As grand openings go, every thing went swimmingly Tuesday as The Foundation Academy unveiled its Aquaponic Farm, which students hope will hook restaurants and residents on their organic fish and produce. Self-sustaining with solar power, the working aquaponic farm is the first of its kind in Northeast Florida on a school campus. It is stocked with about 900 channel catfish and about 75 koi, ranging from about 3 to 10 inches long. The fish live and work in separate tanks close to the vegetables and herbs they're helping grow at the arts-based private school, which has about 240 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. "The fish are multi-functional. We're selling them and they also fertilize the plants," Zach Kuipers, 17, said. Check out more photos ... Continue reading →
WOODY HUBAND/The Times-UnionMeagan Snyder holds their 5-month-old daughter, Charlotte, as husband Roy stands with their other children, Wyatt, 7, Sonni, 6, and Avery. 11, on Tuesday. Wyatt Snyder wasn't going to let go of his dad. Not on this miraculous day. Wyatt wrapped him up, with his arms around Dad's shoulders, his legs around his waist, his head against his chest. He disentangled briefly so his sisters could get the hugs they craved too, then snaked his arms around Dad's waist again. And held on. Dad was home. To 7-year-old Wyatt, that seemed a wonder. Check out more photos from Dad's surprise Roy Snyder, 32, is a petty officer first class on the USS The Sullivans, which pulled into Mayport Naval Station Tuesday morning after ... Continue reading →