High Tunnel Tomato School

Join Extension specialists and expert growers from across the region for a full-day workshop, learning from each other the best practices for growing high-yielding and delicious tunnel tomatoes profitably. The day will include presentations from Extension and growers and grower-to-grower discussions. Lunch included. This program is intended for commercial growers who have some experience growing tunnel tomatoes and are looking for ways to improve their productivity and profitability, and assumes an understanding of basic tomato production.

Co-sponsored by the New England Vegetable & Berry Growers' Association.

Agenda:

• Introduction and generation of topics to cover in discussions - Sue Scheufele, UMass Extension

• Tunnel Tomato Economics: What Practices Contribute to Profitability and When it Matters - Vern Grubinger, UVM Extension

• Tunnel Tomatoes at Atlas Farm - Gideon Porth

• Discussion: heating, ventilation, costs of production, and decision making

• Soil and Plant Tissue Testing: Which Tests To Do When, and How - Sue Scheufele, UMass Extension

• Managing Pests in Tunnel Tomatoes: Making the Most of Biocontrols and Sprays - Ali Shokoohi, UMass Extension

• Discussion: Soil and pest management

• Lunch

• Fertigation Basics and Fertilizer Calculations - Judson Reid, Cornell Cooperative Extension

• Tunnel Tomatoes at Walker Farm - Heather Mason

• Discussion: fertigation, varieties

• Wrap-Up