MILLS RIVER, N.C.–It’s that time of year once again! Time to gather with friends, industry representatives, researchers, extension personnel, out of state experts, and farmers of all kinds to learn the latest about growing vegetables and specialty crops in western North Carolina. It is the annual Winter Vegetable Conference and NC Tomato Growers Meeting at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Asheville, NC.
Some of the topics that will be covered this year include pumpkin production, grafting vegetables, disease and insect control on tomatoes and peppers, curing butternut squash, food safety, soil and water conservation programs, clean energy, plastic mulch recycling, managing insects on cole crops, high tunnels, industrial hemp, nematode management, tomato cultural practices, a new variety showcase by breeders and industry reps, and an interactive pest management survey.
There will be trade show, raffle to support the scholarship fund, and a luncheon.
The event takes place on February 21 and 22, 2018 at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Asheville, NC. Registration opens at 8:30 am on Wednesday and the sessions start at 1:00 and run through 5:00.
There is a special produce safety training all day Tuesday before the conference and fumigation training on Wednesday evening from 5-7.
The conference restarts on Thursday morning at 8:00 and ends with a luncheon at noon. Pesticide credits will be offered. At the door registration is $40.
–Dr. Jeanine Davis, Extension Specialist, NC State University