Even in a landlocked state, there are plenty of aquatic systems that need to be properly managed, including more than 200,000 ponds. To help landowners better manage their water resources, the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and Kentucky State University will host two aquaculture programs in Western Kentucky.

The first, an aquatic plant- and algae-control training program, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT March 21 at the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center in Princeton.

Presenters will be William Wurts, Forrest Wynne and Bob Durborow. All are KSU extension specialists for aquaculture. Discussion topics will include identification, methods of control and herbicide and algaecide use.

“The program will emphasize proper chemical selection, application techniques, applicator safety and record keeping,” Wurts said.

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

On March 22, Extension and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will host a workshop on pond management that will include information related to farm use, recreational fishing and small-scale aquaculture. The workshop will be from 8:30 a.m. CDT until noon at the Grayson County office of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.

“The pond management workshop should give attendees a good understanding about what can be done with properly constructed, well-managed ponds,” Wurts said.

Jeremy Shiflet, a fisheries biologist with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Adam Charlton, a representative from an aquatic chemical company, will join Wurts, Wynne and Durborow as workshop presenters.

Both workshops and trainings 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 or Wynne at 270-247-2334 or fwynne@email.uky.edu.

Information about upcoming aquaculture workshops and trainings offered in Central Kentucky will be available at a later date.