About Us
A Legacy Reimagined
For over 30 years, Morningstar Fishermen operated from a 10-acre research and training campus in Dade City, Florida. Founded by Hans and Sigrid Geissler, that facility was the heart of our "Race2End Hunger" mission. However, the world has changed, and so have we.
The old facility has been sold, and our physical gates have closed so that our digital doors could open to the entire world. The New Agenda:
Digital, Global, Scalable We have transitioned from a localized training center into a high-tech, digital-first humanitarian resource. Our "New Agenda" is simple: strip away the geographical and financial barriers to sustainable food production. We are taking decades of specialized aquaponic knowledge and delivering it directly to your screen, no matter where you are on the planet.
Building with What You Have
The New Agenda moves away from "one-size-fits-all" expensive setups. We focus on Appropriate Technology—teaching you how to build robust, life-sustaining aquaponic systems using the materials already available in your immediate environment.
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Custom Blueprints: Digital guides on constructing systems from repurposed materials.
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Localized Maintenance: Strategies for managing fish health and crop yields based specifically on your local climate, water quality, and available resources.
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On-Demand Expertise: Thirty years of biological research and technical "know-how" condensed into a digital library accessible to anyone with a smartphone.
Our Evolved Philosophy
Our core belief remains the anchor of everything we do, now amplified by technology:
"Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and grow fish, and the whole community eats for a lifetime."
By going digital, we aren't just teaching a few dozen people in a classroom; we are empowering thousands of "neighborhood farmers" to become the solution to hunger in their own backyards.
Join the Digital Race
The race to end hunger is no longer tied to a piece of land in Florida. It’s happening in urban centers, rural villages, and suburban homes across the globe. Whether you are a missionary, a community leader, or a family looking for self-sufficiency, our New Agenda provides the toolkit you need to succeed.
Welcome to the future of Morningstar Fishermen.
Founders
HANS & SIGRID GEISSLER – MSF Founders
Hans was born in war-torn Germany in 1941, experiencing firsthand the devastation and hunger that followed the war. His father was a Master Gardener who taught planting, harvesting, and composting. A stark contrast to today's disposable way of thinking, Hans was taught how to utilize everything!
He married his childhood sweetheart, Sigrid, and they immigrated to the United States in 1963.
They went on a mission trip in Mexico and saw children dying of starvation; they became determined to help. Hans learned aquaculture in 1994 and aquaponics shortly after. Hans searched relentlessly for the right place to build a world-class training center for sustainable farming until, in 2000, he found 33336 Old Saint Joe Rd. A dilapidated, overgrown, 11-acre saltwater aquaculture facility that was over 30 years old, but the LORD gave Hans a vision... He worked with hundreds of people over the years to see MSF become the most comprehensive training center for sustainable farming in the world!
Prior to MSF, Hans founded G-Cat catamarans. He designed and built thousands of boats. He still participates in competitive sailboat racing using a World Hunger Awareness Platform, the Race2EndHunger.
Sigrid works diligently to ensure students have a wonderful experience! She loves spending time with her family and especially their grandchildren.
“Our prayers are to be able to reach and help the world, through sustainable 'Aqua Farming'". Hans and Sigrid believe "When you feed the body, you also feed the Spirit.” Their favorite scripture is when Jesus spoke to Simon Peter — “Do not be afraid, from now on you will be fishers of men.” -Luke 5:10
Check out The Early Years!
Morningstar Fishermen
Helping Others Help Themselves
Morningstar Fishermen was an international aquaponics research and training facility located in the beautiful rolling hills of Dade City, Florida, only 25 minutes northeast of Tampa. Our main hatchery and training facility had over 65,000 gallons of tank space, wet labs and classrooms. We also had 30,000 gallons of enclosed exterior tanks.
Our goal is, and always will be the same- educate people in a way that encourages and prepares them to teach others.
A Long History
We have been teaching aquaponics since 1993, starting in Largo, Florida, by Founder & President Hans Geissler. Hans is still going strong today in the race to end hunger. Many entrepreneurs and aquaponics proponents started their aquaponic journey here at MSF! We have trained students from every inhabited continent and we have installed systems on missions trips throughout the world. This is why MSF is considered to be the innovators of aquaponic training.
Dade City
MSF moved to Dade City in 2000, where the original tanks and buildings, built in 1974, were the largest saltwater land-based ornamental fish hatchery in the world, Instant Ocean Hatchery! The primary fish breed at Instant Ocean was clownfish. The Florida Aquaculture specialty license plate (which features clownfish), is a dedication to Frank Hoff and his work in aquaculture done at 33336 Old Saint Joe Rd. His book Plankton Culture Manual is the standard for understanding water born organisms, algae and water quality.
Space Babies!
During the space shuttle mission STS 95 in 1998 with Senator John Glenn, NASA sent fertilized tilapia eggs into space, only one hatched. NASA got the eggs from long time MSF friend Dr. Bill Falls. Dr. Falls gave us some babies from the tilapia that were born in space!
Motivated by Faith
Morning Star Fishermen is a Christian organization committed to healthy and sustainable living for all. We are currently training people to implement aquaponics as one solution to world hunger. Through our actions, we hope to share God’s unconditional love for all people. Our faith is at the heart of all we do.
Serve Your Fellow Man
Students of all ages and backgrounds were welcome to come to our Training and Research Center and are encouraged to serve their fellow man and learn the value and importance of self-sustainability.
Helping Others Help Themselves
Morningstar Fishermen is an international aquaponics research and training facility located in the beautiful rolling hills of Dade City, Florida, only 25 minutes northeast of Tampa. Our main hatchery and training facility has over 65,000 gallons of tank space, wet labs and classrooms. We also have 30,000 gallons of enclosed exterior tanks.
Our goal is always the same- educate people in a way that encourages and prepares them to teach others.
A Long History
We have been teaching aquaponics since 1993, starting in Largo, Florida, by Founder & President Hans Geissler. Hans is still going strong today in the race to end hunger. Many entrepreneurs and aquaponics proponents started their aquaponic journey here at MSF! We have trained students from every inhabited continent and we have installed systems on missions trips throughout the world. This is why MSF is considered to be the innovators of aquaponic training.
Dade City
MSF moved to Dade City in 2000, where the original tanks and buildings, built in 1974, were the largest saltwater land-based ornamental fish hatchery in the world, Instant Ocean Hatchery! The primary fish breed at Instant Ocean was clownfish. The Florida Aquaculture specialty license plate (which features clownfish), is a dedication to Frank Hoff and his work in aquaculture done at 33336 Old Saint Joe Rd. His book Plankton Culture Manual is the standard for understanding water born organisms, algae and water quality.
Space Babies!
During the space shuttle mission STS 95 in 1998 with Senator John Glenn, NASA sent fertilized tilapia eggs into space, only one hatched. NASA got the eggs from long time MSF friend Dr. Bill Falls. Dr Falls gave us some babies from the tilapia that were born in space! Come and see them! They have their own tank and are absolutely gorgeous!
Motivated by Faith
Morning Star Fishermen is a Christian organization committed to healthy and sustainable living for all. We are currently training people to implement aquaponics as one solution to world hunger. Through our actions, we hope to share God’s unconditional love for all people. Our faith is at the heart of all we do.
Serve Your Fellow Man
Students of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to come to our Training and Research Center and are encouraged to serve their fellow man and learn the value and importance of self-sustainability.
Helping Others Help Themselves
Morningstar Fishermen is an international aquaponics research and training facility located in the beautiful rolling hills of Dade City, Florida, only 25 minutes northeast of Tampa. Our main hatchery and training facility has over 65,000 gallons of tank space, wet labs and classrooms. We also have 30,000 gallons of enclosed exterior tanks.
Our goal is always the same- educate people in a way that encourages and prepares them to teach others.
A Long History
We have been teaching aquaponics since 1993, starting in Largo, Florida, by Founder & President Hans Geissler. Hans is still going strong today in the race to end hunger. Many entrepreneurs and aquaponics proponents started their aquaponic journey here at MSF! We have trained students from every inhabited continent and we have installed systems on missions trips throughout the world. This is why MSF is considered to be the innovators of aquaponic training.
Dade City
MSF moved to Dade City in 2000, where the original tanks and buildings, built in 1974, were the largest saltwater land-based ornamental fish hatchery in the world, Instant Ocean Hatchery! The primary fish breed at Instant Ocean was clownfish. The Florida Aquaculture specialty license plate (which features clownfish), is a dedication to Frank Hoff and his work in aquaculture done at 33336 Old Saint Joe Rd. His book Plankton Culture Manual is the standard for understanding water born organisms, algae and water quality.
Space Babies!
During the space shuttle mission STS 95 in 1998 with Senator John Glenn, NASA sent fertilized tilapia eggs into space, only one hatched. NASA got the eggs from long time MSF friend Dr. Bill Falls. Dr Falls gave us some babies from the tilapia that were born in space! Come and see them! They have their own tank and are absolutely gorgeous!
Motivated by Faith
Morning Star Fishermen is a Christian organization committed to healthy and sustainable living for all. We are currently training people to implement aquaponics as one solution to world hunger. Through our actions, we hope to share God’s unconditional love for all people. Our faith is at the heart of all we do.
Serve Your Fellow Man
Students of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to come to our Training and Research Center and are encouraged to serve their fellow man and learn the value and importance of self-sustainability.
Morningstar Fishermen
Race 2 End Hunger
Hans Geissler (75) a winning catamaran designer, builder and racer for over 35 years will compete in various races to help draw attention to the need to engage and help the Race 2 End Hunger. His Journey will start with the 2016 running of the Florida 300 in May.
Hans Geissler left his boat building business in 1994 to create Morning Star Fishermen; a Dade City based charity that promotes fish farming and Aquaponics as a solution to help end world hunger. His quest to help end global hunger through research, development and training individuals from around the world however has not removed his passion for catamaran racing. Money raised through sponsors and donations to Race2End Hunger will go toward making a local and global impact on ending hunger. Mr. Geissler also hopes that the events will help draw attention to the ongoing problem of global malnutrition and hunger. Please see our sponsorship section to see how you too can be more involved and join the Race 2 End Hunger now.
Featured Partner: Morning Star Fishermen
Morning Star Fishermen is an international Aquaponics research, development and training facility located in Dade City, FL. The Morning Star Fishermen staff and scientists have been pioneering more efficient and productive ways to live sustainably through Aquaponics since 1993. “Our goal always stays the same; we educate students in a way that encourages and prepares them to teach others."
Sponsorship
Your generous gifts impact and change lives forever.
Morningstar Fishermen continues to thrive through our partnerships with private individuals, families, churches, organizations and corporations. Your humanitarian financial support allows us to continue our mission to end world hunger, providing aquaponic training for the nations. We have ongoing needs that, with your continued partnership, we can work together to help others help themselves--changing lives forever. Thank you for your support.
Other Ways To Give
MONTHLY GIVING
Simply click the DONATE button on this page and then check the
"Make This recurring" (monthly) box next to amount.
DONATE BY PHONE
Call (352) 588-9797 and we'll walk you through the donation process.
DONATE BY MAIL
Make checks out to Morningstar Fishermen, Inc. and mail to:
Morning Star Fishermen
33336 Old Saint Joe Rd
Dade City, Florida 33525
All Gifts Are Tax Deductible
Morning Star Fishermen is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in
compliance with IRS tax regulations.
