Where do you usually buy fish in the local area in Northern Nevada? Since I am an international student from Japan, the only thing I miss a lot in Nevada is ‘fish.’ When you go to a shopping center here, you notice that most of fish are labeled that they are imported from Chili or many other countries as well as San Francisco, Los Angels, and Las Vegas. Also, Nevada is in a dusty high desert area, and climates change randomly. So, I did not even expect that I could eat local organic foods and fish on a daily basis. However, Hungry Mother Organics changed my life and views of Nevada local area.
(photo from: http://images.businessweek.com/photos/2013-05-16/how-to-farm-fish-in-the-nevada-desert#slide1)
Hungry Mother Organics has been growing certified organic plants and produces for local neighbors in Northern Nevada since 2007. Hungry Mother Organics is known as a family farm business. Mark O’Farrells, its founder, and his son, Jake, help to promote Nevada grown-organic-products. You can find Hungry Mother products at local restaurants, farmer’s markets and at the Whole Foods Market in Reno.
Hungry Mother Organics sells fresh and organic eggs, fruits, vegetables and seedlings for home gardeners. Its vegetables include bell peppers, potatoes, strawberries, tomatoes, garlic, carrots, lettuce, herbs and much more.
(photo from: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hungry-mother-organics-minden?select=KVC_Ne_TB0E1dwrO4nARDw#KVC_Ne_TB0E1dwrO4nARDw)
Hungry Mother relies on a greenhouse to protect about 200,000 seedlings from the elements. The plants are heated from below with tubes of hot water. That keeps them at 75 degrees F with less energy than it would take to heat the air in the greenhouse, which could be 30 degrees cooler.
The O’Farrells started raising tilapia in 2012. The farm uses a system known as aquaponics to conserve water and nutrients. The waste the fish produce nourishes the plants, which naturally cleans the water before it’s pumped back into the tank. Water going back into the fish tank is tested for ammonia and nitrates. Jake explains that he wants it to be perfectly clean. The filtered water then returns to the fish tank.
(photo from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152786896965068&set=pb.360626150067.-2207520000.1396530000.&type=3&theater)
Hungry Mother Organics has started to raise about 900 tilapia in 2012, and last year, O’Farrells’ family got a permit to raise up to 20,000 fish.
If you are interested in growing healthy mind and body, Hungry Mother Organics is the right place to go to.
- Address: 3190 HWY 395 Minden, Nevada 89423
- Phone: (775) 267-3084
- Website: http://hungrymotherorganics.com/
For more information, you can see this YouTube uploaded video:
Written by: Ayaka Hatta
The Heart of Reno's Roots 