MISSISSIPPI STATE, Mississippi (January 28, 2010) –
Greenhouse tomato growers and people with an interest in this business
should mark their calendars for the 20th annual greenhouse tomato short
course to be held in Raymond March 9-10.
The intensive, one-of-a-kind short course is dedicated to helping producers
of greenhouse tomatoes. Mississippi is home to about 100 growers who produce
a $6 million greenhouse tomato crop annually.
Rick Snyder, Mississippi State University professor and vegetable specialist
in Crystal Springs, is organizing the short course.
“Growers cannot find this much information about greenhouse tomatoes in any
other short course or workshop in the country,” Snyder said. “Because of
this, growers come to Mississippi each year from more than 25 states to
learn about greenhouse tomato production.”
The 2010 Greenhouse Tomato Short Course will be at the Eagle Ridge
Conference Center at Hinds Community College in Raymond. The MSU Extension
Service and the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Raymond
are sponsoring the course with additional support from the Mississippi
Department of Agriculture and Commerce Specialty Crops Block Grant Program.
Sessions will take place from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days. Topics for
discussion include the basics of getting started, developing a business
plan, heating and cooling, and controlling insects and diseases. Exhibitors
from across the United States and Canada will discuss their products related
to the greenhouse tomato business.
Advance registration is $125 and must be received by Feb. 25. This fee
includes most meals, coffee breaks, refreshments and handouts. Registration
at the door is $150.
For more information and to register online, go to the short course Web site
at
http://www.greenhousetomatosc.com, contact local county Extension
offices or e-mail
ricks@ra.msstate.edu. The complete agenda, registration materials, a map
and a list of suggested hotels are available online.
