Vegetable and Specialty Crop Seminars Pack a Punch

Gene McAvoy

The 27th year of Citrus Expo is expected to be the biggest year yet with an added vegetable and specialty crop educational program. AgNet Media has always relied on University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professionals to help create an informative program for growers. This year, Gene McAvoy, a regional vegetable Extension agent, led the efforts in organizing and designing the Citrus Expo vegetable and specialty crop seminars.

According to McAvoy, the program is built to attract growers of all kinds. “The vegetable and specialty crop sessions will feature an exciting and information-packed program that will be of interest to a wide audience beyond just citrus producers,” McAvoy says.

Each day of the seminar program will bring growers different topics. On Wednesday, Aug. 15, the program will focus on current and emerging pests and diseases. Topics will include whiteflies, late blight and new cucurbit and tomato viruses. Wednesday’s program will also include presentations on microbial communities, as well as the use of non-fumigant nematicides.

On Thursday, Aug. 16, the presentations will center on alternative crops. “The specialty crop seminars on Thursday morning will take a look at a number of specialty crops that may provide economically lucrative alternatives for Florida growers, including artichokes, blueberries, hemp, hops and tropical fruits,” McAvoy explains.

Vegetable and specialty crop seminars will take place Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning in the Davidson House at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. McAvoy will be moderating the vegetable and specialty crop sessions. View the detailed agenda of vegetable and specialty crop seminars here.

Growers will not want to miss this year’s Citrus Expo, so don’t wait. Click here or call 352-671-1909 to pre-register. All pre-registered growers will be automatically entered for a chance to win a John Deere gun safe courtesy of Everglades Equipment Group.

Due to a staggering amount of support, Citrus Expo is currently sold out of indoor exhibitor space, but there are outdoor booths available. If you would like to exhibit outdoors or be added to the waiting list for indoor space, please fill out a registration form.

To learn more about Citrus Expo, including host hotel information, visit CitrusExpo.net.

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