Aquaculture producers, regulators and educators are encouraged to attend a two-day conference hosted by the West Virginia University Extension Service. The 2013 Aquaculture Forum takes place Friday, Jan. 25 and Saturday, Jan 26. at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg, W.Va.

The forum will have sessions for people who grow fish for profit or for fun. Posters and West Virginia aquaculture products will also be on display at the event.

The session topics range from research highlights to marketing strategies. Commercial aquaponics, pond construction, weed control and water quality will also be addressed.

A supplementary field trip to the USDA’s National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture will take place on the evening of the 25th. The Center’s research programs focus primarily on rainbow trout and include applied genetics and breeding, culture and management and product quality.

A $45 registration fee is required by Tuesday, Jan.15. The cost includes the registration fee for the two-day conference and lunch on both days. The field trip is provided at no additional cost.

For more information visit www.aquaculture.ext.wvu.edu/events. To register contact Becky Casteel (becky.casteel@mail.wvu.edu) at 304-293-2565, or Ken Semmens (ken.semmens@mail.wvu.edu) at 304-293-2657.

The event is sponsored by the WVU Extension Service; Penn Ag Industries; the West Virginia Dept. of Agriculture; the West Virginia Aquaculture Association; the Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture; and the WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design.

Connecting the people of West Virginia to the University’s resources and programs is the primary goal of WVU Extension Service and its 55 offices throughout the state. Local experts, like WVU Extension’s agents and specialists, work to help improve the lifestyles and well-being of youths, workforces, communities, farms and businesses through trusted research in the counties in which they serve.

To learn more about WVU Extension programs, visit www.ext.wvu.edu, or contact your local office of the WVU Extension Service.

-WVU-

01/10/13

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CONTACT: Cassie Waugh, WVU Extension Service
cassie.waugh@mail.wvu.edu; Office: 304.293.8735; Cell: 304.376.1829