The programs will allow eligible farmers to open a new site on their land without making an initial CapEx investment

Innovasea and the Andrew J. Young Foundation Partner to Advance Regenerative Aquaculture and Fight Food Insecurity

UNITED STATES
Monday, September 08, 2025, 05:10 (GMT + 9)

Alliance Builds Sustainable Farms in Colorado and Georgia, Removing Barriers for Communities to Grow Their Own Food

BOSTON, MA—Innovasea, a global leader in aquaculture technology solutions, has formed a key partnership with the Andrew J. Young Foundation to launch two large-scale aquaponics facilities in the United States. The initiative, named Forever Young Aquaponics, seeks to address food insecurity by providing a sustainable farming solution based on advanced technology that eliminates the barrier of initial cost for farmers.

Aerial view of the Forever Young Aquaponics site in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: Innovasea

The project centers on aquaponics, a practice that combines aquaculture (raising fish) with hydroponics (growing plants without soil), creating a symbiotic ecosystem. Unlike traditional farms, these facilities use Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), designed by Innovasea, that recycle water and nutrients, allowing for the year-round production of fresh, nutritious food regardless of climate.

Forever Young Aquaponics is on a mission to redefine sustainable farming — combining recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) with deep water culture (DWC) to grow premium leafy greens and freshwater fish, all in a closed-loop, resource-efficient environment. Photo: Innovasea

Two Strategic Sites with a Unique Community Impact

The first two project sites are located in Colorado and Georgia, areas strategically chosen for their food security challenges. The Colorado site, situated in a desert where fresh water is a scarce resource, has already begun operations. It features eight fish tanks and is expected to produce 20 to 30 tons of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and baby spinach annually on what was previously unusable land.

The Georgia facility, which is expected to be completed in 2026, will be nearly double the size. It will pair the raising of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with a baby mesclun mix, with a projected production of 70 tons of fish and over 10,000 pounds of fresh vegetables per week.

"We are proud to support this regenerative initiative and to bring advanced, sustainable solutions to different types of land-based aquaculture," said Marc Turano, VP at Innovasea. "It's another way we’re using state-of-the-art technology to deliver operations that are responsible, scalable, and profitable."

Economic Empowerment and Environmental Sustainability

The Forever Young Aquaponics business model is what makes it particularly innovative. It removes the primary obstacle for farmers: the high upfront cost of construction and equipment. The program allows eligible farmers to start a farm on their land without an initial capital investment. The Foundation helps operate the farms, and farmers make a monthly payment to eventually own the facility.

According to Arvind Vankat, managing partner of Forever Young Farms, Innovasea's expertise was crucial in designing farms that could succeed in each unique location and meet specific operational demands. "These projects are centered around a holistic approach to aquaculture, supporting both environmental responsibility and the production of sustainable protein," he added.

Ambassador Andrew J. Young, a key figure in the civil rights movement and founder of the Foundation, summarized the project's vision: "Forever Young Aquaponics’ mission is to be more than just a farm—it’s a living example of how we can grow fresh food year-round while protecting the natural resources that sustain us. When done right, it holds the potential to be the true trifecta of food, water, and community."

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