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    Virtual Field Day

    Virtual Field Day

    Hydroponic Greenhouse Greens

    Hydroponic Greenhouse

    The hydroponic demonstration greenhouse was built in 1989 to be used for teaching local growers about new systems, crops and techniques. The greenhouse is used for different projects each year and often has several going at the same time.

    Please view the Workshop Videos in the order listed below. 

    Greenhouse Setup


    Hydroponic Production Systems & Specialty Crops

    • Soilless Systems and Containers

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Mike Sweat is an emeritus agricultural Extension agent at the Duval County Extension Office working in the areas of agricultural sustainability, small farms and agricultural alternatives. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, and small farm production. Mike has been an Extension agent since 1980.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Nutrient Film Technique

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Mike Sweat is an emeritus agricultural Extension agent at the Duval County Extension Office working in the areas of agricultural sustainability, small farms and agricultural alternatives. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, and small farm production. Mike has been an Extension agent since 1980.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Floating Systems

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Mike Sweat is an emeritus agricultural Extension agent at the Duval County Extension Office working in the areas of agricultural sustainability, small farms and agricultural alternatives. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, and small farm production. Mike has been an Extension agent since 1980.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Building a Floating Hydroponic Garden

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Mike Sweat is an emeritus agricultural Extension agent at the Duval County Extension Office working in the areas of agricultural sustainability, small farms and agricultural alternatives. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, and small farm production. Mike has been an Extension agent since 1980.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Vertical Towers

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Mike Sweat is an emeritus agricultural Extension agent at the Duval County Extension Office working in the areas of agricultural sustainability, small farms and agricultural alternatives. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, and small farm production. Mike has been an Extension agent since 1980.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida

    Soilless Media Choices

    • Media Overview

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Perlite

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Rockwool, Peat and Pine Bark

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Mike Sweat is an emeritus agricultural Extension agent at the Duval County Extension Office working in the areas of agricultural sustainability, small farms and agricultural alternatives. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, and small farm production. Mike has been an Extension agent since 1980.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Coconut Coir

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida

    Main Season


    Starting the Crop

    • Seeding

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Lei Lani Davis is a Sr. Lab Technician at the NFREC-Suwannee Valley Research Center, managing and coordinating the greenhouse and hydroponic research and demonstrations. She has overseen the greenhouses at the center for twelve years. Her areas of expertise include greenhouse management, hydroponics, herbs, transplants, and alternative and specialty greenhouse crops.

      Wanda Laughlin has been a Senior Agricultural Assistant for the NFREC-Suwannee Valley Research Center since 2002. Her responsibilities include seed and transplant production, hydroponic greenhouse research projects, data collection for field research, and conducting educational workshops and tours at the center. Wanda moved to Live Oak in 1998 from central Florida, where she worked as a grower in commercial transplant production for ornamental and bedding plants, for Knox Nursery Inc., Natural Beauty of Florida and Fernlea of Florida.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Transplants

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Lei Lani Davis is a Sr. Lab Technician at the NFREC-Suwannee Valley Research Center, managing and coordinating the greenhouse and hydroponic research and demonstrations. She has overseen the greenhouses at the center for twelve years. Her areas of expertise include greenhouse management, hydroponics, herbs, transplants, and alternative and specialty greenhouse crops.

      Wanda Laughlin has been a Senior Agricultural Assistant for the NFREC-Suwannee Valley Research Center since 2002. Her responsibilities include seed and transplant production, hydroponic greenhouse research projects, data collection for field research, and conducting educational workshops and tours at the center. Wanda moved to Live Oak in 1998 from central Florida, where she worked as a grower in commercial transplant production for ornamental and bedding plants, for Knox Nursery Inc., Natural Beauty of Florida and Fernlea of Florida.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida

    Nutrient Solution Delivery

    • Nutrient Considerations

      Presenters

      Dr. George Hochmuth is Professor Emeritus of Horticultural Sciences. He was raised on a commercial vegetable farm in Maryland. He has a Bachelors degree in horticulture from the University of Maryland and the PhD in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics from the University of Wisconsin. His areas of expertise include vegetable production and management, nutrient and water management, and protected agriculture.

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Delivery System

      Presenters

      Dr. George Hochmuth is Professor Emeritus of Horticultural Sciences. He was raised on a commercial vegetable farm in Maryland. He has a Bachelors degree in horticulture from the University of Maryland and the PhD in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics from the University of Wisconsin. His areas of expertise include vegetable production and management, nutrient and water management, and protected agriculture.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Emitters in the Greenhouse

      Presenters

      Dr. George Hochmuth is Professor Emeritus of Horticultural Sciences. He was raised on a commercial vegetable farm in Maryland. He has a Bachelors degree in horticulture from the University of Maryland and the PhD in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics from the University of Wisconsin. His areas of expertise include vegetable production and management, nutrient and water management, and protected agriculture.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida

    Pest Management

    • Pest Management

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Richard Sprenkel is a professor emeritus, pest management, Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, Quincy, Florida. His areas of specialty include row crops and forages as well as commercial vegetables in field and protected culture. He has been with the University of Florida since 1979.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Control Strategies

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Richard Sprenkel is a professor emeritus, pest management, Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, Quincy, Florida. His areas of specialty include row crops and forages as well as commercial vegetables in field and protected culture. He has been with the University of Florida since 1979.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Monitoring Common Pests

      Presenters

      Dr. George Hochmuth is Professor Emeritus of Horticultural Sciences. He was raised on a commercial vegetable farm in Maryland. He has a Bachelors degree in horticulture from the University of Maryland and the PhD in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics from the University of Wisconsin. His areas of expertise include vegetable production and management, nutrient and water management, and protected agriculture.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Greenhouse Disease Concerns

      Presenters

      Dr. George Hochmuth is Professor Emeritus of Horticultural Sciences. He was raised on a commercial vegetable farm in Maryland. He has a Bachelors degree in horticulture from the University of Maryland and the PhD in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics from the University of Wisconsin. His areas of expertise include vegetable production and management, nutrient and water management, and protected agriculture.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida

    Harvest and Marketing

    • Hydroponic Crop Choices

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Daniel J. Cantliffe is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He works in the areas of seed physiology, transplant technology and protected agricultural management systems. Dan's protected agricultural management systems research has led to the development of viable and economical sustained alternative vegetable crop production systems for areas that are encroaching with urbanization and/or escalating land costs, especially for vegetable growers in the state of Florida. 

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Cut Flowers and Herbs

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Linda Landrum is a retired multi-county agent at NFREC-Suwannee Valley who worked in the areas of marketing, alternative crops and community resource development. Her specialties included cut flower and foliage production and new horticultural crops. As a 30 year veteran of UF Extension Service, Linda has worked with commercial horticultural producers throughout Florida in the areas of production, marketing and business management.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Marketing the Product

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Linda Landrum is a retired multi-county agent at NFREC-Suwannee Valley who worked in the areas of marketing, alternative crops and community resource development. Her specialties included cut flower and foliage production and new horticultural crops. As a 30 year veteran of UF Extension Service, Linda has worked with commercial horticultural producers throughout Florida in the areas of production, marketing and business management.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Microgreens

      Presenters

      Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.

      Linda Landrum is a retired multi-county agent at NFREC-Suwannee Valley who worked in the areas of marketing, alternative crops and community resource development. Her specialties included cut flower and foliage production and new horticultural crops. As a 30 year veteran of UF Extension Service, Linda has worked with commercial horticultural producers throughout Florida in the areas of production, marketing and business management.

      Publications

      • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
      • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida

    Resources

    • Ask IFAS: Hydroponics
    • Design Suggestions and Greenhouse Management for Vegetable Production in Perlite and Rockwool Media in Florida
    • Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic (Perlite, Rockwool, NFT) Tomatoes in Florida
    • Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises: Hydroponics
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