More on Upcoming Citrus Grower Educational Programs

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

This in from Lake County Extension…Just a reminder of some upcoming programs! There is still some space open for the Greening Field Trip and the Protecting Your Assets/Beneficiaries.

This post sponsored by:Click here to go to USDA/NASS website to learn more about the Agriculture Census

Greening Field Trip to South Florida
February 1st
7 A.M.-7 P.M.
As most are aware citrus greening disease is much more prevalent in South Florida. Last year we took a field trip to Highlands County to look at greening and canker. This year we will visit S.W. Florida. We will be leaving the Agricultural Center in Tavares at 7 A.M. I will be driving the county van which can hold ten additional people. Please sign up as soon as possible if you would like a ride. Our first stop will be at McKinnon Corp’s grove in Felda. Maury Boyd manages this grove which was diagnosed with greening back in 2005. Instead of removing infected trees, Maury has implemented a nutritional program, that has captured the attention of the citrus industry. In 2005 the grove was PCR confirmed for greening. The grove was in decline, having greening symptomatic foliage and fruit. Today the grove has less visual foliage symptoms and “normal” fruit. What is happening? No one knows for sure but it has sparked interest in researching the procedures and results.

From the McKinnon grove we will go to the University of Florida’s Southwest Research and Education Center in Immokalee to have a BBQ lunch. My hope is we will be able to tour the new greening PCR facility that is scheduled to run grower greening samples in the late spring. This depends on if the equipment has arrived by 2/1. We also will be visiting Cooperative Producers, Inc’s grove to hear and see what production practices are being implemented to combat greening in their groves.

The cost is $15.00 per person. Please call Maggie at 352-343-4101 to sign up by Jan. 25th. Payment can be made to the Lake County Citrus Advisory either in advance or the day of.

Inheritance Tax Laws, Estate Planning, Conservation Easements
Feb. 5th
9AM-2:30PM

Please plan on joining us on Feb. 5th in Tavares at the Agricultural Center to learn about how to protect your assets and beneficiaries in the event of your death. The difference between planning and not planning can cost a lot of money and cause a headache for your heirs. We will also be covering conservation easements options that could be beneficial to your agricultural production.

9:30 Introduction and Welcome Martha Thomas
9:40 Cattle Industry and Private Land Owner Update Larry Rooks, President Florida Cattlemen’s Association
10:00 Estate Planning and Taxes John Feldman, Attorney At Law Board Certified Wills, Trusts and Estates
11:45 How Conservation Easements and Agriculture Work Together
12:30 Lunch
1:30 Conservation Easement Options Ellen Huntley Dube, Conservation Trust for Florida
Registration: $15.00 per person (includes lunch and reference material). Make checks payable to: Lake County Agricultural Advisory. Mail Check to: Lake County Extension Office 1951 Woodlea Road Tavares, FL 32778. R.S.V.P to Maggie Jarrell 352-343-4101 by January 29.

Nighttime OJ Meeting
Feb. 19th
6PM-9PM
Central Florida citrus growers responded that weed control was the second most important topic in the 2007 survey. To address this there will be a night time OJ meeting on weed control for citrus at the Lake County Agricultural Center in Tavares. Our speaker will be Dr. Meg Singh. Dr. Singh has over 20 years of experience working with weed control in citrus.
As part of the program a BBQ dinner sponsored by Helena and Triangle chemical companies will be provided starting at 6 pm. So if you would like a free meal and to learn more about effective weed control in your groves please RSVP to Maggie at 352-343-4101. An accurate head count is needed to ensure enough food. CEU’s applied for.