Spark-Y’s Timberframe Aquaponics System

A Living Lab for Sustainability, Built by Youth, Powered by Community

Built with Purpose
(and Oak!) – 2017

This aquaponics system was hand-built in 2017 by Spark-Y apprentices using traditional timber framing techniques. The solid oak structure was constructed right on-site, blending craftsmanship with ecological design.

It stands today as a centerpiece of Spark-Y’s urban sustainability education hub.

Urban Farming
in Action

Tucked inside our office at the Casket Arts Building in Northeast Minneapolis, this vertical aquaponics system demonstrates how food can be grown in a lot of places: small, indoor urban spaces included!

By combining fish and plants in a closed-loop system, we show how water and nutrients cycle to grow fresh, sustainable food.

  • This system has become a powerful educational tool, serving:

    • High school interns

    • Youth apprentices

    • Seasonal program participants

    • Spark-Y staff and volunteers

    Through daily interaction with the system, students learn about:

    • Aquaponics design & function

    • Water chemistry & fish care

    • Agricultural techniques

    Sustainability and problem solving

  • Over the years, the system has been home to a diverse mix of plants, including:

    • Leafy greens like lettuce and kale

    • Microgreens sold to local restaurants

    • Herbs and vegetables

    • Ornamental plants for aesthetics and air quality

    All grown in harmony with a small school of fish, whose waste helps nourish the plants.

  • More than just a farming system, this is a place where:

    • Young people grow confidence

    • Students gain real-world skills

    • Community connections flourish

    • Environmental stewardship is cultivated

    Spark-Y’s aquaponics system is a daily reminder that sustainable food systems are possible even a metropolitan area. It inspires everyone who sees it to think differently about food, space, and the power of youth-led change.