From research to real-word solutions
What’s ahead at the 2025 Great Lakes EXPO
At this year’s Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO, University of Florida (UF) plant disease expert Katia Viana Xavier is scheduled to present a disease management session.“Gator Tales from the Glades: Race 2 & 4 Fusarium and Foliar Disease Management in Florida Celery” is the talk’s topic by Xavier, an assistant professor in UF’s Department of Plant Pathology at the Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade, Florida. Xavier has been a UF Extension plant pathologist for three and a half years. Her focus is on diagnosing plant diseases and developing science-based sustainable management strategies to support vegetable and sugarcane growers.
Born and raised on a family farm in Brazil, Xavier dreamed of becoming a farmer like her father. Unfortunately, the family lost everything due to plant diseases. This ultimately motivated Xavier to pursue a career helping growers avoid similar losses.
Gator Tales from the Glades: Race 2 & 4 Fusarium and Foliar Disease Management in Florida Celery
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Growers attending Xavier’s session can expect to hear an update on the most important celery disease in Florida, including both current challenges and emerging threats. Xaver will share data from recent research, along with practical insights to help growers recognize diseases early and manage them effectively.
Dr. Katia Viana Xavier
“While my research focuses on Florida’s muck soils, many of the challenges we face are shared with growers in Michigan’s celery-growing regions, where celery is cultivated in rich, organic muck soils and encounters similar disease pressures,” Xavier said. “By understanding Florida’s experiences, Michigan growers can gain valuable insights into managing diseases of soil-borne and foliar pathogens, which are prevalent in both regions.”
This is Xavier’s first year attending the Great Lakes EXPO, and she is looking forward to connecting directly with growers, sharing research and learning about the challenges and successes in the field.
“It’s a great chance to exchange ideas and see how science can make a practical difference,” Xavier said. “I hope attendees come away with practical insights from our research that they can apply in their fields, and I’m excited to hear from growers about their experiences, which always helps guide future research.”
Three sessions from Virginia Tech Extension’s Doug Higgins
Adaptive Disease Management Strategies for Alternaria and Clubroot in Brassica Production
Tuesday, Dec. 9
8:30 – 9 a.m.
Demystifying Phytophthora Crown and Fruit Rot Management Strategies for Cucurbits
Tuesday, Dec. 9
10:30 – 11 a.m.
Know Before You Grow: Understanding Fungicide Seed Treatments for Sweet Corn
Tuesday, Dec. 9
2:45 – 3:15 p.m.
Doug Higgins
Doug Higgins is an assistant professor and Extension specialist at Virginia Tech’s Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Painter, Virginia. Higgins primarily focuses on vegetable disease management across a range of pathogens and crops. He will be presenting three educational sessions that will highlight solutions for both fruit and vegetable growers.
“Attendees of each session can expect an overview of each disease, practical management recommendations and updates on the latest research aimed at improving control strategies,” Higgins said.
Higgins captures the spirit of the EXPO by highlighting both its social and educational value.
“My favorite part of the EXPO is sampling the fresh donuts and catching up with old friends,” Higgins said. “I also enjoy attending sessions outside my discipline to learn practical management information and visiting the trade show to see the latest equipment offerings.”
Fun events from the Michigan Vegetable Council
Offering a combination of celebration and insights, the Michigan Vegetable Council will host several events at this year’s EXPO.
Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Grand Gallery session room:
Celebrate 25 years of the EXPO
12:15. – 12:45 p.m.
MVC Great Lakes Policy event featuring Chris Butts, Jamie Clover-Adams, Jacob Smith and a USDA rep to be determined
1 – 3:00 p.m.
Are you a specialty crop grower interested in issues at the regional and federal level? The MVC Great Lakes Policy Event is tailored just for you! From 3 – 4 p.m., experience networking with growers, buyers and others involved in the vegetable industry.
Greenest Thumb in the Great Lakes contest
Do you know about vegetable farming? Join a contest! Visit the Michigan Vegetable Council’s booth in the Grand Gallery at the EXPO on Tuesday, Dec. 9, and answer 12 vegetable farming knowledge questions. See if you qualify for the final round. The final round will be Dec. 10 at 12:15 p.m. at the Grand Gallery session room. The winner receives a prize.
Join more than 4,500 others at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO to learn how to grow your crops better, see the newest technology, improve your business and network with others working through the same challenges. The EXPO is Dec. 9-11 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Learn about this year’s show and register at glexpo.com.
