Friday, October 8, 2010

Upcoming Midwest High Tunnel Webinars

Great, low-cost opportunity to learn more about high tunnel/hoophouse production. 
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Learn more about pest management in season extension production systems such as high tunnels by registering for a new webinar series offered in November.

The series is sponsored by the Great Lakes Vegetable Working Group, the University of Illinois Extension, and a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development grant. Presenters will include experts from The Ohio State University, Michigan State University, Cornell University, University of Vermont, Pennsylvania State University, University of Illinois, Purdue University, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

There will be five webinars of 1-2 hours produced on Nov. 1, 3, 8, 16 and 18. The first three webinars will be an introduction to pest management in various season extension systems, focusing on tomatoes and winter crops. The last two webinars will be geared toward soil, water and nutrient management, plus a summary of the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) high tunnel pilot project initiated in 2010.

Pest complexes in season extension production systems such as high tunnels are different than field-grown fruits and vegetables, and an understanding of that difference is needed to capitalize on early- and late-season markets. High-tunnel production can lengthen the growing season and provide producers with a means to enter the market earlier with high value crops.

In several states, the Natural Resource Conservation Service is providing monetary incentives and assistance through EQIP to growers who use high tunnel production systems.

"The adoption of growing crops using high tunnels provides `great potential`... to expand the availability of healthy, locally-grown crops," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan.

Webinar One is titled "Introduction to Pest Management for Season Extension" and will air on Nov. 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST (5:30-7:30 p.m. CST). Bill LaMont from Pennsylvania State University will provide an overview of season extension methods and the pros and cons of getting into season extension: low tunnels, row covers, high tunnels, greenhouses, extended storage and basic economics. Judson Reid and Meg McGrath with Cornell University will speak on basic pest management considerations in high tunnels for insects, mites and diseases, respectively. Brad Bergefurd of OSU will discuss best weed management options in high tunnels.

Webinar Two, "Pest Management of Tomatoes in High Tunnels, " will be offered on Nov. 3 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST (5:30-7:30 p.m. CST). Matt Kleinhenz of  OSU will start with an overview of production systems and economics for tomatoes and other solanaceous crops. Shubin Saha of Purdue will address cultural controls, pesticide use, biocontrols and organic methods for pest and mite management of tomatoes under high tunnel production.Sally Miller of OSU will discuss cultural controls, pesticide use, grafting, and organic methods for disease management.

Webinar Three, "Pest Management in Winter Crops," will be held on Nov. 8 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST (5:30-7:30 p.m. CST). An overview of winter crop production systems including a discussion of economics, sanitation, plastic management, production sequences, crop selection, sanitation for simple hoophouse, greenhouse, in-ground, in container, row covers and low tunnels will be given by Adam Montri of Michigan State University. Judson Reid will cover pest and mite management for winter crops, and Ann Hazelrigg of the University of Vermont will offer disease management options for winter crops. Vegetable storage management will be covered by Matt Kleinhenz of OSU.

Webinar Four, "Management of Nutrients, Water, Soil, and Other Production Considerations in High Tunnels," and will be on Nov. 16 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST (noon-1 p.m. CST). Mike Orzolek of Penn State will be the presenter. The first 50 participants or organizations to include webinar four as part of their registration will receive a free copy of the High Tunnel Production Manual published by Penn State.

Webinar Five, "Interpreting NRCS High Tunnel Project Guidelines," will be on Nov. 18 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST (noon-1 p.m. CST). The guidelines pertaining to the high-tunnel production pilot project will be outlined and discussed by Ruth Book, state conservation engineer; Ivan Dozier, assistant state conservationist; and Brett Roberts, state agronomist, all with the NRCS in Illinois. Not all states in the North Central or North East region participate in this program, so check with your local state NRCS office for more details.

Pre-registration for this webinar series is mandatory and can be found at
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/season_ext. The cost for the series is $30 whether you attend one or all five webinars.

Each webinar will be recorded and available on several state IPM or vegetable-oriented websites for viewing soon after its original airdate. For people who do not have a broadband connection, organizers are identifying several sites throughout each state to host the webinar series.

Visit the Great Lakes Vegetable Working Group website at
http://glvwg.ag.ohio-state.edu/index.php and click on "Projects" at the top of the page to find more information and a pre-registration link.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Wow! Local workshop with Eliot Coleman & Joel Salatin!

Amazing opportunity coming up for a hands-on workshop with the guru of season extension Eliot Coleman!

Registration and all the details can be found by clicking here:
Farming & Feeding of the Minds - Oct. 16th-17th, 2010

Message from Clara Coleman owner of Divide Creek Farms:
I will be hosting a conference at my farm in Silt, Colorado October 16th & 17th featuring Joel Salatin and my father Eliot Coleman. During the Farm Workshops Day on the 16th, Eliot Coleman will focus on crop scheduling and the numerous advantages of movable high tunnels along with Joel Salatin's expertise in pastured livestock production. A Dinner prepared by local chef Ryan Hardy and Feature Presentations by Eliot & Joel will follow on the 17th.

A scholarship application sponsored by Slow Food is available for growers and farmers to attend the Farm Workshops Day at no charge. Early Bird Tickets are also available until September 15th. Detailed information can be found at www.dividecreekfarm.com. Please spread the word!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Food Production Workshop Greenhouses, Hydroponics & Aquaponics

Introduction to small-scale and community greenhouse, hydroponics and aquaponic systems
Greenhouse designs suitable for Colorado
Passive solar season extension techniques
Water quality testing information
Fish selection, health and maintenance
Plants to grow in aquaponics
In addition, aquaponics system construction will be included so you can see how to build a personal-sized system.
You will leave the workshop with information, plans and resources for building scalable greenhouse, hydroponics & aquaponics systems.

*optional trip to The GrowHaus to see their aquaponics system*
Meals: Light snacks provided, lunch is on your own.

Cost:  $40 for the entire day; check or cash accepted on-site




Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Hoophouse Business Planning Publication from MSU

Here is a great publication for all those interested in the costs of adding a hoophouse to your production system.  This can be scaled up or down depending on your interests.The publication includes forms and sample production expenses. 
Model Business Plan for Season Extension with Hoophouses, Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E-3112
If you need personalized help with business planning, please contact me and I will put you in touch with our agriculture economics specialists. 

Friday, June 11, 2010

Interesting article on Denver urban farms


Interested in the urban farm movement?  Check out this interesting article in Grist highlighting some successful projects going on in Denver. (Photo from the article www.grist.org)

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog!  As the CSU Extension Regional Specialist for Greenhouse and Nurseries, I have had the opportunity to interact with many growers across the state.  In the last year I've observed a sharp peak in interest in small-scale controlled environment agriculture in Colorado.  "Controlled Environment" agriculture, what is that?!  Basically, anything that manipulates the natural environment in order to grow plants falls under this term.  Greenhouses, season extension techniques, hydroponics and aquaponics are all examples.
This blog will be a place to showcase all the exciting projects in Colorado!  Look for upcoming posts on a community aquaponics project; a food production workshop using greenhouses, hydroponics and aquaponics that I'm hosting in Longmont in July; school greenhouse projects in the Roaring Fork Valley; and an urban farm in the Denver Public School system!

Food Production Workshop-Greenhouses, Hydroponics & Aquaponics

Thanks for a great workshop!

Saturday July 10th, 9am-4pm
Location: Boulder County Parks and Open Space Office (click for map)
Workshop Description:
Introduction to small-scale and community greenhouse, hydroponics and aquaponic systems
Greenhouse designs suitable for Colorado
Passive solar season extension techniques
Water quality with hands on water quality testing
Fish selection, health and maintenance
Plants to grow in aquaponics
In addition, aquaponics system construction will be included so you can see how to build a personal-sized system.
You will leave the workshop with information, plans and resources for building scalable greenhouse, hydroponics & aquaponics systems.
Meals: Please bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle.  Snacks will be provided
Cost:  $40 for the entire day; check or cash accepted on-site
Workshop is hosted by CSU Extension and Colorado Aquaponics.