THE launch of a crowdfunding campaign got off to a good start as members of the public heard how their donations would be used to build a revolutionary new farm.

Alan Walker, from Whitchurch, and James Lyon, introduced their concept of The Water Garden at an event at the Innovation Centre, in Basing View, Basingstoke, ahead of the official launch of their crowdfunding campaign on Monday.

The campaign aims to raise £10,000 so the biologists can transform a former landfill site into a farm, using a technique called aquaponics to produce fish, crayfish and heritage vegetables.

The agricultural method combines fish production with growing vegetables without soil, enabling more food to be grown on less land, without the environmental problems normally associated with traditional, and even organic, agriculture.

Speaking after the launch, Alan said: “It went really well. We had about 25 people come along. There were lots of questions and people seemed to be really interested in what we are hoping to do. We managed to get up to £500. We are hoping for more, but it mobilised people at the launch.”

He added: “We looked at Britain’s ability to feed itself. With aquaponics, it becomes a lot easier because we can grow a lot more food on our land in a way that’s more environmentally friendly.”

Alan and James hope to start building the farm, on an area of land in north Hampshire, in January after the crowdfunding campaign ends on December 25.

A range of rewards will be on offer to those wishing to invest, including a ‘seed paper’ certificate, merchandise and a party on the farm.

Alan said: “If we can raise £10,000, then we can buy the materials and build the systems and get growing.”

For more information, visit thewatergarden farm.com.