COLUMBIA COUNTY - Highschool students at Fort White High School are learning a lesson in auquaponics, that they are hoping will be a lesson in life.

11th grader Tiffy Murrow and 10th grader Kaila Cheney say this system- where they cultivate Talapia, which in turn fertilizes plants - is a an economical way to feed small groups, or even large communities.

Feeding the fish is much cheaper than feeding cattle for instance, and the fish grow faster with less food.

The simplicity of the aquaponics system at Fort White High is one that Murrow says could be replicated almost anywhere -"you have protein and vegtables all in one space and you are not using a lot of resources or water so you can produce a lot in a little space, and its all right here."

The Future Farmers of America group (FFA) at Ft. White is hoping to attend a state competition in June, and then proceed to the national competition next.

The project has been funded by grants and is also supported by research professors at the University of Florida.