Starting a Successful Hydroponic Business

Hydroponic Controlled Growing Systems for Locally Grown Products "The Hands-on Approach to Learning"
NFREC-Suwannee Valley, Live Oak, Florida

Classroom & Greenhouse Sessions | Optional Growers Tour | Program Outline | Speakers | Contact Us

Who Sould Attend: Prospective and new growers or Extension agents and students interested in protected culture, hydroponics, and products for local markets.

Registration:

Classroom and Greenhouse Sessions - $295 per person
Optional Growers Tour - $50 per person
Space is limited to a Maximum of 40 persons per two day session
Seats will be held only upon receipt of registration and payment

Registration includes:

notebook with supporting materials
morning and afternoon refreshments
lunch

Registration will close at 5pm on Wednesday, March 10, 2010

to fill out and print registration form.

Registration form and payment MUST be received by the March 10 deadline.

Classroom & Greenhouse Sessions

Option A

March 17, 2010: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
March 18, 2010: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Option B

March 19, 2010: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
March 20, 2010: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Optional Growers Tour

You must register for Greenhouse Sessions to attend the Optional Tour

March 19, 2010: 7:00 am - 11:30 am

Tour will leave the North Florida Research and Education Center - Suwannee Valley by carpool at 7:00 am. We will be touring two commercial greenhouse operations in Suwannee County.

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Program Outline

Welcome and Overview of Training

Florida Hydroponic Industry

History
Trends
Opportunities

Start With Your Market

How to do Market Research
4-P's of Marketing; Production, People, Place, and Price
Successful Operations Have a Plan - Do You?

Greenhouse and Shade Structures for Florida

Extending Harvest Seasons
Fan and Pad Greenhouses
Naturally Ventilated Greenhouses
Outdoor Production Areas

Production Systems - So Many to Choose From

Floating Systems
NFT
Vertical Towers
Lay-flat Slabs and Bags
Open Troughs

Media

Perlite
Coconut Fiber
Peat-based Mixes
Rockwool
Foam Blocks

Seeding and Growing Transplants - You Can Do It Yourself

Containerized Plug Systems
Handling Techniques
Tools and Tricks of the Trade

The Basics of Pest Management

Exclusion
Scouting and Monitoring
Biological Control

Water and Fertilizer an Inseperable Duo

Irrigation Delivery Systems
Standard Fertilizer Mixes and Recipes
Monitoring Crop Nutrients

Popular and Profitable Crops

Traditional Greenhouse Crops
Tomatoes
Peppers
Cucumbers
Gourmet Market
Herbs
Micro-greens
Edible Flowers
Farmers Market
Cut Flowers
Lettuce
Specialty Greens

Putting It All Together

Open forum for Questions and Answers with speakers and other participants.

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Speakers

Robert C. Hochmuth, Multi County Extension Agent, UF/IFAS North Florida REC - Suwannee Valley
Linda B. Landrum, Regional Specialized Agent - Marketing, UF/IFAS North Florida REC - Suwannee Valley
Wanda L. Laughlin, Sr. Ag Assistant/Greenhouse Hydroponics, UF/IFAS North Florida REC - Suwannee Valley
Lei Lani Davis, Farm Manager, UF/IFAS North Florida REC - Suwannee Valley

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