EP73: Solving the Biggest Problems Facing Agriculture Using Aquaponics with Kurt Wagaman of Superior Fresh

11/06/19 • 17 min

“When you marry aquaculture and hydroponics, you get aquaponics.” Kurt Wagaman (5:04 - 5:09)

Kurt Wagaman is the GM at Superior Fresh, an industry-leading aquaponics facility specializing in leafy greens, Atlantic salmon, and Steelheads. Their facility is situated on a 720-acre native restoration property nestled in the Coulee Region of Wisconsin. Superior Fresh’s flagship facility is the largest of its kind, filled with state-of-the-art equipment and technology.

What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics can be broken down into two separate technologies

Hydroponics, which is growing leafy greens in a greenhouse, and aquaculture, the practice of raising fish in a facility. When you marry the two, you get aquaponics.

Aquaponics lets companies like Superior Fresh get certified as organic and achieve rapid and sustainable growth.

Superior Fresh’s Incredible (and Sustainable) Output

Superior Fresh can produce 8 million pounds of leafy greens annually and 1.6 million pounds of fresh fish. They use a fraction of the land and water when compared to the same output from regular land and water farming.

Superior Fresh is the first landlocked Atlantic salmon farm in the United States using recirculating aquaculture technologies. Their state-of-the-art systems allow them to bring in certified disease-free eggs and have complete control of the life-cycle from hatch to harvest.

A Commitment to Sustainability

Superior Fresh isn’t backed by your regular venture capitalists. They’re funded by philanthropists who want to create an example of using aquaponics to grow large amounts of healthy foods in a way that is sustainable and beneficial to the local area.

Superior Fresh has led restoration efforts to the point where they’ve restored hundreds of acres of land and water to where they were a hundred years ago.

“Our commitment to sustainability carries as much gravity as one can possibly imagine from a startup.”

- Kurt Wagaman (12:48 - 12:59)

Superior Fresh is focused on nutrient recycling. The vast majority of the water they use is recycled and plays a role in farming for both their fish and leafy greens.

Superior Fresh supports local organizations, including the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as well as local high schools. They participate in focus study groups for the University of Wisconsin’s marketing programs.

“Superior Fresh is a solution to some of the threats and problems that agriculture is facing.” - Lori Taylor (9:24 - 9:33)

Two of the biggest threats facing agriculture are sustainability and the ability to feed an ever-growing global population. Superior Fresh addresses both of those problems by providing healthy nutritious (and delicious) food in a way that benefits the planet, and the local communities they operate in.

If you want to experience first-hand what Superior Fresh is offering, pick up some of their products at a local retailer near you.

How to get involved

Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!
Reach out to us - we’d love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.
Learn more about Superior Fresh.

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we’d love for you to help us spread the word!

“When you marry aquaculture and hydroponics, you get aquaponics.” Kurt Wagaman (5:04 - 5:09)

What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics can be broken down into two separate technologies

Hydroponics, which is growing leafy greens in a greenhouse, and aquaculture, the practice of raising fish in a facility. When you marry the two, you get aquaponics.

Aquaponics lets companies like Superior Fresh get certified as organic and achieve rapid and sustainable growth.

Superior Fresh’s Incredible (and Sustainable) Output

A Commitment to Sustainability

Superior Fresh has led restoration efforts to the point where they’ve restored hundreds of acres of land and water to where they were a hundred years ago.

“Our commitment to sustainability carries as much gravity as one can possibly imagine from a startup.”

- Kurt Wagaman (12:48 - 12:59)

Superior Fresh is focused on nutrient recycling. The vast majority of the water they use is recycled and plays a role in farming for both their fish and leafy greens.

“Superior Fresh is a solution to some of the threats and problems that agriculture is facing.” - Lori Taylor (9:24 - 9:33)

If you want to experience first-hand what Superior Fresh is offering, pick up some of their products at a local retailer near you.

How to get involved

Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!
Reach out to us - we’d love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.
Learn more about Superior Fresh.

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we’d love for you to help us spread the word!

Previous Episode

EP72: Inspiring People to Live Their Best Lives with Joy Bauer

“Joy Bauer is passionate about inspiring children and people of all ages to eat the healthiest foods and live their best lives.” Lori Taylor (7:24 - 7:37)

Joy Bauer is one of America’s leading health authorities. She’s a New York Times number 1 best-selling author and the health and nutrition expert for NBC’s Today show.

Joy is also the host of the TV show Health and Happiness with Mayo Clinic. She’s a mother, and the author of Yummy Yoga, a new children’s book that promotes wellness, exercise, and glorifies fresh produce in a fun and artful way.

Fresh Produce: The Pinnacle of Living Your Best Life

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is essential to healthy living. They give us nutrients that include vitamins, minerals, fiber, phytonutrients, and antioxidants.

“Fruits and vegetables are high in volume and low in calories. They fill you up without filling you out.” - Joy Bauer (8:08 - 8:15)

Health and Wellness is a Lifestyle Shift

Weight loss, health, and wellness require a lifestyle shift. You can maximize your results by setting goals and following a plan you can stick to long-term. Plan for choices that fit your lifestyle. Set short-term goals while creating a long-term vision of where you want your health to be.

Don’t beat yourself up about making mistakes, because they’re a necessary part of the journey. The key is to get back on track with your healthy lifestyle right away.

Inspiring Children to Make Healthy Choices

As a mother, Joy Bauer understands the importance of making healthy choices for children. Every parent wants their child to be comfortable, happy, healthy, and thriving.

“Yummy Yoga makes health education fun. It gets kids engaged and excited about making healthy choices.” - Joy Bauer (18:54 - 19:01)

But it can be hard to get kids to try new vegetables or go outside and move. This is especially true in today’s world of technology and over-stimulation from smartphones, tablets, and video games.

That’s what inspired Joy to write Yummy Yoga, a children’s book that makes health fun and engaging. It encourages kids to try things like yoga and new vegetables through interactive and innovative strategies.

Exercise has been shown to boost the immune system, enhance confidence, and improve general health. Yoga can help with focus and stress-reduction, which can improve a child’s quality of life.

The choices your family makes today will have a lasting impact on your health and wellness for years to come.

How to get involved

Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!
Reach out to us - we’d love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.
Check out JoyBauer.com for delicious produce recipes.
Find out more about the children’s book Yummy Yoga.

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we’d love for you to help us spread the word!

Next Episode

EP74: Becoming a Leader in the Produce Industry with Coastal Sunbelt’s Stacy Ward

“Sunbelt is really focused on three things: food, people, and relationships. When we hire people, we want to make sure that people fit that culture.” Stacy Ward (14:13-14:21)

Stacy Ward is on the executive board of Coastal Sunbelt Produce. With decades of experience under her belt, Stacy is a super-focused and disciplined professional and mom, and she loves produce.

After working for Sysco, Stacy met a salesperson for Coastal Sunbelt who thought she would be a good fit for their company.

She knew it would be something different and a new challenge for her. At the time, Sunbelt was a small company, and Stacy was hired to manage a contract for a hotel division—something the company had never done before.

“I didn't ever dream that I wanted to be in the produce industry. But this is a great industry. There are so many different things that one person can do in this industry.” - Stacy Ward (9:58-10:13)

Stacy’s Path to Leadership in the Produce Industry

Within the first three to five years of managing that division, it was tremendously successful. The company was soon taking over 60% of the market in their area. They started hiring more people and expanding. The hotel division is now well over $25 million in annual sales. Stacy has worked her way up to having a seat in the boardroom and becoming a partner.

In 2008, Stacy had the opportunity to manage more contract business in their multi-unit chain business. She had no idea what she was doing. but she was willing to learn and work hard every day to figure it all out.

In 2010, Stacy was awarded a position on the board. She worked closely with the CEO and the partners on that board. She showed them that she wanted to learn, and she quickly realized she’d found the right place and wanted to continue to grow.

Taking Care of the Coastal Sunbelt Team

Coastal Sunbelt takes care of its team members as well as it takes care of its customers. The company has an on-site nurse practitioner who employees can turn to for healthcare needs at no cost.

They provide a produce store where employees can grab some milk, eggs, or healthy produce.

“If we take care of our people and we take care of our customers, everything else will take care of itself.” - Stacy Ward (14:25-14:31)

The company’s traditional flag-raising ceremony recognizes the diversity of its team. It allows every employee’s home country to be represented at work. This is a source of pride for everyone whose flag is displayed.

The company has an open-door policy that allows everyone to have access to every executive, including the CEOs and company presidents.

At Coastal Sunbelt, everyone is treated equally and with respect. If you’re just starting your career in produce, or you’re considering getting started, Stacy reminds everyone of the importance of taking chances.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get involved. The more you learn, the bigger the impact you can make in the industry and the world.

How to get involved

Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!
Reach out to us - we’d love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we’d love for you to help us spread the word!