COLUMBUS, Ohio — On March 10, the Ohio Aquaculture Association (OAA) will host an aquaponics workshop in Columbus. A variety of topics will be covered during the sessions, including aspects of fish and plant management, water quality, and marketing.
“The goal of the workshop is to educate those interested in establishing and expanding their aquaponic businesses,” said Matthew Smith, Ohio State University Extension’s aquaculture specialist. “We want to improve the long-term success of the aquaculture and aquaponic industries.” OSU Extension is the outreach arm of The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
The workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast at the Quest Conference Center, 8405 Pulsar Place in Columbus. Classroom sessions will feature Smith, along with world-renowned aquaponics expert Charlie Shultz and OAA President Bill Lynch.
After a box lunch, a bus will take participants to Doug and Jeni Blackburn’s Fresh Harvest Farm in Richwood. The Blackburns are currently constructing their third greenhouse and grow a variety of lettuce, kale and herbs in aquaponic systems. This session will feature a more hands-on learning approach and informative tours of the facilities.
The price for OAA members to attend the workshop is $50. The price for nonmembers is $75. Lunch is included with registration. The deadline to register is March 6 and space is limited to 80 people. Follow this link to register: http://go.osu.edu/BqZg.
For additional information about this event or about OAA, visit http://ohioaquaculture.org/events.
The Ohio Aquaculture Association is the trade association for Ohio’s fish farming industry. Its membership is comprised of farmers, educators and industry specialists across the state and beyond.
Matthew A. Smith
smith.11460@osu.edu
740-289-2071, ext. 121