The Heart Behind our Work
Around the world, millions of people live with limited access to food, clean water, and reliable ways to grow or preserve what they have. In many places, traditional farming is no longer possible. The soil is poor, the space is tight, and resources are scarce. But people are still trying to build a future for their families.
Aquaponics and Earth began with a single conviction: that sustainable, practical solutions should be available to anyone, anywhere. We believe a small system — built with wisdom, shaped by nature, and powered by fish and plants — can restore dignity, independence, and opportunity.
This work is about more than farming. It’s about giving people the tools to grow, teach, and feed others for years to come.
How it started
Aquaponics and Earth was founded by John and Teresa Musser in DeSoto, Texas — not in a lab or corporate office, but on a small patch of land where a simple idea took root. What if it were possible to grow food anywhere, using natural cycles, recycled resources, and very little space?
John began experimenting with systems that could raise fish and grow vegetables together, using only what the land and the fish could give. Over time, that idea became a functioning micro farm. Tilapia tanks, raised garden beds, homemade fertilizers, and small animals worked together in a living, symbiotic cycle.
What started as a backyard vision began to draw the attention of universities, horticulturists, international students, and local families. The farm became a teaching ground — not just for agriculture, but for independence and sustainable living. As interest grew, so did the mission.
Today, that same hands-on system has been shared with communities around the world — from orphanages in Mexico to interns from China, India, and Chile — all because someone was willing to ask, “What if we could do more with what we already have?”
What We Believe In
Our guiding values:
At the core of Aquaponics and Earth is a belief that practical solutions can restore hope. We believe that nothing should go to waste if it can give life again. That the ability to grow food is more than a survival skill — it’s a form of dignity. Our systems are built with purpose, designed to work in any culture, and taught in a way that empowers people to take ownership of their future.
Whether we’re helping a family grow their first harvest or training a classroom of students from across the world, our commitment stays the same: sustainability rooted in wisdom, stewardship over what’s been given, and real transformation that starts local and spreads outward.
Our guiding values:
Reaching Communities Near and Far
Our systems are designed for anyone, anywhere. Over the years, we’ve trained and equipped a wide range of people — from college students and backyard gardeners to orphanage directors and international interns. What they all have in common is a desire to grow food, share knowledge, and serve their communities with something lasting.
Aquaponics and Earth is active in regions across the globe, particularly in areas where traditional farming is limited by space, climate, or resources. We’ve worked alongside orphanages in Mexico, trained indigenous leaders in the rainforests of Belize, and welcomed students from more than 30 countries to learn and grow with us on the farm.
No matter where someone starts — in a classroom, a rural village, or a city neighborhood — we believe they deserve the tools to grow something real.
Be Part of What’s Next
As the need continues to grow, so does the vision.
Aquaponics and Earth isn’t just about building farms. It’s about building a future where more people can feed their families, teach their communities, and live with greater stability no matter where they are. We’re working toward the development of a full training center where leaders from around the world can come, learn, and return home equipped to multiply impact in their own regions.
The momentum is building and we’re excited to meet the growing need.
Explore the ways we’re helping communities grow through sustainable systems, hands-on training, and meaningful partnership.