WNC Specialty Crop Institute hosting hoop house workshop Sept. 18 in Fallon

Western Nevada College Specialty Crop Institute is offering a hoop house pest management workshop — including a tour of Lattin Farms in Fallon — from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at the WNC Fallon campus, 160 Campus Way.

The workshop explores challenges and solutions to managing pests in hoop houses. Participants will learn to identify hoop house pests and beneficial insects, early warning signs and preventative options for reducing pest populations, and integrated pest management methods.

Dr. Carol Sutherland, the Extension entomologist at New Mexico State University and state entomologist for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, will be featured. Sutherland makes presentations statewide for New Mexico’s farm groups, pesticide applicator workshops, master gardener classes and other events.

Ray Saliga, farm supervisor at the High Desert Farming Initiative at the University of Nevada, Reno, will discuss his experiences in controlling pests at the university farm. He will explain the different methods of pest controls used and which were successful or unsuccessful.

The cost to attend is $25 for by Sept. 12, and $35 after that date. Lunch is included, and seating is limited. Registration is available at http://www.wnc.edu/ce/sci/.

The WNC Specialty Crop Institute is a program that teaches alternative farming methods to local growers. Funding is provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. For more information, call Ann Louhela at 775-423-7565, ext. 2260, or email ann.louhela@wnc.edu.