2009 Workshops

An AgrowKnowledge highlight each summer is the opportunity for educators to upgrade their teaching methods and skills by attending one of our faculty development workshops. Plans are underway for the Summer of 2009.

Additional Workshops are being developed for the summer of 2009. Check back to see what exciting workshops AgrowKnowledge will be offering this year!

This year AgrowKnowledge Members receive a $50 off registration cost! If you are not a member, we have a special offer. When non-paying members register for a workshop, we will give you a free membership with AgrowKnowledge.

Read more about the benefits of being a paid member.

Not sure if your membership is still active? Contact us and find out.

National Workshops

Remote Sensing, Applications in AgricultureMay 27th - June 3rd, 2009 Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IAThis workshop is designed to assist the community college agriculture instructor to enhance instruction in Remote Sensing. iGETT (integrating Geospatial Education and Technology Training) has held workshops for two cohort groups to build modules demonstrating how remotely sensed images can be used in three general applications; Agriculture, environmental and disaster management. Each of the participants developed a module using ENVI, a digital imagery analysis software. This workshop will focus on the agricultural modules, concentrating on the module “Using Remotely Sensed Images to Identify Local Sources of Biomass for Ethanol Production” . Content includes background on the electromagnetic spectrum, remote sensing satellites, sensors, and image capture. The majority of time will concentrate on the processes of using raw images to create a vegetative index that is classified to identify the areas of potential biomass. ENVI will be demonstrated, but since it may not be available for all participants, MultiSpec (a free image analysis software) and hands-on off-computer activities that duplicate the processes will also be used. Supporting materials for the modules will be developed for instructors to take home. HydroponicsJuly 29th - 31st, 2009 Brigham Young University - Idaho, Rexburg, IdahoDuring this workshop participants will gather on the campus of Brigham Young University – Idaho, located in the beautiful Upper Snake River Valley of Southeast Idaho. BYU-Idaho is perfectly located among world famous travel destinations such as Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park (http://www.nps.gov/grte/) and Yellowstone National Park (http://www.nps.gov/yell/). Attendees of this hydroponic workshop will gain hands on learning through BYU-Idaho’s state-of-the-art Tomato Hydroponics Greenhouse. Participants will learn and build knowledge on how to construct, manage, and maintain a healthy crop of tomatoes and other compatible crops which can be successfully marketed to local grocers and businesses. The ultimate goal of BYU-Idaho’s Tomato Hydroponic Greenhouse is to teach those who participate about hydroponics and the possibilities involved in its technologies. The hydroponic greenhouse has been equipped with grow lights, a CO2 generator, Argus Environmental and Nutrient Controls along with several other added features to demonstrate the optimum practices to grow and maintain a healthy crop. Participants will also learn about beneficial insects and how an Integrated Pest Management Program can be successful. Those in attendance will gain firsthand knowledge on the innovative technologies of Argus Controls (www.arguscontrols.com) which currently monitors BYU-Idaho’s greenhouse environmental and nutrient programs. Participants will also learn how the amazing tools of Vernier Software & Technologies (www.vernier.com) can be used in the classroom and real world experiences as representatives demonstrate their products in use. We invite you to come and experience BYU-Idaho’s Tomato Hydroponic Greenhouse and take some extra vacation time to travel with your family to the amazing destinations that our area has to offer!

Regional Workshops

Introduction to Data CollectionJune 3rd - 5th, 2009 Redlands Community College, El Reno, OKThis workshop will provide the instructor with introductory skills in GPS and GIS as applied to agriculture. Participants will learn the use of GPS for simple data collection and GIS for displaying maps of this data. The purpose of this workshop is to give participating instructors the hands-on experience in order to use these fundamental exercises in the classroom to teach these concepts of geospatial data collection.