(Register by April 16 by contacting Dr. David Crosby, VSU fish health specialist, at (804) 524-5620 or e-mail dcrosby@vsu.edu.) Free and open to the public, this workshop will provide hands-on training in the use of water test kits for farm pond and aquaculture facility management. Participants will learn the basic water quality parameters for farm ponds and aquaponics systems, and how water quality affects fish health. (See below for directions)

VAA BOARD & MEMBERSHIP MEETING:

July 9, 2008 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Randolph Farm Pavilion, Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia

(See Below for directions)

THREE-DAY FISH SCHOOL

July 9-11, 2008, starts at 8:30 Daily

Randolf Farm Pavilion, Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia.

Free and Open to the Public

Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University has scheduled its annual three-day fish School featuring "hands-on practical aquaculture" for anyone interested in producing fish in ponds, cages and greenhouses. Any interested participants can register for the entire session or for individual days. Anyone wanting to engage in hands-on pond, laboratory or greenhouse activities is encouraged to dress appropriately.

Agenda:

Wednesday, July 9th: topics include catfish hatchery, fingerling, food fish, hybrid striped bass, and shrimp production; and pond and cage culture. Hands-on activities will be harvesting a pond or working with water gardens.

Thursday, July 10th: Discussions will focus on nutrition, water quality, processing, pond management, weed control, and fish health/biosecurity. Hands-on lab activities will feature water quality, fish health and anatomy.

Friday, July 11th: Participants will learn about VSU's Youth Aquaculture Program, hydroponic and aquaponic greenhouse production systems, and aquacultural economics. High tunnels, greenhouse hydroponics and greenhouse limited-scale recirculation systems will be the focus of hands-on activities.

To register, call VSU's Aquaculture Office at (804) 524-5496 or e-mail Dr. Brian Nerrie, VSU aquaculture extension specialist, at bnerrie@vsu.edu.

Anyone needing special services or accommodations in order to participate should call in advance to discuss arrangements.

DIRECTIONS TO VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

FROM THE NORTH: (Fredericksburg), Washington, D.C., Maryland, etc) * Take I-95 South to Exit 54 (Temple Avenue). Take this exit. Turn left at the traffic light at the end of the exit ramp. Turn left at the second traffic light onto Route 301 (The Boulevard). Continue to the Fourth Red Light * turn right at the Wa Wa station onto Dupuy Road. Stay on Dupuy (will become River Road) past Virginia State University for one mile to traffic light. Turn right at the light. Go over the bridge and continue straight ahead for ¼ mile. The entrance to Virginia Cooperative Extension Pavilion is the second gate on the left. It is a one story cream colored building. If you see the Ettrick Library you have gone too far. Turn around and come back.

FROM THE SOUTH: (Emporia, North Carolina, etc.) Take I-95 North to Exit 54 (Temple Avenue). Take this exit and continue as above.

FROM THE NORTHWEST: (Staunton, Charlottesville, etc.) Travel Interstate 64 East to I-95 South to Exit 54 (Temple Avenue). Continue with above directions.

FROM THE SOUTHWEST: (Roanoke, Lynchburg, Blackstone, etc.) Travel 460 East to Interstate 85 North (approximately 10 miles from Petersburg). Take I-85 North to I-95 North. Stay on I-95 North to Exit 54 (Temple Avenue). Continue with above directions.

FROM THE EAST: (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Wakefield, etc.) Travel 460 West through Disputanta and Hebron. Stay on 460 West until traffic light at Wagner Road (McDonald’s on the right). Turn left on Wagner Road. Obey speed limits on this road! Stay on Wagner until you see the I-95 North exit on the right. Take I-95 North to Exit 54 (Temple Avenue). Continue with above directions.

*See Events Page for more events.