Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Aquaponics

Help Us Rebuild Our Aquaponics Greenhouse!

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Dear Friends,

As of February 6, 2025 we have gratefully received $9,819 from you our donors. Our plan as previously written in our winter Tide newsletter was only a rebuild of the greenhouse structure and hydroponic portion.

That was four months ago when we felt the loss more intensely. In October, we saw evidence of tornado activity with twisted materials. The storm did NO damage to the fish tanks, nor to the three filtration components and system operation, even though pipes, air and electrical conduits were broken. In contrast, in 2017 Hurricane Irma as a powerful category 4 that did no harm but blew right over the round roof without so much as a tear in any plastic.

Taking all this into consideration, we re-evaluated and will again bring tilapia into the aquaponic system. We hope to begin again very soon—next month?  To all who have supported us during these past 10 years, we gratefully accept any contributions you are able to make so we can again sustain ourselves and customers with nutritious food.

The description and cost estimate from Aquasol International of items, materials and labor  for the rebuild is as follows:

Description                                                               Materials              Labor

1 Remove damaged GH structure                                                           $1,250

2  Repair end walls                                                       $1,000                $1,000

3  Install new GH bows, purlins                                  $13,000                $5,000

4  Install new greenhouse hip strut                                  $500                   $750

5  Install side curtains                                                   $1,500                 $1,000

6  Install double layer poly film  w/blower                     $1,200                $1,000

7 Install aluminet shade cloth                                         $850                  $500

8 Repair broken and or damaged air/water lines            $250                  $500

Sub-Total                $18,300             $11,000           $29,300

9  Install evaporative cooling panels                                $5,000               $2,500     (optional)

10 Install evap cooling exhaust fans                                 $3,200                 $750    (optional)

11 Automatic Fish Feeders                                                 $400                  $250    (optional)

Sub-Total                     $8,600               $3,500           $12,100

                                                                Total                   $26,900             $14,500          $41,400

Items 9-10 — evaporative cooling panels are mounted on an end wall; thermostat regulated and circulate air from exhaust fans to allow lettuce and vegetables to grow during the summer. In past years, lettuce grew from October until April.

Item 11– automatic fish feeders can be installed if wanted at a future time.

Kindly make checks payable to Benedictine Sisters of FL   for:      Aquaponics greenhouse rebuild

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Help Us Rebuild Our Aquaponics Facility!

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Help Rebuild Our Aquaponics Facility!

After significant tornado damage from Hurricane Milton to the greenhouse aquaculture system at Holy Name Monastery in St. Leo, Florida, a decision was reached by the Benedictine Sisters and Phil Reasons of Aquasol International to dismantle the ruined structure and rebuild anew. Damage includes broken pipes, twisted metal beams, splintered wooden sideboards, and shredded plastic coverings. The 60+ large tilapia suffered trauma, would not eat and so had to be harvested and shared with various organizations.

The plan to rebuild took considerable assessment of many factors and we believe this is God’s work that needs to continue. We will eliminate the aquaponic component which is the tilapia rearing tanks and focus on hydroponically grown plants in the new greenhouse. The outside portions of the farm and fruit tree section are intact so will continue to produce as before the storm.

Months before the hurricanes, the second-hand golf cart which was used to carry supplies around the area gave up the ghost. In addition to the greenhouse construction, a golf cart would be a substantial contribution (approx. $3000)  to the monastery and greatly appreciated.

To all who have supported us during these past 10 years,  we gratefully accept any contributions you are able to make to this rebuild so we can sustain ourselves and customers with nutritious vegetables.

Below is the breakdown of materials, labor, total  by Aquasol International.

Dismantle existing greenhouse                               $2,500

Install new greenhouse bows and purlins             $20,000

Remove aquaculture system                                   $1,000

Repair damaged equipment                                     $1,500

Golf Cart Needed                                                      $3,000

Total                                                                        $28,000

 

Please make checks payable to:     Benedictine Sisters of Florida for  greenhouse rebuild

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Aquaponics Scholarships Needed

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This is a great opportunity to help others. As you know, here at Holy Name Monastery we have been developing a sustainable food producing system for many years.  The fresh produce and fresh tilapia we bring to our kitchen has been a wonderful source of nutrition.  Unfortunately, many around the world are suffering from a lack of food.

We are having our fall Aquaponics training this October. Due to the difficult financial situation with our current economy, many are interested in attending yet find themselves short on cash to pay for the tuition. Here’s where you can help. In the past we have offered scholarships to students who qualified and so we were able to successfully assist them in their mission work abroad.

You can be involved by offering funds to be utilized for student scholarships for the fall training October 17-21.  The cost of the 5-day training is $990.  Please let me know if you have an interest. Thank you very much.

Contacts:

Phil Reasons, President Aquasol International – email: office@aquasol.org

Sister Roberta Bailey, Prioress Benedictine Sisters of FL – email: roberta.bailey@saintleo.edu

Sister Miriam Cosgrove, Aquaponics Coordinator – email: miriam.cosgrove@saintleo.edu

 

 

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Aqua/Hydroponics Training

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Is summer’s heat squashing your energy?

Plan ahead for our next really cool aquaponics training in the fall.

October 17 through 21, 2022

 

Here at Holy Name Monastery in Saint Leo, Florida we have been engaged in aquaponics farming since 2015.  We have cultivated a wide variety of fresh vegetables and raised thousands of tilapia using the best farming practices of aquaponics.  Plan now to experience the thrill of growing your own food and register for this life-changing course.  You will develop skills necessary for the creation of a sustainable backyard aquaponic system, a system that will contribute greatly to your family’s well-being.  Let Aquasol help you design your healthy food future.

 

TOPICS COVERED:

Classroom:  Introduction, benefits of aquaponics, types of aquaponics, home food production, commercial, social, mission aquaponics around the world, vegetable choices, biological and natural pest control, fish biology, fish nutrition, fish selection, fish food and feeding, water quality, nitrification and nutrient availability for plants, good agricultural practices and best aquaculture practices.

 

COURSE DETAILS:

Length:  5 days with optional evening seminars

Materials:  include course manual, hands-on activities

Cost:  $990 per person

Registration:  813-600-9297 or email  don@aquasol.org

Email Don Luttrell: don@aquasol.org or click on the link below for their website.

 

www.Aquasol.org

(click on the link above)

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Catholic Sister Week – What We Do

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Catholic Sisters Week – What We Do

One of our Sisters was once asked by a student, “What do you do in the monastery all day?”

We pray daily and include the prayers and petitions of all those who have contacted us with a prayer request.

We provide welcome for our guests and provide them with a quiet place for prayer, rest, and reflection.

We assist those struggling to feed their families by supporting Daystar Hope Center in Pasco County, Heifer International, the Love One Another Initiative, and many other charities.

We provide spiritual support through our trained spiritual directors.

We provide a Christian witness through our presence in and support of a variety of charitable organizations in Pasco County, Florida and beyond.

We sponsor social events in an effort to build community with others.

We advocate for the poor and disenfranchised with state and national legislators.

We have an Aqua/Hydroponics facility to raise awareness of the importance of quality food and nutrition.

We witness to the importance of faithfulness and commitment to the local community through our 133-year presence in East Pasco County.

Our Corporate Commitment. sums it up:  We, the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, commit ourselves and our resources to respond with the compassion of Christ to the hungers of the people of God.

That’s what we do. 

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