Prior to the Hawaii Agricultural and Landscape Industry Conference, come down to Kapiolani Park to participate in an outdoor field day and tradeshow. The field day is a full schedule of activities featuring equipment, fertilizer, irrigation, and arborist demonstrations.

There is something for everyone at the Ag/LICH 2003 Conference field day at Kapiolani Park Oct. 15. There will be activities, equipment demos, examples of new technology in irrigation systems, new ways of planting grass in hard to grow areas and more.

For the first time in Hawaii, John Mascaro, president of Turf-Tec International, will exhibit his inventions by taking tests in separate areas of Kapiolani Park and analyzing them to suggest agronomic solutions to improve turf health.

Several local experts are also participating in the conference:  Weed scientist Dr. Joe DeFrank of the UH College of Agriculture will hold a pesticide calibration class with credits available for restricted pesticide licenses.

Irrigation specialist Martin Miyashiro of Diamond Head Sprinkler will enlighten attendees on irrigation system design and use of effluents. Check out his working system.

Arnold Hara, Mark Wright and Janice Uchida of the UH College of Ag will also discuss issues in pest and disease management during the conference.

Come spend the day and enjoy the activities that will appeal to those involved in farming, landscaping, nurseries, turfgrass and trees. For more information on the certification classes and/or demonstrations and products that will be available at the field day, please go to www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/hiagconf/.

By registering for the conference package or the field day/trade show, you will receive a complimentary first-edition conference hat that will be available to pick up only at the field day.

Join in and be a part of what is going to be a great opportunity to preview equipment and products from our agricultural and landscape industries.

For more information on the Field Day, call Dave Klawitter at (808) 671-0541 or e-mail DKMAKAHA@aol.com

Opening the conference will be keynote speaker David Minor, Director of the James A. Ryffel Center for Entrepreneurial Studies in the M.J. Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University, who will address the factors involved in buiding a successful business. Dr. Minor will also give two workshops, on best practices for emerging businesses and on financial strategies for your success in the landscape industry.

The luncheon keynote speaker will be island-raised UH alumnus and newly appointed CEO of Maui Land and Pineapple Company, David Cole. Cole has led numerous companies across a variety of industries, including publishing, computer software, online services, and consumer products. At his Sunnyside Farms in Washington, Virginia, he has transformed one of America’s oldest farms into a vibrant regional enterprise renown for its innovative methods in sustainable food production, marketing, and community development.

Governor Lingle will also address the group at the luncheon, expanding on her vision for the future of agriculture and landscape in Hawaii.

Other guest speakers will include turf specialist, Dr. Al Turgeon from Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Don Loch, from Australia who specializes in warm seasonal turf, and Ken Meter of Crossroads Resource Center, Minneapolis, MN who’ll be speaking on sustainable food systems.

The conference package will include morning and afternoon breakout sessions, luncheon with the keynote speaker, and an evening cocktail reception and tradeshow. Enjoy the festive atmosphere while you meet and talk to industry suppliers and old friends. The evening features heavy pupus, a no host bar and excellent door prizes.