Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Mid-Atlantic Pond Conference - including Bob Lusk

Session II � Growing fish for fun.

Recreational Ponds-Possibilities for the Mid-Atlantic Region:
More and more people are buying land and building ponds for recreational purposes. Bob Lusk, The �Pond Boss� makes his living traveling across the nation helping landowners design, build, stock and manage private lakes. He will draw on years of experience as a private fisheries biologist and lake management consultant as he highlights new ideas and trends about management of private waters and what they are producing around the nation.
Bob Lusk , Editor, Pond Boss Magazine

Permits and permitting
It is important that people understand what permits are required and how to get them. Panelists will include representatives from PA Dept of Agriculture, Pa Fish and Boat Commission, the WV Department of Agriculture, and WV Division of Natural Resources. In addition to describing permits and the permitting process, panelists will answer questions about this topic.
Dr. Tony LaBarbera � PA Dept of Agriculture
Brian Wisner, PA Fish & Boat Commission
Rob Nichols, WV Department of Agriculture
Jim Hedrick, Fisheries Biologist, WV DNR

Fish for Aquatic Weed Control
Aquatic weeds are a common problem in ponds throughout the region. What kind of weeds are in my pond and how might I control them? What might it cost to control weeds in my pond and how long will it take? This presentation will seek to answer these questions and more.
Ken Semmens, Extension Specialist � Aquaculture, WVU Extension

Building a pond � Do�s and Don�t�s
A well designed and constructed pond can be a pleasure and improve property value. This presentation will describe the features of a well-built pond and discuss some of the pitfalls associated with pond construction.
NRCS, WV

Personal Aquaponics
Aquaponics efficiently utilizes water to grow both fish and plants in a sustainable manner. Imagine a personal system to complement your garden with the fish of your choice growing plants that do not require weeding or watering! This presentation will describe an inexpensive system that you can make yourself.
Matthew Ferrell, RMF Aquaculture Facility Coordinator, WVU Extension

Products for managing your pond
Vendors selling products for your pond will describe how they are used by the pond owner.

Purchasing fish and stocking your pond
Ponds can be managed for different purposes and stocking fish can be an important tool for pond management. What fish should be stocked, and how can an individual purchasing fish make a good investment? Panelists will include individuals who sell fish to pond owners, a pond owner, and a fisheries biologist with WV DNR. Ken Grymala, Vice President of WVAA will moderate.
Ken Grymala, Moderator
Mark Frey � Frey�s Fish Farm
Mike Nardella, Rainbowhead Farms
Travis Trent, Pond Owner, Stafford, VA
Jim Hedrick, Biologist, WV DNR

Aquaculture Education
Recirculating aquaculture systems and now aquaponic systems are useful teaching tools. Growing fish and vegetables in these systems engage students and provides an opportunity to apply lessons of chemistry, math, biology, animal husbandry, and horticulture.

Managing Water Quality in your pond
What is good water quality and what can be done to assure that the fish in your pond have every advantage?
Josette La Hee, Vertex

Other activities:
Reception featuring aquaculture products from the region.
Sample small treats prepared by chefs at Martinsburg Holiday Inn using trout, catfish, striped bass, and other aquaculture products. This event is made possible through the Penn Ag industries and the Marketing division of the WV Department of Agriculture. It is also a good time to visit with Aquaculture Forum speakers and participants.

Tour of the National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture
A tour of this USDA lab is scheduled for Friday evening after dinner. The mission of this laboratory is to support and enhance the nation�s cool and cold water aquaculture production through research and technology transfer. Our research programs focus primarily on rainbow trout and include applied genetics and breeding, integrated aquatic animal health, aquaculture engineering, nutrition, physiology, culture and management, and product quality. Ultimately, we envision a US trout product whose production is efficient and has a minimal impact on the environment, and provides a healthy option for consumers being low in fat and having high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Posters featuring aquaculture research
Aquaculture Research conducted at West Virginia University is presented in a variety of posters. Some of these posters will be featured in the Research update. They are available for viewing throughout the Aquaculture Forum (Saturday) and may feature more detail than is possible in the update summary.

Buffet meal at noon each day.
Registration for the conference includes a buffet meal prepared at the Holiday Inn and served at noon each day of the conference.

Vendor Booths
Select vendors will be featured in the Blue Ridge Board Room.
West Virginia Aquaculture Association Business Meeting
The West Virginia Aquaculture Association is a producer�s organization committed to supporting and promoting the West Virginia aquaculture industry. WVAA members have promoted aquaculture products at the West Virginia State Fair, Taste of West Virginia celebrations, Aquaculture Open House and the annual Aquaculture Forum. WVAA sponsors educational workshops and promotes marketing efforts for West Virginia aquaculture products as a food and for recreation. If your business uses farm raised products and you believe aquaculture has a future in West Virginia, consider participating in this organization.

Door Prizes
Door prizes will be awarded at the end of the meeting.