Growing food & connecting with nature is a way of life
About Australia's most Sustainable Aquaponic Gardener
The Aquaponic Gardener began with a vision in the the early 1990’s to help everyday Aussies grow fresh organic, tasty & sustainable food at home. Rodney developed his aquaponics design techniques in isolation by studying wetland ecology and sustainable environmental management at university without ever discovering the term “Aquaponics” for how he used fish waste to grow his vegetables. Since those humble beginnings Rodney has built, showcased & trained aquaponics students from over 40 countries to design & build backyard aquaponics systems for themselves.
Rodney has multiple qualifications in Environmental Resource Management from Southern Cross University (SCU), won the alumni of the year in 2017, volunteers as a SCU student mentor, is a Certified Environmental Practitioner, received several medals of honor for his heart felt 20 years’ practical experience working in Food Security, Community Development, Climate Change Mitigation, Sustainability, Protected Area Management, energy, waste, biodiversity, ecology etc.
Experience matters
Rodney has developed systems to manage and train local indigenous staff in over 350 community development short courses throughout Papua New Guinea & Australia. Courses have included village water supply, land management, chicken farming, duck farming, fish farming, aquaponics, carpentry, village leadership, hygiene and sanitation, literacy, sewing, vegetable, potato, coffee, vanilla farming &. establishment of markets & micro finance schemes.
Rodney has published over 50 newspaper and magazine articles on environmental sustainability topics and recently co authored a university text book chapter on Corporate Biodiversity Management see: Springer
Through this aquaponics website, Rodney strives to share his DIY practical agricultural and environmental knowledge. He has a passion to help build key skills in developing nations and remote indigenous communities. When he is not playing with Aquaponics Rodney has conservation and community on his heart.
Honored for Community development and Environmental Sustainable management
Well regarded
Some of Rodney’s greatest achievements have been teaching and assisting thousands of villagers in Community Development projects including working with the Salvation Army, Save the Children, Rotary International, UN, Oil Search Foundation to manage development projects throughout Papua New Guinea. & indigenous Australian communities.
Recently, Rodney was awarded with an unexpected honor- The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire medal from her Majesty the Queen of England for Community development, rural health and environmental conservation. Rodney has over the years also been awarded several other medals of honor for His commitment serving the community, remote health, environment and Sustainable Agriculture.
Rodney works in the areas of Sustainable agriculture, Community Development & Environmental Management in PNG and Australia and conducts weekend workshops and talks on Aquaponic gardening, Biodiversity, Sustainable living, assist community groups, schools & business apply for grants, advise on sustainability options etc.
I wrote the above listing some of my experiences so you can understand that I’m some one with life experience and a heart felt passion for both community and our environment.
At the end of the day- I know what I’m doing, I’m a certified expert to provide you advice, training and help you on your aquaponics and/ or other environmental sustainable projects. The bottom line is that if you work with me, you will walk away with down to earth step by step easy to understand training and have your questions answered. I’m here to equip and train you so you can be successful in your life’s journey.
