December 12, 2005
Vegetable growers school covers management, varieties, more
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University and University of Illinois Cooperative Extension services will co-sponsor an informational seminar for commercial vegetable growers in the Midwest.
The Illiana Vegetable Growers School will take place on Jan. 5 at Teibel's Restaurant in Schererville, Ind. Teibel's is located at the intersection of U.S. 41 and U.S. 30. Registration begins at 8 a.m. CST, and the program will run until 4 p.m.
"There will be experts from Purdue University, the University of Illinois and business professionals to help growers plan for a successful year in vegetable growing," said Liz Maynard, Purdue regional Extension specialist.
The program includes the following speakers:
• Rick Foster, Purdue professor of entomology, and Rick Weinzierl, Illinois professor of entomology, will discuss managing caterpillars in sweet corn and peppers.
• Dan Egel, Purdue Extension pathologist, will talk about downy mildew and viruses in vegetables such as squashes and pumpkins.
• Judy Loven, Purdue wildlife biologist, will present information on effective management of ground squirrels, birds and deer.
• Steve Weller, professor of horticulture at Purdue, will speak about vegetable weed management.
• Fred Whitford, coordinator of Purdue Pesticide Programs, will cover what farmers need to know about trucking and the Department of Transportation.
Afternoon speakers include:
• Weller, who will present information about a tour of organic farms in England and France.
• Frankie Lam, a Purdue pest management specialist, who will discuss beneficial arthropods on vegetables.
• Maria Marshall, a Purdue Extension small business development specialist, will talk about methods for keeping and selling the family business.
• Bill Shoemaker, research specialist from the University of Illinois, will provide information on tomato varieties.
Maynard will conclude the program with highlights from the sweet corn, pumpkin and pepper variety trials.
Registration is $20 at the door, and this cost includes lunch and program materials. Recertification credits for private pesticide applicators are available for an additional $10.
Writer: Kay Hagen, (765) 494-6682, kjh@purdue.edu
Source: Liz Maynard, (219) 785-5673, emaynard@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page
Related Web site:
Purdue Fruit and Vegetable Connection
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