Paul Wolf

Buffalo Ideas

I am very interested in the power of ideas and leadership as tools to bring about change at an individual and community level.

I love to read, learn and meet new people seeking to make a difference in the world in ways big and small.

People who are passionate about what they do intrigue and fascinate me! I love the vision and risk taking abilities of entrepreneurs, have tremendous respect for the dedication of community activists, and appreciate the determination put forth by many people to overcome the daily struggles of every day life. Life is about stories and everyone has a story to share.

On a personal note, I am 45 years old, employed as an attorney for a governmental agency in Buffalo, New York. My other half Cheryl is an attorney as well in private practice concentrating in divorce cases. We have two boys, Michael age 18 and Joseph age 13.

I started my blog due to my desire to continue learning from others and to share thoughts and ideas with others. As part of my desire to learn I have become certified as a Senior Professional Human Resource (SPHR) manager, have a Yellow Belt Certification in Six Sigma, teach at Bryant & Stratton College and I am currently learning Muay Thai martial arts with my 2 boys. I love the beauty of the Adirondack mountains where I spend a lot of my weekends hiking, kayaking, fishing and reading.

 

Written on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 5:38pm by Paul Wolf | One Comment

Fish Farm Creativity

The Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP) is a creative community organization doing some really interesting things on Buffalo’s West Side.

As reported in the Buffalo News, MAP has a greenhouse made out of straw bale, which they utilize for operating a community garden that provides education, training and food for area residents. MAP has added to their greenhouse a small fish farm to grow and sell live Tilapia. Tilapia are warm water fish that grow to about 8 to 10 inches, weigh a pound to a pound and a half.

The fish will sell for $5 to $6 each and MAP’s fish farm can grow 2,000 Tilapia. Jess Meeder of MAP, has created an amazing self contained eco-system to make the fish farm work. Rain water caught in MAP’s 1,000 gallon rain barrel is heated to 80 degrees, which keeps the greenhouse warm. The farm’s plant beds filter the water before it is returned to the fish pond. The fish eat vegetable leavings and algae, avoiding the need to buy fish food. Electricity is used to heat the water currently, but solar power is being explored as an option.

The first crop of fish will be ready to be sold in the spring. If this pilot project works, expanding to include catfish may be a next step.Through a very creative approach at a cost of $500, MAP has created a cool way to provide fresh food and increase their revenues.

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One Comment

  1. Christina Abt says:
    November 9, 2009 at 7:48 am

    Great story….and one that WNYMedia’s own Marc Odien and I highlighted in our Buffalostyle video summer series. Check it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltY2Tqmpyso