About 1,700 fruit, vegetable and berry growers and otherindustry persons from throughout the mid-Atlantic region willbe gathering at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center inHershey, Pennsylvania, for the 2009 Mid-Atlantic Fruit andVegetable Convention which runs from February 3 to 5.Brian Nicholson from Red Jacket Orchards in New York willpresent the keynote address on how growers can best takeadvantage of the growing consumer preference for localfoods.
Brian’s grandfather purchased Red Jacket Orchards nearGeneva in 1958 after being forced to sell his poultry farm onLong Island to make way for a freeway. The Nicholsonsbegan retailing their fruit and developed a thriving roadsidemarket. Today they have extended their retail sales to severalGreenmarket farmers’ markets in New York City where theirfresh fruit as well as a variety of unique mixed fruit juices arein high demand. In addition, they wholesale local fruits andvegetables from their own farm and other local growers to theNew York City area.
The Mid-Atlantic Convention has been jointly sponsored bythe State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania, thePennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association, the MarylandState Horticultural Society and the New Jersey StateHorticultural Society for the past 31 years. The PennsylvaniaState University, University of Maryland and RutgersUniversity Cooperative Extensions all assist in organizing thethree days of educational sessions. The Convention hasbecome one of the premier grower meetings in the Northeast.The Great American Hall at the Hershey Lodge andConvention Center will host the Trade Show with over 140exhibitors expected. Specialized horticultural equipment,farm market merchandise, and packaging, will all be ondisplay along with information on the latest seed varieties,fruit varieties, pesticides and other supplies and services forthe commercial grower.
Many pesticide applicator update training credits areavailable to Pennsylvania growers attending the sessions.The program covers nearly every aspect of fruit, vegetable,potato and berry production. Commercial growers shouldnot pass up this terrific educational opportunity.Six or more concurrent educational sessions will be offeredon all three days of the Convention. Besides the plenarysession for the keynote address, the opening day will featuresessions on Tree Fruit, Vine Crops, Pumpkins, High Tunnels,Organic Vegetables, Pesticide Safety, Leafy Greens,Wholesale Marketing, Snap Beans, Labor, and Wine Grapes.On the second day, sessions on Direct Marketing,Greenhouse Ornamentals, Sweet Corn, Potatoes, GeneralVegetables, Tree Fruit, Peaches, Food Safety and Small Fruitwill be featured.
The Convention will close on the third day with sessionson: Peaches, Tree Fruit, Small Fruit, Tomatoes, Sweet Potatoes,Cut Flowers, Soil Health, Greenhouse Vegetables, and EnergyIssues.
The third annual Mid-Atlantic Cider Contest will beconducted during the Convention to determine the besttasting cider produced in the region.On February 3, fruit and vegetable growers will be treatedto a reception followed by the annual Fruit and VegetableGrowers Dinner which will include awards and recognitions.On February 4 there will be an Ice Cream Social and informaldiscussion groups in the evening.
Registration is required for all persons attending theConvention trade show or educational sessions.Registration with any of the four sponsoring organizationsallows one to attend any of the sessions although there areadditional charges for workshops and meals. For furtherinformation, go to www.mafvc.org or call 717-694-3596 or717-677-4184.