JACKSON – Greenhouse tomato growers can learn everything from greenhouse design to budgeting during the 24th annual Mississippi Greenhouse Tomato Short Course March 4-5 in Raymond.

Experts from the Mississippi State University Extension Service, the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, the University of Florida Suwannee Valley Agricultural Extension Center, Auburn University and the tomato industry will present information to help current growers and those interested in starting a greenhouse tomato business.

The workshop will be at the Eagle Ridge Conference Center, 1500 Raymond Lake Road.

Topics include components of the greenhouse system; greenhouse design, engineering and environmental control; alternative heating options; marketing; budgeting; current research; plant nutrition; alternative crops; water sanitation; using social media; Good Agricultural Practices certification; and disease and pest management.

The course is the longest-running workshop in the United States for greenhouse tomato growers and in recent years, has attracted participants from more than 25 states, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America.

Exhibitors from the U.S. and Canada will display and demonstrate their products.

Advance registration is $175 per person and must be received by Feb. 21. Participants may register online at http://www.greenhousetomatosc.com or by mailing in the printable form found on the registration page. Registration at the door is $200 per person.

Registration includes coffee, refreshments, three meals, educational materials and special promotional items. For more information, visit http://www.greenhousetomatosc.com or contact Rick Snyder at [email protected] or 601-892-3731.

Growers who preregister will receive the newest Greenhouse Tomato Short Course cap as well as a tomato-themed coffee mug.