Oct. 29, 2007 |
1. Pumpkin Patch Fall Carnival -- Oct. 29-30
2. Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Lecture -- Oct. 29
3. Food Science Seminar -- Oct. 29
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4. Career Day Nov. 2 Signup - Oct. 29
5. Organic Fruit Production Workshop and Field Day - Nov. 9
6. 'Razorback Roundup' Horse and Tack Sale - Nov. 17
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1. Pumpkin Patch Fall Carnival -- Oct. 29-30
The friends of the Infant Development Center will host a Pumpkin Patch Fall Carnival from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 29-30. Admission is $5 and includes a pumpkin, refreshments and activities. All proceeds benefit the IDC.
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2. Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Lecture -- Oct. 29
Jeff Ray, USDA/ARS Lab, will present "Genetic and Physiology Research at Stoneville, MS" at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, in PTSC 009.
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3. Food Science Seminar -- Oct. 29
George Ondier, a student seeking his master of science in food science, will present "Low Temperature/Low Relative Humidity Drying of Rough Rice" at 3:40 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, in room D-2 in the Food Science building.
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4. Career Day for Prospective Stuents -- Nov. 2
The annual Bumpers College Career Day for high school students is set for Friday, Nov. 2, with registration from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the University of Arkansas Student Union Theater. Prospective students who plan to attend are asked to contact Ashely Harris, coordinator of student and alumni relations, by Monday, Oct. 29, at awharris@uark.edu.
Career day is an opportunity for prospective students to explore majors and careers, talk with professors and advisors, learn about financial aid and scholarships, student life, and housing. They will also be able to meet current students and alumni and tour the campus and residence halls.
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5. Organic Fruit Production Workshop and Field Day, Nov. 9
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| HIGH TUNNELS -- Heather Friedrich, a horticulture program technician, has helped organize an organic farming workshop and field day that will include a tour of a "high tunnel" blackberry production system. RSVP to Friedrich by Nov. 2 at 479-575-2798, or heatherf@uark.edu, to assist in planning for a free lunch for those who attend. |
How to harvest organic blackberries in October and November will be demonstrated at an "Organic Fruit Production Workshop and Field Day" Friday, Nov. 9, at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville.
The event will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Horticulture Research Farm, which is part of the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center operated by the University of Arkansas System's statewide Division of Agriculture. The workshop and field day are open to the public. Those planning to attend are asked to register by Nov. 2 at 479-575-2798, or heatherf@uark.edu, to assist is planning for a free lunch.
"Arkansas is behind the curve compared to other states in certified organic farms," UA horticulture professor Curt Rom said. He said a survey of fruit and vegetable producers revealed two reasons.
"One reason is that people are reluctant to try a new system that they haven't seen on the ground locally," Rom said. Another reason is that growers do not understand the U.S. Department of Agriculture's organic certification process adopted in 2002, he said.
Rom said he and colleagues hope to address both concerns with ongoing field research and extension programs focused on organic and sustainable fruit production.
USDA certified organic produce sells for 30 to 50 percent more than other produce, Rom said. "A lot of growers are already using some organic methods, but they haven't put the system together that will allow them to obtain the price premium," he said.
Major concerns about how to manage weeds, insects and plant diseases and how to effectively fertilize plants in a certified organic system will be addressed by workshop presenters from the Kerr Center in Oklahoma, Kansas State University and the U of A Division of Agriculture.
Visitors will tour a high tunnel organic blackberry and raspberry system and an organic apple orchard. The projects are funded by grants from the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program and the USDA Integrated Organic Research Program.
The two-year-old organic apple orchard "has some of the best trees I've seen," Rom said. He will provide details on organic practices being used in the orchard, which will produce its first crop of apples in 2008.
The high tunnel blackberry and raspberry system consists of irrigated plants under a tall frame covered by plastic sheeting. The tunnel provides two major benefits, Rom said: protection from frost and shelter from rain, which makes plants less susceptible to fungal diseases.
A fall blackberry crop is made possible by new "primocane fruiting" varieties developed by U of A Division of Agriculture fruit breeder John Clark. The patented 'Prime-Jim' and 'Prime-Jane' varieties produce a normal summer crop and a fall crop until the first frost.
The high tunnel system protects the plants from frost and extends the fruiting season well into November, Rom said. The system can also be used for a spring blackberry crop. Blackberry growers will be able to sell certified organic fruit in April, May, September, October and November in addition to the normal June-July season, Rom said.
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6.'Razorback Roundup' Horse and Tack Sale, Nov. 17
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| RAZORBACK ROUNDUP -- Some of the students who are organizing this year's "Razorback Roundup" are, from left, Nathan Criss, Lauren Henson, Allison Cantrell, Tim Gaskell, Kimberly Santos, Kaylee Daughtery, Brett Ausley, Diane Bradmiller and Trey Graber. |
The "Razorback Roundup 2007" horse and tack sale by the Dorothy E. King Equine Program is set for Nov. 17 at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Arena. All profits are used to support the care of horses and for student activities and teaching programs in animal science. The sale is organized and conducted by students in the "Behavior and Training and Horse and Livestock Merchandising" course. Visit the online catalog for more information about the sale: www.razorbackroundup.org
The following article about the program and sale was provided by Laurie Harris.
When classes start each fall, some 50 students enrolled in Behavior & Training and Horse & Livestock Merchandising begin training, handling and caring for approximately 20 horses to be sold at the annual fund raising event, The Razorback Roundup. While the majority of preparations for the event begin once classes start in the fall, sale production has actually been underway three months earlier by a small band of students involved in a summer internship program.
The University of Arkansas' equine program offers a summer internship which, in addition to horse care, focuses on preparation and photography of horses to be sold at the annual auction. Throughout the summer, interns handle, groom, bathe and condition horses for the sale. Additionally, they help to create nutrition plans for the horses, and are involved in administering proper immunizations, de-worming, and assisting veterinarians and the farrier when needed. The summer internship program requires students to participate 3 days each week. These students are also responsible for record keeping, feeding, daily care of horses and upkeep of the D.E. King Pavilion and grounds.
Research shows that internships are extremely valuable in employment opportunities. "I feel the hands-on experience I gained while a student at the University of Arkansas, particularly the internships provided by the D.E. King Equine Program, helped me to be a more desirable candidate when seeking a position in the horse industry", says Marci Jennings, who recently accepted an offer at the University of Missouri - Columbia as an Equine Research Specialist and Extension Specialist.
Additional support in producing the Razorback Roundup comes from student staff members and teaching assistants. Some student staff members work all summer while others work through the fall semester. Staff members aid in feeding and care of the horses and barn maintenance. Teaching assistants support class instructors during horse training labs throughout the fall semester.
The Razorback Roundup is designed to provide hands-on experience in the production of a horse sale. Students benefit from the knowledge of guest instructors who are professionals in the horse industry and learn valuable lessons in merchandising horses and livestock. The success of the program and fund raising events relies heavily upon the dedication and hard work that the students and interns provide. This years sale is set for November 17 and will be held at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Arena in Fayetteville. Visit the online catalog for more information about the sale: www.razorbackroundup.org .
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See other upcoming events online at Calendar of Events.
Submit Calendar items to dedmark@uark.edu.
AAES and Bumpers College Web sites:
http://aaes.uark.edu/
http://bumperscollege.uark.edu/