UACES Facebook Pecan growers annual meeting/farm tour set for May 5 at Lonoke; kicks off season-long pecan school
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Pecan growers annual meeting/farm tour set for May 5 at Lonoke; kicks off season-long pecan school

Fast Facts:

  • May 5 Arkansas Pecan Growers Association meeting to be held at Grateful Acres Pecan Orchard in Lonoke.
  • Questions? Contact mjbrown@uada.edu, jalee@uada.edu, or call 501-671-2243
  • Registration is limited, RSVP requested for lunch count

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LONOKE, Ark. – Orchard owners interested in pecan cultivation will have an opportunity to learn staring with the May 5 Arkansas Pecan Growers Association annual education meeting and farm tour being presented by the APGA and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.  

Arkansas Pecans
ARKANSAS STAPLE -- The Arkansas Pecan Growers Association annual education meeting May 5 begins an opportunity to growers interested in adding pecans to their orchards.

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. pecan production grew three percent to more than 277 million pounds last year. In terms of consumer preference, pecans ranked third behind almonds and walnuts, according to the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

“Pecans are an Arkansas staple, gaining popularity as a commercial crop,” said Jackie Lee, extension horticulture -integrated pest management specialist for the Division of Agriculture. “Commercial production of this perennial crop requires specialized knowledge, skills and equipment. Pecan school will help beginning growers navigate orchard management.” 

The May 5 meeting covers orchard establishment, pecan scab management and food safety regulations. It’s the first in the series of educational events for the Arkansas Pecan School, which will hold sessions during the growing season to address time-specific production practices. Other topics covered will included integrated pest management, fertility management, equipment needs and pecan varieties.

The May 5 APGA meeting will be held at Grateful Acres Pecan Orchard, 2677 Bevis Road, in Lonoke. If you have questions about the school emailmjbrown@uada.edu, jalee@uada.edu, or call 501-671-2243.

Fee to attend all pecan school sessions is $150, which includes membership in the Arkansas Pecan Growers Association and attendance at APGA annual meeting. Fee for current members is $75. Registration fee includes lunch and educational materials.  

The Pecan School will have three follow up sessions through the growing season, all held in Lonoke. They are:

  • June 26 – Early Season Pecan School 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Grateful Acres.
  • Aug. 7 – Midseason Pecan School. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Lonoke County Extension Office; 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Grateful Acres.
  • Oct. 4 – Late-Season Pecan School. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Lonoke County Extension Office; 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Grateful Acres.

To learn more about commercial horticulture, contact your county extension office or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.

 

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 is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your (insert appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay. 

By Mary Hightower

The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu

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