Living Food Systems Hub 2027
A proposed year-long 2027 collaboration bringing an authentic Farmwall Symbio aquaponic system, an evolving storytelling panel and four facilitated conversations to the SAFES community.
Explore the 2027 program Partnership model
Farmwall × University of Melbourne
Living Food Systems Hub 2027
01The inspiration
This proposal was inspired by student research presentations on the challenges shaping tomorrow's food systems. Their questions deserve more than a slide deck: they deserve a living, visible place to keep the conversation going.
How food can be produced with fewer inputs and more circular resource use.
Who has reliable access to fresh, nutritious food, and what makes systems resilient.
Efficiency, reuse and the relationship between water, nutrients and yield.
Adapting production to shifting conditions and shorter, more local supply chains.
How technology, community and policy might reshape what we eat and how.
02The opportunity
A working aquaponic system that makes nutrient cycles, water reuse and plant growth tangible.
Quarterly facilitated conversations linking student questions with practitioners and community.
Optional student projects, observations and content that evolve the installation's story over the year.
03The living installation
Symbio is Farmwall's aquaponic system: fish and plants in a shared loop, where fish waste nourishes plants and plants help clean the water. Shown here exactly as manufactured, with no redesign.
Proposed installation visual, pending site assessment and design approval.
04The communication panel
A premium, co-branded panel beside the installation explains the system and highlights student research themes. Content is refreshed after each quarterly conversation, so the panel tells the story of the year.
From Student Research to Living Conversations.
Beneficial microorganisms convert ammonia from fish waste into nitrite, then nitrate — plant-available nutrients. Plants absorb these nutrients, and water circulates back to the aquarium.
Current theme: to be set with SAFES for Q1
Explore the Living Food Systems Hub
QR placeholder. Destination not yet confirmed and not active.
Illustrative layout only. Final design and University branding subject to approval.
Educational journeyProposed learning outcomes
A living educational journey connecting food production, research, systems thinking and real-world action. A small living ecosystem can open up conversations about an entire food system.
01 · Stage
Learning begins with living systems.
Students encounter a functioning Farmwall Symbio and observe how plants, aquatic life, water, nutrients and microorganisms interact.
Educational outcomes
02 · Stage
Every living system raises bigger questions.
The installation connects to the real challenges explored in the student research presentations. It is not the answer to each one — it is a platform for exploring how they connect.
03 · Stage
From observation to evidence.
The installation can prompt research questions and practical investigation. Example enquiries:
Example student enquiries
Educational outcomes
Scientific enquiry · Critical thinking · Data literacy · Life-cycle and systems thinking · Understanding trade-offs · Evidence-based decision-making
04 · Stage
Connecting disciplines, people and perspectives.
A place where students, academics, industry and community members can share knowledge across disciplines.
Educational outcomes
05 · Stage
From ideas to real-world experimentation.
Learning could translate into action. Potential outputs — none are guaranteed:
Potential outputs
Educational outcomes
Applied problem-solving · Innovation and entrepreneurship · Systems design · Practical experimentation · Understanding implementation challenges · Translating evidence into action
05The 2027 program
Select a quarter to explore. Themes are proposed starting points to be shaped with SAFES staff and students.
How each activation deepens the journey
The installation is active throughout the year — every stage is always available. Filled marks show where each facilitated activation is proposed to focus.
06Student participation
Record plant growth, water quality and system behaviour across the year.
Help shape and host a quarterly conversation.
Contribute research summaries to each panel edition.
Possible capstone or elective topics, subject to academic approval.
07Partnership model
Farmwall would deliver the installation, panel and facilitation. Bendigo Bank may be approached as a potential community funding partner. No approach has been made and no commitment exists.
Installation · storytelling · facilitation
Proposed academic collaboration
Potential supporting partner only
| Budget item | Amount (AUD) | Proposed funder | |
|---|---|---|---|
Farmwall
$0
University
$0
Bendigo Bank (potential)
$0
TBC
$0
Total
$0
Amounts are intentionally blank. Figures will be provided in a formal quote after site assessment.
08Proposed impact measurement
No outcomes are claimed in advance. These are proposed indicators, with baselines and targets to be agreed jointly.
What participants understand about food systems and circular production.
Scientific enquiry, systems thinking, communication and applied problem-solving.
Student participation, research discussions and interdisciplinary connections.
Ideas, experiments, collaborations and future pilot opportunities.
Proposed indicators
Attendance and diversity of participants at each conversation.
Number of students contributing observations, content or projects.
Short pre/post reflections on food systems understanding.
Growth and water observations logged by participants.
Engagement with panel content, once a QR destination is confirmed.
Interest in extending the collaboration beyond 2027.
09 — Partnership invitation
Introductory conversation with SAFES
Site assessment and installation options
Agree program themes, roles and budget
Explore community funding, incl. a possible Bendigo Bank approach
Contact details to be added.