December 16, 2025
Solid Rock Community Development Corporation (SRCDC) recognizes that food insecurity continues to be a pervasive issue in Southeast Colorado Springs, and it will take persistent efforts to alleviate it. SRCDC endorses a two-tiered approach, emphasizing ongoing access to immediate food support while implementing long-term solutions. While SRCDC’s Food Center regularly distributes food to residents, the forthcoming Aquaponic Farm will promote sustainability of Food Center’s operations and promote long-term solutions to community-grown food sources. They will use Eastern Colorado Bank’s funding will help launch this critical initiative. Though the community continually voices desire for local and fresh foods, the area’s high desert soil and dry climate make it challenging to produce food with conventional gardening techniques.
Aquaponics is a system of growing crops and fish together in a recirculating water system. Housed in a temperature-controlled greenhouse, the Aquaponic Farm is ideal for growing fresh produce in areas with limited healthy soil. Instead of soil, crops grow in water coming from holding tanks full of fish. It requires minimal labor and produces an annual yield of approximately 24,000 heads of lettuce, 1,200 pounds of tomatoes, and plentiful microgreens. Previous grant awards from the Co Springs Health Foundation and The Colorado Trust enabled SRCDC to construct the greenhouse on previously vacant land owned by Harrison School District Two, proximal to United Way’s Family Success Center and Van Deist Park. At the time of this writing, the project team is working with city and utilities staff to implement final phases of its operating, electrical, and irrigation systems. If awarded, SRCDC will use the $10,000 for first year needs of the Aquaponic Farm including material for educational classes and outreach, staff time to facilitate crop distribution to SRCDC’s Food Center and other pantry locations, and supply needs for volunteer programs.
