The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is inviting greenhouse, nursery, foliage, strawberry and vegetable growers to attend a free tour and workshop promoting the use of recycled and reclaimed water in the horticulture industry.
The workshop is April 29 from noon – 4 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, 14625 County Road 672, Wimauma. This regional workshop will feature presentations from industry and university experts from across the nation.
An optional tour of the Riverview Flower Farm, from 10- 11:30 a.m., at 5363 Bonita Drive, Wimauma will highlight new research and practical aspects of water conservation.
The workshop focuses on onsite recycling and treatment of irrigation water, as well as the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems (FARMS) program.
Participants will learn about technologies to treat diseases, algae and salt problems in recycled and reclaimed water and incentives to recycle water. They will also learn about financial incentives to invest in conservation practices as well as best management practices (BMPs) to conserve water while irrigating.
The goal is to encourage and enable growers to recycle irrigation water and adopt BMPs for water conservation, which will reduce demand for fresh water and offset groundwater use.
To register for the free tour and workshop, please call Shawn Steed at the Hillsborough County Extension Office at 813-744-5519. Lunch is included in the workshop and participants will receive pesticide continuing education credit for attending. The registration deadline is April 22. There is a $15 fee for registering after the deadline.
The workshop is being funded in part by a District Community Education Grant. These grants offer up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources. The overall goal of the Community Education Grant program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues pertaining to conservation, protection and preservation. Funded by the District’s Basin Boards, the program is intended to motivate communities to get involved in watershed protection through various activities and educational formats.