Micro Farms
Te Fale Kaina"The House of Food
Overview
Not every space can float, but every home can grow. Te Fale Kaina brings food sovereignty down to earth, empowering families, elders, and youth to cultivate vegetables, herbs, and small livestock right in their own backyards or community plots. Drawing inspiration from off-grid innovators like Rob's Aquaponics, this system blends traditional wisdom with modern efficiency—powered by solar, managed by Guardian, and guided by stewardship.
This is Tuvalu's ground-based companion to Te Fatu Vai. Designed for homes, schools, and clinics, it transforms unused land into living nutrition hubs
System Components
modular system of vertical grow towers, chickens, raised beds, aquaponics, and Guardian-linked watering—adaptable for homes, schools, and shared village plots
Vertical Grow Pillars
Each pillar is a lightweight, self-wicking stack made from recycled food-safe drums or molded PVC towers. Units support 30–50 compact crop pockets (lettuce, herbs, spinach, strawberries) using passive watering or Guardian-monitored aquaponics.
Aquaponics Grow Loops
Repurposed IBC totes or drums form fish tanks and gravel grow beds. Bell siphons regulate water flow, and fish waste nourishes the plants. Systems use tilapia or local species, with solar-powered air pumps and Guardian float/pH monitors. Each fish tank is named, cleaned with ceremony, and integrated into youth training and community meals.
Chickens & Coops
Compact mobile coops house 2–4 hens for egg production, insect control, and compost enrichment. Each coop includes an auto-refill waterer, solar lighting, and roll-away egg trays. Chickens feed partially on farm scraps, linking back to the garden.
Integrated Watering & Filtration
Rain tanks and greywater filters allow passive irrigation, with Guardian alerts for drought protection. Optional solar pumps connect to rooftop catchment or aquaponic tanks.
Mini Raised Beds
1–2 meter raised beds grow root crops, medicinal herbs, and greens. Beds are filled with Guardian-optimized compost and biochar mixes sourced from the Reuse Pavilion.
Guardian Companion Module
Families receive Arbor guidance on planting schedules, pest alerts, and ritual use. Children log harvests and help with chores through an offline-friendly Arbor app
Deployment & Customization
Te Fale Kaina is modular and can be scaled from a single grow pillar to a full homestead loop. In dense villages, 3–5 homes can share a communal setup. In outer islands, families can extend into horizontal plots. Chickens are optional based on family preference, and all systems are customizable based on space, sun, and season.
This system is designed for iteration. Inspired by grassroots models and proven backyard ecosystems, it offers a grounded path toward regenerative independence.
Ritual & Stewardship
Every pillar, every bed, every chicken carries a name. Children learn to care for life, to grow food with respect, and to harvest with gratitude. Systems are launched with blessing ceremonies. Egg trays may carry family glyphs. Guardian records and celebrates milestones.
Te Fale Kaina is not just backyard farming—it’s a movement of return.
All plans, schematics, and guides are open-source under the Civic Commons License and available for remix, replication, and teaching.