Horticulture and Soil Science Societies to Meet June 1-4, 2008

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, Specialty Crops

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.—The Florida State Horticultural and Florida Soil and Crop Science Societies will hold their joint, annual meeting June 1 through 4, 2008 at the Ft. Lauderdale Marriott North hotel, located at 6650 North Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Don’t miss our Keynote Speaker, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, our Horticulture Breakfast speaker, University of Florida Environmental Horticulture Chair Dr. Terrill Nell, and over 170 technical presentations featuring applied research seminars covering horticultural and agronomic crops. New developments and practices for growers, processors, allied industries, and other horticultural interests in Florida will also be presented. Members and nonmembers of both societies are welcome to attend. There will be two evening receptions for friends and colleagues. Programs from the FSHS sections will include talks on:
• CITRUS: Greening and canker control, psyllid management, mechanical harvesting, use of weather data in management decision making, and general horticultural practices;
• HANDLING AND PROCESSING: Pre- and postharvest factors affecting fruit and vegetable quality and aroma, laser labeling of citrus, impacts of mechanical harvesting, and new citrus juice processing technologies;
• GARDEN AND LANDSCAPE: Ornamental plant varieties, new pests, “natural” and integrated pest management tools, best management practices, potting mixes, irrigation and fertilizers;
• KROME: Tropical fruit, blueberry, and low-chill peach production in Florida, pest management, and evaluation of new cultivars;
• VEGETABLE: Practices and profitability of greenhouse production systems, new information on fertility management and the latest pests and diseases, vegetable sensory quality and market opportunities.
Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning, June 3-4, the University of Florida/IFAS will offer in-service training for County Extension faculty on “Phytosanitary inspections and quarantine treatments of imported fruits, vegetable, and floral crops.”

For information about the Florida State Horticultural Society, including meeting details, on-line registration and FSHS membership dues payment, please visit www.fshs.org. For additional assistance, contact Eric Simonne (352) 392-1928, ext. 208 esimonne@ufl.edu