The annual East Texas Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, February 16, at the Rose Garden Center in Tyler. This conference is tailored to theperson growing fruits and vegetables on a commercial scale, but avid gardeners are also encouraged to attend if the day’s topics are of interest.

The conference begins with registration at 8 AM, with the meeting beginning at 8:30 and the workshops concluding around 3 PM. Cost is $25 per person and all registration will be taken at the door.

This conference features a general morning session followed by 3 different breakout sessions after lunch. Topics for the morning session include:

• Drip Irrigation Management by Dr. Karl Steddom - Extension Plant Pathologist

• Pond Management for Irrigation Purposes by Dr. Billy Higginbotham – Extension Wildlife & Fisheries Specialist

• Marketing Success Stories by Dr. Marco Palma - Extension Horticultural Marketing Specialist

• Dealing With Feral Hogs: Problems and Solutions by Dr. Billy Higginbotham – Extension Wildlife & Fisheries Specialist

The afternoon fruit and nut session will feature:

• Go Texan Marketing Opportunities - Ms. Angie Butterfield - Texas Department of Agriculture

• Low Input, Sustainable, and Organic Pecan Management Systems - Mr. Monte Nesbitt –

Extension Horticulture Program Specialist

• Reducing Inputs and Increasing Peach Orchard Profitability - Mr. Monte Nesbitt, Extension Horticulture Program Specialist

The vegetable afternoon session will feature:

• Tomato and Southern Pea Production - Dr. Joe Masabni – Extension Vegetable Specialist

• Go Texan Marketing for Vegetable Producers - Ms. Angie Butterfield

• New Insect Control Products - Dr. Scott Ludwig - Extension Program Specialist, IPM

• Nematodes Updates - Dr. Karl Steddom

The grape afternoon session will feature -

• Starting a Vineyard - Ms. Fran Pontash – Extension Viticulture Associate

• Pierece’s Disease Update - Dr. David Appel – Extension Plant Pathologist

• Go Texan Marketing for Grape Producers - Ms. Angie Butterfield

Attendees with Texas Department of Agriculture Pesticide licenses will receive 3 hours of Continuing Education credit (1 hour of Laws and Regulations and 2 hours General).

The Tyler Rose Garden Center is located at 420 Rose Park Drive in Tyler. For more information on this event please contact the Smith County Extension office at 903-590-2980, or visit the Smith County Extension office web site at http://smith-tx.tamu.edu.