12/24/02
J. Carlton Courter III, commissioner of theVirginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is the featured keynote speak at the 14th Annual Eastern Shore Ag Conference and Trade Show scheduled for Jan. 7 and 8, 2003, at the Moose Lodge, Belle Haven, Va.
Farmers attending can receive two years of credit for the private pesticide applicator category and CCA credits will be available for those attending in the areas of Soil Fertility, IPM and Crop Production. Advanced registration is not required and there are no fees except for the optional Pig and Oyster Roast to be held the night of Jan. 7. Tickets to that event are $15 and can be obtained by contacting Jim Belote at (757) 787-1361, Ext. 14; Butch Nottingham, (757) 787-5867); or Barbara Haxter, (757) 414-0724, Ext. 11.
A highlight of the conference is the trade show, which is sold out with 46 exhibitors from all segments of the agricultural industry being represented.
General sessions are scheduled the mornings of Jan. 7 and Jan. 8. Breakout sessions on grain and poultry, potato and Master Gardeners will be held the afternoon of the first day. A sweet potato section with breakfast is scheduled for 7 a.m. the second day and breakout sessions on grain and cotton and vegetables will be held that afternoon.
In addition to the Commissioner of agriculture, other keynote speakers include Dr. Mark Alley, professor of crop and soil management, Department of Crops and Soils, who will talk on the Regional Cropping Systems Project. Joyce Latimer, associate professor of horticulture at Virginia Tech is scheduled to speak on “Farm Security, Protecting the Farm.” Cliff Parker, Deputy Director, USDA Risk Management Agency, Raleigh, N.C., will discuss “Crop Insurance: 2002 Results and Program for 2003.” A talk on farmland preservation will be presented by Robins Buck, farmland preservation specialist for VDACS, Richmond.
All professional staff and graduate students at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center are scheduled to give talks. A total of 54 talks will be given at the conference. The annual meeting of the Association of Virginia Potato and Vegetable Growers will be held just before lunch on Jan. 8.
Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Accomack County Extension Office (757) 787-1361, Ext. 14.