Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference - Rockford 2025
29th Annual Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference - Monday, February 17, 2025, at NIU-Rockford, 8500 E State Street, Rockford, Illinois
To ensure that you receive lunch, please register no later than Thursday, February 13, 2025.
University of Illinois Extension is excited to present the 29th Annual Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference at NIU-Rockford in Rockford, Illinois. This conference addresses common issues facing fruit and vegetable growers, hoping to provide the most up-to-date information to ensure a successful growing season and business.
The registration fee is $35 per person and $25 for additional employees of the same farm. This fee includes your choice of 5 different breakouts, an opening session, and a boxed lunch from Mary's Market.
Check-in begins at 9:00 a.m. We will start promptly at 9:30 a.m.
*Due to our catering deadline, we cannot provide lunch for anyone who registers after 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Friday, February 14th. Multiple food options are available within a few miles of the conference center.
SCHEDULE:
9:00 to 9:30 a.m. Check-in
9:30 to 10:00 a.m. Opening Session
10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Breakout Session A
1. Cover Crops and Weed Management in Pumpkins - Nathan Johanning, Illinois Extension
2. Crop Land Management: Thinning strategies for unpredictable weather - Dr Amaya Atucha, UW Madison
3. Incorporating Organic Practices Into Your Farm Operation - Richard Tobiasz, McHenry County College and Evergreen Oasis Farm
10:45 to 11:00 a.m. Break
11:00 to 11:45 a.m. Breakout Session B
1. Biological Control in High Tunnels: Lessons from four years of research - Dr Kacie Athey, Illinois Extension
2. Updates on Managing Apple and Stone Fruit Diseases in Northern Illinois - Dr Mohammad Babadoost, Illinois Extension
3. Cracking the Compost Code: Using compost efficiently, effectively, safely, and environmentally friendly on the small farm - Zack Grant, Illinois Extension
11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. LUNCH
12:30 to 1:15 p.m. Breakout Session C
1. Updates on Solanaceous (pepper and tomato) Diseases - Dr Mohammad Babadoost, Illinois Extension
2. 2025 Pumpkin Variety Review - Nathan Johanning, Illinois Extension
3. Day-Neutral Strawberry Yield and Quality in an Organic Production Systems in the Upper Midwest - Dr Amaya Atucha, UW Madison
1:15 to 1:30 p.m. Break
1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Breakout Session D
1. Beaks and Snouts: Plum curculio and stink bugs in tree fruit - Dr Kacie Athey, Illinois Extension
2. Integrating Annual and Perennial Living Mulches in Vegetable Production Systems - Alexis Barnes, Illinois Extension
3. Outdoor and Indoor Specialty Mushroom Cultivation for Small Farmers - Nick Frillman, Illinois Extension
2:15 to 3:30 p.m. Break
2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Breakout Session E
1. Hard Cider Production: An introduction and revisiting varieties and regulations - Grant McCarty, Illinois Extension
2. Updates on Managing Cucurbit Diseases - Dr Mohammad Babadoost, Illinois Extension
3. Preparing and Analyzing a Balance Sheet with a Lender - Sarah Hoerner, Compeer Financial