Extension hosts meeting for Southwest Arkansas watermelon growers
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Jan. 5, 2024
Fast facts
- Watermelon growers meeting on Feb. 20 at Hempstead County extension office
- Topics: planting and production, disease and pest management, weed control, nuisance wildlife
- Arkansas ranks 14th nationally for watermelon production
- To register, call the Hempstead County extension office at (870) 777-5771
(490 words)
(Flier at https://flic.kr/p/2pqjE5v )
HOPE, Ark. — Specialists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will discuss topics geared toward small-acreage watermelon producers at a growers meeting from 5-8 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Hempstead County Extension Office, 1800 E. Third St. in Hope.
“This meeting will benefit current producers as well as those interested in getting started with watermelons,” said Kim Rowe, Hempstead County extension agricultural agent.
Topics and speakers include:
- Planting and Production — Amanda McWhirt, extension commercial horticulture specialist
- Disease and Insect Management — Aaron Cato, extension horticulture integrated pest management specialist
- Weed Control — Hannah Wright Smith, extension horticulture weed specialist
- Nuisance Wildlife Control —Becky McPeake, extension wildlife specialist
Arkansas ranks 14th nationally for production of watermelons with 1,822 acres of watermelons harvested annually, according to the most recent Census of Agriculture. The melons can be grown in all parts of Arkansas, but the City of Hope in Hempstead County claims to be home of the world’s largest watermelons and celebrates the summertime treat annually with the Hope Watermelon Festival.
Attendees will have opportunities for a question-and-answer with specialists and networking with other producers. There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required.
To register, call the Hempstead County Extension office at (870) 777-5771 or email Kim Rowe at krowe@uada.edu.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
# # #
Media Contact:
Tracy Courage
Director of Communications-Extension
U of A System Division of Agriculture
501-658-2044