Agricultural News
Oklahoma State University to Help Sponsor 31st Annual Horticulture Industries Show
Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:14:27 CST
Oklahoma State University is partnering with Tulsa Community College and the University of Arkansas to sponsor the 31st Annual Oklahoma and Arkansas Horticulture Industries Show. Gardening enthusiasts should mark their calendars for this two-day event slated Jan. 6-7, 2012, in Tulsa.
This year's theme is "Propagating Success: Pursuing Excellence in Horticulture."
The HIS has consistently provided growers and the public with the latest information on vegetables, fruits, Christmas trees, farmers market crops, master gardener and public gardening issues. The public and growers from Arkansas, Oklahoma and surrounding states are welcome to attend. Other sponsors include the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry; the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation and the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
The meetings will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Tulsa Community College, Northeast Campus, 3727 E. Apache, Tulsa.
Registration is located at the west entrance of the Main Academic Building. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. Registration fee is $50 per person and must be postmarked by Dec. 20. Registration after that date or on site will be $60 per person. The two-day registration fee includes a copy of the proceedings.
Doug Walton, HIS president, is excited about this year's meeting.
"The Horticulture Industries Show is a great place for anyone interested in growing plants or food crops as part of a business, hobby or homestead," Walton said. "Growing more of our food closer to home can help create jobs and save energy, while improving access to healthy nutritious foods within our communities."
Keynote speakers include Diane Ott Whealy, cofounder of Seed Savers Exchange, and Mark Andrews, Greenleaf Nursery Company.
Whealy will present "Preserving Genetic Diversity, One Seed at a Time." Seed Savers Exchange is a non-profit, member-supported organization that saves and shares the heirloom seeds of garden heritage, forming a living legacy that can be passed down through generations. The company's mission is to save North America's diverse, but endangered, garden heritage for future generations by building a network of people committed to collecting, conserving and sharing heirloom seeds and plants, while educating people about the value of genetic and cultural diversity.
Andrews has been with Greenleaf Nursery Company for the past 20 years in various positions. He has worked in production research, as well as the installation of water and recycling systems. Currently his work emphasis is on production planning and crop management for major accounts, along with growth regulator use on hydrangeas. Andrews will present "New Plant Varieties; Where Do They Come From?"
In addition to the valuable information shared by the keynote speakers, attendees also will have the opportunity to take part in concurrent educational sessions covering topics such as permaculture, fruit management practices, vegetable production, farm insurance, state labor regulations, research updates, improve yields with pollinators, extending the growing season, food safety for fresh market growers and more.
A CD-Rom containing programs presented during the event will be mailed to all two-day event participants.
For more information contact Donna Dollins, HIS secretary/treasurer, at 405-744-6460, or email at donna.dollins@okstate.edu. Or click here to visit their website.
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