Two. Multiple Bottom Lines and Income Streams

The Sweet Water “proof of concept” for the sustainability of the world’s first fish vegetable farm in a re-purposed factory building involved different points of view. Some of the expanding circle of partners believed that there would be sufficient revenues from the sale of tilapia, perch, and the produce they nourished to validate the system and inspire replications large and small.

Others viewed Sweet Water Organics as a necessary research and development project with too many unknowns to expect quick green money bottom line performance. Sweet Water was seen as a science lab, a multifaceted 21st century school “without walls,” an eco-business incubator, an emerging community center, and possibly a model for urban infill development with a “Sweet Water Village” potential.

This group proposed a focus on multiple bottom lines, e.g. ecology and equity, as well as multiple-income streams, e.g. fish and produce sales, but also compost, worms, worm castings, small plot intensive garden structures, workshops, tours, urban agriculture and aquaponics installations.

Some also advocated a hybrid business model for Sweet Water Organics that would involve the establishment of a non-profit, i.e. the Sweet Water Foundation, to harvest the hard won information derived from “Organics’” research and development, and incorporate it into education and inspiration for schools and community. Sweet Water Organics would “profit” from the good will and expanding web of competent and committed partners in the urban agriculture/aquaonics ®Evolution!