Growing up to the challenge

 

Jim Brown: CropKing decided to host hydroponic workshops so that people interested in growing hydroponically would have an opportunity to get a good idea of what is involved in running a production system. We always have a couple visits to a working hydroponic greenhouse as part of the workshop. Pictures do not convey the magnitude of the system.

 

 

JB: Anyone who wants to attend the workshop can attend upon paying tuition. New growers are the ones who make up the bulk of those attending. Many of the attendees are looking for an alternative to a job they are looking to replace. Some have inherited land they want to live on and make productive. A few ornamental growers have attended and expanded, or converted some of their production space into hydroponic production. Most who attend are looking to go into hydroponics commercially for themselves. A few are working for existing hydroponic growers. A few people who are looking to grow hydroponically for their own use on a hobby basis have also attended over the years.

 

 

JB: We try to tell and show attendees what is involved in growing hydroponically in the greenhouse. We talk about the main crops that most people find profitable to grow. These include tomatoes, seedless cucumbers, lettuces and herbs. We talk about how to feed the plants in the system, and how we control the temperature, the relative humidity and air flow in the greenhouse. Information on the greenhouse structure and its components is also presented. A session on the construction of the greenhouse is included.

 

 

JB: A technical staff teaches the workshop. I have been involved in teaching the workshop for over 30 years. Max Salinger, horticulturist and sales representative; Jeff Balduff, technical adviser; Paul Brentlinger, President; and Marilyn Brentlinger, COO are also involved from time to time in some of the presentations.

 

 

JB: We hope growers will see that this is something they can do and want to do. We hope they will see that when you break down what looks like an impossible project into its little components, that each of the components is doable.

 

 

JB: We take a number of the good books along with us to workshops so people who are interested can buy them and study farther. We have produced some DVDs that detail some of the hands-on elements that are part of the work in the greenhouse. We take them along. People are encouraged to contact us so the people in the sales department can work with them on their project. We also have a follow-up questionnaire that we ask attendees to fill out about the experience at the workshop.

 

 

JB: The Lodi workshop is very similar to those offered at various grower sites. We have our own research and show our greenhouse here. People have the additional opportunity to meet more of the CropKing team than they do at a grower’s location. Some people like that feature.

 

 

JB: Our website, www.cropking.com, contains information about the workshop and what is offered. People can also see the schedule. We try to schedule two or three months ahead of time and post it on the website. If someone has a question about whether or not it would be beneficial for them to attend, we invite them to give us a call. We can talk with them to try to determine if the workshop will meet what they’re anticipating or needing.