EDUCATION SUPPORT for vocational agriculture teachers includes week-long workshops on hydroponics as well as a classroom curriculum and working models in aquaculture.
EXTENSION WORKSHOPS in intensive hydroponic production and aquaculture technology, particularly recirculating fish production, have attracted participants from over 9 states and 12 countries. Ongoing demonstrations of culture systems, plant field plots, and greenhouse experiments provide year-round Extension outreach.
COOPERATORS and supporters have included the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service , the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, 1890 Capacity Building Program, FmHA, Maryland Industrial Partnerships, the town of Princess Anne, the Somerset County Development Office, and commercial entities such as: AquaMar Industries, 21st Century Seafood, CropKing, Inc., and Cathay Trading Company.
INITIATIVES focus on developing and supporting economical and sustainable agriculture technologies in cooperation with the Rural Development Center at UMES. Through the current efforts with Cathay Trading Company, the Institute hopes to establish the beginning of "contract greenhouse farming" on the Delmarva Peninsula with environmentally benign technologies.
Directions to the SFI