With more than 200,000 ponds in Kentucky, the state has many aquatic systems that need proper management. To help landowners do this, the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and Kentucky State University are hosting two aquaculture programs in Central Kentucky.

An aquatic plant- and algae-control training program will take place from 10 a.m. EDT to 4 p.m. April 11 at the Franklin County office of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.

Forrest Wynne, William Wurts and Bob Durborow are presenters. All are KSU extension specialists for aquaculture. Discussion topics will include aquatic plant and algae identification, methods of control, and herbicide and algaecide use with a special emphasis on proper chemical selection, application techniques, applicator safety and record keeping.

Continuing education units for pesticide applicators are available including three specific hours in category 5 and two general hours in categories 10 and 12.

Wurts, Wynne and Durborow will present a second workshop on pond management from 8:30 a.m. EDT until noon April 12 at the Franklin County Extension Office.

“The workshop will provide a broad prospective about managing ponds for farm use and recreational fishing as well as small-scale and recreational aquaculture,” Wurts said.

Both the workshop and training are free and open to the public. Preregistration is not required, but to ensure they receive workshop materials, potential attendees should contact either Wurts at 270-365-7541, ext. 200 or wwurts@uky.edu, Wynne at 270-247-2334 or fwynne@email.uky.edu or Keenan Bishop at 502-695-9035 or kbishop@uky.edu.