East Texas Conference Promises Variety for Both Fruit and Vegetable Producers

Local fruit and vegetable producers will have the chance to learn about everything from the profit potential of baby vegetables to ensuring a dependable supply of harvest workers at the upcoming East Texas Fruit and Vegetable Conference, set for February 20, 2001 at the Rose Garden Center, Tyler, Texas.

First up on the program will be Dr. Al Wagner, Extension Program Leader for Horticulture, TAEX-College Station. Wagner's topic is title "Minimizing Microbial Risk from Fresh Fruits and Vegetables."

Wagner will be followed by Dr. George Philley, Extension plant pathologist, and Dr. James Robinson, Extension entomologist, who will talk about the new generation of pest-control products. "The 1995 Food Protection Act has put pressure on companies to produce new pesticides that are less persistent in the environment," said Dr. Robinson. Among the new pesticides are hormones which interrupt or interfere with the development of the insect while in the larval stage. Confirm and Mimic are two examples. Another class of new pesticides work by bacterial action. Spinosad, as an example, is a product that targets the insect's nervous system, while being practically non-toxic to birds and mammals.

Fruit and vegetable producers face unique labor issues, particularly during harvest season. Jack Pfister, of the Alien Labor Division of the Texas Workforce Commission, Austin, will tell producers how they can utilize a new law to ensure they have a consistent supply of workers. Under a recently-enacted bill, when they can show there is a low supply of indigenous labor, the government will act as an intermediary to supply alien workers with temporary visas and transportation to the worksite. Though there is some paper work involved, and mandatory standards for worker housing and care, most producers who have had experience with the program say it is well worth the trouble. "They get a reliable workforce supply, one that can't be hired away during harvest season," Pfister said.

After lunch, there will be concurrent break-out sessions, one for fruit growers, the other for vegetable producers.

In the fruit session, Dr. Philley will bring growers up to date on the plum pox virus situation. Dr. Jim Kamas, Extension horticulturist based at Fredericksburg, will discuss the growth regulator Dormex, and managing fruit vigor under varying climatic conditions.

In the vegetable break-out session, Dr. Blair Buckley, a professor of horticulture from Louisiana State University, will talk about growing and harvesting southern peas. Marty Baker, Extension horticulturist, TAMU-Overton, will talk about the most recent developments in tomato production.

Baker will be followed by Dr. Frank Dainello, Extension horticulturist, TAMU-College Station, who will talk about the potential for growing and marketing niche vegetables in East Texas. Though many niche-market vegetables are of the baby variety -- baby corn, baby carrots, baby spinach, baby tomatoes -- "the business isn't for babies," Dainello said. "It's not for the faint of heart, but there are profits to be made for some producers, and East Texas operations are well suited to production of limited amounts of niche crops," Dainello said. Dainello will several niche crops, and talk about the difficulties and opportunities involved in their production.

Registration will start at 8:00 a.m., with the program starting at 9:00 a.m. The $10 registration fee includes the noon meal.

Continuing Education Units will be offered, with the number earned varying slightly, depending on whether producers attend the vegetable or fruit producer break-out sessions. Vegetable break-out session attendees will receive 1.75 CEUs, and fruit attendees will earn 2.25 CEUs.

Vendor spaces are available for $75 inside the building. Contact Brian Triplett (903) 535-0885 for more information.