Mar 20, 2009

Program Addresses Water ConservationSource: University of Florida IFAS Extension and Water Education Alliance for Horticulture

Are you interested in water conservation, managing diseases and algae in water, or using recycled or reclaimed water in your nursery or field crops? The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and The Water Education Alliance for Horticulture will host a free program focusing on onsite recycling and treatment of irrigation water in Tampa, Fla. on April 29.

The goal is to encourage and enable growers to recycle irrigation water and/or adopt best management practices (BMP) for water conservation, which will reduce water demand.

Growers will learn about diagnosing and treating diseases, algae and salt problems in recycled and recycled/reclaimed water. This regional workshop will feature presentations from industry and university experts from throughout the U.S. They will also discuss how to conserve irrigation water.

The workshop will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, from noon to 4 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. There is an optional tour of the Riverview Flower Farm earlier that morning, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Wimauma, which will highlight new research and practical aspects of water conservation.

The registration deadline is April 22. To register for the free tour and workshop, click here. There is a $15-per-person fee for late registrations. Pesticide CEUs have been applied for the morning and afternoon sessions.