Contact Us

University of Illinois Extension serving Boone, DeKalb and Ogle Counties

Main Office (Ogle County)
421 W Pines Rd, Ste 10
Oregon, IL 61061
Phone: 815-732-2191
FAX: 815-732-4007
Email:uie-bdo@illinois.edu
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm

Branch Office (Boone County)
915 Alexandra Drive
Belvidere, IL 61008
Phone: 815-544-3710
FAX: 815-544-4606
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm (Closed 12 - 1pm)

Branch Office (DeKalb County)
1350 West Prairie Drive
Sycamore, IL 60178-3166
Phone: 815-758-8194
FAX: 815-758-8199
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm (Closed 12 - 1pm)

News Release

2012 STATELINE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS' CONFERENCE

February 10, 2012

The 16th Annual Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference will be held on Monday, February 20, 2012 in Rockford, IL at the Midway Village Museum. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn current information on fruits and vegetables starting from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM CST. This full day conference will feature a general session and breakout sessions for fruit, vegetable, and organic growers. Attendees can also visit with seed companies and other vendors serving specialty crop industry in northern Illinois.

The general session will feature a presentation on Farm to School Program and how fruit and vegetable growers can get involved by Julia Govis from University of Illinois Extension. Angela Tucker from Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation will talk about how fruit and vegetable growers can manage some of the risks ranging from production to marketing that they encounter in their businesses. The growers will also have the opportunity to learn from USDA/NRCS about programs and opportunities for specialty crop growers.

In the breakout sessions, Dr. Rick Weinzierl from University of Illinois will provide an update on fruit and vegetable insect pest management. Bill Shoemaker will talk about small fruits that growers can include in their operations in northern Illinois, and Maurice Ogutu will discuss the use of cover crops in vegetable production. In the organic session, Ellen Phillips will talk about safe use of soil amendments without compromising food safety, and a panel of growers with different experiences will talk about how they market their businesses and other farm operations.

Registration fee is $40 including lunch for individuals (group discounts available). Vendor registration is $80.00. Register online at: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw/. For more information contact Sandy Swenson (sswenso@illinois.edu).

Source: Ellen Phillips, Extension Educator, Local Food Systems and Small Farms, ephillps@illinois.edu