The workshop will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 1710 Farm-to-Market Road 3053 N. in Overton. The event begins with registration at 8 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m.
Cost of the program is $20, which includes lunch. Registration is only available online at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/.
Five Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units – two laws and regulations, two integrated pest management and one general – will be available. Applicators must bring their licenses to the meeting to register for the units.
The session is specifically designed for greenhouse ornamental and nursery growers, although some material may apply to greenhouse and outdoor vegetable growers, forages and orchards, said Erfan Vafaie, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologist, Overton.
Vafaie said the program topics are top priorities for many East Texas growers. The first half of the workshop will cover pests and pathogen management, and plant species that perform best in East Texas, he said. The second half will bridge the gap between industry and regulators with regard to regulatory compliance and audits.
“Some growers in East Texas have already faced some large fines and would like others in the industry to avoid the same fate,” Vafaie said.
Scheduled speakers include:
- Vafaie – General Integrated Pest Management and New Invasives.
- Dr. Brent Pemberton, Texas A&M AgriLife Research horticulturist, Overton – Top Performers and the People’s Choice Awards in the Overton Trials, plus Texas Superstars 2017.
- Dr. Kevin Ong, director of the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, College Station – New and Old Pathogens to Watch Out For: Integrated Disease Management Strategies.
- Dr. Mark Matocha, AgriLife Extension state agricultural and environmental quality safety specialist, College Station – New Environmental Protection Agency, Worker Protection Standard and Occupational Safety and Health Administration Regulations.
- Mark Evans, Texas Department of Agriculture inspector, Dallas – New TDA regulations and What to Expect During an Audit.
For more information:
Texas A&M AgriLife
Erfan Vafaie
903-834-6191
agriliferegister.tamu.edu