Food, plant health, fruits, veggies, beekeeping part of SWREC Horticulture Day June 18

By KD Reep
For U of A System Division of Agriculture

Fast Facts:

Horticulture Field set for June 18 at Hope
Cooking demos, beekeeping, fruits, vegetables, gardening for birds and butterflies, plant doctor clinic on tap

(522 words)

(Newsrooms: with downloadable art at www.flickr.com/photos/uacescomm/18625233766; images from 2014 field day available here: www.flickr.com/photos/uacescomm/sets/72157645352944782)

HOPE, Ark. -- Cooking demonstrations, fruit and vegetable research, butterflies and birds, a clinic with the plant doctor and a course for beekeeping beginners are part of the program for the June 18 Horticulture Field Day at the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Hope.

“We are always excited to show off what we are doing at the center, and this year’s theme is based on cooking with two things you can find in southwest Arkansas: greens and honey,” said Vic Ford, center director of the Southwest Research and Extension Center and professor for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “Many people don’t know that Arkansas has its own native bees that are pollinators. In fact, honeybees are not native to North America. Our native pollinators do a lot of the work for crops and flowers here but unfortunately do not produce honey.”

The center is at 362 Hwy 174 N in Hope. Biscuits and honey will be served beginning at 7:30 a.m. and the program will start at 8:15 a.m. There will be educational programs along with field tours. There will be an onsite Plant Health Clinic with Sherrie Smith.

Also, “Cooking with Greens & Honey” will be presented by the Ouachita District Family and Consumer Science agents. There will be a special afternoon event, Basic Beekeeping and Colony Maintenance. Other program presentations include Wings Over Arkansas, about the birds of Arkansas; how to garden to attract birds and butterflies to your property; the potential of nematodes as a biological control for small beehive beetles; how to keep plants cool under pressure; and a tour of new small fruit varieties from the university’s breeding program, Arkansas southern pea breeding program, and how to grow your own birdseed. Lunch and dessert will be provided and served outside.

Registration is $17 in advance and $20 at the door. The deadline for early registration is June 17. To register in advance, contact Sherri Pote at 870-777-9702 ext. 100, or pick up a form at the Hempstead County Extension Office located on the first floor of the county courthouse. Lunch will be served at noon by Amigo Juan’s. Please call by June 12 to make accessibility arrangements.

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service 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 County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of 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.

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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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