The 2016 Gateway Small Fruit and Vegetable Conference will feature presenters from University of Illinois, University of Missouri Extension, University of Arkansas, University of Kentucky, Purdue University, and from the small fruit, strawberry and vegetable grower support industry. (Photo U of I Extension)

Growers from across the Illinois region will gather for the 2016 Gateway Small Fruit and Vegetable Conference on Feb. 9 and 10.

The two-day program, sponsored by University of Illinois Extension, will be held at the Regency Conference Center in O’Fallon. Registration starts at 8 a.m., and the program runs 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. each day.

The program includes presenters from University of Illinois, University of Missouri Extension, University of Arkansas, University of Kentucky, Purdue University, and from the small fruit, strawberry and vegetable grower support industry, said Elizabeth Wahle, U of I Extension horticulture educator.

On Tuesday, Feb. 9, the conference will feature Small Fruit School classes: Blackberry Variety Trials; Optimizing Irrigation and Fertilization in Blueberries; Bramble Weed Control; Broadmites in Small Fruit, Another Bad Combination, Update on Spotted Wing Drosophila and Current Research and other topics.

Vegetable School classes on Feb. 9 will be Insect Control over Multiple Harvests; Selecting the Best Vegetable Cultivars; Managing Insect Pests in Cucurbit Crops; Disease Management in Tomato Production, Brussel Sprout Production; Tips for Growing Cauliflower and other topics.

On Wednesday, Feb. 10, classes will include ABC’s of Strawberry Production; Extending Strawberry Production Season in High Tunnels; Fresh Market Table Grapes, Back to Basics: Managing Soil Fertility in Small Fruits, Engaging Kids on the Farm and other topics.

Also on Feb. 10, the classes will be New in Watermelons and Cantaloupe; Considerations for Vegetable Grafting; Back to Basics-Exploring Cover Crops; Succession Planting and Season Extension, Understanding, Choosing and Protecting Pollinators and other topics.

For those who register by Tuesday, Feb, 2 is $50 per farm. Late and at-door registration is $60 per farm.

The registration fee includes one copy of the 2016 Midwest Small Fruit Spray Guide or 2016 Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers.

For more details and online registration, visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/mms/. Or, contact Elizabeth Wahle by phone (618) 344-4230 or email her at wahle@illinois.edu.

Those who need disability accommodations to participate in this program should call by Friday, Feb. 5.  University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

— Gateway Conference offers support to small fruit and vegetable growers —