Mississippi State’s popular Row Crops Short Course is happening Dec. 5-7, 2022, at the Cotton Mill Conference Center located near the MSU campus in Starkville, Miss. 

Registration remains open. However, Nov. 18 is the last day to register with no charge. After Nov. 18, the attendance fee rises to $40 per person. The $40 fee will be charged to attendees who register at the door, as well. 

The online registration portal, along with a preliminary conference program can be found at the mississippi-crops.com website. You may also contact Kathy Johnson at 662-325-2701 or [email protected]. 

The two-and-a-half-day Short Course features more than 30 presentations. Speakers include specialists with MSU as well as other land-grant universities, ag industry professionals and farmers.  

Day 1 presentations kick off at 9 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 5. First day talks will focus on irrigation, fertility, and disease and weed management. A social mixer will cap Day 1, with entertainment provided by Hard Luck Chuck. Lunch is included each day. 

Day 2 presentations will include insect pest management and a pesticide regulatory update in the morning. Afternoon sessions will cover global supply chain issues, the H-2A program, and a producer panel on improving yield in grain crops. Tuesday evening closes with a steak and shrimp dinner and musical entertainment. 

Day 3 begins with an outlook on 2023 row crop marketing considerations and potential farm management issues as well as a report from each of MSU’s commodity specialists. The conference concludes on Wednesday with lunch. 

Consultant’s license renewal is available, along with pesticide applicator recertification points and Certified Crop Advisor CEU credits. 

Guest workshop 

Lynette McDougald, an ornamental horticulture instructor with MSU, will be offering a holiday floral design workshop free of charge at The Mill on Dec. 6. — a possible activity for spouses or guests who are traveling to Starkville, but not planning to attend the conference. Participants will make a holiday centerpiece with a retail value of $100 that they can take home upon completion of the workshop. 

All materials will be provided free of charge. McDougald is an accomplished floral designer who has taught and managed the floral shop at MSU for nearly 25 years. 

Space is limited to 40 participants. Email Kathy Johnson at [email protected] to reserve a space for either the 9 a.m. or 2 p.m. workshop.