“Starting a Successful Hydroponic Business” Short Course

UF/IFAS to Host "Starting a Successful Hydroponic Business" Short Course

 

LIVE OAK, FL. – The UF/IFAS Suwannee Valley Agricultural Extension Center near Live Oak, FL will offer a two-day hydroponic short course twice in March, 2015.

 

 

The short course, called "Starting a Successful Hydroponic Business," will be offered March 16-17 and March 20-21, 2015 and will feature hands-on activities inside three greenhouses, a shade house, and an outdoor production area at the agricultural extension center facility.

 

An optional grower tour will be offered March 17 and March 21.  The topics to be covered include: planning the business and developing a marketing strategy, growing transplants, selecting hydroponic systems, soilless media choices, irrigation and fertilizer, managing pests, and the production of several crops, including microgreens, herbs, flowers, and tomatoes.

 

The short course is being offered in response to the tremendous increase in demand for information on hydroponics and controlled growing systems to provide high quality locally grown products.  The short course is aimed at those considering the venture or who have recently started a hydroponic business.  This course has been offered from 2009 to 2014, and was well received, with nearly 70 attendees each year.

 

The facility is one of the best in the Southeast for teaching hydroponic growing in an actual operating greenhouse setting.  Attendees will learn with hands-on teaching techniques. The optional tour will be an exclusive visit inside one of the most successful and modern greenhouse hydroponic operations in Florida.

 

The cost of the short course is $295 for an Early Bird (registered before March 6) Primary Participant, and $210 for an Early Bird Secondary Participant.  After March 6, the prices go up to $325 and $240, respectively.  The optional grower tour is $30 per person.

 

Visit http://smallfarmsacademy.eventbrite.com to register online. For more information, call Dilcia Toro or Karen Hancock at (386) 362-1725.

 

Who:                      University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

What:                    Short Course "Starting a Successful Hydroponic Business"

When:                   March 16-17 or March 20-21, 2015

Where:                  Suwannee Valley Agricultural Extension Center, Live Oak, FL