The Illiana Vegetable Growers Symposium will be held Wednesday, January 12, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time, at Teibel’s Restaurant in Schererville, Indiana. This symposium, sponsored by Purdue Extension and University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, offers commercial vegetable growers and market farmers opportunities to learn more about pest management, production practices, and marketing; visit with vendors; and network with other growers.  

The program is a collaboration of Purdue and the University of Illinois Extension services. Presenters will include several Extension specialists and educators from both universities. Presentation highlights include irrigation for small farms, biological control in high tunnels, diseases in vegetables, storing pesticides, urban agriculture updates, and transplant production. The symposium also includes breakout sessions which will allow participants to focus on either soil health and cover crops or agribusiness.  

Indiana private applicator recertification credits are available for a $10 fee at the door-bring your license. Indiana commercial pesticide applicator continuing certification hours (CCH’s) and certified crop adviser continuing education units also are available. Commercial pesticide applicator CCH’s include 6 CCHs for Cat 1, 4 CCHs for RT, 1 CCHs for 11, and 2 CCHs for Cat 14. Certified Crop Advisor continuing education units available include integrated pest management, nutrient management, and soil & water.  

Early registration costs $45 and should be postmarked by Dec. 20, 2021 or completed online by Jan. 4, 2022. Participants also can register at the door for $50, but they will not be guaranteed lunch.  

Sponsors include Austgen Farms, Porter County Farm Bureau, Lake County Farm Bureau, and La Porte County Farm Bureau. 

Registration and further details, including vendor registration, are available online at https://cvent.me/ZqPo2w  

For more information, contact Nikky Witkowski at nikky@purdue.edu or 219-465-3555.  

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution