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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