An area commercial vegetable production clinic is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Lon Mann Cotton Research Station near Marianna.
Although targeted audiences are commercial growers, those selling at farmers markets, local gardeners and Master Gardeners, the meeting is open to anyone interested in gardening, said Henry English, director of the Small Farm Program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Topics include weed and insect control of legumes, cucurbits, brassica and sweet potatoes and disease management of legumes, cucurbits and brassica (greens, sprouts and cabbage).
Farm Service Agency and Lee County Conservation District updates and hoop house vegetable production will be covered.
Presenters will be University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension specialists and faculty including Glenn Studebaker, professor/entomologist-row crops/IPM coordinator; Terry Spurlock, plant pathologist; and Nilda Burgos, professor of crop science.
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UAPB presenters are English and Shawn Francis, Extension horticulturist.
Also on the program are Priscilla Wade, FSA farm loan officer; Tiffany Davis, Lee County Conservation District manager; and Charlie Williams, U.S. Department of Agriculture StrikeForce coordinator, who will discuss USDA assistance to small business in agriculture.
The session will also include a free luncheon at noon. John McMinn, program manager at the Center for Agriculture and Rural Sustainability, will be the luncheon speaker. The meeting will adjourn after lunch.
To be included in the luncheon count, for those who have special needs or want more information, contact Ernest Bradley, UAPB Cooperative Extension Program multi-agent-agriculture, at 870-295-7720.
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