Reprinted from the March 2008 issue of Maximum Yield Industry News.

The ISH has, in its 12 years of existence, been able to maintain the alternative of hydroponics as a technological tool in the arsenal of ending hunger. At present the ISH is involved in projects in 18 countries, and hopes to begin small projects in more countries. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization is now crediting their hydroponic projects as the most successful in changing individual family conditions.

Venezuela, the largest simplified hydroponic project last year, was able to train over 20,000 families. This makes a total so far of 80,000 families that have an opportunity to end hunger and perhaps work their way our of poverty with a small truck farm business.

"We have seen a constant progress towards introducing hydroponics as a solution to the worldwide problem of hunger. We have been successful due to the support of individual and company contributions. One of our longest supporters and large contributors is American Hydroponics based in Arcata California who contributed a donation of materials valued at $100,000 during the last two years. This donation includes a wide variety of hydroponic supplies and equipment, including substrates, nutrients, plastic containers, light systems, bulbs, and other hydroponic supplies." stated Peggy Bradley, Director of ISH.

Michael Christian, owner of American Hydroponics, explained his donation. "I have been a supporter of the ISH from its inception in 1996. We were one of the first donors, and continue to offer support in any way we can. This donation was made to help establish a Resource Center for materials that can be used to help end hunger."

Michael explained, "We have seen a constant progress towards introducing hydroponics as a solution to the worldwide problem of hunger.  This becomes more and more important as our resources of water, land and oil become stretched beyond capacity.  A hydroponic revolution in food production is now crucial to the survival of much of the earth's human population."

"I see it as an issue of character, to help people with our extra, surplus resources; the trick is to get to offering genuine help. If families now in poverty can become income producers, self employed small truck farmers, then each have the opportunity to pursue their hopes and dreams."

Bradley stated "The sizable donation is now stored at our Resource Center in El Dorado Springs Missouri. It represents a significant inventory of supplies that can be used at our sites around the world. We are now polling the projects to see what they need and if we have matching inventory."

"The Resource Center could become a group like Northwest Medical Team that ships pallets of medical supplies around the world. We have been asked to participate in some programs, like Scientists without Borders. Northwest Medical Teams collects surplus materials from manufacturers and hospitals and then looks for donated shipping to places requesting supplies."

For the past year, ISH has been involved in producing a video training course on DVD to be used in projects around the world. The last video training course offered is now 15 years old and only offered in Spanish on VHS. So the new training course of nine 21-minute DVD-based classes offers a new method of training people in how to use the technology. 

The contribution from American Hydroponics can be used to help start training programs in new countries. The first task was to use the parts donated to produce kits that can be sold on the internet, in hydroponic stores, or donated. ISH designed a project kit that includes the DVD training course videos, printed instructions, growing supplies and seeds to start the first garden project. Our new kit is an edible flower kit and is our first completely organic kit.

What is great is when we team together to make an even larger difference. American Hydroponics is not only donating to ISH endeavors, they are also utilizing some of our kits in their local community projects when working with small rural schools, local handicapped daycare centers, and adult daycare centers as projects to promote agriculture and the enjoyment of gardening.  We have poverty in the US and other non-profits that can be supported with ISH materials.

If you'd like to contribute to ISH or would like to purchase some of their training materials and kits, the resource center address is:
Institute of Simplified Hydroponics
1860 E 166 Road
El Dorado Springs , Mo 64744
(417) 876-0441
http://www.carbon.org
Peggy's email is This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it