Upcoming Griffin Workshops to Focus on Cannabis, Lettuce, and Herbs

Griffin workshop lettuce productionOrnamental growers looking to expand into other crops such as lettuce, herbs, and cannabis should mark their calendars for a series of upcoming workshops presented by Griffin.

Following a successful launch in 2017, Griffin will bring its popular cannabis growers’ workshop back to Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. This year’s program is all-new, for commercial marijuana and hemp growers, focusing specifically on crop fertility and nutrition delivery strategies.

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The Massachusetts workshop is scheduled for Aug. 27 at the AC Hotel in Worcester, MA. The Pennsylvania workshop is set for Sept. 25 at the Lancaster County Convention Center in Lancaster, PA. Each is a half-day program preceding the company’s Grower & Retailer Expos, which are scheduled for Aug. 28-29 and Sept. 26-27, respectively.

“These workshops are designed to help operations maximize both crop quality and profit margins,” says Tami Van Gaal, Division Leader for controlled environment agriculture (CEA) at Griffin. “Of the primary consumables in cannabis production, nutrients offer the greatest potential for cost reduction among large-scale, commercial growers.”

Each workshop will begin at noon with a catered lunch, followed by seven educational sessions. The program includes seminars presented by Griffin tech services staff, as well as experts from Premier Tech Horticulture, Master Plant-Prod, Anderson Injectors, and Dramm Corporation.

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“Our goal is to enhance understanding of crop nutrition from the roots up,” Van Gaal says. “We’ll also walk attendees through how to diagnose fertility problems, using case studies to illustrate the process.”

The Griffin cannabis growers’ workshop is suited to growers using both conventional and organic production methods. Advance registration is required to attend.

Those interested in attending the Griffin Grower & Retailer Expos may learn more and register at Griffins.com/griffin-expo. The Expos are open to professional growers and independent retailers at no cost to attend.

Additional Workshops to Focus on Lettuce, Herbs

Running concurrent to the cannabis workshops covered above are two other workshops aimed at experienced and prospective hydroponic lettuce and herb growers.

As with the cannabis workshops, each of the half-day programs on lettuce and herbs begin with a catered lunch followed by six educational sessions. Topics will focus on various considerations for growers interested in adding or transitioning production space for leafy greens and herbs. Seminars will be led by Griffin Grower Services (GGSPro) technical services staff, along with hydroponics experts from JR Peters, Bioworks, Smithers-Oasis, BioSafe Systems, and Bioline AgroSciences.

“Locally sourced produce is hot and carries premium value. This is definitely a growing market,” Van Gaal says. “It brings opportunity to ornamental producers looking to revitalize, diversify, or otherwise expand their businesses.”

The workshops will conclude with a panel discussion, wherein growers will share their experiences and answer attendee questions regarding the production of lettuce, herbs, and other leafy greens.

“Transitioning from ornamentals to edibles requires changes to equipment and growing practices,” Van Gaal says. “Our goal is to share real-world insights, so growers leave with a practical understanding of how these crops differ from flowers and what’s needed to succeed.”

The Griffin lettuce and herb workshop is suited to current and prospective hydroponics growers at every level and operations of all sizes. Advance registration is now open.

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