The Recirculating Farms Coalition is a collaborative group of farmers, educators, non-profit organizations and many others committed to building local sources of healthy, accessible food. Through research, education and advocacy, we work together to support the development of eco-efficient farms that use clean recycled water as the basis to grow food. We believe these recirculating farms can create stable green jobs and supply sustainably-grown food – fruits, vegetables, herbs and humanely-raised seafood – in diverse communities nationwide, and someday, worldwide.
The Recirculating Farms Coalition grew out of a program initiated at Food & Water Watch, a national consumer advocacy organization. In 2009, staff with the Fish Program at Food & Water Watch coordinated a meeting of leading recirculating aquaculturists, hydroponic and aquaponic farmers, other scientists and government agencies involved in agriculture and fisheries fields. The outcome of this meeting was a unanimous call for a coordinating entity that could help raise the profile of recirculating farms in the United States and push for policy, legislative and educational initiatives. Thus the Coalition was born. In its infancy we were a group of professionals, entrepreneurs and others interested in exploring a better, more local way to provide food. Since that time, the Recirculating Farms Coalition has grown in membership and developed strategic plans to promote policy, legislative, and educational activities.