Aquaponics Helps Montana Farm Grow Fresh Produce Year-Round

Swanky Roots in Billings utilizes aquaponics to cultivate lettuce and other veggies even in the coldest Montana winters.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Swanky Roots, a family-owned farm in Billings, Montana, has embraced aquaponics to grow fresh produce year-round, even in the state's frigid winters. Founded in 2016 by mother-daughter team Rona Klamert and Veronnaka Evenson, the farm combines aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil) to create a closed-loop system that provides nutrients for the plants using the fish waste. Swanky Roots currently grows 600-700 heads of lettuce per day across seven different varieties, and is working to expand its markets and production capacity.

Why it matters

Aquaponics allows Swanky Roots to provide fresh, locally-grown produce to Montanans even during the winter months when traditional outdoor farming is not possible. This innovative approach to agriculture demonstrates how technology and sustainable practices can help address food security challenges, especially in regions with harsh climates.

The details

Swanky Roots' aquaponic system works by first raising fish, such as koi, in separate tanks. The fish waste then flows through pipes to the lettuce growing beds, providing nutrients for the plants. The water is constantly aerated and recirculated back to the fish tanks, creating a closed-loop system. Each day, the farm plants and harvests 600-700 heads of lettuce, which take 60-70 days to grow from seed to harvest. Swanky Roots has also expanded into growing other vegetables like Swiss chard and tomatoes using a combination of aquaponics and traditional hydroponics.

  • Swanky Roots was founded in 2016.
  • The farm began production in 2019 after completing construction of the aquaponic facility.
  • In 2023, Swanky Roots switched from raising bluegill to koi, which proved to be a more efficient fish choice.
  • Swanky Roots recently installed LED grow lights and is working to add solar panels, which they hope will help reduce heating costs during the winter months.

The players

Rona Klamert

Co-founder of Swanky Roots and mother of Veronnaka Evenson.

Veronnaka Evenson

Co-founder of Swanky Roots and daughter of Rona Klamert. Evenson has degrees in plant science and agricultural education from Montana State University.

Swanky Roots

A family-owned farm in Billings, Montana that utilizes aquaponics to grow fresh produce year-round.

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What they’re saying

“I had originally wanted to start smaller, but luckily my mom had a vision. She said that we would have to eventually expand, so we might as well start here.”

— Veronnaka Evenson, Co-founder, Swanky Roots (bigskybusinessjournal.com)

“The thing about plants is they still need the same stuff whether they are in soil or water. Even though I didn't study this specifically, I still understand plants and the biology behind it.”

— Veronnaka Evenson, Co-founder, Swanky Roots (bigskybusinessjournal.com)

What’s next

Swanky Roots is working to expand its markets beyond local restaurants and into more grocery stores in the Billings, Livingston, and Bozeman areas. The farm is also involved with the Yellowstone Valley Food Hub and the Central Montana Food Hub to further distribute its produce.

The takeaway

Swanky Roots' innovative use of aquaponics demonstrates how technology and sustainable agriculture practices can help address food security challenges, even in regions with harsh climates like Montana. Their ability to grow fresh produce year-round is a testament to the potential of controlled environment agriculture to transform local food systems.