1/5/2022 update: the EXPO has gone virtual due to the high risk of Covid-19 transmission. Many sessions have been postponed and will be held later in early 2022. The berry sessions will still be held on January 12 in virtual format. Click here for more information.
Registration is now open for the 2021 Producers EXPO, held this winter in Syracuse, NY. The 3-day conference and trade show will have researchers, businesses, and growers come together to discuss agriculture and farm business.
There will be sessions about growing vegetables, tree fruit, cut flowers, hemp, and nuts. There will be sessions focusing on greenhouse and high tunnel production, soil health, weed management, integrative pest management (IPM), and agroforestry. Profitability and labor will be further addressed in sessions focusing on agritourism/agritainment, produce safety, enterprise budgeting, and digital marketing. We welcome people with all levels of experience.
Visit the Producers EXPO website to see registration and pricing information.
The 2022 Berry Session will be held in-person with a simultaneous virtual option. This session is scheduled for Wednesday, January 12, running from 8:45 AM until 4:00 PM. A mix of researchers, growers and business owners will share their findings over the course of 4 sessions.
The first Berry Session of the day focuses on containerized berry production. Dr. Neil Mattson (Cornell University) will go over the trends in commercially-grown greenhouse strawberries, and their applicability to Northeastern farms. Senior Extension Associate Kathy Demchak (Penn State University) will review her research on container-growing strawberries and caneberries. Session I is scheduled for 8:45 – 10:15 AM EST on January 12, 2022.
The second Berry Session reviews blueberry production: researchers from the United States Department of Agriculture will present on the latest breeding efforts, and Dr. Thierry Bescanon (Rutgers University) will discuss the best approaches to manage weeds in blueberry plantings. Liz Machoff (Empire Drip Supply) will explain the principles of water acidification in drip irrigation. The session will close with a meeting hosted by the New York State Berry Growers Association. Session II will be held from 10:45 AM – 12:30 PM on January 12, 2022.
The third Berry Session is dedicated to the economics and sustainability of berry crop production. Business owner David Duda (Dudas Blues) will discuss the role of value-added products in his business. Dr. Kris Park (Cornell University) will review a New York State pricing survey of berry growers, and provide economic insights. Dr. Heather Grab (Cornell University) will share her findings on balancing pollinator care and weed management in strawberries. Session III will be held from 1:30 – 2:15 PM on January 12, 2022.
The fourth Berry Session explores lesser-known berries and nut crops that are suitable for the Northeast. Ph.D. Candidate Samantha Bosco (Cornell University) will share her knowledge of nuts as a crop and food source. Dr. Iago Hale (University of New Hampshire) will discuss the characteristics of hardy kiwifruit when grown as a commercial crop. Coming down from Northern NY, Dr. Mike Davis will present on juneberries, and grower Duane Smith will provide a summary of his experience growing honeyberries. Session IV will be held from 2:45 – 4:00 PM on January 12, 2022.