The Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo will feature educational sessions on growing greenhouse vegetables on November 8, 2018. 

• Choosing Varieties for Greenhouse Leafy Greens and Vegetables, Andrew Mefferd, Growing for Market Magazine
• Maximize Vine Crop Production with Proper Environmental Control, Richard McAvoy, University of Connecticut 

Andrew Mefferd has been the editor and publisher of Growing for Market magazine since 2016. Before that, he spent seven years in the research department at Johnny’s Selected Seeds, traveling internationally to consult with researchers and farmers on the best practices in greenhouse growing. For more about the magazine, visit www.growingformarket.com. 

​Dr. Richard McAvoy received his PhD from Rutgers University.   He joined the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the University of Connecticut as Extension Specialist for Greenhouse Crops in 1988.  He has served as Professor and Department Head since 2011. Dr. McAvoy’s research has focused on issues related to greenhouse crop production. 

​Dr. Chieri Kubota is a professor in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, the Ohio State University. Dr. Kubota received Ph.D. in Horticultural Engineering and M.S. in Horticultural Science from Chiba University, Japan. Dr. Kubota worked as faculty for 6 years in Chiba University, 16 years in University of Arizona and recently joined the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at the Ohio State University. Her research program focuses on the development of science-based technologies in the area of controlled environment agriculture (CEA). Dr. Kubota’s research includes value-added grafting, soilless strawberry production, as well as LED lighting applications. 

​Rosa E. Raudales is an assistant professor in Plant Science at the University of Connecticut. Rosa received a Ph.D. in Horticulture from the University of Florida, a M.Sc. in Plant Pathology from The Ohio State University, and a B.Sc. in Agricultural Science and Production Systems from Zamorano University. Rosa’s research program focuses on understanding how to use low-quality water for irrigation of greenhouse crops. The Raudales team conducts research on control of plant pathogens in closed-loop hydroponics, evaluating factors that affect clogging of irrigation systems, safe use of reclaimed-water, and water treatment options for control of pathogens, algae, biofilm and residual chemicals.  Rosa’s research and outreach program address management of biological, chemical and physical parameters in water that affect the plan health and irrigation efficiency of greenhouse crops.
Follow Rosa on Instagram @rosaraudales or Twitter @RaudalesLab 

​Ronald Valentin was born in the heart of the greenhouse industry in the Netherlands. His family owned a greenhouse operation and his father started using biological control in 1971. At a very young age, Ronald developed an interest for the “bugs” and as a teenager; he was managing and producing the biological control agents for the family greenhouse operation. After finishing his education in crop protection management, biochemistry and vegetable production at State Secondary College of Agriculture in De Lier the Netherland, he embarked on a career in biological control in 1986. Over the years, Ronald has worked with many growers to set up sustainable and effective pest management programs with as a focus to use BCA’s as a first line of defense. Ronald is currently Technical Lead and Commercial Manager for Bioline Agrosciences in North America and Director for Bioline Canada Inc.

​Paul Sellew has over 30 years of experience developing and leading successful companies, Paul has built a career on his belief in sustainable agriculture. As the founder of Backyard Farms, he brought locally-grown tomatoes to the East Coast market. Paul also founded and served as CEO of Harvest Power, North America's largest processor of organics. Paul holds a BS in Horticulture from Cornell University.

​The biennial Northeast Greenhouse Conference & Expo is co-sponsored by New England Floriculture, Inc. - a group of grower representatives from the Northeast, augmented by University and Cooperative Extension staff in each state who specialize in greenhouse crops and management. 

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @negreenhouse and look for our hashtag #negreenhouse on Twitter.

For information about registration, contact Delaney Meeting & Event Management, Phone: 802-865-5202, info@delaneymeetingevent.com, http://www.negreenhouse.org 

The Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo will feature educational sessions on starting hydroponic leafy greens and herb production on November 7, 2018.

• Production Systems for Leafy Greens and Herbs, Neil S. Mattson, Cornell University
• Nutrient Solution and pH Management for Hydroponic Crops, Ryan Dickson, University of New Hampshire

Space is limited, requires pre-registration. See the whole program schedule at http://www.negreenhouse.org.

​Neil S. Mattson joined Cornell University in 2007 and is currently an associate professor and greenhouse extension specialist in the School of Integrative Plant Science. His research is focused on the physiology of both floriculture and vegetable crops in controlled environments. Research interests include supplemental lighting strategies to improve crop quality and reduce greenhouse energy use, conventional and organic nutrient management, and plant abiotic stress physiology. Mattson is director of Cornell Controlled Environment Agriculture group. He has a PHD from University of California Davis.

​Ryan Dickson is the State Extension Specialist for Greenhouse Management and Technologies at the University of New Hampshire. Ryan has a PhD in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida.