelson and Pade. There is also an aerial view of the Red Roof Mall complex with buildings already numbered for proposed usage. Link here> http://www.facebook.com/pages/Branson-Aquaponic-Gardens-and-Educational-Center/340566219310083

Help us spread the word and let it be the “people’s choice” for the Mall property! This is a win-win for our entire area!

Questions or to assist contact:
Shirah Miriam “Mimi” Aumann
Email: thewatermill@centurytel.net