About

Ísponica grows vertically farmed crops in Hólar, Iceland.

A vertical farming setup has been implemented in order to optimise the building space already available.

Vertical farming enables the grower to make use of total building height, and not just horizontal space, which means more crops can be grown in the same space.

Aquaponics uses the waste from fish as fertilizer for plants. This is how Ísponica will grow its plants. The water will flow from the fish tank to the biofilter, where good nitrifying bacteria will convert the wastewater into nutrients the plants can use.

The water will then flow to the areas where the plants are growing. Here, the plants will take up nutrients from the waste. After the water passes through these grow areas, water is returned back to the fish tank.

Some plants will be grown in soil (such as certain types of microgreens and potted herbs for customers to take home). These plants will be nourished using water from the aquaponics systems.

Ísponica will grow vegetables and herbs for Hólar and the nearby communities.

Including Sauðárkrókur, Varmahlíð, Hofsós and other farms and homes in the area.

The first stage of production includes triton radish microgreens, rambo radish microgreens, speckled pea microgreens, and kale microgreens. Growth trials have begun for lettuce and herbs.

Tales from the barn

Construction history of the barn

In 1914 a concrete cowshed with a barn and manure house was built south and west of the schoolhouse according to a drawing by Rögnvaldur Ólafsson, the master builder of the state.

Ísponica featured on the Aquaponics Association Website

Ísponica was recently featured in an article on the Aquaponics Association website!

“The goal for Ísponica isn’t to just be a farm – it’s to also be an active member of the community. Ísponica aims to give back by encouraging nutrition, agriculture education, research, and partnering with other organizations to reduce food waste and increase access to healthy food.”