This episode features a conversation between Phil Dillard, Founder of Thruline Networks, and Nate Miller, Innovation Systems Designer at The I Will Projects.

With an educational background in the culinary arts, knowledge of aquariums, indoor farming, and building aquaponics systems, Nate has turned his expertise and passion into a career. As a mentor providing student interns with direction for innovations of new growing systems, he is concerned about the future of our planet. He believes his work may be pivotal in shifting to a more sustainable paradigm both within his local community as well as on a global scale.

In this episode, Nate talks about the faults that exist within our current food system, how he defines impact through aquaponics, and the significance of the black soldier fly as a solution to waste management.

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Guest Quote

“The biggest thing that I noticed when I started teaching aquaponics is the lack of awareness for how food systems work. Don't tell me that tomatoes came from the grocery store. There's a lack of just general understanding of how the system works. But the system doesn't work well. The system, I mean, it works, it keeps everybody alive, but it's not really helping anything, right? It's doing more damage than it is helping. So to me, I like the fact that what we do here with aquaponics isn't so much about growing fish or growing food. It's about the in-between.” - Nate Miller

Episode Timestamps

(02:14) Nate’s current role

(03:40) Involvement in aquaponics

(05:40) Nate’s background

(16:45) Turning his passion into a career

(23:30) Defining impact through aquaponics

(28:30) The problem with our current food system

(35:55) Black soldier flies as a solution to waste management

(47:44) Quick hit questions

Links

www.theiwillprojects.com

Phil Dillard’s LinkedIn

Thruline Networks