- Writer: Adam Russell, 903-834-6191, adam.russell@ag.tamu.edu
- Contact: Dr. Joe Masabni, 903-834-6191, joe.masabni@ag.tamu.edu
OVERTON – An educational event for beginning farmers and gardeners is set for Sept. 22-23 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 1710 Farm-to-Market Road 3053 N. in Overton.
The Beginning Farmer and Gardener Conference will feature several Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists and other experts in various fields from agronomy and pollinators to pest management and water.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the program begins at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 22 and ends at 4:15 p.m. Programs will be from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. Sept. 23.
Program organizer Dr. Joe Masabni, AgriLife Extension small-acreage vegetable specialist in Overton, said interest in small-scale fruit and vegetable production is on the rise.
Masabni said the number of daily calls and emails and the attendance of more than 100 farmers and gardeners at a recent fruit and vegetable conference in Overton indicates these type of programs and the information provided in them is in high demand in East Texas.
“There is great interest in learning about how to establish and maintain successful garden production and a small-scale fruit and vegetable operation,” Masabni said. “This event provides two days of detailed information that every beginning gardener or farmer needs to know.”
Masabni said experts will discuss a range of topics from soil preparation, pests and diseases to business planning and product marketing. The second day will also include concurrent classes designed for growers interested in organic or conventional methods of production.
Day 1 includes:
— Soils, Dr. Leon Young, Stephen F. Austin State University agronomist, Nacogdoches.
— Water, Dr. Monty Dozier, AgriLife Extension agriculture/natural resources and 4-H regional program leader, College Station.
— Farm Loans, Charlie Rand, Citizens State Bank, Lindale.
— Business Planning, Dr. Blake Bennett, AgriLife Extension economist, Dallas.
— Marketing, panel discussion.
— Crop Production, Masabni.
Day 2 includes concurrent morning courses for organic and conventional production methods.
Organic Production:
— Diseases, Dr. Tom Isakeit, AgriLife Extension plant pathologist, College Station.
— Insects, Dr. Alan Knutson, AgriLife Extension entomologist, Dallas.
— Weeds, Masabni.
Conventional Production:
— Weeds, Masabni.
— Diseases, Isakeit.
— Insects, Knutson.
Classes will combine after lunch. Topics and speakers include:
— Pollinator Management, Terry McFall, Texas Beekeepers Association, Jasper.
— Community Gardens, Stephen Hudkins, AgriLife Extension agent Dallas County, and Dallas County Master Gardeners members.
The fee is $40 for a single day and $60 for both days. The registration deadline is Sept. 20. Late registration will be an additional $5.
Checks should be made out to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and mailed to Masabni at P.O. Box 38, Overton, Texas, 75684.
“We want to provide detailed information that will give attendees confidence in their ability to grow fruit and vegetables and market their products and farm successfully,” Masabni said. “We want to build them a strong foundation in gardening.”
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