Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association annual conference

Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association annual conference

Why should you attend the conference? Here are just a few of the reasons: presentations by industry experts and expert growers, large tradeshow featuring exhibitors with the latest seeds, supplies, equipment, and grower information; farm listing on our website and farm search function; and the recognition of being associated with a highly regarded state wide organization.

This year’s keynote presentation will focus on value added activities that you can do on your farm. Center Grove Orchard in Cambridge will be discussing their on farm camps, Geisler Farm in Bondurant will detail hosting successful weddings on the farm, Harvestville Farm in Donnellson will share their Farm to Table dinner experiences, and Howell’s Pumpkin Patch in Cummings will highlight their wildly successful goat yoga sessions. Thursdays’ general session will detail the new Food Safety Management Act rules and audits that will begin taking place in 2019. Dan Wiesen with Empire Hops/Orchard, Traverse City, Michigan will be sharing his expertise on Hops and high density apple orchards. We will once again be featuring successful farming operations across Iowa in our popular farm features tract. Breakout sessions this year include: apples, pumpkins, hops, drip irrigation and wildlife management.

Again this year, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship – Pesticide Bureau has granted approval for recertification credits for fruit and vegetable commercial andprivate pesticide applicators at the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Conference. Cost to attend the CIC course is an additional $35. (Must attend the Friday 2:30 session and any 1 other CIC approved session indicated with an *) For more information, contact Joe Hannan at jmhannan@iastate.edu.

There are 30+ exhibitors in the trade show with the latest seeds, supplies, high tunnel, irrigation, equipment, and grower information. There will be ample opportunities to visit with other growers, exhibitors and speakers during the conference. It will be an excellent educational opportunity!