The future of sustainable agriculture was on full display as Brian Bedrick, site manager of the UCF Business Incubation Program in Lake County, recently visited the incubator’s newest client, Oxford Family Farms, for the farm’s grand opening on February 7. More than 300 people attended the grand opening.
Oxford Family Farms is an innovative aquaponics farm that is redefining how nutritious food can be grown, shared, and experienced.
Located in Howey-in-the-Hills, Oxford Family Farms is more than a farm. It is an emerging ag-tech destination designed to educate visitors about aquaponic growing methods, showcase the many ways fresh produce can be prepared, and cultivate healthy, chemical-free food for the local community and beyond.
The farm’s mission aligns closely with Lake County’s growing focus on building an agricultural technology hub that promotes innovation, education, and scalable business growth.
During the visit, Bedrick toured the farm’s aquaponics systems and met with founder and CEO Tony Oxford to learn how the closed-loop growing process supports both environmental sustainability and economic opportunity.
How the Aquaponics System Works
Oxford Family Farms operates using a natural, circular system:
- Fish live in clean, circulating water
- Their waste is converted by beneficial bacteria into nutrients
- Plants absorb those nutrients and grow rapidly
- Purified water returns to the fish tanks
- The cycle repeats, naturally and efficiently
This approach requires no soil, no chemical fertilizers, and no pesticides, while using up to 90% less water than traditional farming. The result is nutrient-rich vegetables, healthy fish, and a growing model that supports year-round production regardless of weather.
“This system allows us to produce two harvests from one operation — fresh produce and healthy fish — while staying true to responsible, sustainable agriculture,” said Tony Oxford, CEO of Oxford Family Farms. “Our goal is to become an educational destination where people can see, touch, and understand how aquaponics works, and how it can help feed communities in a cleaner, smarter way.”
Beyond food production, Oxford Family Farms has introduced agritourism experiences that engage veterans, first responders, and young people in agriculture, offering hands-on learning and meaningful pathways into ag-tech careers. These activities also contribute to the local economy while strengthening community connections.
Bedrick sees Oxford Family Farms as a powerful example of innovation in action.
“What’s happening here represents exactly the kind of entrepreneurship we want to support in Lake County,” said Bedrick. “Oxford Family Farms combines advanced agricultural technology, education, sustainability, and community impact into one scalable model. It’s a strong example of how ag-tech can drive both economic development and healthier communities.”
As Lake County continues to invest in building an ag-tech hub, Oxford Family Farms stands out as a living laboratory for what’s possible when technology, purpose, and entrepreneurship come together.
