Boost Your Knowledge of Hydroponic Production Systems

Posted by Brian Sparks|October 28, 2020

The latest course from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (UF/IFAS) Greenhouse Online Training program starts on November 9. The course teaches growers how to manage different vegetable hydroponic production systems, as well as the fundamentals of climate, water, nutrition, and plant health in these systems.

This intermediate course is designed for growers with some experience and training. Topics covered include hydroponics growing systems and structures, specific vegetable crop examples, business management, and food safety. The course is offered in English and Spanish.

The course is taught by a team of instructors from the University of Florida and Cornell University, including Bob Hochmuth, Assistant Center Director for the UF/IFAS North Florida Research & Education Center at Live Oak and Regional Specialized Extension Agent for commercial vegetable crops, and Tatiana Sanchez, Commercial Horticulture Agent for UF/IFAS in Alachua County. Hochmuth and Sanchez, along with other Extension staff, are collaborating to teach hands-on courses on hydroponics at the UF Small Farms Academy, a popular Extension program hosted at Live Oak since 2009. These popular hands-on trainings have been enjoyed by more than 1,000 attendees from 20 states as well as eight other countries.

The course runs from Nov. 9-Dec. 11, 2020 and includes a personalized certificate of completion. The last day to register is November 16, 2020. Over the four weeks of the course, there are streaming video lessons, readings, and assignments (about three to four hours total commitment per week), which can be accessed at any time of day. Click here to register.

For more information, including discounts for registering multiple staff, email [email protected], or visit http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training.