Skills for Controlled Environment Horticulture

2. Skills for Controlled Environment Horticulture

3. from www.aces.edu

4. The Protected Cropping Industry • Modern face of horticulture • Fastest growing food producing sector in Australia • Equivalent to 20% of total value of vegetable and flower production • Combining all sectors industry contributes around $1 billion to the national economy • Employs over 10,000+ people throughout Australia • Industry expanding at 4 – 6% per annum

5. How it Works COMPUTER MIXING TANK PUMP PUMP E.C. pH SENSORS Water In DOSING PUMPS A B C D pH ACID TANK FERTILIZER CONCENTRATE TANKS

6. The Problem with Protected Cropping • Unique production systems • Heavily technology based • Current programs focus on soil-based production • Lack of training imposes limits on industry growth and profitability

7. Pathways to Production • Horticulture Aust Ltd (HAL) funded • AHGA, NSW DPI & GOTAFE • Took existing units and modified • Created new units • Identified additional skill sets • Meetings with growers provided feedback

8. Skills for Controlled Environment Horticulture • Skills Victoria funded • Formed advisory group • Brought together group of Bellarine Peninsula growers • Identified priorities for training • Pilot program

9. National Greenhouse Waste-Water Recycling Workshop • HAL funded • Partnered with consultants, Graeme Smith & Rick Donnan • Series of 1 day workshops delivered to key areas across 6 states

10. Recirculating System Nutrients and acid Growing System @ 1.5 EC Batch Tank @ 2.6 EC Pre EC Probe Controls 3-way Valve to 1.1 EC 3.7 EC 30% Sterilisation Fresh Water Recycle Tank Drain Tank

11. HaifastSoftware

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