Big ideas and upcoming projects!

Spring 2026

Project Haystead: Aquaponics & Tilapia Initiative

Launching This Spring

🌊 We begin the next phase of our regenerative growing ecosystem: the Haystead Aquaponics & Tilapia Project — a closed-loop greenhouse system uniting fish cultivation and vertical food production into one living, balanced environment.

🔬 Project Overview

The Haystead Aquaponics System integrates Tilapia aquaculture with hydroponic plant production inside our greenhouse biodome.

This symbiotic system uses:

  • Controlled Tilapia grow tanks

  • Biofiltration and nitrification chambers

  • Recirculating water system

  • Vertical and horizontal grow beds

  • Environmental & water-quality monitoring sensors

  • Data logging for growth optimization

Fish waste provides natural nutrients for the plants.
Plants filter and clean the water.
The system recirculates — minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency.

🐟 Why Tilapia?

Tilapia were selected for:

  • Hardy environmental tolerance

  • Efficient feed conversion

  • Rapid growth rates

  • Compatibility with controlled aquaponic systems

They provide a stable biological engine for nutrient cycling while offering a sustainable protein source.

🌿 Research & Development Goals

1️⃣ Closed-Loop Nutrient Cycling

Monitor ammonia → nitrite → nitrate conversion efficiency and plant uptake rates.

2️⃣ Water Efficiency Metrics

Measure recirculation loss, evaporation rates, and overall system conservation.

3️⃣ Fish Growth & Health Tracking

Record feed ratios, growth rates, and water-quality impacts.

4️⃣ Integrated Crop Yield Analysis

Evaluate leafy greens, herbs, and fruiting crops under aquaponic nutrient profiles.

5️⃣ Ecosystem Stability Modeling

Study long-term balance between biomass production (fish + plants) and system inputs.

🌎 Why It Matters

The Haystead Aquaponics Project represents the evolution of our biodome vision — combining:

  • Marine systems knowledge

  • Controlled-environment agriculture

  • Sustainable protein production

  • Compact ecosystem design

This project explores scalable food systems suitable for:

  • Urban resilience

  • Off-grid homesteads

  • Research habitats

  • Extreme-environment living models

It’s greenhouse science with ocean DNA.

🚀 Saturday Launch Plan

  • Tank installation & system plumbing check

  • Biofilter activation

  • Water parameter stabilization (pH, temp, dissolved oxygen)

  • Introduction of starter Tilapia cohort

  • Initial crop planting in aquaponic beds

  • Baseline data recording

Project Status: Phase 1 Ecosystem Activation
Location: Haystead Greenhouse Biodome
Mission Objective: Feed the plants. Grow the fish. Close the loop.

Project Notes:

Started February 1st

  • Water tanks have been installed

Spring 2026

Project Haystead: Avian Habitat BioAcoustic Initiative

Launching This Spring

🦜 Avian Habitat BioAcoustic Initiative

🔬 Project Overview

The Haystead Avian Habitat BioAcoustic Initiative introduces a controlled parrot habitat within the biodome greenhouse, housing two macaws in a dedicated, enriched aviary environment integrated into the plant ecosystem.

This project combines:

  • Enclosed macaw habitat zone within the biodome

  • Natural perch structures & climbing enrichment

  • Acoustic mapping of bird vocalizations

  • Plant growth monitoring in proximity to avian sound activity

  • Environmental balancing between avian welfare and plant systems

The initiative explores the biological and environmental impact of avian presence — particularly vocalization — on plant growth and greenhouse vitality.

🌿 Research & Development Goals

1️⃣ BioAcoustic Influence on Plant Growth

Measure plant growth rate, leaf density, and yield in zones exposed to regular macaw vocalization compared to control areas.

2️⃣ Vibration & Frequency Mapping

Record decibel levels and sound frequency ranges produced by macaws and correlate with plant response data.

3️⃣ Microclimate Interaction

Monitor changes in airflow, CO₂ fluctuation, and humidity influenced by avian movement and respiration.

4️⃣ Behavioral & Environmental Enrichment

Ensure optimal macaw welfare through habitat design while maintaining stable greenhouse system conditions.

5️⃣ Ecosystem Integration Modeling

Evaluate long-term effects of integrating vertebrate species into controlled agricultural biodomes.

🌎 Why It Matters

Emerging research in plant bioacoustics suggests that plants may respond to specific sound frequencies and vibration patterns.

Current scientific theories include:

  • Mechanostimulation Response: Plants react to vibration by activating growth hormones (such as auxins).

  • Frequency-Specific Stimulation: Certain sound frequencies may enhance seed germination and root development.

  • Stress Signaling Modulation: Natural environmental sounds may reduce plant stress markers.

  • Acoustic Priming Theory: Sound waves could stimulate metabolic pathways linked to growth and nutrient uptake.

While research is ongoing and not yet conclusive, integrating controlled avian sound into the biodome provides a real-world experimental platform.

This project blends ecology, acoustics, animal science, and regenerative agriculture — pushing Haystead into true multispecies ecosystem engineering.

🚀 Launch Plan

  • Construct enriched macaw aviary within biodome

  • Install acoustic monitoring equipment

  • Establish plant control vs. sound-exposed zones

  • Baseline plant growth data collection

  • Introduce two macaws after environmental stabilization

  • Begin bioacoustic data logging

🎯 Mission Objective

Investigate whether natural avian vocalization positively influences plant vitality while creating a harmonious, multispecies greenhouse ecosystem.

Project Notes:

Started January 3rd

  • Large cage in, need second cage

June 2026 ( NASA )

Noctilucent Cloud Study

Project Notes:

Not Started.

  • All equipment has bee acquired

July 2026

Egg Incubation and hatching

Project Notes :

Not Started

  • Need to evaluate all equipment

Late Winter 2026

The aim of the project is to derive shapes and spin for a significant part of the asteroid population. As input data, we use any asteroid photometry that is available. The results are asteroid convex shape models with the direction of the spin axis and the rotation period. The models will be published in peer-reviewed journals and then made public.

Project Notes:

Started February 1st

  • Computers are set up Data is being recorded,

Summer 2026

Solar Power and Main Power For BioLab

Project Notes:

Not Started

  • Have the panels

Spring 2026

Open pool Ready Scuba Equipment

Project Notes:

Not Started.

Spring 2026

Service and ready the Defiant for travel

Project Notes :

Not Started

  • Need to evaluate all equipment

March 2026

Bio Mulch Greenhouse

Project Notes:

Not Started

Summer 2026

Solar Power and Main Power For BioLab

Project Notes:

Not Started

  • Have the panels

Spring 2026

Open pool Ready Scuba Equipment

Project Notes:

Not Started.

Summer 2026

Haystead rocket launch site

Project Notes :

Not Started

Summer 2026

🐝 Project Haystead: HAYBEES Initiative

Pollinator Habitat & Honey Bee Restoration Project
Launch: This Summer

🔬 Project Overview

The Haystead HAYBEES Project establishes a dedicated honey bee habitat designed to support pollination across the biodome greenhouse and surrounding Haystead agricultural systems while contributing to regional pollinator recovery.

Located within a natural mini-valley on the Haystead property, this project will feature:

  • Multiple managed bee hives

  • Expanding wildflower habitat left intentionally natural

  • Clean freshwater drinking stations for hive health

  • Pollination support for greenhouse and field crops

  • Long-term bee population monitoring

The valley is being allowed to return to a wildflower-dominant state to create a continuous seasonal nectar corridor — working with nature rather than against it.

🌿 Research & Development Goals

1️⃣ Pollinator Support & Biodiversity

Establish healthy honey bee colonies to improve pollination rates throughout the Haystead ecosystem.

2️⃣ Greenhouse Integration

Enhance productivity and plant health through improved pollination within the biodome and surrounding gardens.

3️⃣ Habitat Restoration

Encourage native flowering species and create long-term forage stability through natural meadow development.

4️⃣ Hive Health Monitoring

Track colony strength, seasonal activity, and environmental influences on hive performance.

5️⃣ Community Conservation Participation

Invite community support through hive, equipment, and material donations to help expand pollinator infrastructure.

🌎 Why It Matters

Pollinator populations are declining across the world, threatening food production and ecosystem stability.

Honey bees play a critical role in:

  • Food crop pollination

  • Wild plant reproduction

  • Biodiversity maintenance

  • Ecosystem resilience

By creating a protected, well-supported habitat, the HAYBEES Project contributes to:

  • Local pollinator recovery

  • Sustainable food production

  • Healthier greenhouse and agricultural systems

  • Community awareness and education

Simply put:

We need bees.

🚀 Launch Plan (Summer Activation)

  • Establish initial hive locations in the mini-valley

  • Introduce flowering plant succession zones

  • Install multiple clean drinking water stations

  • Acquire and place starter hives

  • Begin baseline hive health and activity monitoring

  • Integrate pollination tracking with greenhouse data

🤝 Community Support & Donations

The HAYBEES Project is community-supported.

We are actively seeking donations and sponsorship for:

  • Complete bee hives

  • Frames and hive boxes

  • Protective equipment

  • Feeders and tools

  • Beekeeping supplies and maintenance equipment

Supporters help expand pollinator habitat and directly contribute to ecological restoration at Haystead.

🎯 Mission Objective

Restore and support healthy pollinator populations while integrating honey bee ecology into the Haystead closed-loop food and habitat system.

Project Notes:

Not Started

Spring 2026

Prep Viking garden for growing season

Project Notes:

Not Started

  • Viking garden is in serious need of repair and refit.

March 2026

🦇 Project Haystead: Virginia Bat Conservation Initiative

Forest Habitat Restoration & Monitoring Program
Launch: March

🔬 Project Overview

The Haystead Virginia Bat Conservation Initiative establishes a distributed bat habitat network across 30 acres of privately managed forest in Virginia.

The project will:

  • Install strategically placed bat boxes throughout the forest canopy

  • Support native and endangered bat species

  • Track occupancy and seasonal activity

  • Monitor population trends beginning in March

  • Engage the community in bat box building and donation

This initiative integrates wildlife conservation, citizen science, and ecosystem restoration into the broader Haystead biodiversity platform.

🌿 Research & Development Goals

1️⃣ Habitat Expansion

Increase safe roosting sites for native and endangered bat species in the region.

2️⃣ Occupancy Tracking

Monitor box adoption rates and seasonal use patterns beginning in early spring.

3️⃣ Population Health Monitoring

Track visible colony growth indicators and activity cycles.

4️⃣ Forest Ecosystem Impact

Measure changes in insect populations and potential reductions in pest pressure.

5️⃣ Community Conservation Model

Develop a scalable donation-based bat box program that allows supporters to participate directly in habitat restoration.

🌎 Why It Matters

Virginia is home to several bat species of conservation concern, including those impacted by White-Nose Syndrome.

Bats play a critical ecological role:

  • Natural insect population control

  • Forest health stabilization

  • Agricultural pest reduction

  • Pollination and seed dispersal (in some species)

Providing artificial roosting habitat helps offset the loss of natural tree cavities and supports species recovery.

This project strengthens biodiversity resilience while educating and mobilizing the community.

🚀 Launch Plan (Beginning March)

  • Identify optimal bat box installation sites (sun exposure & height considerations)

  • Install initial wave of bat boxes across 30 acres

  • Document GPS locations of each box

  • Begin weekly visual and acoustic monitoring

  • Launch public bat box build/donate campaign

  • Establish data tracking log for seasonal progress

🎯 Mission Objective

Restore and expand safe roosting habitat for Virginia’s bat populations while building a community-driven conservation model across Haystead forest lands.

Project Notes:

Not Started.

  • Need to start building and obtaining Bat boxes for 2026

Summer 2026

Ready Green Hornet for water project

Project Notes :

Not Started

February 2026

The goal of Milkyway Home is to create a highly accurate three dimensional model of the Milky Way galaxy using data gathered by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.

Project Notes:

Stared feb 9th

Collecting Data.

February 2026

🌱 Project Haystead: Vertical Tower Garden Initiative

Launching This Saturday

This Saturday marks the official kickoff of our newest sustainability venture: the Haystead Tower Garden Vertical Greenhouse Project — a forward-thinking fusion of science, design, and regenerative growing.

🌿 Project Overview

The Haystead Tower Garden is a controlled-environment vertical growing system designed to maximize yield in minimal footprint. Built inside our biodome-style greenhouse, the central tower system integrates:

  • Multi-tier vertical hydroponic growing columns

  • Closed-loop nutrient and water cycling

  • Environmental monitoring sensors (light, humidity, CO₂, temperature)

  • Real-time data tracking for growth optimization

  • Renewable-powered support systems

This project combines our background in marine research, controlled ecosystems, and space-inspired habitat design to explore how compact, vertical agriculture can support resilient food systems — whether on Earth or beyond.

🔬 Research & Development Goals

  1. High-Density Crop Production
    Evaluate yield efficiency per square foot compared to traditional bed systems.

  2. Water Conservation Modeling
    Measure closed-loop hydroponic water savings and nutrient uptake rates.

  3. Growth Optimization Analytics
    Track plant performance under variable LED spectra and natural light conditions.

  4. Sustainable Food Systems Testing
    Develop scalable micro-greenhouse models adaptable to urban, remote, or extreme environments.

Why It Matters

The Haystead Tower Garden represents more than a greenhouse — it’s a living systems lab.

By integrating biodome engineering, vertical agriculture, and data-driven science, we are exploring how compact ecosystems can:

  • Increase local food resilience

  • Reduce environmental footprint

  • Operate in constrained or off-grid environments

  • Serve as models for future habitat design

🚀 Saturday Launch Plan

  • Structural tower assembly

  • Hydroponic reservoir setup

  • Sensor calibration & monitoring system activation

  • Initial planting: leafy greens, herbs, and trial fruiting crops

  • Baseline data recording

Project Status: Initiating Phase 1
Location: Haystead Biodome Lab
Mission Objective: Grow smarter. Grow higher. Grow sustainably.

  • Planting to start Feb 14.

  • Feb 12 will be adding Rabid enriched earth and composed soil.

  • Final sead selection TBA

2026

TBA

Project Notes:

2026

TBA

Project Notes :