Nut growers group to meet Sept. 17

The Missouri Nut Growers Association will hold its 2010 Fall Pre-Harvest Meeting on Friday, Sept. 17, at the UMC Southwest Research Center, 14548 State Highway H, near Mt. Vernon, Mo.

The meeting will include examining various nut harvesting equipment and field tours of black walnut and pecans. Time permitting, the group will also view hickory, pawpaw, persimmon, Ozark chinkapin, and elderberry plantings. Guests may also attend the meeting, which will provide plenty of opportunities for conversations with knowledgeable growers and researchers.

Registration opens at 9 a.m.

The morning session begins at 9:30 and will be spent viewing the various nut orchards. In the afternoon, participants will share updates on the anticipated nut harvest and hear about on-going research.

There will also be an update on the Thousand Cankers Disease, which now threatens black walnut trees throughout the native range.

There is a $7 charge to offset the cost of refreshments and lunch.

To reach the meeting site from I-44, west-bound travelers should take Exit No. 44, heading south to reach Highway H and then proceed west 2 miles. Eastbound travelers should take Exit No. 38 and turn south to reach the outer service road.