Extension on-site visits, conference support Connecticut greenhouse industry

Greenhouses in Connecticut represent a significant portion of the state’s $4.7 billion agricultural economy and are integral to the success of all agricultural businesses, according to a 2021 study by Farm Credit East. The total economic impact of the 583 greenhouse businesses in the state was $390 million in 2020. With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute for Food and Agriculture, UConn Extension supports greenhouse businesses in greenhouse production, water conservation, integrated pest management and innovative technology.

UConn conducted 124 one-on-one visits to greenhouses and nurseries to provide technical recommendations on monitoring for insects and diseases, abiotic disorders, advice on the use of biological control agents and biological fungicides and water and fertilizer use. Spanish-speaking workers were interviewed to gather information about specific needs on education in greenhouse production to develop educational materials in Spanish. A full-day conference was held in June 2023 at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven, drawing 63 attendees from Connecticut and Massachusetts. Weekly or biweekly pest messages were posted on the UConn Greenhouse IPM website and emailed to 290 members of the Connecticut greenhouse industry.

Of those who completed evaluation forms at the conference, 99% rated the conference as useful to very useful and 94% stated that they learned something that day that would help them adopt a new practice within the next year. All stated that they learned something that would help them tell the difference between biotic (living) and abiotic (nutritional disorders) and learned something that would help them with the diagnosis of plant diseases. A weed control webinar was also presented in March, also in Spanish. The participants that completed the training session poll indicated to have an intermediate and advanced level of knowledge on weed control in the greenhouse (20% and 60% respectively), 87% responded that they understand the concept, methods of control and importance of weed control in the greenhouse after the session.

Project supported by Smith-Lever (3b&C) funds. Photo courtesy Connecticut Cooperative Extension System.