Farmers' market producers invited to pest management workshops

Workshops on environmentally responsible and effective pest management for farmers' market producers and other small acreage farmers will be held at three locations in May and June.

The workshops will be held in Monticello May 18, in Conway June 22 and in Fayetteville June 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at each location. The workshops are sponsored by the University of Arkansas System's Division of Agriculture and the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture, based in Poteau, Okla.

Dr. Elena Garcia, extension horticulture specialist with the Division of Agriculture, said the workshops are free, but space is limited, and advance registration is required. Contact Carolyn Lewis by email or telephone at 479-264-0905 to register.

The location and workshop materials will be provided to those who register. Lunch and educational materials are provided by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

"Whether you use organic or conventional practices, this workshop can help you evaluate your pest management program," Garcia said. The workshops will include classroom presentations and hands-on sessions in the field, she said.

Bus tour, pest clinic to highlight horticulture field day

Gardeners and fruit producers can learn the latest production techniques and the latest research into pest issues at the 2009 Horticulture Field Day on June 18 at the Southwest Research and Extension Center at Hope.

The event is aimed at gardeners and fruit producers, whose numbers in southwest Arkansas are growing, according to Dr. Vic Ford, center director.

"A highlight of the field day will be a bus tour of the center's horticultural research into blueberries, blackberries and peaches," Ford said. "But we'll also discuss ornamentals, tomatoes and other vegetables."

Extension and research personnel will discuss several topics, including these:

• Common Arkansas weed identification and management
  


• Landscape shrub pruning
  


• Update on blackberry and peach breeding
  


• New-planted blueberry maintenance
  


• How to set an insect trap and identify insect damage
  


• How to build a compost pile
  


• Grow hardy kiwi and blackberries in high tunnel growing systems
  

Gardeners and producers may find the pest clinic after the tour will be the most interesting part of the field day, Ford said. Gardeners are urged to bring specimens from their home gardens or lawns for diagnosis and suggestions for correcting the problem.

At 6:30 p.m., a barbecue dinner will be served for an $8 charge. Participants can pay the day of the event. Ford is asking people to RSVP by June 12. You can call (870) 777-9702 or contact us by email.

For directions to the station and more about our ongoing research visit our web site.

The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.

This activity is open to all interested persons without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information should notify the county extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible prior to the activity.