About Us
Learn about UrbanPonics’ mission to transform urban farming and food access. Meet the team driving our vision and explore our key partnerships focused on sustainability, innovation, and community engagement. From innovative hydroponics to community-driven education, UrbanPonics is building a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone.
The UrbanPonics Story
It Began with a Vision.
One day, altruistic visionary, Webb Stone, was shaking his head wishing things could be different — better, fairer, healthier. “We need to change the way we get our food,” he declared. Food deserts and inequitable access to healthy food is a reality. And, there is tremendous food wastage. Growing food where you live, no matter where you live is possible and necessary, and it’s good for the planet too!
Listening to Webb’s impassioned perspective, Barbara, aka, The Work Goddess, and known for her feisty, direct, no-nonsense style, countered, “So let’s stop talking and start working! I’ll help!!!”
Listening to Webb’s impassioned perspective, Barbara, aka, The Work Goddess, and known for her feisty, direct, no-nonsense style, countered, “So let’s stop talking and start working! I’ll help!!!”
With that, UrbanPonics was born.
Very soon, seven other like-minded professionals volunteered to help, bringing along their talents, experience and common passion for food security, healthy eating and natural resource sustainability.
The AquaPonics Life Cycle
Our Process
Aquaponics Simplified
Aquaponics is a closed-loop system where fish and plants work together to create a sustainable growing environment. Fish waste is converted by bacteria into plant food, and plants naturally filter the water to return it clean to the fish. This process uses up to 90% less water than traditional farming, making it ideal for urban settings.
Our Equipment
- Fish Tanks house the fish that drive the nutrient cycle
- Water Pumps & Filters are essential for circulating water and keeping it oxygenated for the fish and plants.
- LED Grow Lights help plants thrive even in areas with limited sunlight
- Grow Beds are platforms for plants to absorb nutrients from the water.
- Bio-filters convert fish waste into a usable nutrient form for plants
Fish produce
ammonia-rich waste,
which is released into the water, creating the essential nutrients needed for the next stages of the cycle Nitrifying bacteria
naturally colonize the water and bio-filters, converting toxic ammonia from the fish waste into nitrates, a form of nitrogen that plants can easily absorb for growth.The plants absorb the nitrates
from the water as nutrients for their growth, cleaning and filtering the water as they extract the necessary compounds.Clean water cycles back
into to the fish tank after the plants have absorbed the nitrates, providing a clean, oxygen-rich environment for the fish, thus completing the cycle sustainably.Meet the Board
Visionary Altruist | Builder | Innovative Problem-Solver
Webb is passionate about improving our food system, creating careers in urban indoor farming and developing equitable access to nutrient-rich food. He applies his 30+ years of diverse experience in…
HydroPonics Engineer | Instructor | Curricula Development | Information Management
Merrill has been excited about gardening since the successful cultivation of his first radish crop at the age of 7. In his youth, he was a member of the 4-H…
Work Goddess | Project Management | Fundraising
Barbara is a “work goddess” who ensures her clients stay on-track, get tasks done and grow their businesses. In addition to helping business owners succeed, she enjoys cooking intuitively, gardening…
Photography | Videography | Social Media
Laura is a visual storyteller, documenting life events as a photojournalist for over 30 years, twenty of those for The New York Times. She is happy to capture the UrbanPonics’…
Content Creator | Creative Design | 3D/CGI/Motion Graphics
Director of Marketing Bill is the owner, studio director and lead artist of VisualWright Inc., a multi-disciplinary creative commercial art studio in the heart of Chicago. He oversees the design..
Organization Developer | Process Builder | Collaborative Coach
Board Member David has 35 years of experience in industrial manufacturing and management, including 22 years in global business leadership. Most recently David was president of the Kollmorgen and Warner..
Our Advisors
Our Partners
The Grange
A Grange is a grassroots, non-partisan, nonsectarian, fraternal organization with roots in agriculture. The Middletown Grange #684 is UrbanPonics’ current home, featuring a permanent Sustainable Farming Exhibit. This exhibit showcases five high-density indoor farming units that actively engage the community in innovative agricultural practices. During the August 2022 Middletown Grange Fair, over 60,000 attendees visited our UrbanPonics display, significantly advancing awareness about the importance of sustainable food production.
Hollow House Farms
Matthew Braud, of Hollow House Farms has spent the last eight years helping communities throughout Texas and the Southeast cultivate healthy lifestyles by raising sustainability awareness and developing educational partnerships with school districts. He has promoted greenhouse tours and has raised donations to underserved neighborhoods. Operating a 20,000 sq/ft aquaponic greenhouse operation, Matthew successfully conveys the value-added benefits of consistency, sustainability and fresh produce quality.
APS
APS has been a leader in total service contract packaging for over 45 years, recognized for their exceptional quality control and just-in-time performance. With a dedicated team of about 500 developmentally disabled adults and temporary staff, APS operates 24/7 in a 300,000 square-foot facility. Their commitment to inclusivity and efficiency ensures reliable services while facilitating a supportive work environment for all. APS exemplifies how operational excellence can empower diverse communities and drive positive change.
Computer Solutions
Computer Solutions, inspired by UrbanPonics' mission, developed this website to help spread their impact. A seasoned IT managed service provider (MSP) and development company established in 1977, Computer Solutions evolved from a typewriter service provider to a leader in IT infrastructure, web development, and custom applications. Headquartered in Princeton, NJ, they deliver cutting-edge, data-driven solutions to clients in commercial, educational, and government sectors, helping them thrive in an evolving digital world.
Volunteering Options
Explore our wide variety of volunteering opportunities below to discover how you can best utilize your talents to aid in our mission to end food insecurity by means of hydroponics and aquaponics farming. From events management and fundraising to farm assistance and social media management, we have options for every skillset! Complete the inquiry form below and our team will be in touch.
Events
Bring events to life and make a big impact!-
Plan & coordinate event logistics.
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Assist with setup, registration, & cleanup.
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Engage attendees & share the mission.
Fundraising
Fuel change by helping us raise vital funds!-
Organize & host fundraising events.
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Connect with donors & sponsors.
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Spread the word on social media.
Growing
Grow produce, cultivate sustainability!-
Assist with hydroponic & aquaponic system setups.
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Maintain plants & monitor water systems.
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Help harvest & distribute fresh produce.
Mentorship
Inspire and empower through mentorship!-
Guide youth or adults in education or careers.
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Help build skills & confidence.
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Be a role model for personal growth.
Community
Spread the word through community outreach!-
Share promotional materials locally.
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Represent the non-profit at events.
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Build relationships with supporters.
Virtual
Make a difference anytime, anywhere!-
Manage social media & create content.
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Research & organize information.
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Assist with virtual admin tasks.