25th Annual Short Course
Recirculating Aquaculture/Hydroponics/Aquaponics
New dates: March 25-28, 2024
Who should attend?
- Educators
- Entrepreneurs,
- Small business owners
- Growers
- Horticulturists
- Researchers
- Urban agriculturists
- Government planners
- Economic development specialists
- You!
What attendees say
Topics are foundational, educational and inspirational. The absolute best investment of time and resources to learn and advance in aquaculture, hydroponics and aquaponics. The instructors are world leaders in their areas of expertise. -- David M.
Meet our instructors
Michael Timmons - Aquaculture systems
Michael B. Timmons, Ph.D. has worked in aquacultural engineering for 25 years as a researcher, teacher, and extension specialist. He is currently Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering and Graduate Professor in the Field of Global Development.
Timmons has been a principal investor (he put his house on the line!) in the design, construction, and operation of a commercial recirculating tilapia farm (~500 tons per year of production), adding the viewpoint of a commercial aquaculturist to his academic bona fides.
He has published widely, edited aquaculture meeting proceedings and was one of the founders of the Aquacultural Engineering Society.
Timmons is also the lead author of Recirculating Aquaculture (4th Edition). Registration includes a .pdf version of the book.
Meet our instructors
Neil Mattson - Hydroponic production
Neil Mattson, Ph.D. is Professor and greenhouse extension specialist in the Horticulture Section of the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University. He joined Cornell in 2007 after completing his PhD from the University of California Davis and Master’s from the University of Minnesota.
One of the nation’s leaders in CEA, Neil's research focuses on how environmental factors and cultural practices affect physiology, development, and biochemical characteristics of greenhouse crops, lighting systems, and energy efficiency. He is particularly interested in how water quality, nutrient availability, temperature, light, and abiotic stress conditions affect crop physiology. This fits well with Neil’s goal of providing producers with relevant, research-based information for the production of high quality CEA crops.
Meet our instructors
Eugene Won - Fish Health
Eugene Won Ph.D. is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Animal Science at Cornell University. He teaches Fish Physiology, is the Academic Coordinator for Shoals Marine Lab, and runs a research program focusing on developing sustainable aquaculture feeds. Won works closely with stakeholders and government agencies to promote growth of the domestic aquaculture industry.
Registration
- $299 per attendee
- $149 for each additional co-worker/employee who registers as part of this registration
Register online - Calculate your total payment amount before you proceed to secure payment page.
Registration includes a .pdf version of Recirculating Aquaculture (5th Edition) by Michael Timmons et al. (The hardcover is a $99 value. Also includes Excel spreadsheet models for RAS.) This is the new 5th edition of Recirculating Aquaculture and has been completely redone with key new sections in content. Covers all the basics of recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) design and management. Applicable to fresh and saltwater systems.
If you prefer to pay by check, first send email to jo397 [at] cornell.edu (jo397[at]cornell[dot]edu) with your name, affiliation, email address, mailing address, phone number, names of additional registrants, number of optional certifications, and total amount due. Then send your check (payable to Cornell University) to: Aquaponics Workshop, Attention: Andrea Gilbert, 334 Plant Science Building, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
Questions? Email John Osborn: jo397 [at] cornell.edu (jo397[at]cornell[dot]edu)
Program
Zoom link opens at 3:00. Class starts promptly each day at 3:15 p.m. and ends at 6:15 p.m.
Monday, March 25, 3:15-6:15 p.m.
Dr. Neil Mattson, Dr. Michael Timmons, and Dr. Eugene Won
- Welcome and Overview:
Dr. Michael Timmons
- Overview of RAS Systems Engineering
- Water Quality
- Engineering Design– Mass Balance, Loading and Growth
- Culture Tank Design
Questions after each section and periodic breaks
Tuesday, March 26, 3:15-6:15 p.m.
Dr. Neil Mattson
- Hydroponics Intro
- Water Quality & Nutrient Management of Plants
- Common Hydroponic Systems (Deep Water Culture, NFT, Media Bed, Vertical Grow beds)
Dr. Michael Timmons
- Solids Capture &Waste Management
- Circulation: Pipe Flow & Pumps
- Biofiltration/ Nitrification Overview
- Ozonation and UV
- Disinfection
- System Monitoring & Control
Questions after each section and periodic breaks
Wednesday, March 27, 3:15-6:15 p.m.
Dr. Eugene Won - fish bio concerns in aquaculture (physiology underlying aquaculture practices). (Managing fish health, biosecurity, and SOPS to keep disease off your farm)
Options:
- Stress / pro-active health management
- Respiration / gases & metabolic wastes
- Osmoregulation / water salinity & solutes, therapies
- Feeding & growth / FCR, lipid deposition
Dr. Michael Timmons
- Economics/Marketing/Risk
- Intro to System Design Spreadsheet (provided)
- Omega Fish Design
Questions after each section and periodic breaks
Thursday, March 28, 3:15-6:15 p.m.
Dr. Michael Timmons
- Putting the two together:
- Aquaponics
- Growout System Design – Boutique Aquaponics System
Dr. Neil Mattson, Dr. Michael Timmons, and Dr. Eugene Won
- Financial Considerations
- Choice of Location
- Availability of Trained Team Members/Training
- Overall Feasibility Considerations
Questions after each section and periodic breaks