SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is announcing the Beginning Farmer Education Program in Sarasota County, according to a press release.
It is in partnership with UF's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
With goals of growing Florida's food, agriculture and natural resources workforce, the eight week program gives local farmers hands-on work experience and education with mentorship provided by Mote.
By participating in the program, you gain practical skills in different areas such as crop cultivation, soil health, irrigation, pest and disease control, equipment operation and harvesting techniques. You can also learn more about aquaponics to raise fish and grow edible plants.
Aquaponic systems put nutrient-rich water from fish tanks through filtration systems to plant raceways, where it can fertilize plants. The cleaned water is returned to the fish and is ready to do the cycle again. These systems can produce fish and vegetables from just one nutrient source, the fish food.
Mote says it has been working to expand options for sustainable, affordable saltwater production that can be done away from the coast.
“Mote continues to successfully demonstrate how to raise seafood away from the coast while recycling 100% of the salt water—and we’ve built upon that core technology to do much, much more," Dr. Nicole Rhody, Manager of Mote's Marine & Freshwater Aquaculture Research Program, said.
Participants will also learn different business models, with opportunities to connect with local supply chains and grow their networking.
If you are interested in applying to the Beginning Farmer Education Program, you have to contact instructor Dr. Rod Greder, a Sustainable Agriculture Agent at UF's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at rgreder@ufl.edu.
