Nov 15, 2016

Illiana Vegetable Growers Symposium set for Jan. 5

Commercial vegetable farmers and market gardeners will have networking opportunities and get tips on how to improve their business when they meet at the Illiana Vegetable Growers Symposium.

The event will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CST) Jan. 5 at Teibel’s Restaurant, 1775 U.S. 41, Schererville, Indiana.

The program is a collaboration of Purdue and the University of Illinois Extension services. Presenters will include several Extension specialists from both universities.

Some highlighted presentations will be management of powdery mildew and other diseases of cucurbits, mineral nutrition for vegetable crops, updated worker protection standards, and modern transplant production in the greenhouse.

There will also be a session during which participants can choose a presentation on either pest management in organic vegetable production and bio-char, or hydroponics.

Indiana private applicator recertification credits are available for a $10 fee at the door. Indiana commercial pesticide applicator continuing certification hours and certified crop adviser continuing education units also are available.

Registration in advance costs $30 and should be postmarked by Dec. 16 or completed online by Dec. 22. Participants can also register at the door for $35, but they will not be guaranteed lunch.

Registration is available online through the Education Store at www.edustore.purdue.edu. For other information, call Nikky Witkowski at 219-755-3240 or email [email protected]; or call Liz Maynard at 219-548-3674 or email [email protected].

Sponsors are the Lake, La Porte and Kankakee County Farm Bureaus.