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Jay Harmon, Iowa State University (ISU) agricultural and biosystems engineering associate professor, is coordinating the workshops, which are cosponsored by ISU Extension and Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA).

Harmon said workshop instructors for "Managing Your Unseen Employee: The Ventilation System" will teach basic ventilation principles for moisture control and heat relief, motor curve characteristics for variable speed fans, and how to identify and solve common ventilation problems and mistakes.

In addition to classroom presentations, presenters will demonstrate ventilation principles by using a portable room equipped with single speed and variable speed fans, a variety of inlets and controllers. At least four different brands of electronic controllers with fans and equipment used to diagnose ventilation problems also will be available.

"This course gives participants hands-on experience with ventilation systems so they're ready to go when they return to their operations," Harmon said. "They actually turn the dials and twist the knobs, which is the best way to learn."

Workshop dates and locations follow. All programs run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Dec. 8, Dordt College, Sioux Center
• Dec. 9, National Guard Armory, Carroll
• Dec .15, 4-Point Center, Klemme
• Dec. 16, Ellsworth Community College, Trades and Industry Building, Iowa Falls
• Jan. 5, ISU Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm, Nashua
• Jan. 6, National Guard Armory, Oelwein
• Jan. 7, National Education Center for Agricultural Safety, Peosta
• Jan. 13, National Guard Armory, Washington
• Jan. 16, Central Community School Vo-Ag Building, DeWitt
• Jan. 19, Kirkwood Community College Beef Education Center, Cedar Rapids
• Jan. 26, Plymouth County Fairgrounds, LeMars

Cost of the workshop is $50 per person and includes lunch, breaks and a course notebook with handouts and two MidWest Plan Service ventilation handbooks. Attendance is limited to 36 per site. Preregistration is required and will be available until the day before each workshop date only if space remains. To preregister, call (800) 767-5287. For more information, call Harmon at (515) 294-0554.

"This unique course promises to customize the educational process so each producer's individual questions are addressed by experts," said Dave Moody, IPPA Producer Education Committee chairman. "It is IPPA's pleasure to be associated with such a dynamic program, one that will give producers real answers that can be taken back to their operations and implemented immediately."

Source: Iowa State University - 7th November 2003