JACKSON -- Greenhouse tomato growers should mark their calendars for a tomato short course to be held in Jackson on March 14 and 15.

The 2002 Greenhouse Tomato Short Course will be held at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum in Jackson. It is sponsored by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Advance registration is $85 and must be received by March 10. This fee includes meals, coffee breaks, refreshments, Extension bulletins and admission to the museum. Registration the day of the short course is $100. Those who pre-register will receive a Greenhouse Tomato Short Course cap.

Sessions will begin Thursday at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m., followed by an informal banquet dinner and entertainment at 6 p.m. The first day will cover all the basics of greenhouse tomato production, including an overview of raising greenhouse tomatoes; getting started in the business; heating, cooling and ventilation issues; information on some of the equipment and supplies needed to operate a greenhouse and the economics of growing greenhouse tomatoes.

Friday's session is from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., and will cover insect and disease identification and management, agro-terrorism concerns and a panel group discussion.

For more information, contact local county Extension offices or visit the Internet at http://www.msstate.edu/dept/cmrec/GHSC.htm.