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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260917T173000
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SUMMARY:WVSU Aquaponics Workshop Introduces Fish-Based Growing
DESCRIPTION:The WVSU Aquaponics Workshop will be held Sept. 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Raleigh County Public Library\, 221 N. Kanawha St.\, in Beckley\, W.Va. West Virginia State University Extension Service is offering the program free of charge. \nThe workshop will introduce participants to aquaponics\, a growing system that combines fish production with hydroponic plant production. Instead of growing plants in soil\, aquaponic systems circulate water between fish and plants. Fish waste provides nutrients for the plants\, while the plants and related biological processes clean the water before it returns to the fish. \nFor people who have heard about hydroponics but are less familiar with aquaponics\, the workshop offers a chance to see how the two ideas differ and how fish become part of the nutrient system. \n\nArcadiYay\, CC BY-SA 4.0 \nWVSU Aquaponics Workshop Explores an Alternative Growing System\nAquaponics can appeal to growers interested in producing food where conventional field production is difficult\, or space is limited. Systems can vary considerably in size and complexity\, from small educational setups to larger commercial operations. \nThe WVSU Aquaponics Workshop can help participants better understand the basic relationship among fish\, plants\, water\, and nutrients before deciding whether the approach fits their interests. \nOperating an aquaponic system requires attention to more than plant growth. Producers must also consider fish health\, water quality\, temperature\, oxygen levels\, and the balance between the aquatic and plant portions of the system. Learning those fundamentals can help people develop realistic expectations about the equipment\, monitoring\, and management involved. \nWVSU Aquaponics Workshop Builds on Extension Education\nThe aquaponics program is part of a series of WVSU Extension workshops exploring food production and related skills. Other 2026 workshops have addressed soil health\, aeroponics\, and hydroponics\, giving participants several opportunities to learn about different production systems. \nFor Appalachian Highlands growers\, these systems may be worth exploring as possible additions to existing farms\, educational projects\, or small-scale specialty production. \nRegister for the WVSU Aquaponics Workshop\nThe WVSU Aquaponics Workshop begins at 5:30 p.m. on September 17 and lasts one hour. WVSU lists the program as free\, but participants should register in advance and check the university’s event page for any last-minute schedule or participation changes. \nThe workshop offers farmers\, gardeners\, and other interested participants a chance to learn how fish and hydroponic plant production can work together in one growing system. \nRead our full-length articles about educational opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/wvsu-extension-workshop-aquaponics/
LOCATION:Raleigh County Public Library\, 221 North Kanawha Street\, Beckley\, WV\, 25801\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education,Workshops & Seminars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Aquaponics_at_Growing_Power_Milwaukee.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="West Virginia University Extension":MAILTO:grass@wvu.edu
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260917T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260917T193000
DTSTAMP:20260914T204319Z
CREATED:20260913T153701Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260914T204319Z
UID:9660-1789668000-1789673400@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Thinking of Opening a Farm Stand?
DESCRIPTION:Opening a Farm Stand Takes More Than Setting Up a Table\nThinking of Opening a Farm Stand? is a free virtual workshop scheduled for September 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Haywood County Center is organizing the program\, with Carol Coulter of Appalachian State University serving as the speaker. \nThe workshop is designed for farmers who are considering selling directly to customers from their farms or another roadside location. Opening a farm stand can create a new market for produce\, meat\, eggs\, flowers\, value-added products\, and other farm goods\, but it takes more than arranging products and waiting for customers. \nFarmers need to think about how the stand will operate as part of the larger farm business and what customers will experience when they arrive. \nOpening a Farm Stand Requires Planning for Customers\nThe workshop will cover farm stand design\, safety considerations\, and direct-market opportunities. \nLocation and layout can affect how easily customers find the stand\, where they park\, and how they move through the sales area. Farmers may also need to consider signs\, displays\, shade\, refrigeration\, payment methods\, and how they will restock products during busy periods. \nA farm stand also puts the farmer in the retail business. Producers who normally sell through wholesale markets may suddenly find themselves handling customer questions\, pricing products\, maintaining displays\, and managing transactions. \nThose responsibilities can require a different skill set than production alone. \n\n\nOpening a Farm Stand Means Understanding the Rules\nAnother important part of opening a farm stand is understanding which regulations apply. The workshop will address North Carolina requirements along with food safety and product-handling considerations. \nRequirements can vary depending on what a farmer sells. Fresh produce may involve different considerations than meat\, eggs\, dairy products\, or foods prepared on the farm. Farmers should understand which rules apply before investing in structures\, equipment\, or inventory. \nLocal zoning\, parking and signage requirements may also affect how and where a farm stand can operate. \nOpening a Farm Stand Can Create a Direct Connection With Customers\nDirect marketing lets farmers meet the people buying their products and explain how they’re grown or raised. A well-run farm stand can also encourage repeat visits and strengthen a farm’s presence in the community. \nHowever\, direct sales work best when farmers consider both the opportunity and the additional workload. The September 17 workshop gives prospective farm-stand operators a chance to learn about those issues before making a larger investment. \nBecause the program is online\, farmers can participate from across the region without traveling. Participants may want to bring questions about their own farms\, products\, or proposed locations. \nRead our full-length articles about educational opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/thinking-of-opening-a-farm-stand/
LOCATION:Online / Virtual\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education,Workshops & Seminars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Farm-stand-2.jpg
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