Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 10

120 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 10 resh THE ART OF REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE I t would be difficult to imagine an industry that’s more important to the planet’s health than farming. It provides the nourishment to sustain a global population of almost eight billion. And yet, despite its importance, farming is not always viewed particularly favorably. Modern agricultural practices are frequently criticized for being unsustainable, for consuming huge quantities of water, and making a significant contribution to greenhouse gas levels. But these criticisms can be unfair and that’s certainly the case with Superior Fresh, a family farm producing certified organic leafy greens and premium seafood located in the State of Wisconsin. Aside from its cultivated fruits and vegetables, the farm has recently been exploring opportunities around aquaculture and is now producing more than 1.5 million pounds of Atlantic salmon a year. Brandon Gottsacker, President at Superior Fresh, joined the company in 2012, attracted by the potential synergies around aquaculture and hydroponics. “Aquaponics is something that’s been around for a long time, but we’ve never really seen anybody do it on the kind of scale that we do,” he explains. “In 2015, we broke ground here in Northfield, Wisconsin, a small town outside of Eau Claire, and we produced a modest amount of Atlantic salmon in that facility, with a three-acre greenhouse attached.” AT A GLANCE SUPERIOR FRESH WHAT: A dual-purpose family farm company producing certified organic greens and premium seafood WHERE: Northfield, Wisconsin WEBSITE: www.superiorfresh.com