Specialty crops short course set for May 7

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Commercial fruit and vegetable producers will have an opportunity to learn more about producing these specialty crops during an upcoming short course.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service will host the Specialty Crop Short Course May 7 in Raymond at the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center. The short course is open to current producers and those who are interested in growing specialty crops.

The event begins at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. Preregistration is required and costs $35 per person. The deadline to register is April 29. Lunch will be provided. To register and view a detailed agenda, visit the Extension registration portal.

Educational sessions will include information on marketing, budgets, fruit production, vegetable production, organic production, pesticide use and safety and disease and insect management. Specialty crop options for expansion of offerings, including ornamentals and hydroponics, will also be discussed.

The workshop will end with a series of hands-on workshops. Space is limited for each one. Registrants should follow the directions to rank their workshop preference when registering.

Extension specialists, agents and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, or MAFES, scientists with MSU will lead the educational sessions and workshops.

The Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center is located at 1320 Seven Springs Road in Raymond.

MSU is an equal opportunity institution. For disability accommodation or other information, contact Rebecca Melanson at rebecca.melanson@msstate.edu or 601-857-2284.