VegNet Vol. 14, No. 30. December 3, 2007

Ohio State University Extension Vegetable Crops
On the WEB at:  http://vegnet.osu.edu

In This Issue

1. OPGMA Congress, Jan 14-16, 2008

2. OPGMA Program Highlight: Vine Crops Workshop

3. High Tunnels 101

Ohio’s Produce Growers & Marketers to Grow in New Directions at the OPGMA Congress

More than 40 educational sessions, a 100-booth trade show, and thousands of inspirations for an improved competitive advantage will be showcased under one roof when the Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association (OPGMA) hosts its annual OPGMA Congress, January 14-16 at the Nia Center at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio.

Vendors from across the country will be on-hand to provide attendees with everything they need for their business. See the latest innovations in produce, equipment, products, and services. When not on the exhibit floor, attendees can get answers to today’s most challenging business issues during three days of sessions, idea exchanges, and networking functions. Daily tracks of education include crop topics; systems and equipment; culture, nutrition, and soils; pest management; marketing; research; and business management.

The OPGMA Congress brings together the region’s industry to share ideas, to develop new business relationships, and to improve the collaboration among fresh produce growers and marketers.

In January 2007 the members of the Ohio Fruit Growers Society, Ohio Vegetable and Potato Growers Association, and the Ohio Direct Agricultural Marketers Association merged to form the Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association (OPGMA). OPGMA is an organization of produce growers and marketers whose goal is to produce exceptional quality crops, for consumers and processors, utilizing environmentally friendly practices. OPGMA provides educational opportunities to businesses, families, and employees associated with the production and marketing of Ohio's fresh produce.

The new organization was formed to streamline the educational and promotional activities of the state’s produce growers and marketers. OPGMA is designed to aid in providing educational opportunities to business owners, employees, and families associated with the production and marketing of the state’s fresh produce industry.

For additional information, contact the Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association at 2130 Stella Court, Columbus, Ohio USA 43215-1033. 614-487-1117; opgma@ofa.org; www.opgma.org.

Registration is Now Open

Save time by registering online or download a registration form. 

View the complete OPGMA Congress program or educational sessions at-a-glance.

The pre-registration deadline is January 4.

OPGMA Program Highlight: Vine Crops

Vine Crops Workshop, Monday, Jan. 14, 2008, 2:45 - 4:45 PM
 2:45 PM  Control of powdery and downy mildew in cucurbits and managing fungicide resistance.
Dr. Meg McGrath,  Dept. of Plant Pathology, Cornell University , Riverhead , NY

3:25 PM   Yellow squash and zucchini performance trials
Dr. Ron Goldy, Southwest MI Research Center, MSU,  Benton Harbor,  MI

3:45 PM  Powdery mildew resistant cultivar evaluation: pumpkins and squash and hard rind evaluation for phytophthora fruit rot .
Dr. Meg McGrath,  Dept. of Plant Pathology, Cornell University , Riverhead , NY

4:15 PM  Producing and Marketing Large pumpkins
Dr. Ron Goldy, Southwest MI Research Center, MSU,  Benton Harbor,  MI

High Tunnels 101

Want to extend your growing and marketing seasons? Protect your crops from cold, wind, and rain plus certain pests and diseases? Make more money in the process? High tunnels can help you. Learn how they work, where to buy them, how to build them, their benefits, drawbacks, and more—the ABCs of what you need to know before you start—in this introductory half-day course. It’s offered, for your convenience, on six different dates at six different Ohio locations.

1. Monday, Dec. 10, 2007 Zanesville, Ohio 43701

2. Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008 Toledo Botanical Garden

3. Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008 Mt. Hope Auction, Inc.

4. Friday, Jan. 25, 2008 Crown Point Farm and Education Center Bath, Ohio

5. Friday, Feb. 15, 2008 Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association, Granville, Ohi

6. Friday, March, 7, 2008 Village Administration Building Plymouth, Ohio 44865

Download the flyer for complete details.[PDF file]

For more information and complete details: Contact the instructors:

Matt Kleinhenz, (330) 263-3810, kleinhenz.1@osu.edu

Brad Bergefurd, (800) 297-2072, ext. 136, bergefurd.1@osu.edu

Ron Becker, (330) 264-8722, becker.4@osu.edu