Friendly Aquaponics Training Testimonials
“If you are even considering making a commercial aquaponic system, this class is without a doubt a solid investment. I have been struggling through researching aquaponics on my own for the past two or three years, attending every class available for free on the University of YouTube and any other source I could find. After spending disappointing amounts of money to get little to no actual useful information on how to build a system, I had come to several of the same conclusions as Friendly Aquaponics had, and had an inkling of what a good system would be.
Take the advice of someone with a decade of experience operating a SUCCESSFUL, PROFITABLE aquaponic system, not someone who is looking to profit on selling you equipment. If you can’t take the class, the manuals are worth their weight in gold, and you can get them as a DIY package from The Friendlies! Clear instructions on how to do EVERYTHING, including how to double your money with an organic certification are easily worth ten times what you pay for this class. If you are serious about being successful in this business, there is no better way to spend your money!”
–Ryan Rensberger, USA, took our Commercial Aquaponics and Solar Greenhouse Training in Dallas, June 2018
“I want you to know that I started reading your Tilapia Manifesto at 1:30 am today. I must congratulate you on your piece. If I didn’t know better, I would have presumed you were formerly educated as a Lawyer. (PLEASE take that as a compliment and not an insult as I am one). Your attention over time to the detailed results you received down to the slightest differential shows that you were/are truly focused on what you are passionately involved with in order to achieve the best possible outcome. This is a LOT of information to absorb and at the same time, I feel like I am back in Law School and mentally…stimulated…to see what can be done.
I grew up in the “Egg Business” with a ranch that started out with 25,000 birds and finished with 150,000 we owned. We processed eggs from another ½ million birds from other people’s ranches in the neighborhood. I was all of 12 and went to High School during the day (yes, I was Doogie Houser before he was, in 1972) and College at night in order to learn all there was to learn about how to prosper with poultry. I knew everything there was to know about Feeds, Feeding, Nutrition, Disease State Management and more by 14 because it was what I grew up with and was passionate about. I sense the same with you. At nearly 60 (my Birthday is in August) you have provided me with a chance to turn back the clock nearly 50 years and relive a part of my life that meant so much to me, for that I am grateful. This old dog can learn new tricks…I am not as fast as I once was but I am willing to learn and this got me out of bed at 1:30 am to learn more.
Thank you.
–Charles Stout, Puerto Rico, April 2018, purchased our Commercial Aquaponics DIY package plus Family Greenhouse package in April 2018
“This will be my second training, I took Tim’s commercial class almost 3 years ago. That class still inspires me every day. It will have even more value the second time after learning from the best. Thanks, Jeff Bednar”
— Jeff Bednar, Lucas, Texas, May 25, 2016. Owner of Profound MicroFarms, attended a Tennessee Training in 2013.
“I did a lot of research on the other people offering aquaponics trainings nationwide. Funny thing is, a lot of them went to your training, whether they admit it or not. I figured I would rather go to the source, especially since you guys were able to get organically certified. I have also been after the business plan which ya’ll provide, which saved me a ton of work.
I also like the whole approach you guys take. Not afraid of competition so to speak, what with allowing your students to train using your materials and offer your competitors websites. Although I had already been to all of those sites, it says a lot about your integrity and faith in your product. It’s admirable and I noticed.” — Shawn Marasso, Ector, Texas, April 12, 2014, who attended our Texas Training, May, 2014.
(Below) This is a common size for our commercial aquaponics students to begin with: a small 1,200 square foot commercial aquaponics system in a greenhouse. We say “small” because one person can easily handle a system of 2,500 square feet in 40 hours a week with our technology (we have one student who runs 3,600 square feet by himself!). 
Hi Tim, My son, Carl and I attended the training in Texas this year. Just to give you an update. The Sunday after the training, I was coming home from the church I pastor and passed by a co-op that has several greenhouses out front that seemed not to be in use anymore. I drove through to check them out and they were not in use.
A couple of months later,…..we are now the owners of the 7 greenhouses and all that comes with them! We were able to purchase them for the original bid of $2800. My son and I begin deconstructing them on Thursday.
I’m attaching a couple of photos for you to look at them. They have propane heaters, roll up sides, boxes and lights for electricity, fiberglass front and rear walls, and a lot of odds and ends that I believe will come in handy.
I am so glad we listened when you spoke on ways to find greenhouses without spending a fortune. It has been tempting to just “jump in” but I’m glad we waited.
Thank you and many blessings, Rob Rolison
(Below) About $50,000 worth of greenhouses and equipment that Rob Rolison and his son Carl picked up for $2,800 after we explained how to do so in our March 2016 Texas 5-day training. They’re going to disassemble them and reassemble at their farm. If they’d bought them new, they be at zero now; another way to look at this is that they have $47,200 to spend on the aquaponics systems to go inside their greenhouses.
(Below) An inexpensive greenhouse in the snow: nice and warm inside!
“Your Friendly Aquaponics plans have been used on my project through Amigos for Christ here in Nicaragua to help feed the 900+ poor school children that they feed daily. I completed the 1024 s.f. system according to your plans and everything worked as promised. I have been involved in construction for many years and these plans along with your manual lacked nothing. I never needed to call you for help…..
Thanks for all of your help and your product exceeds your claims. I would recommend building your system to anyone, because it is easy to build and if you follow the plans and specs, it will operate like it is supposed to. Very best regards,”
-Tim Sewell, Volunteer Project Manager, Amigos for Christ in Nicaragua
(Below) Tim Sewell and Amigos For Christ’s operation in Nicaragua.
Tim Sewells moringa, growing in the ground nearby (watered with aquaponic system water).
“Tim, Susanne and Family: Thank you very much for your training. I tried to say thanks before I left, but was at a loss for words. I also have a quite varied background, (professional welder, machinist, mechanic, farmer, computer programmer, software consultant, painter, etc.) and thus, I am in awe of very few men when it comes to creativity and the breadth of knowledge and abilities and experience. Tim, I am in awe of you. You not only have an incredible range of knowledge and talents, that knowledge is deep as well, and your ability to implement your knowledge is incredible. Some can think it, some can do it, some can teach it. You do it all, need I say more. Thanks for who you are and what you do! Susanne, The same goes for you, but on a different plain. You are on the personal plane. I appreciate your perspectives and enthusiasm. You have proven to be a most worthy opponent of the most recalcitrant government agencies and corporations. I so much appreciate your open sharing of the trials and tribulations you have gone through to get you where you are and your encouragement for others! Thanks again.
Since I am one of the few who have attended both your training and the other intensive aquaponics training available on the mainland, I must say there is simply no comparison. Though the other training was valuable, you covered many more issues, covered them in much more depth, provided more complete and practical knowledge. You left no stone unturned to do your very best to insure that everyone in the training could be successful in Aquaponics if they chose to do so. I also appreciated your willingness to say you didn’t know, if you didn’t know!”
-Joe Weatherby, Boise, ID
“The other aquaponics training I’ve used seems vague in many areas, almost theoretical. They gave me information about how PH always rises in aquaponics, but they couldn’t say why, just that it happens. After reading through the Friendly materials and talking with Tim Mann for an hour, I was blown away with knowledge. Come to find out aquaponics should always be dropping in PH, and Tim explained exactly why, in a way that I could understand. Tim and Susanne are a wealth of knowledge and experience.
The best feature of Friendly Aquaponics is how thorough the information is, I’m still digesting everything and I could read it again to learn more. Tim and Susanne’s teaching style is that you are their best friend and they really want to help you, you come away with the impression that they’d be there with you if they could. I’d will recommend everyone to Friendly Aquaponics, the information provided is unmatched.”
– Jason Diehl, Oklahoma
You will be pleased to know that our commercial farm is completed, fully cycled and growing heartily.
We have just received our organic certification which is effective this last week. In following your plans as closely as we did, getting our certification was a fairly easy process.
Thank you for your support. I will send through more information about our efforts later on. I think it is helpful for your teaching and helping your students. Everyone’s mistakes help the next person’s success.
Kind Regards,
-Linda Gassaway, Santa Barbara, California
Remember to do your due diligence before you put your money into this or any system and DON’T let the “salesmen” feed you a pile of “pitch-line”. Anyone who is intelligent enough to build an Aquaponics system will be able to see his “pitch-line” coming. I’ve been a buyer for most of my life and can tell when one is genuine or not. I have researched all over the world and I can say with impunity, that Friendly Aquaponics is the BEST of the BEST, bar none.
-Mahalo and Regards, Craig Scott, Tarawa, Kiribati (Gilbert Islands)