IPM In-depth: A New York model for hands-on interactive greenhouse workshops

Neil Mattson

Betsy Lamb

Brian Eshenaur

John Sanderson

How it began• Began in 2008, at the Cornell campus• the afternoon before our July Floriculture Field

Day• half-day, hands-on training program for

floriculture/greenhouse growers• Three 1-hour modules on– Insect– Disease– Crop culture

• Up to 3 groups of 15 people, rotate through modules

What if we took this on the road?

• Applied for funding from New York Farm Viability Institute

• Received $44,000 to hold several workshops throughout the state

• Budget40% Travel expenses22% Materials and supplies16% Onsite room rental, food13% Advertising10% Indirect costs

Objectives

• Provide IPM information to floriculture/greenhouse growers

• Reach growers that we have not reached through on-campus programming

• Use a format that encourages active learning and practice change

Logistics

• Cooperation with County Extension Educators• They provide location, local advertising, registration,

refreshments/lunch, help identify greenhouse for tour• County educator charges whatever they feel is

appropriate for the location/clientele– Keep proceeds to cover their costs

• We provide the expertise, equipment and supplies– NYS IPM– Cornell Department of Horticulture– Cornell Department of Entomology

Topics – Crop Culture• Testing substrates for pH and EC• Water quality and alkalinity• Diagnosing nutrient deficiencies• Exploring alternative substrate components

Topics Entomology

• Thrips ID and management• Aphid ABC’s• Facing Fungus Gnats: ID and management• Mite ID and management

Topics Pathology

• Focus on Fungi – identification and management of fungal pathogens

• Basics of Botrytis• Various Viruses• Nematodes in the greenhouse and nursery

Modules followed by tour of local commercial greenhouse

See concepts in practiceEntices growers to attend

Materials and Supplies Checklist

• Microscopes (10)• Hand lenses• Light sources• Extension cords and• Power strips• Plants• Insects• Disease specimens• Beneficial insects• pH, EC, meters (12)• Handouts

• Continuing education• Credit forms• Cornell Guidelines• Reference material• Needles, forceps, petri

dishes• Cups, plant saucers,• water bottles• Distilled water• Media samples• Scissors, pens, clipboards

Impacts

• 21 programs, 17 locations, over 350 participants (2009-2012)

• 82% had not been to programs on campus• 52% had not been to other IPM programming• 84% reported intent to change production

practices at their operation based on what they had learned

Other benefits

• Connect with county extension educators we don’t often see

• Primary audience was retail and wholesale greenhouse growers but increasing numbers of greenhouse vegetable growers and new/potential farmers.

Questions?

• Is there still a need for hands-on workshops in the information age?

• Future of the program now that our primary funding source is gone?