Frigid winters in Wisconsin don’t pause food production at the Forest County Potawatomi Community’s aquaponics facility. Inside the greenhouse at Bodwéwadmi Ktëgan (Potawatomi Farm), controlled growing conditions support consistent harvests year-round, providing fresh greens and fish regardless of the season.
Forest County Potawatomi Community continues to advance food sovereignty through investments that strengthen local production and distribution. As demand increased, the Tribe partnered with Greenfire to expand its existing aquaponics operation with infrastructure designed for durability, efficiency, and long-term use.
The project included a 3,340 SF greenhouse addition that expanded aquaponic growing capacity at the farm. Greenfire completed site preparation, earthwork excavation, and concrete footings and foundations to support a 30’ x 100’ design-build passive solar greenhouse, designed by Ceres Greenhouse Solutions. The structure was framed with heavy-gauge steel to withstand northern Wisconsin conditions and support year-round operations.
Performance-driven building systems were central to the design. Polycarbonate wall glazing on the south-facing elevation maximizes solar exposure, while a ground-to-air heat transfer system—often described as a climate battery—uses stored heat from the sun and soil to regulate interior temperatures. This system reduces reliance on traditional HVAC while maintaining stable growing conditions throughout the year.
With the expansion complete, the facility now produces fish and greens on a continuous basis for tribal members, local schools, and regional markets. The aquaponics expansion highlights Greenfire’s experience delivering diversified project types, including agricultural and sustainability-focused facilities that support community goals through practical, buildable solutions.
