COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Growers from across the region will gather for the 2019 Southwestern Illinois Commercial Tree Fruit School on Thursday, February 7 in Hardin and the 2019 Southern Illinois Fruit and Vegetable School on Friday, February 8 in Mt. Vernon. These programs, sponsored by University of Illinois Extension, will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Hardin and the Double Tree Conference Center in Mt. Vernon, respectively. Registration starts at 7:45 a.m. and the program runs 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.
Elizabeth Wahle, U of I Extension horticulture educator, says that the programs includes presenters from University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, University of Missouri, and from the tree fruit, small fruit, strawberry and vegetable grower support industry.
Topics at the February 7, Hardin School, will include: Grower/Consultant Updates on Peach Insect Management, Management of Peach Diseases, Climate Data, Information and Services Relevant to Specialty Crop Production, Updates on Apple Diseases and Apple Insect Management. These topics will also be presented at the February 8, Mt. Vernon school, along with: Strawberry Disease Management, Berry Industry Trends, Weed Management Strategies in Brambles and Blueberries, On-Farm Readiness Reviews, Watermelon Variety Trail, Tomato Variety Evaluation, Management of Vegetable Diseases, New Vegetable Introductions and many others.
Advance registration by February 1 for the Hardin School is $40 for the first person from each farm/organization and $30 for each additional person. Walk-in registration at the door is $50/person.
Registration for the Mt. Vernon School is $40 per farm by February 1. Late and at-door registration is $50 per farm. The registration fee includes one copy of the 2019 Midwest Small Fruit Spray Guide OR 2019 Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers. Industry representatives will also be on hand to talk about their latest products and services.
For more details and online registration, visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/mms/. Or contact Wahle by phone 618-344-4230 or email wahle@illinois.edu. If you need disability accommodations to participate in this program, please call by January 25. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.
— University of Illinois Extension
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