Gilded Granger at the Aquaponics Conference 2025

This past September, our co-founder and plant whisperer Tyaga took the stage at the 2025 Aquaponics Conference held at the University of Maryland. The room was filled with growers, educators, scientists, and curious food lovers—all gathered to explore the vibrant world of aquaponics: a closed-loop growing system that marries fish and plants in beautiful harmony.

We’re thrilled to share a series of video clips from Tyaga’s talk, right here on the Gilded Granger blog. Whether you’re a home gardener, a market grower, or just a curious cook, we think you’ll love his grounded, practical approach to growing with intention.

Why Aquaponics Matters

At Gilded Granger, we’re always looking for ways to bring you the freshest, most flavorful herbs and spices—and aquaponics is one of the most promising tools in the sustainability toolbox.

Tyaga’s presentation made it clear: aquaponics isn’t just for scientists in lab coats. With the right guidance and a little ingenuity, it can be accessible, efficient, and incredibly rewarding—whether you're growing basil on a balcony or looking to scale a small herb farm.

What Tyaga Covered

Tyaga’s presentation was filled with insight, but here are a few key takeaways that stood out:

🌿 Practical System Design

Rather than focusing on theory, Tyaga walked through hands-on techniques for building and managing aquaponic systems. Think: real-world solutions for real-world growers. Whether you're just starting out or fine-tuning an existing setup, his approach is refreshingly grounded.

♻️ Sustainability in Action

From water conservation to nutrient cycling, Tyaga emphasized how aquaponics can minimize waste and maximize efficiency. It’s an elegant system where fish nourish plants, and plants help purify the water—sustainability at its finest.

🤝 Community & Collaboration

At its heart, this presentation was a call to share knowledge freely and build resilient local food systems. Tyaga’s warmth and generosity came through as he encouraged growers to support one another and learn collectively.

→ Explore community-supported agriculture (CSA) models that align with these values.

How It Connects to Gilded Granger

For us, this isn’t just about innovative growing methods—it’s about staying true to our values. We believe in herbs that are fresh, honest, and grown with care. Aquaponics offers one more way to do that—year-round, pesticide-free, and rooted in sustainability.

As we explore integrating aquaponic techniques into our own growing methods, we’re excited to bring you along on the journey.

Watch the Presentation

We'll be rolling out video clips from Tyaga’s presentation over the next few weeks, right here on the blog and on our social channels.

Expect to learn:

• How to build a small-scale aquaponic system

• Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Tyaga’s favorite herbs to grow aquaponically (spoiler: basil is a superstar 🌿)

Watch the presentation below. 👇

Tyagaraja Welch of Gilded Granger and Sustainable Humane Earth Presenting at The International Aquaponics Conference at the University of Maryland 2025. Watch the video to learn all about the concepts that created Gilded Granger!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for behind-the-scenes clips and bonus insights from Tyaga and our grow team.

Let’s Grow Smarter, Together

Aquaponics is more than just a trend—it’s a pathway to a more sustainable, self-sufficient future. Whether you’re growing for your family or feeding a farmers market, we hope Tyaga’s presentation inspires you as much as it inspired us.

Stay tuned for more videos, and drop us a comment if you’ve dabbled in aquaponics—we’d love to hear what you’re growing.

Warmly,

The Gilded Granger Team 🌱