ILLINOIS SPECIALTY CROPS, AGRITOURISM AND ORGANIC CONFERENCE TO FEATURE MORE THAN 150 SPEAKERS AND EXHIBITORS

This article was originally published on December 20, 2012 and expired on January 9, 2013. It is provided here for archival purposes and may contain dated information.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. — The Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism and Organic Conference will be held Jan. 9-11, 2013, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Ill. The conference, which features more than 100 speakers and 50 trade show exhibitors, will again host four concurrent preconference workshops, general sessions and breakout sessions aimed at helping Illinois specialty growers cultivate their operations.

Wednesday, Jan. 9, participants may attend one of four preconference workshops, including Cover Crops, High Tunnels, Basics of Orchard Establishment/Tree Fruit Production, and Sweet Corn.

The conference opens Thursday, Jan. 10, with a general session highlighting the Illinois specialty crops industry and its partners and addressing a range of issues, including produce recalls, severe weather, herbicide drift, food safety, new pests, and more.

Participants are invited to attend breakout sessions Thursday, Jan. 10, and Friday, Jan. 11, featuring:

· Agritourism

· Fruits

· Vegetables

· Herbs

· Organic Foods

· Emerging Issues and Opportunities

Following Thursday's breakout sessions, the annual banquet will include a keynote speech titled, "A Family and a Farm" by Holly Spangler, farm wife and associate editor at Prairie Farmer Magazine. The 24th Annual Apple Cider Contest and 11th Annual Hard Cider Contest will again be held in conjunction with the conference, with winners being announced during Thursday evening's festivities.

To receive registration materials or to obtain exhibitor information, please contact Diane Handley at 309-557-2107 or dhandley@ilfb.org. A detailed conference agenda and cider contest details can be viewed at www.specialtygrowers.org. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at a rate of $89 per night. Please call the hotel directly at 217-529-7777 and ask for the Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism and Organic Conference room block to make reservations at the conference rate.

Pull date: January 9, 2013