LUBBOCK — Vegetable growers, market gardeners and master gardeners should make plans to attend the Jan. 19 West Texas Vegetable Conference in Hereford, said a Texas A&M horticulturist.
“The conference will focus on sustainable vegetable production,” said Dr. Roland Roberts, Texas Agricultural Extension Service horticulturist. “It is an excellent chance for growers to update their production and marketing skills and gain new insight on the industry. This event will feature presentations and discussions by growers, researchers, vegetable specialists, scientists and agribusiness.”
The vegetable conference begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Hereford Community Center. Registration costs $25, which includes a luncheon and admission to a trade show with commercial exhibits and educational displays.
Conference speakers will address these topics:
* potato seed tuber handling and treatments for maximum crop performance
* growing and marketing specialty crops with strong market potential
* precision vegetable culture
* new potato and watermelon varieties for Texas
* Integrated Pest Management and potato research at West Texas A&M University
* the Texas Watermelon Project and other marketing opportunities
* chile production on the High Plains
* insect, disease and weed control options
* drip irrigation for intensive vegetable production
* the future of pest control products and current Texas pesticide laws and regulations
* an update on labor regulations and legislation
“It’s not unusual for people to travel from five states to attend the West Texas Vegetable Conference,” Roberts said. “Growers and crop advisers can earn continuing education credits (CEUs), and certified master gardeners can earn six hours credit toward their vegetable specialty certification.”
Conference sponsors include the Extension Service, High Plains Vegetable Growers and Shippers Council, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Deaf Smith County Extension Vegetable Development Committee, Deaf Smith County Chamber of Commerce, Texas Tech University and the Texas Department of Agriculture.
For more information, call Roberts at (806) 746-6101 or the Deaf Smith County Extension office at (806) 364-3573.
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