The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host the Texas New Fruit Growers conference on October 9–10 in Fort Worth.
The two-day program will begin on October 9 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension office for Tarrant County, 200 Taylor St., Suite 500, and will continue on October 10 from 8 a.m. to noon at Goober Bub's Orchard and Bakery in Justin.
Registration is available until October 2 at https://tx.ag/NFG2025, or by calling +1 979 321 7028. The cost is US$130, while AgriLife Extension employees can register for US$65. Participants can earn three Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license continuing education credits, including two general and one integrated pest management.
The conference is designed to introduce new and existing farmers to the fundamentals of fruit production in Texas. Topics include site selection, crop choice, orchard and vineyard establishment, and pest and weather management strategies. The program combines classroom instruction, practical demonstrations, and networking opportunities.
On October 9, the conference will open with a "getting started" class covering the basics of orchard establishment. Stephen Janak, AgriLife Extension program specialist from the Department of Horticultural Sciences in Hallettsville, will present on-site and resource evaluation for new orchards. Larry Stein, AgriLife Extension horticulture specialist and professor from Uvalde, will discuss orchard establishment. Jacy Lewis, manager of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Viticulture and Fruit Lab in Fredericksburg, will address budgeting and time management for orchard operations. Monte Nesbitt, AgriLife Extension horticulture specialist and assistant professor in Bryan-College Station, will speak about disease and insect management in fruit crops. Kyle Slusher, AgriLife Extension entomologist and assistant professor in Stephenville, will present on developing an orchard integrated pest management philosophy.
The program will also feature a "tree-to-plate" networking lunch offering fruit-based products and an opportunity for growers to exchange marketing ideas. The day will conclude with a live-action lab that includes demonstrations on planting, pruning, irrigation, fertilization, and pest control.
Source: Agrilife Today