Regenerative aquaculture at an Arkansas fish farm points to practical pathways.

MIT D-Lab partnered with Keo Fish Farms to address elevated iron in groundwater that was harming fish; a student-led team evaluated aeration, sedimentation and biochar-based filtration as part of a broader move toward regenerative water systems.

MIT D-Lab worked with Keo Fish Farms, a commercial aquaculture operation in the Arkansas Delta, to address recurring water quality problems linked to groundwater iron. The farm reported fish mortality during hot months tied to elevated iron in well water. A second-year MIT mechanical engineering student took part in on-site documentation and evaluation of the intake system and possible filtration options. The collaboration is described as an example of applying academic field partnerships to regenerative agriculture. Project facts: - Keo Fish Farms' holding vats prepare an estimated 150 million fish annually for domestic and international distribution. - The farm reported elevated iron levels in groundwater that contributed to fish mortality during peak summer conditions. - The D-Lab team documented well depth relative to iron-bearing geological layers and evaluated aeration, sedimentation, and biochar-based filtration. - The farm's leadership described a long-term goal of developing regenerative systems that include iron and sediment filtration, biochar production from local rice hulls, solar energy, water recycling, and nutrient recovery. - The project connected student experiential learning with policy-relevant issues cited by USDA, EPA, DoE, and NSF around rural innovation, water systems, and sustainable protein production. Summary: The collaboration illustrated how campus-community partnerships can ground engineering education in real agricultural challenges while producing practical design options for water management. Participants said they intend to further develop filtration approaches and to use the farm as a demonstration site for regenerative aquaculture practices.