How is COVID impacting planting, harvesting, processing, and distribution of crops and livestock products across the world? 

• The pandemic response has affected the supply of agricultural labour, as well as the ability to transport foods to distribution centers and from there to the consumer. In Southwestern Ontario, the primary source of much vegetable production is in the region of Lambton, Chathan & Kent counties, over 294 kilometres from the primary food distribution terminal in Toronto ON. 
• Much of the farm labour is provided by migrant farm workers from Mexico and the Caribbean. The labourers are currently facing restrictions into entering Canada, potentially stopping or diminishing production. Truck transportation is also affected by the pandemic as truck drivers become ill, or truck stops are closed due to the pandemic, preventing long distance transportation. 
• Distribution and processing of food is also affected. While the current Pandemic has mostly affected meat packing and processing, fruit and vegetables have short shelf lives and could also be negatively affected by shutdowns or reduced capacity in food processing or distribution centers.
• The team believes that these conditions are going to be similar in other agricultural regions around the world, such as California's Central Valley.

• Aquaponics is a highly efficient system of agriculture combining hydroponics (growing plants in water) and aquaculture (raising fish in controlled conditions)

• By combining the two systems, a small ecosystem is created where the fish waste feeds the plants and the plants clean the water for the fish

• The system allows you to grow both fruit and vegetables as well as providing protein

• A typical aquaponic system can use 95% less water than conventional agriculture for the same output

• Aquaponics is inherently organic, as chemicals must be carefully controlled in the system. Pesticides and fertilizers are generally not wanted.

• As a rule of thumb, an aquaponic greenhouse requires @ 1.5 m2 and 22 l of tankage per person. A modular greenhouse capable of feeding 1000 people would require 1500m2 of growing area and 22,000 l of tankage for the fish. A greenhouse with slightly more than 2000m2 area would provide sufficient area including work space

Are there significant regional impacts (e.g. if a resource or activity is limited in a region, interruptions or closures can have large regional impacts on farmers and consumers)?

• Southwestern Ontario produces x amount of fruit and vegetable produce per year. This is worth y dollars, which is z% of Ontario's GDP
• Global disruptions in the food supply chain mean that Ontario consumers will not be able to purchase substitute products from the United States, Europe or other food exporting nations, reducing supply and raising prices for Canadian consumers.
• Since fruit and vegetable production is concentrated in a relatively small area, the effects of even small disruptions is far greater and covers a larger area than might be expected.
• Meat packing plants with up to 70% of Canada's production have been affected by the Pandemic. This causes stress both to farmers, who have limited options to either bear the costs of keeping the animals, or culling their flocks and herds. Either action can raise the price of meat to the consumer.
• The average Canadian family spends about 15% of their income on food. Disruptions in the food supply can raise prices, causing strain on family budgets. This can be exacerbated by loss of income during periods of shutdowns, leading to greater strains on families and the social safety net.
• Once again, these conditions are expected to be similar in other agricultural regions, so the same considerations apply, and the proposed solution should provide mitigation anywhere it is used.

Aquaponic systems produce both fruit and vegetables, but also protein in the form of fish.

Any species of fresh water fish may be used to provide the nutrient part of the aquaponic cycle, so aquaponic greenhouses can produce a wide variety of different fish types to meet consumer demand.

Typical species of fish include tilapia, trout, catfish, bass and salmon. Each type of fish requires somewhat different conditions, but separate tanks in large greenhouses, or multiple greenhouses with different varieties of fish can be used to create a variety for the market.

Low cost fish can provide an excellent source of protein to substitute poultry and farm animal production affected by disruptions. Fish protein can also be fed to other animals if it is cost effective.

Transportation issues can be mitigated by placing greenhouses close to populated areas. Since the system is highly efficient, small greenhouses can feed large numbers of people. Small greenhouses can be placed wherever convenient, and if conditions change, can also be more easily taken down and moved.