The Granite Technical Institute (GTI) has many classes available to the students of Granite District from dental care to vet science, one of these classes may spark curiosity. Aquaculture, taught by Jonathon Tuttle, is one of the courses at the GTI that any high school student under the Granite District can take.

The course covers exactly what the name says, Aquaculture, according to Tuttle; Aquaculture is “Growing or raising things in water,” From the plants to the fish themselves, the students learn everything hands-on in a classroom with the help of Tuttle. If you take this course, you can expect to learn at least one important skill in life; independence. Having the opportunity to take care of your own assigned fish, and growing plants to live and thrive can give you a better understanding and perspective of independence.

Students see first-hand how the farming works on a smaller scale in a personal greenhouse for the course. The greenhouse is only a short walk away from the building, allowing for a quick review of instructions from Tuttle. When asked what information he reviews and teaches before pursuing work in the greenhouse, Tuttle responds, “We spend about 40 minutes in the classroom, and we learn the theory of aquaculture in the classroom.”

Students learn about how we farm fish, how fish ecosystems work in captivity, and they get to see it with their own eyes. As Tuttle says, “Each student is responsible for their tank and keeping it clean and making sure the fish stays alive.” Students also study plants and greens they watch as fish live in the green house and fertilize the water with feces which then travels to plants above the tanks and filters the water to grow the plants and give the fish clean water “The fish and the plants have a perfect relationship,” says Tuttle.

Seafood and fish are one of the many types of food that provide us with healthy proteins and are packed with nutrients and vitamins that are vital to maintaining the health of your eyes, brain, and immune system. Aquaculture is the reason these resources are possible and make it to the shelves in our local stores. As Tuttle mentions, “Life is all connected.”