Surviving Hard Times

Dr. Laura Tiu joins the podcast today to discuss her work as an aquaculture specialist. Dr. Tiu is a Marine Science Extension Agent with the University of Florida Sea Grant where she plays a major role in developing sustainable offshore aquaculture and promoting environmental awareness.  Dr. Tiu communicates aquaculture research to the public, and is serving as a Marine Science Extension Agent in the panhandle of Florida. Over the years, she has cultivated expertise in environmental education to make important aquatic information accessible to those who need it…  Click play to learn more about: * What an extension agent is, and how this role came about. * The difference between aquaponics and aquaculture. * The downsides of oyster farming in Florida. * The importance of monitoring water quality in aquafarming. Aquaculture is a fascinating way to farm – and ensuring that is done in an environmentally responsible way is critical. Wondering what experts like Dr. Tiu are doing to hold these practices accountable and provide essential data? Join us now to find out! You can learn more about Dr. Tiu and her work by clicking here [https://www.flseagrant.org/fsg-directory/dr-laura-tiu/]! Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-hard-times/id1632473684]

How are fishes and plants grown together in the same environment? How are plants grown without soil? How can both of these horticultural techniques be optimized and made profitable, even in a challenging environment? For the answers to these questions and more, tune in and explore: * The main tradeoffs between greenhouses and field-grown crops * Different hydroponic systems and how to determine the best for different purposes * Which four vegetables are grown in greenhouses worldwide * The benefits of decoupled aquaponics (and how it works) As an associate professor and researcher at Auburn University in Alabama, Daniel Wells’ work revolves primarily around controlled environment agriculture like hydroponics (greenhouses) and aquaponics in the Southeastern U.S., where the hot and humid climate poses unique challenges. He discusses the ins and outs of his most recent research projects, leading to a discussion about the factors to control for in hydroponic systems, the biggest challenge in aquaponics, ways to develop sustainable and profitable aquaponics technology, why it’s essential to separate certain species in greenhouse operations (e.g., salmon separate from lettuce), the nutritional quality of local crops, and how to get a backyard aquaponics system up and running. Press play and learn more at https://agriculture.auburn.edu/ [https://agriculture.auburn.edu/]. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-hard-times/id1632473684]

In this episode, we are joined by Desmond Layne, an expert in tree fruit horticulture extension. As the Department Head and Professor at Auburn University Horticulture, Desmond is currently fulfilling an administrative position directing research pertaining to sustainable orchard management practices. Fruit orchards contribute much to our overall food production – but how are farmers ensuring that this can continue to happen? Desmond and his research team play a critical role in uncovering answers to this question and others like it…  Tune in now to learn more about: * The advancements being made in fruit harvesting techniques. * The development of new types of fruit that are resistant to disease. * How researchers are preventing fruit from getting sunburns. Join this episode to discover the many components involved in fruit production! To Learn more about Desmond Layne and his work visit agriculture.auburn.edu [https://agriculture.auburn.edu/about/directory/faculty/desmond-r-layne/] now. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-hard-times/id1632473684]

In this episode, we connect with Sean M. Smukler, the Principal Investigator of the SAL lab, and Associate Professor and Chair of Agriculture and Environment in Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia. Sean joins the podcast today to educate us on soil health and sustainable agriculture. In an “over farming” age, our soil is being threatened. Sean is committed to ensuring that we are stewards of the natural resources we have access to – so that we can continue to utilize them for generations to come…  Tune in now to discover: * What “cover crops” are, and how they can benefit soil health. * The metrics that are agreed upon when it comes to healthy soil. * How the nutrients in soil affect plant health and growth. What will it take to consistently regenerate soil so that agriculture can be done sustainably and efficiently? Join us now to find out! Want to learn more about Sean and his research? Click here [https://sal-lab.landfood.ubc.ca/people/sean-smukler/] now! Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-hard-times/id1632473684]

Joining us today is Rich Marini, a Professor of Horticulture at Pennsylvania State University. Rich has been studying horticulture for decades, and his current research interests are in tree fruit and berry crop physiology and management practices, as well as data analysis and interpretation. Horticulture is a fascinating field that tells us so much about plants and their attributes. Rich has put in years of research in order to understand the intricate properties of fruit tree physiology, and more…  * What rootstock is, and what it can be used for. * How soil microbiome influences fruit tree health. * The lab experiments on fruit trees that Rich has done at Penn State.  * The difference between maturity and ripeness. Fruit trees are more complex than meets the eye, and Rich is here to shed light on the many interesting characteristics that his research has revealed…  You can find out more about Rich by clicking here [https://plantscience.psu.edu/directory/rpm12]! Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-hard-times/id1632473684]