Community Corner
RWU Practical Shellfish Farming Course To Teach Local Residents How To Manage An Oyster Garden
BRISTOL, R.I., Jan. 21, 2014 – The Roger Williams University Center for Economic and Environmental Development today announced it is presently enrolling students to its non-credit course in Practical Shellfish Farming for the spring 2014 semester. This course will provide interested individuals the technical information needed to confidently undertake a small shellfish farming enterprise in Rhode Island and nearby areas of southern New England. All aspects of shellfish farming, from the broodstock to the market, will be covered over the twelve-week course. Students will learn the basic principles of hatchery, nursery and grow-out operations; as well as risk management, siting and permitting, and business management.
Associate Professor and Aquaculture Extension Specialist, Dr. Dale Leavitt, will instruct the course which will be held on the Bristol, R.I. campus of Roger Williams University. The course will consist of a minimum of twelve classes, which will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The class will commence on Jan. 28, 2014 and run through April 29, 2014, weather permitting. The fee for the entire twelve-week course, including all handout materials, is $125 per student. Students may attend classes on a drop-in basis at a rate of $10 per evening session. Pre-registration is preferred by contacting Cheryl Francis at (401)254-3110 or cfrancis@rwu.edu, or Dale Leavitt at dleavitt@rwu.edu.
Session topics and dates are as follows:
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Date Discussion Topics
Jan. 28 Introductions and Shellfish Aquaculture Overview
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Feb. 4 Shellfish Biology
Feb. 11 Site Selection & Monitoring
Feb. 18 Shellfish Growout Systems I – Oysters
Feb. 25 No class
Mar. 4 Shellfish Growout Systems II – Quahogs & other Clams
Mar. 11 Shellfish Growout Systems III – Scallops & Mussels
Mar. 18 Shellfish Nursery Systems I
Mar. 25 Shellfish Nursery Systems II
Apr. 1 No class
Apr. 8 Risks to Growing Shellfish I – Predators & Pests
Apr. 15 Risks to Growing Shellfish II – Diseases
Apr. 22 Permitting/Regulations
Apr. 29 Shellfish Business Management
May 6 Shellfish Hatchery Techniques (optional)