By Gary Gray | Regional Extension Agent

Special to the Advertiser

 

The 2018 Chilton Area Peach Production Meeting will be held on Jan. 30 at the Alabama Power Company Building located at 2030 7th St. S. in Clanton from 3 – 8:30 p.m. Supper will be served.

Guest speaker Dr. Guido Schnabel, Clemson Extension Plant Pathologist, will discuss disease management after a low crop year, “MyIPM” app for fruit pest management, and premature peach tree decline.

Other topics include the dynamic model for chilling accumulation in peach, real-time access to weather stations and chill hour totals, pest management strategies, Chilton Research and Extension Center fruit research updates and more.

Beginning at 3 p.m., growers can pick up growers permits, participate in health screenings, and visit with exhibitors, speakers, fruit specialists and program sponsors.

Growers who would like to have their 2018 Grower’s Permit available for signature and notarized, should indicate that when they call the Extension office to make reservations for the meeting.

St. Vincent’s will provide free sleep apnea screenings for participants from 3 – 4 pm. Each screening takes about 5 minutes to complete.

The AgrAbility exhibit will also address growers’ well being.

The vision of AgrAbility is to enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers and other agricultural workers with disabilities.

While the term “disability” often brings to mind conditions such as spinal cord injuries and amputations, but AgrAbility addresses not only these but also many other conditions, such as arthritis, back impairments and behavioral health issues.

The annual meeting with fruit research updates and supper will follow the grower exhibits and health fair at 4 p.m.

To RSVP, please call the Chilton County Extension Office at (205) 280-6268 by Jan. 29 to register and reserve your meals. This meeting is free and open to the public.