Are you a current or aspiring market gardener, looking to round out your knowledge around irrigation systems and water management? Join Farmer Incubator for a comprehensive 2-day deep dive into identifying limitations, opportunities and considerations when it comes to water management and growing crops. Learn from the best in the business, with hands-on learning and take your farming expertise to the next level.

Gain insights into:
- Understanding plant water demand and climate
- Different soils and the best water management for each
- Different water sources for irrigation and irrigation methods
- How to design an irrigation system, including how to complete an efficiency and performance assessment

Day 1: Saturday 28th October 10am to 2pm, Bundoora Park Farm - Bundoora, VIC
This open consultancy will equip you with the skills to comprehensively understand the needs of the plants you are growing, especially over a dry summer. Dive deep into the components of an irrigation system, and get you head around different irrigation methods and how to best design a system that suits the needs of what you are growing.
Snacks and a light lunch to share will be provided.

Day 2: Sunday 29th October 10am-3pm, Farm Raiser - Bellfield, VIC
Our field trip will entail an on-site, hands-on exploration of Day One's learnings at Farm Raiser. Gain a deeper understanding of a system layout, water supply and control in a Case Study context. Go through how to select the best equipment, sprays and drips and learn about a holistic system installation. Receive a thorough run-through of the operation and maintenance of irrigation systems. You'll leave the Masterclass with the knowledge and confidence needed to strike out on your own, plus connections and new friends in the growing space!
Please bring a picnic-style lunch with you.

About the presenter:
Geoff Connellan 30 years experience in urban horticulture water management, research and education and outreach. He held a range of positions at the University of Melbourne and since July 2007 he has been providing consultancy services in urban water management through G & M Connellan Consultants.

His expertise includes strategies for sustainable irrigated open space, water demand management, evaluation of water use and water technologies.

He has provided advice on:

Numerous significant landscape sites around Australia
Topics such as water budgeting for irrigated sites, potential role of irrigation control technologies and best practice irrigation to water authorities and government agencies
Expert legal advice in both urban and rural cases

Geoff has presented and published widely, both internationally and in Australia, on urban water management and irrigation topics. He is an Honorary Fellow, School of Resource Management and Geography, University of Melbourne.