A WHITCHURCH man is launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise £10,000 to turn a former landfill site into a farm, using a revolutionary technique.

The Water Garden, which will produce fish, crayfish and heritage vegetables, has been developed by biologists Alan Walker, from Whit-church, and James Lyon, with the ambition to make sustainable, local food available to more people, using a technique called aquaponics.

Alan said: “Aquaponics is a new and fast developing agricultural method that combines fish production with growing vegetables without soil. It allows us to grow more food on less land without the environmental problems normally associated with traditional and even organic agricultural.”

The pair hope to transform an area of land in north Hampshire into a sustainable farm, and are launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise the money to do this, with the hope of constructing the farm in January.

The location of the farm has not yet been decided, but Mr Walker said: “We are currently in discussion with several places and it will be in north Hampshire.

“We are looking to use brownfield sites which would otherwise not be productive. We want to convert useless space into useful space.”

Alan and James believe that many people are turning to local food markets, following recent food scares, but that organic food is unaffordable for some.

James said: “We are making fresh, healthy and sustainable food an affordable choice for everyone.”

The crowdfunding campaign will officially launch on December 1, following a launch party being held tonight at the Innovation Centre, in Basing View, at 7pm, where visitors can sample products to be grown on the farm.

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: “Crowdfunding is a powerful way to get people together to turn great ideas into reality. We hope that people will be inspired by our plans to create a truly sustainable aquaponic farm that makes fresh, healthy food available to more people.”

For more information, visit thewatergardenfarm.com.