A worldwide supplier of technological units in the field of modern agriculture

Michal Fojtík’s first steps

January, 2010

Frequent droughts provided a great opportunity to develop something new that makes sense and will be needed in the future. So we bought 30 IBC containers, modified them and started our attentps at aquaponics by the trial-and-error method. The first failures were considerable. Within a few days, our fish always died, and we did not know why. So we bought foreign-language literature on aquaponics and started doing everything described in this literature. But even that did not help. So we had to invent everything ourselves.

A little idea was born

June, 2010

Michal Fojtík comes up with an idea for producing healthy food of the future.

The first aquaponic system

July, 2011

Design of a home growing system and identification of its production possibilities.

First full-season production

September, 2012

The first attempt at continuous year-round production under domestic conditions.

Nitrification

April, 2013

In the whole aquaponics system, nitrification, filtration, and mineralisation are the most important things. Nitrification is the conversion of ammonia into nitrite and nitrate. To achieve this, nitrifying bacteria suitable for aquaponics are needed. It took us almost 3 years to get them. We had to go all the way to Sri Lanka to obtain them. These bacteria were the most successful, but we needed to improve them, and we did.

Development of supplements

June, 2013

Michal Fojtík and his family are working hard on the assortment needed to operate the aquaponic system properly.

New tanks

January, 2014

The IBC-type tank was found to be unsuitable because of its shape and the drainage of contaminated water. That’s why we developed our own tanks over a year, which we have constantly been improving.

The first prototype of the technology

March, 2014

Our experience and technology move to the next level. The first design prototype for an aquaponic system was created.

Adjusting the design of the growing system

August, 2015

Based on experience from the previous season, we modified the prototype, including materials suitable for contact with food.

First Czech e-shop with aquaponics equipment

August, 2016

We established the online shop aquaponik.cz with components and accessories for DIY aquaponic systems.

Indoor farm

September, 2017

We started to build the first indoor farm in the Czech Republic. In October, we signed a contract to build a 2,500m2 aquaponic farm. We hoped that this new farm would take us another level higher.

Association of Aquaponic Farms

November, 2017

Due to the great interest, we founded an association to educate its members in aquaponic technology.

Completion of the indoor farm

March, 2018

The first indoor farm was completed. Launched in April 2018, it became the first such large-scale farm in Europe. More offers for building farms came thick and fast.

The beginning of a great vision

June, 2018

Michal Fojtík has been involved in the research and development of aquaponic technologies since 2010. His green and blue vision of healthy food production has attracted attention in the Czech Republic and worldwide. Michal Fojtík and Martin Luňák held their first informal meeting at Tuřanka in Brno.

Starting our own research and development of an aquaponic production farm with the financial support of the GFF investment group

August, 2018

Establishment of Future Farming

November, 2018

Future Farming s.r.o. (a member of the GFF s.r.o. investment group) builds and operates aquaponic farms and is also a general supplier of technology and know-how. We combine intensive fish farming with plant cultivation on water. We made the first private investments and started researching aquaponic farms for commercial and industrial use. A detailed market analysis was carried out, and the first business relationships with aquaponic product customers were established.

First successfully closed investment round

December, 2018

Growing the future

January, 2019

We have planted the first seeds for the successful development of Future Farming s.r.o. Subsidiaries joined the group to support more dynamic growth of the aquaponic environment.

Interest of banking institutions in partial financing grows

February, 2019

Aquaponic farms of the future

March, 2019

• Brno-Heršpice Farm – preparation of a project for the conversion of brownfield land into the largest aquaponic production farm in the Czech Republic.
• Kaly Farm – start of renovation of an unused agricultural building. Conversion of brownfield land into the most modern aquaponic farm in the Czech Republic.
• Senica Farm (SK) – start of preparation for our first foreign project, construction of an aquaponic farm in Slovakia.

Farmia Food

April, 2019

The establishment of Farmia Food s.r.o has expanded the Future Farming group. Farmia Food is a distributor of aquaponic products and the exclusive supplier of products from Future Farming’s aquaponic farms to the market. We know that the better the ingredients, the better the food. We are convinced that our ingredients are the best in the local area. We believe that we can bring Czech cooking to the next level.

Cooperation with academic institutions

September, 2019

• Czech Academy of Sciences
• VSB – Technical University of Ostrava 
• Association of Aquaponic Farms
• Mendel University in Brno

We are growing, despite turbulent times

January, 2020

We used a year that has gone down in human history as the time of a global pandemic for maximum possible growth. Regardless of government restrictions and the uncertain economic outlook of global markets, Future Farming sailed forwards into a green and blue future.

Initiation of negotiations with banking institutions

February, 2020

Aquaponic farms of the future

April, 2020

• Brno-Heršpice Farm – the start of construction work to renovate the shed and heated greenhouses.
• Kaly Farm – completion of renovation of the indoor farm and preparation for installing technologies for growing plants in symbiosis with fish farming. Equipping the laboratories and preparing for the start-up phase of the farm’s biological processes.
• Senica Farm (SK) – start of the design phase for the construction of a foreign aquaponic farm.

Future Farming’s educational farms

May, 2020

In cooperation with our partners, we paved the way for small-scale educational aquaponics projects:

• Future Farming Educational Farm in Lednice

MENDELU Faculty of Horticulture in Lednice

• Future Farming Educational Farm in Prague

T-Mobile Magenta Experience Centre premises in the OC Arkády Pankrác shopping centre

Research achieves its goal

July, 2020

Our research and development department successfully completed the development of organic feed materials for fish reared in aquaponic systems.

Expanding cooperation with academic institutions

October, 2020

• University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
• University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague
• CzechGlobe

Gathering the first fruits of our joint work

January, 2021

The time spent cultivating the roots of aquaponics and developing Future Farming’s green and blue future began to bear fruit. We eagerly awaited the first harvest of the results of our work.

Media interest

March, 2021

Future Farming in the spotlight of Czech TV: 

• Story in the programme “Události v regionech” (Regional News)
• Report in the programme “Studio 6”
• Piece in the programme “Dobré ráno” (Good Morning)

Future Farming as a part of Česká spořitelna’s “You are stronger than you think” campaign

Podcast with Michal Fojtík for the newspaper Hospodářské noviny

First taste of aquaponic food production

May, 2021

The first aquaponic tour of the Czech Republic began. Farmia Food’s Food Truck offered the general public a taste of healthy products from aquaponic farms nationwide.

Issue redemption and return of funds to investors

June, 2021

Prediction for aquaponics

July, 2021

We grew along with the demand for healthy and local food. Detailed market research and growing sales confirmed that consumers were willing to accept a higher price for chemical-free food with clear origin and processing.

Cooperation is developing

August, 2021

Baktoma, a Czech manufacturer and supplier of quality bacterial products, deals with the function of biofilters and can reprocess biological waste from fish into nitrogen compounds acceptable for plant root systems. In cooperation with Baktoma, we developed special mixtures of micro-organisms that have ensured proper functioning of our biofilters under the conditions on our farms (rainbow trout and African sharptooth catfish farming).

UN finalist for SDGs 2021

August, 2021

UN finalist for SDGs 2021: In the Business category, we ranked among the top 10 projects in the Czech Republic that meet UN Sustainable Development Goals and have the potential to change the world for the better. This is a unique worldwide award for achieving the UN’s global goals. Project goal: To eradicate hunger by 2030 and to ensure that everyone, especially the poor and vulnerable, including young children, can access safe, nutritious and sufficient food throughout the year.

Aquaponic farms of the future

September, 2021

• Brno-Heršpice Farm – completion of construction work to revitalise the greenhouse. Installation of technologies and transition to the start-up phase of the farm’s biological processes.
• Kaly Farm – renovation of the farm’s outdoor part completed. We actively research new products suitable for production and start production of our own seedlings. We supply aquaponic foods to the local market.
• Senica Farm (SK) – continuation of the design phase and start of construction.

Future Farming’s educational farms

October, 2021

Interest in educational and presentation systems grew. The focus was on educational farms in towns, villages and community farms.

• Future Farming Educational Farm in Hlučín 

A new educational aquaponic farm was established in one of the largest horticultural centres in the Ostrava region, aimed at educating primary and nursery school pupils in the region.

Signing of a memorandum with the City of Brno

October, 2021

Signing of a memorandum with the city of Brno – reduction of CO2 emissions in Brno. Long-term collaboration on the city’s commitment to adapt to climate change. Our aquaponic farms use state-of-the-art technology and are a leader in carbon-neutral food production.

Announcement of construction of a new production farm

November, 2021

• Letonice Farm

Start of the design phase of construction of the first Future Farming aquaponic farm on greenfield land.

Future Farming addresses foreign markets

December, 2021

We are heading out into international waters. We are actively entering new markets abroad. We are preparing an international company profile for the Future Farming Group.

Innovative Technology Awards

December, 2021

Sustainable business and responsible corporate behaviour are valued across private and public institutions.

• CzechCrunch – 10 inspiring sustainable businesses in 2021: The CzechCrunch technology website ranked us among the ten most promising sustainable projects in the Czech Republic.
• City For The Future – Future Farming became a part of the Czech project City For The Future

Science to nature’s liking

January, 2022

The company focused on transferring science, research and technology into practice.

• Memorandum with the Institute of Molecular Biology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences
• Future Farming as a part of the next phase of the City For The Future project in Hungary
• Beginning of significant cooperation with Masaryk University

Starting the process for the company’s waste-free economy by 2025. Construction of the aquaponic infrastructure in the Czech Republic continues.

Involvement of foreign investment funds

February, 2022

Development of the Future Farming Group

March, 2022

Development of an international market presence associated with constructing new aquaponic farms outside our country. In the United Arab Emirates, we took an important international position at EXPO Dubai.

Farmia Food also supplies aquaponic products to the market through its own network of grocery stores and snack bars in the Czech Republic.

Aquaponic farms of the future

April, 2022

• Brno-Heršpice Farm – we start using optimal dim light for lettuce; preparation for installation of new technology called flood baths
• Kaly Farm – completion of the hatchery and start of trout spawning, i.e. closing the fish cycle in our system, leading to complete self-sufficiency of our farms
• Letonice Farm – preparation of documents for a building permit continues
• Farm Senica (SK) – continuation of the construction of the farm abroad

Future Farming’s Educational Farms

May, 2022

Interest in educational and presentation systems does not ease up.

• Future Farming Educational Farm at the  grammar school of Nicolaus Copernicus in Bílovec

Future Farming has officially opened its first educational aquaponic farm for secondary schools in the Czech Republic. The aquaponic farm consists of three modules with a total capacity of 600 seedlings and is mainly used for environmental education.

Future Farming receives “ORGANIC” certification

June, 2022

Extension of our business strategy

July, 2022

Establishment of a new development department to handle the high demand for Future Farming technologies. In addition to building aquaponic farms, we also offer hydroponic and RAS farms. We are expanding our focus on a sustainable future for the planet and are ready to offer our know-how to the world.

Research achieves its goal

September, 2022

Our R&D department also produces and certifies organic fertiliser based on waste from fish tanks at Future Farming farms. These fertilisers are fully organic and chemical-free. The aim is to create circular systems for use in hydroponic installations, from feeding to processing waste into fertiliser. A secondary outcome of this effort is recycling wastewater from fish farms to be returned to the aquaponic system.

Awards from Smart City 2022

December, 2022

Future Farming has won the Smart City Innovations Institute’s Smart Cities 2022 award for contributing to organic food sourcing, specifically for its unique A-shape aquaponic system for food self-sufficiency in urban communities.

Visions for the near future

January, 2023

We are taking advantage of technology transfer and aiming to automate fully aquaponic farms as much as possible by 2026.

We want to respect our planet and take civilisation to a higher level of evolution by combining natural practices and technologies through modern agricultural production in local aquaponic farms.