Protected Cropping Australia Conference and Award

 

 We have just completed a two and a half day term at this year's PCA Conference in Melbourne. The conference was a fantastic event and allowed for some great networking and discovery of new ideas and concepts.

The conference is run every two years and part of the program includes a gala dinner and awards ceremony.

This year we were delighted to be awarded the prestigious Industry Training Award. This award recognises all the hard work that the team at Chisholm have been doing in developing training solutions for the industry.

 

Glasshouse Manager Tony Bundock with the PCA award

The conference itself featured many prominent industry players including overseas speakers such as Andy Lee and Stuart Lambie from Grodan.

Andy Lee gives his informed opinion on the use of Grodan substrates

Stuart Lambie gave great information on moves towards sustainability

This morning the delegates are participating in industry site visits and will be visiting Chisholm as one of the tours. More details tomorrow!

Window on the world.....

 

As part of the technology that we can utilise within the Chisholm Greenhouse, we have a video camera that allows us to both record video and take pictures.

The camera is a high quality piece of equipment and also allows us to zoom in to individual plants and areas of the greenhouse.

The video we have posted today will give you an idea of it's capability and also give you a closer look at the new plants. You will also see the crop strings that are in place and awaiting tying on to the plants.

We are also hoping to look at having a 'live stream' from the camera so that you can see what's going on at any one time.

Enjoy the view!

Back in action.........

 

Today saw  plenty of activity in the greenhouse as we established our new crop with our partners in the Living Proof Centre - De Ruiter seeds.

This has seen some 30 different Tomato varieties being established and will provide a great resource for growers to visit, to see a range of De Ruiter varieties growing in Australian conditions.

Our crops also have a duel role in that they provide the green life material for all of our training courses and give our students the opportunity to learn and hone their skills in crop management and care.

Today's planting saw Chisholm staff and students working alongside De Ruiter staff in establishing the crop - a great days effort!

 

Staff and students get set to plant up the greenhouse -  complete in hygiene gear!

 

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Sneak peek of our new planting...............

On Friday we will be planting out our larger Compartment - 2 - of the greenhouse. Our planting has been delayed due to some complications with the propagation of the crop, but with those issues all resolved by Danny and the team at Trandos Hydroponic Growers, we are set to move ahead.

The crop will be forming the larger part of the De Ruiter Living Proof centre, and will be showcasing many varieties of tomatoes.

Today the plants completed their long journey from Perth and arrived at our Cranbourne location. As soon as the crop is in place we will be bringing you the some further pictures.

 Journey's end for our new 'babies'

 Glasshouse manager Tony Bundock and 

technician, Sara Nour sort out the jigsaw of varieties

 

Hard to believe these small plants will soon be producing 

fruit in around 8 weeks time.

Protected Cropping Australia Conference

The Protected Cropping Association Conference is happening in Melbourne, starting on Sunday the 28th of July. 

It's a great event to discover the latest developments in the commercial hydroponic industry, and Glasshouse Manager - Tony Bundock, and staff member - Colin Bednarz, will be there at the Chisholm stand. 

The public day is on Sunday afternoon. Come along and say G'day!

We are featured in Hortidaily again!

The National Precision Growing Centre; 

Australia: eGlasshouse system trains students to monitor crop growth and environment, online

The $1.2 million Controlled Environment Horticultural Training unit at Chisholm Institute of TAFE, Cranbourne is a world class facility and the only one of its kind in Australia and the Southern hemisphere. Now known as The National Precision Growing Centre, the CEH training unit is designed to deliver industry training locally, nationally and globally. 

The crops that are produced in the greenhouse are used as industry based trials, and ultimately are marketed through wholesale outlets. Some of the product is also put to use in the Chisholm Hospitality department’s training kitchens, giving CEH students the opportunity to track produce from point of growing to final consumption.

The state-of-the-art technology for the training facility was supplied by Powerplants and AIS Greenworks. On top of that Priva, a key supplier of Powerplants, has entered into a training agreement with Chisholm to support the sustainability of the technology within the facility.

As Chisholm Horticulture teacher Tony Bundock said: “By using the latest equipment from the world’s leading suppliers of horticulture technology, we’ve created a facility that will give students the opportunity to develop cutting edge skills and will also act as a flagship for the controlled environment horticulture industry in Australia”.

Very recently Chisholm, in cooperation with Powerplants, set up eGlasshouse system which allows students to monitor the crop growth and the greenhouse environment online. With the eGlasshouse students can also complete the theoretical part of their training from wherever they want.

The facility is also used as a showcase for the newest CEH techniques and technology. In a normal week, there are around three visits from student groups and from other training institutions, plus visits of growers and community groups. Encouragement of these visits are vitally important to the industry since the young people can see the whole range of careers they can pursue in the field, which could have a positive effect on the industry.

For more information about courses and programs contact Chisholm on 1300 244 746,enquiries@chisholm.edu.au or visit www.chisholm.edu.au/glasshouse. 

For any enquiries about horticultural issues, please contact Powerplants +61 (0)3 8795 7750, sales@powerplants.com.au or visit www.powerplants.com.au.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=z-BD7wd8l0M

Publication date: 7/3/2013

Certificate 3 Production Horticulture Course enrolments now open

We are now taking enrolments for our Certificate III Production Horticulture course. 

This course is run as a 'blended learning' model which offers participants the maximum amount of flexibility in their studies while still retaining a high level of industry relevance and credibility.

The course is run on a basic model that sees students attending formal classes one day a week, and participating in online delivery of theoretical training on a further day. This day can be undertaken at anytime that suits the individual.

The are two further days participation required each week and this sees students participating in practical 'on the job' training at Chisholm Institute's National Precision Growing Centre. Students are allocated tasks working on a commercial crop, and all of their activities are tracked by use of our Labour Registration Program - PrivAssist.

The ultimate aim of the course is to get participants 'job ready' in terms of both theoretical knowledge and practical ability, and the use of the blended learning concept provides students with these capabilities.

The next course will commence on Thursday the 18th of July, and places are filling fast so early registration is recommended.

To apply for the course, potential students should firstly register via the www.chisholm.edu.au site and apply via the online system. Enquiries can also be made to course leader Tony Bundock via email at tony.bundock@chisholm.edu.au.

Ready to go again

All set for the next 12 months.......

We have had a pretty busy week's activity as we pulled out our old crop and prepared for the new crop.

Last weekend there was a hive of activity in the greenhouse as staff members and students worked frantically to meet the time lines we had set.This saw plenty of action in removing all of the debris from the previous crop, and a massive effort in power washing / cleaning and sterilizing the interior of our compartment 2 growing area. Our thanks to all the students who volunteered their time for this task.

Once it was all clean we installed the new Grodan Master growing slabs, and then set about "wetting up" the slabs to a prescribed EC level of 3.5.

The next stage will be planting, with our plants making the long road journey from Trandos Hydroponic Growers in Western Australia in air conditioned comfort.

Going, Going - Gone! The end of one crop and the start of another.

 

Going....

 

Going...

 

GONE!!!

A busy week for us at the National Precision Growing Centre as we pull out our old Tomato crop and undertake a quick turn around in order to get ready to plant up the new crop next week.

The task was certainly an 'all hands on deck' approach with staff members and students all pitching in for probably the most unglamorous of tasks that we undertake. With the crop and all the old Grodan slabs now out, the work will continue across the weekend with the washing of the glass, growing gutters, and the irrigation system. This will be followed by a disinfectant spray to remove any pathogens and pests that may be remaining from the old crop.

Our new planting will be quite unique. We are proud to announce that we are now working in partnership with De Ruiter seeds to establish a 'Living Proof' centre that will showcase many of the De Ruiter Tomato varieties. We'll keep you informed on this exciting development in the next few weeks.

The Hydroponic Farmers Federation

Most industries have their own representative organisations, and here at the National Precision Growing Centre we are proud to be members of the Victorian based Hydroponic Farmers Federation. 

This organisation works tirelessly to assist growers to improve their business and growing capacity, as well as offering 'grower meetings' where the members meet and can network to see other growers properties, as well hear invited speakers talk on a wide variety of topics.

The HFF has both grower and industry memberships, and both represent great value for money in terms being part of the industry as well accessing a whole range of services.

On the 25th of June, the HFF will be holding a grower meeting at Avia Produce in Torquay. If you feel that you would like to come along to this event, please feel free to contact the President - John Elford - via email at johnelford@bigpond.com

You don't have to be a member to attend, but there will be a cost of $30 per head, which in this day and age represents pretty good value for money. If you are a member of the HFF, then these events are free, so talk to John about joining this exciting organisation.