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An Alternative Healing Method for Grafted Tomato Transplants: The Effect of Light Exclusion and Substrate Temperature on Plant Survival and Growth
The Impact of Eight Hybrid Tomato Rootstocks on ‘BHN 589’ Scion Yield, Fruit Quality, and Plant Growth Traits in a Midwest High Tunnel Production System
2022 Iowa High Tunnel Short Course
IOWA HIGH TUNNEL SHORT COURSE
Date: Wednesday, 9th November, 2022; 8:30am-3:30pm
Venue: Garden Room, Reiman Gardens, 1407 S University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011
Welcome to 2022 Iowa High Tunnel Short Course. This short course is designed to highlight production and management of several high tunnel crops along with information on economics and marketing aspects of high tunnel crop production. The course will also provide an update on the status of high tunnel research across the Midwest. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Mark Hutton, University of Maine. Mark is the Vegetable Extension Specialist at the Highmoor Farm, University of Maine Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station located in Monmouth Maine. He conducts applied research in vegetable production and season extension in conventional and organic systems. Prior to joining UMaine Extension, he worked as a commercial vegetable breeder. He is from Hershey, Pennsylvania and earned a B.S. in Horticulture and M.S. in Entomology both from The Pennsylvania State University. His Ph.D. is in Genetics and Plant Breeding from the University of New Hampshire.
The short course will also host Monika Owczarski from Sweet Tooth Farm, Des Moines. This urban farm grows a variety of vegetables on a network of lots right in the heart of the city to tackle the issue of access to fresh fruits and vegetables and food insecurity. Sweet Tooth Farm is working collaboratively with Radiate DSM, another urban farm, to create the Rooted Farm Collective. There will be a session focusing on Cut Flowers in Tunnels. Dan Fillius from ISU Extension and Outreach will discuss high tunnel maintenance and Ajay Nair, Department of Horticulture, will cover potential cover crops that can be used in high tunnel systems. Core objectives of this short course are to:
- Highlight the importance of crop, environment, and soil management for vegetable production in high tunnels
- Provide a platform to share resources, knowledge, and expertise in the area of high tunnel vegetable production
- Connect growers, agricultural educators, extension staff, and industry personnel working in high tunnels and in the area of local foods.
Registration is free but required. Please provide information below to register. Registration deadline is 4 November, 2022.
Tentative schedule:
8:30 am |
Registration and coffee/refreshments |
9:00-10:00 am |
Keynote - High Tunnels in the Northeast Where Are We and Where Did We Start - Mark Hutton, University of Maine |
10:00-10:45 am |
Low-cost and DIY Tunnels for Basic Season Extension - Monika Owczarski, Sweet Tooth Farm |
10:45-11:30 am |
Tour of the Reiman Gardens – Ed Lyon |
11:30-12:30 pm |
Lunch and networking |
12:30-1:15 pm |
Prepare for high winds, from construction to daily/weekly maintenance to last minute preparations - Dan Fillius |
1:15-2:00 pm |
Cut Flowers in High Tunnels |
2:00-2:45 pm |
Cover Crops For High Tunnels – Ajay Nair, ISU |
2:45-3:30 pm |
Compost Utilization and Fertility in High Tunnels - Mark Hutton, University of Maine |
3:30pm |
Final comments and adjourn |
2021 Iowa High Tunnel Short Course
IOWA HIGH TUNNEL SHORT COURSE
Date: Monday, 8th November, 2021; 8:30am-3:30pm
Venue: Garden Room, Reiman Gardens, 1407 S University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011
Welcome to 2021 Iowa High Tunnel Short Course. This short course is designed to highlight production and management of several high tunnel crops along with information on economics and marketing aspects of high tunnel crop production. The course will also provide an update on the status of high tunnel research across the Midwest. This year’s keynote speaker is Mr. John Dindia, Lakeview Hill Farm, Leelanau County, Michigan. Lakeview Hill Farm is a Certified Organic produce farm specializing in hoophouse and greenhouse production. John grows variety of vegetables with a focus on greenhouse heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, salad greens, and microgreens.
The short course will also host Liz Graznak from Happy Hollow Farm, Jamestown, MO. The farm grows a variety of vegetables both outside and in high tunnels using a combination of highly managed cover cropping techniques, crop rotations, compost applications, and hay mulch. The short course will also host Eric and Ann Franzenburg, Pheasant Run Farm, Van Horne, IA. Eric and Ann will present information on utilizing high tunnels for cut flower production. Dr. Wenjing Guan, Purdue University, will share information about cultivars, grafting, and other strategies to enhance cucumber production in high tunnels. This event is supported by USDA North Central SARE Professional Development Program. Core objectives of this short course are to:
- Highlight the importance of crop, environment, and soil management for vegetable production in high tunnels
- Provide a platform to share resources, knowledge, and expertise in the area of high tunnel vegetable production
- Connect growers, agricultural educators, extension staff, and industry personnel working in high tunnels and in the area of local foods.
Tentative schedule:
8:30 am |
Registration and coffee/refreshments |
9:00-10:00 am |
Keynote speaker John Dindia, Michigan (Topic:) |
10:00-11:00 am |
Wenjing Guan, Purdue (Topic:) |
11:00-11:45 am |
Tour of the Reiman Gardens |
11:45-12:30 pm |
Lunch and networking |
12:30-1:15 pm |
Ann and Eric Franzenburg (Topic:) |
1:15-2:15 pm |
Liz Graznak, MO (Topic:) |
2:15-3:15 pm |
John Dindia, Michigan (Topic:) |
3:15-3:30pm |
Evaluation and wrap-up |
Registration is free but required. Please provide information below to register. Registration deadline is October 31, 2021.
Vegetable Pest Management Workshop, Wapello County
NOTE: Dear participants, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, this workshop will not be offered on site. We are evaluating options to offer this workshop virtually (Zoom, Webex, etc.).
AMES, Iowa – A vegetable Integrated Pest Management Workshop will be held at the Wapello County ISU Extension and Outreach, Ottumwa, IA on April 9, 2020. The workshop is designed to help growers, local foods coordinators, extension staff, county horticulturists and industry representatives learn about managing common insects, diseases, and nutritional issues in high tunnel vegetable production systems.
Topics include insect, disease, and nutrition management, beneficial insects, and sensor-based technologies to manage high tunnels. Workshop presenters include Ajay Nair (Vegetable Extension Specialist), Donald Lewis (Entomologist), Lina Rodriguez-Salamanca (Pathologist) and Joe Hannan (Commercial horticulture specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach).
Participants will get an opportunity to visit a local high tunnel vegetable grower (Molly Larking) and engage in hands-on activities (scouting, installing soil moisture sensor, etc.). The workshop is supported by a professional development grant by USDA North Central Sustainable Research and Education. Workshop time is from 9-2:30pm. Below is a tentative agenda
- 9:00 Welcome and icebreaker (15 min)
- 9:15 Common Insect Challenges (45 min)
- spider mites, aphids, flea beetle, horn worm, whitefly
- pollinators for cucumber (honey bees vs bumble bees)
- 10:00 Common disease and nutrient challenge (45 hour)
- 10:45 Break (15 min)
- 11:00 Using technology to manage your high tunnel (45 min)
- 11:45 Round robin discussion (45)
- 12:30 Lunch (BBQ)
- 1:15 Leave for Molly Larking (Field)
- Please provide information below to register. Registration must be completed by April 3, 2020. There is no cost for the workshop. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
3rd Iowa High Tunnel Short Course
IOWA HIGH TUNNEL SHORT COURSE
Date: Monday, 4th November, 2019; 8:30am-3:00pm
Venue: Garden Room, Reiman Gardens, 1407 S University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011
Welcome to 3rd Iowa High Tunnel Short Course. This short course is designed to highlight production and management of several high tunnel crops along with information on economics and marketing aspects of high tunnel crop production. The course will also provide an update on the status of high tunnel research across the Midwest. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Matt Kleinhenz, Professor at Ohio State University and has many years of experience working on vegetable production in high tunnel systems. His work focuses on cultivar selection, crop and soil management and fertility, season extension, and improving profitability in high tunnels.
The short course will also host Mike and Melanie Seals from Country Roads Produce, Moravia, IA. Their farm grows tomato and other leafy green crops in seven high tunnels and sell at local farmers market. The short course will also host T.D. Holub from Garden Oasis Farm, Independence, IA. He and his wife raise vegetables, free-range eggs and pasture-raised chickens on about 8 acres. Products are marketed through a CSA; at farmers markets in Independence and Iowa City; and to local schools, grocery stores and businesses. Dr. Justin Glisan, State Climatologist will share information about how climate and its impact on specialty crop industry in Iowa. This event is supported by USDA North Central SARE Professional Development Program. Core objectives of this short course are to:
- Highlight the importance of crop, environment, and soil management for vegetable production in high tunnels
- Provide a platform to share resources, knowledge, and expertise in the area of high tunnel vegetable production
- Connect growers, agricultural educators, extension staff, and industry personnel working in high tunnels and in the area of local foods.
Tentative schedule:
8:30 am |
Registration and coffee |
9:00-10:00 am |
Keynote speaker Dr. Matt Kleinhenz, Ohio State University (Longtime Benefits and Challenges, Emerging Opportunities in high tunnel crop production) |
10:00-11:00 am |
Mike and Melanie Seals (Growing a Business while Learning to Manage a High Tunnel Growing Operation) |
11:00-11:45 am |
Moriah Bilenky, Iowa State University (Specialty melon production in high tunnels) |
11:45-12:30 pm |
Lunch and networking |
12:30-1:15 pm |
Dr. Justin Glisan, State Climatologist, State of Iowa |
1:15-2:00 pm |
Matt Kleinhenz [Is Growing (Only) Tomatoes in High Tunnels Mandatory?] |
2:00-2:45 pm |
T.D. Holub, Garden Oasis Farm, Independence, IA |
2:45-3:00pm |
Evaluation and wrap-up |
Registration is required. Please provide information below to register. Please register by October 31, 2019.
The Use of Grafted Hybrid Tomatoes in the Absence of Soilborne Disease Pressure
Iowa High Tunnel Short Course
IOWA HIGH TUNNEL SHORT COURSE
Date: Monday, 6th November, 2017; 8:30am
Venue: Garden Room, Reiman Gardens, 1407 S University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011
Welcome to first Iowa High Tunnel Short Course. This short course is designed to highlight production and management of several high tunnel crops along with information on economics and marketing aspects of high tunnel crop production. The course will also provide an update on the status of high tunnel research across the Midwest. Keynote speaker is Adam Montri from Michigan State University. Adam, along with his wife Dru, is the co-owner of Ten Hens Farm, LLC in Bath, Michigan. Adam and Dru started Ten Hens in 2008 and now farm three acres of outdoor production during the traditional Midwest growing season and year-round in over 17,000 sqft of high tunnel space. They market their produce through one farmers market, an on-farm stand, multiple restaurants, other farms, a grocery store, two multi-farm CSAs, and two senior center/assisted living facilities. Adam is also a hoophouse outreach specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University (MSU) and with the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems where he works with farmers throughout Michigan on the Hoophouses for Health program.
Core objectives of this short course are to:
- Highlight the importance of crop, environment, and soil management for vegetable production in high tunnels
- Provide a platform to share resources, knowledge, and expertise in the area of high tunnel vegetable production
- Connect growers, agricultural educators, extension staff, and industry personnel working in high tunnels and in the area of local foods.
Tentative schedule:
8:30am: Registration and coffee
9-10am: Keynote speaker Adam Montri, Michigan State University (Title: Two Acres and a High Tunnel: How Season Extension has gone from Niche to Necessity and Where It Fits in the Future)
10-10:45am: Ajay Nair (Title: Cucurbit crops for high tunnel production)
10:45-11:45am: Cary Rivard, Kansas State University (Title: Breaking Bad Habits: Integrating Crop Diversity into High Tunnel Production Systems)
11:45-12:30pm: Lunch and networking
12:30-1:15pm: Laura Iles and Lina Rodriguez (Title: Disease and insect management in high tunnels)
1:15-2:15: Adam Montri (Title: Crop Selection, Pricing and Economics for Successful Year-Round High Tunnel Production)
2:15-3pm: Joe Hannan (Title: Valuable lessons from production to marketing of high tunnel tomatoes)
Registration is required. Please provide information below to register. Please register by November 2, 2017.
Top 5 challenges when growing tomatoes
How to prune tomatoes
Evaluation of Grafted and Non-Grafted Hybrid and Heirloom Tomatoes in a High Tunnel
Trellising tomatoes in high tunnels
High Tunnel Tomato Production Field Day
High Tunnel Tomato Production Field Day
Location: 55253 690th St., Wiota, IA 50274
Tentative Agenda
High Tunnel Tomato Production Workshop
Cedar Valley Produce Auction • 18072 Addison Ave • Elma, IA
Topics for the day include:
- Environmental control
- How to tell if it is a disease
- Common insect, disease and fertility issues
- Insurance: whole farm revenue protection
- Grafting
- Maintaining productivity in a monoculture
This free event is sponsored by the Cedar Valley Produce Auction.
Integrating Cover Crops in High Tunnel Crop Production
Effect of Plastic Mulch Color on Tomato Production in High Tunnels
Tomato grafting 101
Recommended Tomato Varieties for Commercial Production in Iowa
Dr. Ajay Nair
High Tunnel Crop Production
Dried Distillers Grain in Vegetable Production