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Last Post By: Anfarc ON: Yesterday, 1:16 am
Topic By: Anfarc ON: Yesterday, 1:16 am
An essays is usually a short piece of writing which is often written from an author's personal point of view. Essays can consist of a number of elements, including: literary criticism, political manifestos, learned arguments, observations of daily life, recollections, and reflections of the author. The definition of an essay is vague, overlapping with those of an article and a short story. Almost all modern essays are written in prose, but works in verse have been dubbed essays

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Last Post By: Gowri ON: September 24th, 2009, 5:09 pm
Topic By: Gowri ON: September 24th, 2009, 5:09 pm
I have been searching for hydroponics system related information on the web. I found http://www.processregister.com . Check this website very useful.

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Last Post By: Stephen Goodwin ON: August 26th, 2009, 6:14 pm
Topic By: Stephen Goodwin ON: August 26th, 2009, 6:14 pm
It's time something was posted in the forum for members to see, so I thought I would let everyone know what is happening with regards to the review of pesticide legislation.

In Australia pesticide registration and permits come under the Agricultural & Veterinary Chemicals Act. This legislation is being reviewed. Presently greenhouse growers, and in particular vegetable growers, are not well served and have to rely on permits to gain a lot of their access to pesticides. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF) has appointed two consultants to prepare a discussion paper on the various issues for stakeholder comment. It is due in October. They have already received a number of written submissions, which have been reviewed by the consultants, plus a number of meetings with users, manufacturers and regulators are being held around the country. A submission that identifed a range of issues of concern to this industry was provided on behalf of the AHGA.
In addition to this, the AHGA is also involved in a national working group convened by HAL, called the Pesticides Technical & Education Committee, that identified a number of these issues at a meeting held before the national conference. Those of you who attended conference will recall the pesticides workshop sponsored by the APVMA, which reported on these issues. At this workshop a motion was passed to approach DAFF requesting them to convene a Minor Use Forum sometime after the release of the discussion paper.

Outcomes to date:
1. Written submission forwarded to DAFF consultants.
2. Your industry has been represented at one of the meetings with the two consultants to further present our concerns about pesticide availability and the unfairness of the current regulatory system.
3. DAFF has been requested to convene the Minor Use Forum.

We hope out of this that in the new legislation, as a minimum,access to registered pesticides well be equal to producers of both major and minor crops. We have a number of other items on the agenda as well. You will be kept informed on any new developments.
Regards,
Stephen Goodwin

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Last Post By: Harley Mellifont ON: July 15th, 2009, 12:38 pm
Topic By: Harley Mellifont ON: July 15th, 2009, 12:38 pm
Register online now for the National Hydroponics & Greenhouse Industry Conference
"FutureFresh - Modernising Australian Farming"
This weekend - July 19-22nd 2009
Sydney Showgrounds - Homebush - close to Sydney Markets.
Expert speakers, industry forum, workshops, trade expo, banquet, awards,
farm & market tours for floriculture, fruit & vegetables growers & allied trade
http://www.ahga.org.au/events

Download the detailed program here: http://www.ahga.org.au/events/2009NICA/AHGA%20Program%20for%20delegates.doc

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Last Post By: Harley Mellifont ON: July 13th, 2009, 10:59 pm
Topic By: Harley Mellifont ON: July 13th, 2009, 10:59 pm


Download the pdf file here: http://www.ahga.org.au/pdf/AHGA%20Syd%20Conf%20A3%20Site%20Map%20Poster%20for%20Growers%20.pdf

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Views: 335
Last Post By: Harley Mellifont ON: June 24th, 2009, 12:57 pm
Topic By: Harley Mellifont ON: June 24th, 2009, 12:57 pm
16 June 2009

PRESS RELEASE
Quality Conference Program

The 2009 Australian Hydroponics & Greenhouse Association (AHGA) conference program will include a series of specialist workshops for individual grower sectors of the industry - vine vegetables, lettuce and Asian greens, flowers and herbs. Other workshops will focus on business planning for growers, getting the best out of your technology, and pesticide and food safety issues, a ‘must know’ for today’s growers.
The 2009 National Conference of the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Industry will be held at the Sydney Showgrounds, Homebush, NSW, between 19-22 July. The event is expected to attract growers and industry experts throughout Australia and overseas.
With a theme of ‘Modernising Australian Farming’, a key speaker will be Ben Van Onna, a specialist in greenhouse environmental control, plant physiology and energy management. Ben is known to many vegetable and flower growers who have attended his training courses and workshops in the Netherlands and Australia. He is a highly regarded educator and advisor at PTC+, a world-class industry training institute in the Netherlands.
The purpose of any conference is to highlight the issues of the day, and to gain knowledge that will improve our business operation into the future. The two standout issues are the global economic crisis and climate change and no more will their impacts be felt than in the protected cropping industry. To canvas these issues will be the keynote presentation on the expected impacts of climate change on intensive horticulture, by horticulturist Gerard McEvilly, a specialist in supply chain issues and management, followed by a presentation on world economic trends (what should growers know?), by Frank Drum from the National Australia Bank. Of course, no business is sound without a succession plan and this will be covered by Chris Fry, the NAB National Manager for Agribusiness Financial Planning.
The conference program includes a number of overseas speakers including Dr Mike Nichols (NZ), who will discuss alternative greenhouse crops, and Donald Lester from JH Biotech (USA), who will give a presentation on biological control, past and present. Also visiting our shores will be Henk van Tuyl from Kubo Greenhouse Projects (the Netherlands), who will canvas the latest innovations in greenhouse construction.
The conference program includes many other quality presentations with a focus on protected cropping technologies, and pest and disease control and management.
The Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Industry is valued at over $1 billion at the farm gate and directly employs an estimated 10,000 people throughout Australia. The industry is capital intensive with capital costs anywhere between $100 and $300 plus per square metre (m^2), depending on the sophistication of the greenhouse and the level of equipment being included.

For further information and registration contact:
Conference Design Pty Ltd, 228 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000
Ph: (03) 6231 2999 Fax: (03) 6231 1522
Email: info@cdesign.com.au Website: http://www.cdesign.com.au
EDITOR PLEASE NOTE: Further industry and conference background information can be found directly at: http://www.ahga.org.au

Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association
PO Box 538 NARRABEEN NSW 2101
Phone/Fax +61 (02) 9939 5993
Mobile 0414 333 996
http://www.ahga.org.au
administrator@ahga.org.au

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Last Post By: Harley Mellifont ON: June 23rd, 2009, 7:29 pm
Topic By: Harley Mellifont ON: June 23rd, 2009, 7:29 pm

Click here to download:
http://www.ahga.org.au/pdf/AHGA%20Rego%20-%20Email%20Version.pdf

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Last Post By: Harley Mellifont ON: June 15th, 2009, 3:42 pm
Topic By: Harley Mellifont ON: June 15th, 2009, 3:42 pm
2009 AHGA INDUSTRY AWARDS

Every two years, the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association offers industry awards that recognise outstanding achievement.

AWARD CATEGORIES

"Most Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Hydroponics & Greenhouse Industry"

Inaugurated in 1999, previous recipients of the "Most Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Industry Award" include; Mr Rick Donnan [1999], Dr Stephen Goodwin [2001], Dr Keith Garzoli [2003], Steven Carruthers [2005] and Graeme Smith [2007].

This is the highest award presented by the AHGA and honours an individual or organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to the industry.

Nominations are accepted from all sectors of the industry and will be judged by former recipients of this award. The winner will be announced at the conference dinner on Tuesday 21st July 2009.

Nominations for the 2009 Hydroponics “Most Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Industry” should be sent to Conference Design no later than Monday 22nd June 2009.

“Researcher of the Year”

The "2009 Hydroponics Researcher of the Year" award is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the industry through research.

Nominations are judged by the AHGA Executive Committee, and announced in the Opening Ceremony at the Sydney Showground, on Monday 20th July 2009.

“Young Achiever of the Year”

The award for the "2009 Hydroponics Young Achiever of the Year" acknowledges, encourages and promotes positive achievements of young people under the age of 25 in the industry.

Nominations are judged by the AHGA Executive Committee, and announced at the Opening Ceremony at the Sydney Showground, on Monday 20th July 2009.

“Industry Training Award”

The "2009 Hydroponics Industry Training Award" recognises an individual or organisation that has made a significant contribution to industry training or research extension.

Nominations are judged by the AHGA Executive Committee, and announced at the Opening Ceremony at the Sydney Showground, on Monday 20th July 2009.

"Best Exhibit"

The "2009 Hydroponics Best Exhibit" award is based on the following criteria:
-Visual appearance
-Interactivity (e.g. support literature and electronic aids such as audio, video and Internet interactivity)
-Staff support (e.g. presentation, co-ordination and customer relations)
-Freedom of Expression (e.g. exhibit theme, marketing, promotions).

The award is judged by a person or persons nominated by the AHGA committee at the conference. Nominations are judged by the AHGA Executive Committee, and announced at the Sydney Showground, on Monday 20th July 2009.

"Best New Product"

The award for the "2009 Hydroponics Best New Product" exhibited at the conference recognises new and innovative products that enhance existing technology.

A “new” product is one which has been in the marketplace for two years or less. New products may include, but not necessarily be limited to, equipment, software solutions, new biocontrols, or successful crop management programs.

The award for the "2009 Hydroponics Best New Product" is judged by a person or persons nominated by the AHGA committee at the conference. The award will be announced at the Opening Ceremony at the Sydney Showground, on Monday 20th July 2009.

AWARD CONDITIONS

-Award nominations are open to all permanent residents of Australia.
In 2009, all awards will be known as the "2009 Hydroponics Awards” for the conference.
-Award nomination forms are available from the AHGA website: http://www.ahga.org.au
-Award nominations should be for contributions made over the past two years (since Svensson AHGC 2005).
-Qualifying remarks should be no longer that 300 words and describe why the nominee is worthy of your nomination.
-Where applicable, nominations for the "2009 Hydroponics Awards” detailed above, except for the awards for “Best Exhibit” and “Best New Product”, should be lodged by post or email with Conference Design, no later than Monday 22nd June 2009.
228 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, natalie@cdesign.com.au
Ph: 03 6231 2999 Fax: 03 6231 1522

-The AHGA reserves the right to withhold an award for any category should the Executive Committee deem that nominations fail to meet, in its view, a standard of excellence.
-The AHGA Executive Committee decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Download the Award Nomination Form: http://www.ahga.org.au/pdf/Award%20Nomination%20Form.doc

Copyright 2009 Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association, Inc.

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Last Post By: Harley Mellifont ON: May 29th, 2009, 7:32 pm
Topic By: Harley Mellifont ON: May 29th, 2009, 7:32 pm
Subject: Applications Closing 2nd June, GOTafe Greenhouse Technical Management Course (Shepparton VIC July 2009)

Hi All,

Due to a strong response for this course, we have decided to close applications on Tuesday 2nd June.

In the event that applications are oversubscribed (which appears certain), a ballot will be conducted to allow a maximum 30 participants, and ALL applicants will be notified of the outcome.

Given the great success of this unit, GOTafe expects to repeat next year and any who miss a place this year, will be offered a guaranteed place in next years course.

We thank everyone for your encouraging support.

I am pleased to announce that the Greenhouse Technical Management Course has been approved by FarmReady – this should be of great support for your growers. Details attached and below.



Best Regards

Graeme Smith (CPAg)
AHGA President
PO Box 789 Woodend 3442 Victoria, Australia

Ph: +613 5427 2143
Fax: +613 5427 3843
Mobile: 0427 339 009
Email: graeme@graemesmithconsulting.com
WEB: http://www.graemesmithconsulting.com

For more course information, read this document:
http://www.ahga.org.au/pdf/GOTAFE%20Greenhouse%20Technical%20Management.pdf

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Views: 267
Last Post By: Harley Mellifont ON: May 28th, 2009, 5:44 pm
Topic By: Harley Mellifont ON: May 28th, 2009, 5:44 pm


Complete this Training Needs Survey to the enter the draw to win a complete set of AHGA books including the PTC+ ‘Computerised Environmental Control in the Greenhouse’. Valued at over $450.00

Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE (GOTAFE) is currently
developing a proposal (together with AHGA) to build a National
Training Institute in controlled environment horticulture.
GOTAFE will develop training programs targeted specifically to
the needs of the protected cropping industry. This survey will
be used to determine the demand for each of the proposed
courses. The survey results will be collated for use by
GOTAFE and AHGA. A summary of the results will be
reported in the next edition of Soilless Australia.