Daniel Divelbiss is Chief Growing Officer and Founding Member at Waterfields, LLC. Dan has designed and built multiple production scale aquaponics systems, including at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Krohn Conservatory (Cincinnati Parks), and Park+Vine Green General Store. Dan has completed coursework in aquaponics and greenhouse management from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, is a graduate of the Ohio State University’s year-long Aquaculture Boot Camp Intensive program, has attended an intensive growing training workshop at Cropking and has many years of experience growing vegetables. He holds degrees in Mechanical (BS) and Environmental (MS) Engineering. He is a former National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellow and the recipient of Water for People’s Student Water Award.
Dan draws on many years of experience coordinating and planning projects as well as conducting independent research. From years 2006 to 2009, he was the appropriate technology program manager for Mission Impact coordinating community-based projects in Guatemala. His efforts lead to the deployment of water filters, clean biomass cookstoves, and solar energy serving over 20,000 individuals in a rural Guatemalan communities. From 2009 to 2014, he conducted research and project management as a master’s student and as an independent contractor for the USEPA and the Maine Sustainable Agriculture society. This work led to the publication of peer-reviewed journal articles and the installation of aquaculture integrated hydroponic systems. His variety of experiences has developed his emotional intelligence to work with individuals and professionals from diverse backgrounds and his technical expertise to identify significant opportunities and hazards.