Click here to read an important note from your Upstart University guide!
Dear (aspiring) farmer,
Thanks so much for taking our quiz! We look forward to helping you get started on your farming journey.
Below you will find a customized learning plan for your Hydroponic Farming Pathway. You’ve decided you are starting a hydroponic farm. Great choice! You’ll take only the courses which pertain to
Our recommendation below highlights the most important courses for you to start taking based on your quiz responses.
Please note: Upstart University has over 30 valuable farming courses. For first-time farmers or entrepreneurs especially, it’s likely that all of these courses will be useful to you, (with the exception of the aquaponic-specific courses in your case). This curriculum has been designed to provide you with the information you need to know to start your farm, including some of the things you may not have thought of.
Here’s your customized learning plan with course and resource recommendations!
Ready to get started learning? Don’t forget to sign up for an Unlimited Membership here so you can get access to your courses right away.
Sincerely,
Halle Brake
Director of Upstart University
#1 – Orientation Course
Before starting your other courses, learn how to use and access the platform and its resources for maximum success and efficiency!
#2 – Hydroponic & Aquaponic Crops
This course will give you in-depth information and how-tos for greens, herbs, fruiting, and other types of crops commonly seen in hydroponics and aquaponics. By the end of this course, you’ll have an idea of which crops are best for hydroponics, how to grow, harvest, store, and sell them, and which crops grow best together.
#3 – Choosing Your Production Method
First thing first, you need to decide which production method(s) you will be using on your hydroponic farm. The most popular options include raft systems, Bato buckets, NFT, media beds, vertical towers, and aeroponics. Learn when it’s appropriate to use each, which crops are most suited to each, and how they work.
#4 – Intro to Hydroponics
Next, you need to learn how to put these decisions into action! In this course, you’ll learn all about how to manage a highly-productive hydroponic farm. This course includes lessons on what hydroponics is and how it works, how to manage your EC, pH and other important system factors, an introduction to nutrient management, plumbing and layouts, and more.
#5 – Hydroponic Substrate Selection
Now that you understand how hydroponic systems work and have an idea of how to run your farm, you’ll need to make a few other decisions – like which substrates to use. In this mini course, you’ll identify which growing medium is right for your hydroponic system and crops.
#6 – Hydroponic Nutrients & Fertilizers
You learned the basics of nutrient management in the Intro to Hydroponics course. But now it’s time to learn more about how to actually choose a hydroponic fertilizer, how to build nutrients and stock solutions, and how to calculate fertilizer adjustments (all extremely important to the health and growth of your plants!).
#7 – Organic Hydroponic Advocacy
BONUS: As you prepare to start your hydroponic farm, or as you expand your existing farm, you may be interested in getting Certified Organic. If that’s the case, make sure and take this course and sign up for updates on Organic certification from the Coalition for Sustainable Organics. You may also be interested in related course: “Law for Upstart Farmers Part 1: Intro to Organics”
