GETTYSBURG, Pa. — Each year, the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Hershey, Pa., the premier grower meeting of the Northeast, offers an excellent opportunity for growers interested in educational sessions presented in Spanish. The 2019 convention is no exception. On Jan. 30, in addition to the usual educational sessions in English, an entire day of special educational sessions in Spanish will be held. In recognition of the 10th anniversary, there will be a catered lunch.
Through the years, it became clear that there was a need for equivalent educational opportunities for Spanish speaking growers. Since 2009, the MAFVC has offered these, with sessions addressing current and relevant topics to the industry. Participants also suggest topics related to their specific crops or farm needs for future sessions. This educational opportunity in Spanish has allowed growers with limited English to deepen their knowledge and understanding of their work in a way that they were not able to when hearing the information in English.
On Jan. 30, six presentations in Spanish by Extension specialists will be offered for interested commercial fruit, vegetable and berry growers, direct marketers and allied industry personnel. Topics will include:
- Soil Testing and Fertilization
- GAPs: Pre- and Post- Harvest Sources of Contamination
- Three Important Invasive Insect Pests: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Allium Leafminer and Spotted Lanternfly
- Pollination of Apples and Other Tree Fruits
- The Peach Pruning Blueprint
- How to Get a Pesticide License
Pesticide applicator update training credits are available for some sessions.
Registration is $60 per person and includes a catered lunch on Wednesday, admission to all educational sessions and the trade show. Individuals can register through their state associations or visit http://www.mafvc.org/registration.
— Penn State Extension, Adams County