Oct 8, 2015
Illinois specialty crops conference Jan. 6-8

The Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism and Organic Conference will be held Jan. 6-8 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. The conference, which features nearly 100 speakers and 60 trade show exhibitors, will again host four concurrent preconference workshops, general sessions and breakout sessions aimed at helping Illinois specialty growers cultivate their operations.

Wednesday, Jan. 6, participants may attend one of the preconference workshops, including Pumpkins and Ornamental Vegetables, Small Fruits, Social Media, and Legal Issues for Small Farmers.

Thursday, Jan. 7, keynote speaker Tom Turpin, professor of entomology at Purdue University, will stress the importance of insects as pollinators, what role they play and how growers can promote their success.

Participants also are invited to attend breakout sessions Thursday, Jan. 7, and Friday, Jan. 8, featuring: Agritourism and Marketing, Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, Organic Foods, Emerging Issues and Opportunities.

Following Thursday’s breakout sessions, the annual banquet will include a keynote speech titled, “How Social Media Has Revolutionized and How We Drive Traffic to our Farm,” by Chris Eckert of Eckert’s Orchard. Cider contest winners will be announced during Thursday evening’s festivities.

To receive registration materials or obtain exhibitor information, call Diane Handley at 309-557-2107, or email Diane Handly. A detailed conference agenda can be viewed here.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at a rate of $94 per night. Call the hotel at 217-529-7777 and ask for the Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism and Organic Conference room block to make a reservation at the conference rate.




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