University Relations and Communications, 715-346-3046, Fax 715-346-2042, http://www.uwsp.edu/news
The 15th Annual Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference, co-sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility (NADF), will be held in Eau Claire at the Ramada Inn Thursday and Friday, March 19-20.
Wisconsin’s aquaculture industry leaders (fish farmers) from Wisconsin and the Midwest will meet to share ideas and promote problem-solving methods that give fish farmers pathways to survive current economic times while promoting a growing Wisconsin aquaculture industry.
The conference, “We’re Fresh and Local,” will feature sessions on aquaponics, marketing, pond management, research, health/fish management and regulations, plus a cooking and tasting seminar. Aquaculture research projects will be displayed and vendors will show off the newest and latest in aquaculture equipment and services. A preconference workshop on state regulations will be held Wed., March 18, at 1 p.m. at the same location.
Cheryl O’Brien, Alice in Dairyland, will present a talk on Wisconsin aquaculture. Winners of the third annual Wisconsin school aquaculture poster contest will be announced Friday afternoon.
Current and prospective fish farmers interested in business operations and issues, culture techniques and aquaculture research as well as researchers, veterinarians, extension agents, and agriculture and natural resource technicians or anyone with an interest in Wisconsin aquaculture are encouraged to attend.
Other sponsors of the conference include the Wisconsin Aquaculture Association (WAA), the UW-Madison Aquaculture Program, UW-Extension, and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection.
Registration for the two-day workshop is $100 for WAA members or $130 for nonmembers, $85 for an additional person from the same organization, and $65 for an attendee’s spouse or a student. Cost for one day is $70. There is an additional $25 late fee after March 8. The regulatory rules workshop on Wednesday is a separate charge of $15.
Workshop information including registration, lodging and a brochure is on the Web at http://www.wisconsinaquaculture.com. For registration questions contact Cindy Johnson of WAA at 715-373-2990 or Cindy@WisconsinAquaculture.com. For additional workshop information contact Ron Johnson, associate outreach specialist at 715-779-3189.
