Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference - Rockford 2026
30th Annual Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference - Monday, February 16, 2026, at NIU-Rockford, 8500 E State Street, Rockford, Illinois
To ensure that you receive lunch, please register by Thursday, February 12, 2026.
University of Illinois Extension is excited to present the 30th 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 $40 per person. This fee includes your choice of five different breakout sessions, 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 13th. 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. Herbicide Considerations for Apples, Dr Elizabeth Wahle, Illinois Extension
2. Adding Hydroponics to Your Farm Operation, Rich Tobiaz, McHenry County College
3. Building a Successful Tree Orchard: Considerations for Rootstock and Training Systems, Dr Emily Lavely, MSU Tree Fruit Educator
10:45 to 11:00 a.m. Break
11:00 to 11:45 a.m. Breakout Session B
1. International Fruit Study Tour of South Africa, Dr Elizabeth Wahle, Illinois Extension
2. Recommendations for Managing Apple Diseases in Northern Illinois in 2026, Dr Mohammad Babadoost, Illinois Extension
3. Beneficial Insects and Pests in Pumpkins, Dr Kacie Athey, 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 Disease Management of Cucurbit and Solanaceous Crops in Northern Illinois, Dr Mohammad Babadoost, Illinois Extension
2. Making the Cut: Pruning Apple Trees - An Introduction, Josie Dillon, Fruit Outreach Specialist, University of Wisconsin Extension
3. New Insights into Freeze Events and Winter Injury in Apple, Dr Emily Lavely, MSU Tree Fruit Educator
1:15 to 1:30 p.m. Break
1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Breakout Session D
1. Turning Ideas into Income: Using the 4+P's of Marketing to Plan Before You Plant, Kathryn Periera, Illinois Extension
2. Tried and True and Up and Coming Traps in Tree Fruit Production, Dr Kacie Athey, Illinois Extension
3. Managing Fertility and Irrigation in High Tunnel Tomatoes: Lessons from Multi-year Trials, Zach Grant, Illinois Extension
2:15 to 2:30 p.m. Break
2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Breakout Session E
1. Effect of Heat Stress on Tomato and Bean Production Outdoors, Dr James Santiago, University of Illinois
2. Tunnel or Field? Smart Choices for High-Value Cut Flowers, Alexis Barnes, Illinois Extension
3. Finding a Balance: Pollinators and Fruit Set, Josie Dillon, Fruit Outreach Specialist, University of Wisconsin Extension