Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

In Flagstaff, Arizona, Rylan Morton-Starner of Forestdale Farm is researching ways to improve the sustainability and profitability of small-scale aquaculture. Through a Western SARE Farmer/Rancher grant, Rylan and his family are developing a closed-loop farming system that integrates fish production with crop irrigation, reducing the need for outside inputs like fertilizer and compost.

By comparing crops irrigated with nutrient-rich water from their aquaculture system to those watered with conventional catchment tanks, they're studying the effects on crop yields and soil health.

The project also explores sustainable fish production by testing farm-raised worms and insects as alternative fish feed. By producing their own feed, Rylan hopes to lower production costs while building a more self-sustaining aquaculture system that supports healthy fish and stronger farm profitability.