The 2015 Farwest Show will feature a greenhouse focused seminar presented by one of the industry’s leading researchers on the exploding locally grown food movement. Peter Konjoian, President, Konjoian’s Horticulture Education Services, Inc., and his seminar, From Flowers to Food: Hydroponic Edible Crop Production, challenges growers to take advantage of tremendous opportunities in hydroponic food production in greenhouses and warehouses. Konjoian believes the demand for locally grown quality edibles will continue to increase dramatically and holds vast potential for the imaginative grower.
After running a retail bedding plant operation with his family for 51 years, Dr. Konjoian shifted his research and consulting focus to hydroponic vegetable and herb crops three years ago. Fueled by the expanding local food movement, his umbrella project “From Flowers to Food” is exploring novel ways of producing edible crops. An excellent example is growing root crops such as radish, carrot, and beet in plug trays using flood and drain benches.
In addition, Konjoian will co-deliver a second seminar with plant pathologist Ann R. Chase, Water-Borne Pests and What You Can Do About Them, focusing on the steps to take to manage problems through prevention and treatment using the various methods emerged from theirs and other’s research.
Konjoian is part of a dynamic and informative Farwest greenhouse education program with many notable contributors.
Education highlights include:
Dr. Raymond A. Cloyd, Professor and Extension Specialist in Horticultural Entomology/Plant Protection, Kansas State University
- Diagnostics: What’s Wrong With My Plants? This presentation helps identify what “bugs” (insects and mites) attack
plants. Based on both direct and indirect symptoms associated with their feeding behaviors, to help implement the proper plant protection strategy.
Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, Buglady Consulting
- How Do You Know Your Biological Control Program is Working? Many growers are incorporating biological control
agents into their pest management program. Wainwright-Evans shares how bios actually kill pests and what they look like dead. Also in the session, the different life stages of the beneficials through macro images.
Dr. Heidi Wernett, President, China Horticultural Business Services, LLC
- Flower Trials in Asia: Why and Where? Asia is emerging as the largest producer and consumer of ornamental products. This seminar addresses how plant trials play into the current state of China’s growing economy, and get a glimpse at what this means for breeders and growers.
“The developments and trends with impact on greenhouse growing are continuous,” said Allan Niemi, director of events at the Oregon Association of Nurseries, producers of the Farwest Show. “Our greenhouse related education will keep our attendees ahead of the game. They’ll take away ideas and knowledge that build business and profit."
For more information
Oregon Association of Nurseries
Allan Niemi, Director of Events
T: 503-582-2005503-582-2005
Tom Kegley Communications
Tom Kegley
T: 843-991-4366843-991-4366