Writer: Robert Burns, 903-312-3199, rd-burns@tamu.edu
NACOGDOCHES – The East Texas Fruit and Vegetable Conference set Feb. 16 in Nacogdoches will cover topics of interest to conventional and organic growers, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service event organizers.
“This is a great opportunity to learn from the experts about the latest research results and network with industry sponsors like Wildroot Organics and Bayer CropScience on their latest products,” said Dr. Joe Masabni, AgriLife Extension vegetable specialist.
Masabni is one of the featured speakers at the conference, which will be held at the Nacogdoches Expo Center, 3805 N.W. Stallings Drive, Nacogdoches.
Registration before Feb. 12 for the conference is $30 per person, $50 for couples, and $20 for current Master Gardeners. There will be a $5 late fee added to registration after Feb. 12.
To register, call the AgriLife Extension office for Angelina County at 936-634-6414. Only personal checks and cash are accepted. Checks should be made out to Angelina Horticulture Committee and mailed to: 2201 S. Medford Drive, Lufkin, TX 75901.
Lunch is included with the registration. Registration will start at 8:30 a.m., with programming beginning at 9 a.m. The indoor conference will adjourn at 3 p.m. with an optional tour of Stephen F. Austin University Gardens.
Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator licenses will earn two continuing education units in the general category and one in integrated pest management. Master Gardeners will earn 4.5 hours of continuing education recertification credits.
Topics and presenters will be:
— Tomato Production, Masabni.
— Grape Diseases, Dr. Justin Scheiner, AgriLife Extension viticulture specialist, College Station.
— Olive Problems, Monte Nesbitt, AgriLife Extension horticultural specialist, College Station.
— Fungicide Trial Results on Pumpkins, Dr. Karl Steddom, plant pathologist and Kilgore College agriculture instructor, Tyler.
— Insect Control, Erfan Vafaie, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management specialist, Overton.
— Organic Pesticides – What Works and What Doesn’t, Dr. Juan Anciso, AgriLife Extension vegetable specialist, Weslaco.
— Irrigation, Dr. Larry Stein, AgriLife Extension horticulturist, Uvalde.
— Kiwi – A New Crop for Texas?, Dr. David Creech, Regent’s Professor at Stephen F. Austin University, Nacogdoches.
— Product Information from Gary Schwarzlose, Bayer CropSciences, Spring Branch, and David Steinbrunner, Wildroot Organics, Boerne.
For more information, contact Ricky Thompson, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in Nacogdoches County at 936-560-7711 or rthompson@ag.tamu.edu.
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