An area commercial vegetable production clinic is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 17, at the Lon Mann Cotton Research Station at Marianna.
Although targeted audiences are commercial growers, those selling at farmers markets, local gardeners and Master Gardeners, the meeting is open to anyone interest in gardening, said Henry English, director of the Small Farm Program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Topics include disease, weed and insect control in legumes, cucurbits, brassica (greens, sprouts and cabbage) and sweet potatoes; Farm Service Agency and Lee County Conservation District updates; hoop house use in sweet potato production; and production information on growing cucumbers, watermelons, squash, cantaloupes, sweet potatoes, southern peas and greens.
Presenters are University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension specialists and faculty including Nilda Burgos, professor of crop science; Nick Seiter, assistant professor and entomologist; and Shawn Payne, Phillips County Extension staff chairman. UAPB presenters are English and Shaun Francis, Extension horticulturist. Also on the program is Charlie Williams, USDA StrikeForce coordinator, who will discuss USDA assistance to small business in agriculture.
The meeting will adjourn after a complimentary noon luncheon. The luncheon speaker will be Tracy Dunbar, UAPB associate professor of agriculture. She will discuss vegetable production budgets.
For more information, to be included in the luncheon count or if participants have special needs, contact Ernest Bradley, UAPB Cooperative Extension Program multi-county agent-agriculture, at 870-295-7720.