Preview Of 2014 Mid-Atlantic Fruit And Vegetable Convention
December 31, 2013 The 2014 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, which brings together growers from throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and other states, will take place Jan. 28-30 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, PA. The day before the main convention opens, the Young Grower Alliance will be presenting a workshop titled “Opportunities for a New Generation of Specialty Crop Growers” which will highlight how the next generation of growers can become better communicators, entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators.
The keynote speaker for this year’s convention is Steven Wiley with the Lincoln Leadership Institute in Gettysburg, PA. Wiley is a proven entrepreneur, author, and highly acclaimed speaker who has influenced and entertained tens of thousands of top executives from around the world. He will speak on Jan. 28 at 11 a.m. addressing the topic “Achieving Performance in a Rapidly Changing Environment.” Wiley brings a wealth of knowledge in the areas of leadership development, marketing, negotiation, sales, and business development — skills growers can use in a small family farm business or a larger agricultural business.
Many of the educational sessions taking place at the convention will be sponsored by American Fruit Grower. Specific highlights include:
• The George Goodling Memorial Lecture, “Chemical Regulation of Crop Load in Apples: Present Options and Future Possibilities” which will be given by Steven J. McArtney of North Carolina State University
• An update on the brown marmorated stink bug and what growers can expect in the coming year
• “Securing the Future of the Fruit Industry Through Successful Farm Transitions,” a panel discussion featuring local fruit growers Sidney and David Kuhn of Kuhn Orchards; Justin and Edward Weaver of Weaver’s Orchard; and Benjamin and David Wenk of Three Springs Fruit Farm
• The “Ernie Christ Lecture: Performance of Peach Training Systems in the Mid-Atlantic”
given by Dr. James Schupp at Penn State University
• Disease and weed resistance management strategies
• Keeping up with digital marketing changes, including how to move beyond Facebook.
For more information on the convention, go to www.mafvc.org.
Calling All Berry Growers
The North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association (NARBA)’s annual conference will be held in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention and will feature both educational presentations and local tours. Presentation highlights include:
• Updates on spotted wing drosophila
• Grower experiences with the rotating cross-arm trellis
• Understanding and capitalizing on bramble health benefits
• Updates on new blackberry and raspberry varieties.
For more information on the NARBA conference, go to www.raspberryblackberry.com.
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