I hope everyone made it home safely from not-so-sunny-this-time Arkansas. The one thing you just can’t plan is the weather and I’m sure that the 3 plus inches for the 11th Annual HISSC meeting is some sort of record. I heard someone refer to the meeting as “The Hurricane on the Hamilton”. Fortunately our meeting was inside and by the grace of God the rain somehow fit into the schedule with a minimal impact on the outside activities and field trip.

Our first day, Tuesday, was devoted exclusively to EPA Worker Protection. Jerry Oglesby, Region 6 from Dallas gave us the Good, the Bad and the Ugly that he finds in our case file reviews. For the remainder of the day, Amber Davis Region 4 from Atlanta gave an intensive and entertaining introduction to a program called Breaking Barriers. The program teaches you how to effectively conduct a Spanish speaking worker or handler interview with the aid of a nifty flip chart and limited knowledge of the Spanish language.

On Wednesday, Mike Brown USDA, Aphis-PPQ Missouri gave us the Emerald Ash Borer Update, Dr Steve Vann Arkansas Extension Plant Pathologist discussed Dog wood Anthracnose and Pear Decline Disease. Dr. Jim Robbins Arkansas Extension Horticulturist gave us 6,000 plus reasons why he wouldn’t want our jobs and made us feel good about it. Then Dr. Kelly Loftin Arkansas Extension Entomologist and IFA Program Director talked about biocontrol of IFA and following lunch demonstrated several Phorid fly releases finishing up just seconds before the monsoons returned.

Lunch was served at Garvin Woodland Gardens, a unique botanical gardens in the making that will age like a fine wine in exacting detail. The design in under the control of the University of Arkansas School of Architecture. Bob Byers, the Director of Operations gave us the history, present and future plans for the gardens. The weather broke and we got to visit a portion of the gardens and beautiful glass chapel designed by Fay Jones.

Thursday came all too fast. The day started with Dr. Nathan Stone, Arkansas Extension Fisheries Specialist talking about Arkansas’ exclusive Bait and Ornamental Fish Certification Program. Yes, this is inspected and certified by the Arkansas State PLANT Board. Go figure. The last presentation of the meeting was Dr. Calvin Shumway Associate Professor of Agronomy at Arkansas State University and he talked about the different classes of herbicides and their affect on ornamental trees and shrubs.

Despite the rain, it didn’t dampen the sprits and all in all I think everyone enjoy the variety of topics and I believe fun was had by all. The educational interaction with our comrades from other states is probably the most valued entity one takes home from these meetings. If not that….well it’s probably the moon pie. : )

I encourage all of you to do whatever it takes to attend next years meeting in North Carolina. Remember, there are a couple scholarship opportunities to apply for to cover expenses if travel restrictions prevail in your state. Also keep in mind that many in the Central Chapter go on their own nickel. See ya next year in SUNNY North Carolina!

David Blackburn
HISSC President