The Four States Agricultural Exposition is scheduled from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Four States Fairgrounds, 3700 E. 50th St. in Texarkana, Arkansas.
The exposition is a joint effort between the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. It is typically the largest gathering of farmers and ranchers in the four-state area, according to Dr. Brian Triplett, AgriLife Extension agent, Red River County. More than 300 have attended each of the last three years.
The expo is free, open to the public and includes lunch. There is a $10 fee for Texas Department of Agriculture license holders who wish to receive continuing education units for attending the workshops.
Up to five continuing education units are available for licensed pesticide applicators, and up to four units are available for certified crop advisors.
Concurrent programs will begin at 8:30 a.m. and include the following topics and speakers:
- 8:30 a.m. — Insect Pests and Pastures – Dr. Kelly Lofton, entomologist, University of Arkansas; Apps for Farms – Sherry Beaty-Sullivan, Cooperative Extension agent, University of Arkansas; and Beekeeping Pests – John Zawislak, apiary education, University of Arkansas.
- 9:45 a.m. – Sprayer Calibration, Boom Sprayers and Wands, Dr. Vanessa Corriher-Olson, AgriLife Extension forage specialist, Overton; Managing Farm Ponds – Dr. Billy Higginbotham, AgriLife Extension wildlife and fisheries specialist, Overton; Keyhole and Other Raised Bed Garden Designs – Aaron Harding, Cass County Master Gardener; and Forest Site Preparation – Robby Keen, Red River Specialties, Shreveport, Louisiana.
- 11 a.m. – Pasture Stand Management – Corriher-Olson; Soybean Updates – Dr. Jeremy Ross, plant pathologist, University of Arkansas; and Tomato Production and Pest Management – John Gavin, Cooperative Extension agent, University of Arkansas.
- 1 p.m. – Feral Hog Control – What is Legal? – Dr. Becky McPeake, wildlife specialist, University of Arkansas; Grape Establishment, Part 1 – Michael Cook, AgriLife Extension viticulture program specialist, Denton; and Diagnosing Plant Problems – Sherrie Smith, Cooperative Extension plant disease diagnostician, University of Arkansas.
- 2:15 p.m. – Fly Control in Cattle – Dr. Sonja Swiger, AgriLife Extension veterinary entomologist, Stephenville; Grape Establishment, Part 2 – Cook; and Arkansas Pesticide Applicator Class – Jennifer Caraway, Cooperative Extension agent, University of Arkansas.
The expo will also feature vendors within various agricultural industries. For more information, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Bowie County, 903-628-6702.
“The ag expo brings speakers from the industry and two universities together in one location for a day of learning and information exchange with fellow agriculturists,” Triplett said. “It is also a good opportunity for people to get much sought–after pesticide continuing education units.”
