Texas A&M conference for fruit growers and enthusiasts

New growers, commercial producers, home gardeners and fruit enthusiasts in general are encouraged to attend the fifth annual Texas Fruit Conference Oct. 31-Nov. 1 in New Braunfels.

The event, hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, will begin at 1 p.m. Oct. 31 at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center.

Online registration at $80 per person is available until Oct. 21 at http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/horticulture/. On-site registration is $95 per person.

“We have a great educational program that includes 14 different presenters. Topics encompass fruit production, marketing, disease and insect management, new crops, new varieties, grower experiences and an ‘ask the expert’ panel discussion,” said Monte Nesbitt, AgriLife Extension horticulture specialist in College Station.

The first session talks, aimed at new growers, will include: History of Commercial Fruit Growing in Texas by Dr. George Ray McEachern, visiting professor of horticulture at Texas A&M University; Keys to Successful Small Acreage Fruit Growing by Jim Kamas, AgriLife Extension horticulturist, Fredericksburg; Successful Outcomes in Farmers Markets by Laura Miller, AgriLife Extension, Tarrant County horticulture agent.

Also on the afternoon agenda Oct. 31 are Common Mistakes with Fruit Tree Fertilizer by Dr. Larry Stein, AgriLife Extension horticulturist, Uvalde; and, Water Needs, Delivery and Conservation for Fruit Trees by Nesbitt.

A welcome reception from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Courtyard New Braunfels River Village will conclude the day.

Find out more at AgriLife Today.