FRUITS, VEGGIES AND TURFGRASS FOCUS OF HORTICULTURE FIELD DAY

Research results on vegetable, fruit and turfgrass field trials will be presented June 28 during the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's 2023 Horticulture Field Day at the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Hope.

Experiments involving pest control in tomatoes and blackberries, variety trials for watermelons, cantaloupes and honeydews, and reviving idle peach trees make up the vegetable and fruit categories.

Educational sessions on grafting ornamental plants and preparing fresh fruit recipes will also be a part of the field day, which begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. The station is located at 362 Arkansas Highway 174 North.

Registration for the event is available online until 5 p.m. June 26. Registration on the day of the event will begin at 8:15 a.m. in the station’s auditorium. The $20 registration fee includes lunch at noon, payable by cash, check, or credit card. Presentations begin at 9 a.m.

Speakers and topics include:

• Matt Bertucci, assistant professor of horticulture, will discuss ongoing variety trials for watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew melons. Bertucci tested 15 seedless watermelon varieties, 12 cantaloupe varieties, and three honeydew melon varieties.

• Anthony Bowden, assistant professor of horticulture and ornamental extension specialist, will give a grafting technique demonstration of Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) and Eastern Redbuds (Cercis canadensis).

• Aaron Cato, a researcher and extension specialist who works with integrated pest management in horticulture, will showcase a pesticide spray efficiency research trial on blackberries; a cover crop vegetable trial assessing the need for soil-applied insecticides; and a tomato insecticide efficacy trial focusing on tomato fruitworm.

• Amanda McWhirt, fruit and vegetable extension specialist, will highlight best practices for blackberry and tomato production.

• Hannah Wright-Smith, weed specialist for turfgrass, specialty crops and forestry, will give a presentation on peach orchard floor reclamation and management, seeding centipedegrass and turf weed control.

Arkansas Egg & Beef Month | Numerous farmers, ranchers, industry members and state leaders gathered as Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders presented proclamations highlighting the impact of beef and egg production in Arkansas. ArFB Board Member and Arkansas Beef Council Chairman Caleb Plyler, ArFB Vice President Mike Freeze and Arkansas Beef Council Administrator Donette Spann were among those who joined Gov. Sanders at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. View more photos from the event here.

Rep. Marion passed served

Former U.S.

Congressman for Arkansas's 1st District from 1997-2011. "Our prayers are with the family of Rep. Marion Berry, whose service to Arkansas and our country will be felt for generations," said ArFB President Rich Hillman. "Marion was a farmer who wore his passion for Arkansas and agriculture on his sleeve. He never backed down from a fight for what was right and was a true advocate for Arkansas farmers and ranchers. He was truly one of a kind and our state and nation are better today as a result of his many contributions and service to our country."