The Alaska Peony Growers Association winter conference will take place Jan. 28-30 at the Land’s End Resort and Conference Center in Homer.

More than 25 sessions are planned. The keynote speaker will
be Missouri peony grower Don Hollingsworth of Hollingsworth Peonies and the
other featured speaker is Gay Smith from Chrysal USA, which develops and
manufactures cut flower products.

Several faculty and staff from the School of Natural
Resources and Extension will make presentations. Soils Professor Mingchu Zhang
will talk about nutrition management and Research Technician Bob Van Veldhuizen
will address nutrient cycling. Kenai Extension Agent Casey Matney and Janice
Chumley of the Integrated Pest Management Program will talk about insect pests
and understanding soil tests. Julie Riley, a horticulture agent from Anchorage,
will speak about local and national media coverage of Alaska’s cut-flower peony
industry.
Four three-hour preconference sessions are planned on Jan.
28 — Overview of Growing Peonies, Growing Peonies as Part of Your Investment
Portfolio, Intensive School for Beginners, and Your Legacy, Your Estate and
Retirement. The conference will also include local grower panels, Web
construction classes, and several sessions on field maintenance, including pest
and disease management.

Preconference workshops are $35 each. The full conference cost for Thursday evening, Friday and Saturday, including the banquet, is $225 for Alaska Peony Growers Association members and $275 for non-members. There is also a $90 one-day registration fee. See the full schedule and more details at www.alaskapeonyconference.com.