Virginia Cooperative Extension - Knowledge for the CommonWealth

November-December 2003; Volume 2, Issue 6

Table of Contents

Click here to download a printable version of Virginia Vegetable, Small Fruit and Specialty Crops Newsletter - PDF format

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS FROM THE EDITOR
Tony Bratsch, VA Tech Horticulture

I would like to thank each of our contributors for helping out with this final year-end issue. Inside you will find a research update on bean leaf beetle by Tom Kuhar; Jeff Derr provides an update on a useful herbicide recently registered for strawberries; we have a very interesting article on the use of the new "bio-stimulants" by emeritus faculty Charlie O' Dell; a timely update on recent FDA bioterrorism regulations from Bill Lamont in Pennsylvania, where that state has been dealing with the issue of contaminated produce; and finally I have shared some thoughts on displaying in roadside markets. In addition there are announcements for various educational meetings this winter season.

Those of us in extension have been busy planning and preparing for various grower conferences around the state. One meeting near and dear to me, is the "new" Virginia Grown Conference and Trade Show to be held January 21-23 in Richmond. Like last year, this meeting will focus on three educational areas: tree fruit, specialty crops and small fruit, and direct marketing. For those involved with specialty crops and small fruit, I would like to draw attention to a new session we put together "Putting Small Acreage to Work" with a focus on horticultural crop options. This will be a great session for those interested in getting into various specialty crops. We will have speakers addressing various topics, including specialty vegetables, greenhouse production, native pawpaw and ginseng production, and specialty small fruit. This one-day session will be followed by a session on the second day entirely devoted to small fruit: strawberries, blueberries and brambles. This session will feature nationally recognized invited speakers. In addition the conference will be hosting excellent sessions about direct marketing and tree fruit production, and will have a large trade show/exhibit area. Information about registration can be found inside this issue. Other conferences of special importance to Virginia Growers are the Eastern Shore Ag Conference and Trade Show January 6-7, MADMC (Mid-Atlantic Direct Marketing Conference) to be held Feb. 22-25 in Cherry Hill New Jersey, and the Virginia Biological Farmers Association meeting, to be held Jan. 30-31 in Wakefield VA.

I hope to see many of you at the various meetings this winter, please be sure to say hello and introduce yourself. Enjoy the newsletter!

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Natural Plant Hormones Are Biostimulants Helping Plants Develop Higher Plant Antioxidant Activity For Multiple Benefits
Charlie O'Dell, Extension Horticulturist Emeritus, Va. Tech

For the November, 2003 SE Strawberry Expo at Durham, NC, I was asked to make a presentation on the topic "Introduction to Foliar Feeding." Several folks helped me find background reference information on this subject, which was used to assemble this presentation and is included herein. I hope this information will help you produce better berry, fruit and vegetable crops!

In the late 1960's T.L. Senn at Clemson University and others found that high levels of natural plant hormones in seaweed, named cytokinin, stimulated plants, providing a growth stimulator effect. However, at that time, stabilizing these plant growth hormones (PGH) was difficult. When they were applied to plants results were unpredictable and inconsistent..

In the early 1990's agricultural chemists developed techniques to stabilize these plant hormones. Adding small amounts of PGH with foliar nutrients further improved plant response compared to applying foliar PGH or foliar nutrients alone. Consider the definition of a plant growth hormone-biostimulant: "a biostimulant is an organic material, that, when applied in small quantities, enhances plant growth and development such that the response cannot be attributed to application of traditional plant nutrients."

About the turn of this new century, researchers Z. Hunzhong and R.S. Schmidt, working with the turfgrass industry, were asked to help develop strategies to reduce drought stress on golf courses, putting greens and athletic playing fields. Not every team organization has replaced real turfgrass with artificial turf playing fields, for example. Also, golfers are naturally adverse to playing golf in the wet, including after, or during, sprinkler irrigations.

Their investigations led to studying the effects of cytokinin, humic acid, salicytic acid and other plant growth hormones to reduce plant stress, including drought stress. Cytokinin from brown seaweed beds near Norway and Nova Scotia were found to be highest in cytokinin PGH. Stable extracts from these sources improved root and shoot growth of turfgrass, improved photosynthetic efficiency, delayed senescence in fall weather to keep turfgrass growing green and healthy longer, and reduced diseases.

How and why does PGH cytokinin work? By increasing the in-plant (endogenous) natural production of antioxidants. In plants, antioxidants a-tocopherol (vitamin E) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) are concentrated in the chloroplast and protect the photosynthetic apparatus when a plant is subjected to stress, by scavenging excessively reactive oxygen species known as free radicals.

From Webster's new unabridged dictionary, 2001, Definition of Antioxidants: an enzyme or other organic substance such as vitamin e and beta-carotene, that is capable of counteracting the damaging effects of oxidation in plant and animal tissues.

Definition of Free Radical: an atom or molecule that bears an unpaired electron and is extremely reactive, capable of engaging in rapid chain reactions that destabilize other molecules and generate many more free radicals. In plants and animals, free radicals are deactivated by antioxidants. For example, agricultural food science researcher E.F. Anet isolated eleven antioxidants from apple peel tissue that together helped prevent cold storage scald breakdown of fruit. Horticultural fruit researcher C.L. Barden found that apple peels containing higher levels of antioxidants had a longer storage life than fruit with peels containing lower antioxidant levels.

For crops' growth cycles, stress points-based, supplemental foliar feeding plant health programs were conceived, developed, proven and patented. The application timings are applied through the spring and summer plant stress season in this region, beginning at first spring growth flush and continuing through final harvest. Each crop program contains several nutrients, many with natural PGH cytokinin extracted from hormone-rich seaweed. Remember, independent researchers have verified that applications of soluble cytokinin plant growth hormones extracted from seaweed stimulate more in-plant production of antioxidants and thus function as biostimulants. I believe their research, cited below, helps explain the positive results with such applications on small fruits, vegetables, tree fruit, ornamentals and turfgrass. PGH/foliar nutrients programs can be a new tool for growers to improve net income, including less diseases, longer harvests with higher yields and very high fruit quality, including better shelf life after harvest.

Four berries are among the top 10 fruits and vegetables highest in antioxidants, according to USDA's 1999 analysis of over 40 fruits and vegetables. The top 10 are: blueberries, blackberries, kale, strawberries, spinach, raspberries, brussel sprouts, plums, prunes and raisins. An exciting area for further research: can applications of plant growth hormone biostimulants such as cytokinin applied with foliar nutrient programs also increase antioxidant levels of the berries, vegetables and tree fruit that we consume, to further improve both plant and human health?

FOR FURTHER READING:

  1. Anet, E.F.L.J. 1974. Superficial Scald, A Functional Disorder of Apples. XI: Apple Antioxidants. Journal Sci. Food Agric., 25: 299-304

  2. Barden, C.L. and W.J. Bramlage. 1994. Accumulation of Antioxidants in Apple Peel As Related to Preharvest Factors and Superficial Scald Susceptibility of the Fruit. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 119 (2): 264-269.

  3. Larson, R.A. 1988. The Antioxidants of Higher Plants. Phytochemistry, 27: 969-978.

  4. Schmidt, R.E., Ervin E.H. and Zhang X. 2002. Questions and Answers About Biostimulants. Turfgrass Society of America 2002 Research Notes.

  5. Xiaozhong L. and B. Huang. 2002. Cytokinin Effects on Creeping Bentgrass Response to Heat Stress and Antioxidant Metabolism. Crop Science 42: 466-472/

  6. Xunzhong Z. and R.E. Schmidt. 2000. Hormone-Containing Products' Impact on Antioxidant Status of Tall Fescue and Creeping Bentgrass Subjected to Drought. Crop Science 40: 1344-1349.

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Controlling Bean Leaf Beetle On Snap Beans
Thomas P. Kuhar and John Speese, III Department of Entomology Virginia Tech Eastern Shore AREC Painter, VA


Fig. 1. Bean leaf beetles
Fig. 2. Bean leaf beetle injury to pods, leaves

In eastern Virginia, the bean leaf beetle (BLB), Ceratoma trifucata (Forster), has caused serious damage to snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in recent years. The adult is a relatively small beetle black underneath and it has a black triangular spot on the upper abdomen where the wing covers meet. These characteristics help distinguish it from the somewhat similar Southern corn rootworm beetle (spotted cucumber beetle), which is a minor foliar pest of legumes. BLB can be yellow, or green or red, spotted or without spots (Fig. 1).

This insect feeds on a wide variety of legume hosts, including the foliage and pods of snap beans and soybeans. Larvae feed on roots in the soil and are generally of relatively minor concern to the crop. Adult (beetles) cause the majority of damage. Beetles can severely defoliate early seedling beans and even kill plants if infestations are high enough. In addition, BLB feeding scars on the bean pods can render the crop unmarketable (Fig. 2). Defoliation by BLB is quite evident and easy to assess. Beetles usually chew round holes in the leaves, which may increase in size as the leaf grows. The economic threshold is 20% defoliation during prebloom stage or 10% defoliation during podding.

In fall 2003, we tested some newer chemicals (Avaunt 30WG, Mustang Max, SpinTor 2SC, and Entrust 80WP) along with some of the standards from the past (Orthene 97, Lannate, Asana XL, Capture 2, Warrior) for efficacy against bean leaf beetle in snap beans. The experiment included 9 treatments plus an untreated control arranged in a randomized complete block replicated 4 times. Each plot consisted of a single 25-ft-long row spaced 3 ft apart. Plots were flanked by one untreated row. Snap beans ('Bronco') were planted on 21 Aug at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center near Painter, VA. Insecticide applications were made on 23 Sept and 2 and 8 Oct using a propane-pressurized backpack sprayer that had a boom equipped with a single hollow cone nozzle calibrated to deliver 29 gal of spray/acre at 40 psi. First application was made at early bloom stage following a relatively heavy colonization of bean leaf beetles in the beans a few days prior to spraying. The remaining two applications corresponded with pin to pod stage beans. On 24 Sept (~24 h after first application), the number of live BLB/plot was sampled using a beat cloth that sampled a 3 ft section of row. On 16 Oct, a random sample of 50 pods was harvested from each plot and examined for damage. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and treatment means were separated using LSD at P < 0.05. Proportion damaged pods were transformed before analysis [arcsin(sqrt(x+0.0001))], but actual percentage values are presented in the table.

The infestation level of BLB was relatively high. On 24 Sept, all treatments resulted in significantly fewer live BLB than the untreated check (Table 1). The pyrethroids, Capture, Mustang Max, Warrior, and Asana XL had fewer live BLB than Avaunt. At harvest, all treatments had a significantly lower percentage of BLB damaged pods than the untreated check, and Capture had a lower percentage damaged pods than Asana XL.

Table 1. Results of fall 2003 snap bean insecticide efficacy trial conducted at ESAREC, Painter, VA.

Treatment/formulation Rate/acreNo. BLB/3 ft of row 24 Sept % BLB damaged pods 16 Oct
Avaunt 30WG 3.5 oz 8.50 b 6.00 bc
Asana XL 9.6 fl oz 2.00 c 7.50 b
Lannate LV 3.0 pt 3.00 bc 5.00 bc
Capture 2EC 3.2 fl oz 0.00 c 0.50 c
Mustang Max 4.0 fl oz 0.25 c 2.50 bc
Entrust 80WP 2.0 oz 2.75 bc 6.00 bc
SpinTor 2SC 6.0 fl oz 2.75 bc 4.00 bc
Orthene 97 1 lb 4.75 bc 2.00 bc
Warrior 1CS 3.0 fl oz 0.50 c 2.50 bc
Untreated Check   15.00 a 21.50 a
Pr > F   0.0007 0.0047
LSD   6.1104 8.5584
Means in a column with a letter in common are not significantly different (P > 0.05, LSD). Percentages were transformed [arcsin(sqrt(x+0.0001))] before analysis, but actual values are presented.

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Stinger Registered For Virginia-Grown Strawberries
Jeffrey F. Derr, Weed Scientist Hampton Roads AREC, Virginia Tech

The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the EPA have approved a state label for use of Stinger (clopyralid) on strawberries grown in Virginia. Dr. Henry Wilson, Weed Scientist at the Eastern Shore AREC, and I both supported the effort to obtain this state registration.

Clopyralid is used on other crops, including Christmas trees, certain ornamental trees and shrubs, asparagus, field corn, noncrop areas, and turf. This herbicide has been in the news recently regarding persistence in compost. For a discussion of the compost issue with clopyralid, see my article in the July/August 2003 Virginia Turfgrass Journal. Apparently clopyralid can persist in compost under certain circumstances, and can harm sensitive broadleaf crops like tomatoes or snap beans if such compost is applied to these crops. This should not be an issue, though, with clopyralid use in strawberries.

Stinger is a postemergence herbicide that controls certain broadleaf weeds, especially those in the composite (aster), legume, and nightshade families. Some of the weeds that Stinger will control include white clover, red clover, vetch, common ragweed, horseweed, groundsel, and eclipta, with suppression of mugwort, Canada thistle, dandelion, and buckhorn plantain. Growers must be able to identify their broadleaf weed problems since Stinger will not control other broadleaves, such as spotted spurge or yellow woodsorrel (Oxalis). Stinger will not control grasses or sedges. For optimum results, Stinger should be applied to young, actively growing weeds under sunny skies and good soil moisture. Rainfall soon after application could reduce effectiveness. Injury symptoms are similar to that seen with 2,4-D and related growth-regulator herbicides, such as leaf cupping and twisting of petioles and stems.

Stinger can be applied to strawberries at 1/3 pint per acre in the spring. Do not apply within 30 days of harvest. Up to 2/3 pint per acre can be used after harvest. Growers who intend to use the product in strawberries must sign a waiver of liability.

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Public Health Security And Bioterrorism Preparedness And Response Act Of 2002
William Lamont, Penn State University

Editors note: Considering the recent produce outbreak in Pennsylvania, we wanted to share the below information from Bill Lamont. Please note the reference to the PSU website, which provides information and registration materials for vegetable/fruit growers. The Vegetable and Small Fruit Gazette can be accessed at: http://hortweb.cas.psu.edu/extension/vegcrops/newsletterlist.html

To further ensure the safety of our food supply, the Food and Drug Administration has adopted regulations that will help to protect the public from a threatened or actual terrorists attack on the U.S. food supply. This regulation will affect many of the groups that Cooperative Extension works with.

The regulation requires domestic and foreign facilities that manufacture/process, pack, or hold food for human or animal consumption in the United States to register with the FDA. Many ordinary farm activities belong to those categories. Farm warehouses and cold storages hold food, and the practices of sorting, grading, wrapping or boxing harvested food for the sole purpose of transporting this food off the farm are deemed by the FDA to be a form of "packing or holding". All affected facilities/growers must register by December 12, 2003. A complete list of the type of facilities that are required to register is located on the web site. This includes feed mills that mix and sell livestock feed. There is no cost to register.

Dr. Luke Laborde, Assistant Professor in Food Science, Penn State, has developed a comprehensive web site to assist the food and feed industry to understand the regulation, who is affected and who is exempt, access the required registration forms, and instructions on how to complete the process electronically, by fax, or by land mail.

The web site can be accessed at: http://foodsafety.cas.psu.edu/bioterror/fda_registration.htm Electronic registration website for FDA www.fda.gov/furls

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Displaying In A Farm Market
Anthony Bratsch, Extension Horticulture Specialist Virginia Tech, Dept. of Horticulture

Bringing awareness to, and development of effective roadside marketing techniques was first addressed in the bustling fresh vegetable markets of Ohio. Dr. Ed Watkins, now retired from Ohio State University played a significant role in helping to improve these markets. Though he conducted his work in the 1960-70's, the basic information is just as relevant for today's direct marketers as it was then. Selling products direct to customers involves an understanding of the subtle elements of human nature, and a fair amount of common sense is helpful too. Planning for and displaying agricultural products in a farm market is one of the important parts of an effective roadside marketing merchandising program. While displaying is at least as much an art as a science, there are definite suggestions which provide guidelines to consider as displays are located in a market, and as displays are built and maintained. Roadside market operators will need to consider which ones will provide the best response from their customers. Ideas on displaying may need to be tested to determine how effective an idea may be for a specific market.

The following pointers are adapted from Dr. Watkins work, and are presented as guidelines to be considered for more effective displays in roadside markets:

Layout and displays should encourage customers to "shop the market" - By developing a definite shopping pattern that encourages customers to shop the entire market, sales will be enhanced. This is accomplished by dispersing "power" items (see below) throughout the market, changing the width of aisles, and locating display fixtures so that customers are gently guided throughout the market. Ideally, they will pass by and are attracted to each display in the market.

Use unique and varied display fixtures. Tilt tables, half-barrels, baskets, shelves, crates, bins, sacks, wagons and old buckets. Old farm antiques in particular add character and appeal to a market and can double as a display fixture.

Mass displays sell - A large display will tend to draw customers attention to that display. Hence, a large sized or mass display will tend to move more products than a smaller display located at its customary spot on the shelf or table.

Group items of similar use together - Here the operator may place together in close proximity groups of vegetables, which may be used in salads, for example. Other groupings suggested may be those for cooking vegetables, such as green beans and potatoes, and snacking fruits.

Use color contrast in displays - A display that uses a mixture of red, green and yellow colors commonly found in fresh produce will tend to attract the eyes of customers. Red and orange in particular impact the eye and are retained in memory. Avoid uniform massing of green produce.

Use a contrast of texture and size - Variation and diversity in displays created by produce texture and sizes are a draw to the eye, and encourages exploration of the display by customers.

Use and locate "power" items throughout the market - Power items are high-draw crops that customers come to your market for, and result in the highest sales. These items should be displayed throughout the market rather than grouped together early or late in the shopping pattern. Sweet corn, strawberries, tomatoes, peaches are well-known power items.

Low volume items can be located near high sales volume items - If, for example, Delicious apples move readily at your market and some other fruit does not, then the fruit which is not moving may be helped by locating it near or adjacent to the Delicious apples.

Location of displays within the market should be changed periodically - Few display fixtures should be "nailed to the floor". This permits moving displays and fixtures to meet the needs of the particular season and the desires of customers. Customers will tend to see more of what you have to sell immediately after displays are changed.

Use a combination of loose bulk and pre-bagged displays - Customers come with differing degrees of desires and expectations. Market tests indicate that where customers are given a choice of displays in which they can individually select items, and have a choice of sizes of packages and bags, they will tend to buy more products than if restricted to either bulked or packaged products.

More floor space should be allowed around bulk displays - Customers will take more time to select individual items from bulk or loose displays than from displays that are bagged or packaged. Because of this, more floor space will need to be provided around these displays allowing customers to move freely around people who are shopping such displays.

Accent lighting helps - Accent lighting refers to the use of special lights such as spotlights or special fluorescent fixtures which to highlight a specific display. Accent lighting is more effective when overhead lighting does not overwhelm the accent lighting.

Do a quality job of signage in market- Clear, well-lettered signs communicate prices and draw customer attention to items for sale. Use color and unique designs or logos that reflect the atmosphere and of the market. Signs communicate the personality of the market and its owners.

Displays should be changed seasonally - Displays need to be completely revamped as major crops sold in a market change during the growing season. These changes will help customers concentrate on the seasonal products, and keep them coming back for new experiences.

Shrink is not necessarily higher for bulk or loose displays when used - Bulk or loose displays of products will need to be carefully monitored to make sure unacceptable produce is removed promptly. Total shrink or lose of products seems to be, for most products, little different than it is for packaged displays where a customer may get one or two items which are not acceptable in the package. Operators should rework packages that do not move promptly.

Customers do not penalize growers who also buy and resell products - Available information indicates that customers shop at a farm market because of freshness and quality of products. They do not indicate that they are disturbed if some of the products may be purchased elsewhere.

Offer some field-run crops - Some crops can be displayed and sold in bulk boxes directly from the field. Although pallet boxes may be of use for only a few crops, it accomplishes several things. First, it reinforces the idea that this is a farm market; second, it permits the operator to offer special prices (with many crops the packaging and grading expense may be greater than producing the crop) and third, displaying field-run products does offer customers an additional choice

Refrigeration helps maintain quality - Horticultural products deteriorate rapidly if temperatures of the product are not brought down to the point recommended for that particular product. In farm markets, many products should be held in the 30-40ƒF range to prevent rapid deterioration. There are exceptions, and ideal storage temps can vary. In non-refrigerated displays, remove over-ripe produce promptly.

Refrigeration equipment may not maintain the most desirable environments for products - Although most refrigeration equipment will tend to hold the temperature at a certain point, many do not maintain a desirable level of humidity. Humidity level is especially important to the soft fruits and vegetables to prevent moisture loss and fresh "appeal."

Iced displays can help - For some markets, it may be more desirable to buy an ice machine and display some products on a bank of ice rather than buying mechanical refrigeration equipment. Ice displays have the advantage of not only keeping the product cold, but also providing a moisture shield that can reduce shrink due to loss of moisture and loss of quality.

Price mark all products - Customers are accustomed to and expect to compare prices. In a smaller market where all items can be readily seen at the checkout and prices remembered, prices only on displays may be effective. In general, it is desirable to have each package or bag price marked.

Provide product use information - Recipe cards and other descriptive material on product use is attractive and useful to customers. This is especially true for items that may be unfamiliar to customers.

Encourage sampling by customers - Have a definite plan for providing samples to customers. Allow them to taste, smell, or see the difference between products; or sample a new item that you may have introduced into the market. Offering samples also adds to the feeling that the market is being helpful by allowing customers to judge some aspect of quality before they purchase.

Locate checkout conveniently, with "impulse" items within easy reach - Such things as gift packs, nuts, honey, jams, apple peelers, and canning items can be as much as 50% of total market sales.

What Customers Buy At Roadside Markets
Fruits Percent of customers %
Apples 90.0
Peaches 82.3
Cantaloupe 66.5
Strawberries 58.2
Plums 45.4
Pears 41.2
Grapes 40.9
Cherries 30.9
Raspberries 24.1
Watermelon 5.8
Vegetables
Sweet corn 85.9
Tomatoes 61.4
Peppers 46.3
Cucumbers 44.3
Snapbeans 36.9
Cabbage 35.9
Lettuce 27.7
Carrots 24.7
Asparagus 17.1
Squash 9.4
Potatoes 7.9
Miscellaneous
Cider 72.1
Pumpkins 49.0
Honey 48.0
Gourds 25.6
Jelly/Jam 16.0
Bread 15.8
Pies 14.3
Flowers 3.0
Popcorn 3.0
Indian corn 2.8

Source: Ohio Customers and Their Roadside Markets publication # MM 381, Ohio State University.

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MADMC Conference Announced: Beating The Odds And Marketing With Fresh Ideas
Catherine T. Belcher, Direct Marketing Program Manager Domestic Sales & Market Development VDACS, Richmond

Drought, flooding, hurricanes and tornadoes‹the Mid-Atlantic has seen it all over the past year. Add these to the everyday problems farmers face, and it's tough to make ends meet. But there is good news‹direct marketers are beating the odds, marketing with fresh ideas! Using innovative approaches to production and marketing, many family farm businesses have been saved from the bulldozers.

Improve your odds by attending the 2004 Mid-Atlantic Direct Marketing Conference & Trade Show. MADMC provides opportunities to network with other farmers, visit successful farm markets, and get tips from professors and peers in a variety of educational sessions.

Scheduled for February 22-25, 2004 at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, MADMC will run from Sunday through Wednesday, a change from years past. To avoid traffic snarls, a Sunday tour will include visits to the New Jersey EcoComplex, the C S Heal family farm and market, Johnson's Corner Farm, and Springdale Farms (featured in the October issue of The Vegetable Growers News). Farmers' market managers are invited to a professional development workshop that afternoon.

The Monday program kicks off with the ever-popular Brags and Blunders session, which gives participants a light-hearted opportunity to introduce themselves by presenting their best, or worst, ideas of the season. There will be prizes for the projects that inspire the greatest audience reaction. A keynote speaker, concurrent sessions and trade show will be topped off by a tasting of Jersey Fresh wines and silent auction. State associations will meet Tuesday morning and lunch will be held in the trade show.

Concurrent sessions on Monday and Tuesday will be broken into five tracks-Promotion, Farm Entertainment, Labor & Customer Service, Business Management, and Expand Your Business. Monday's Promotion track will feature Robert Farr, The Chile Man, discussing "Direct Marketing for Business Success." Robert and his family have a small farm in Loudoun County, Virginia where they grow a large variety of peppers and make hot sauces. They market their sauces through mail order, festivals and special events, and at the farm. Robert's e-mail letters let his customers know what is happening at the farm, while sharing his philosophies and wonderful sense of humor.

The promotion track continues the next morning with more fresh marketing ideas-"Holiday Activity" by New Jersey's Pam Mount from Terhune Orchards, "Merchandising to Stimulate Consumer Purchases" by David Long, editor of Taste Magazine, and James Binsberger from Homestead Orchards in Pennsylvania will present "Managing Special Events and Festivals."

Labor and Customer Service sessions on Monday afternoon will cover hiring and training programs for your employees, as well as communicating with Spanish-speaking employees and customers. The Tuesday morning track continues with presentations on theft prevention, electronic marketing, and the PAFarm Lending Library program, an innovative resource, which should be the envy of other states' associations.

More fresh marketing ideas will be found in the Farm Entertainment and Expand Your Business tracks. Sessions about gift shops, greenhouses, herbs, and cut flowers will help if you are considering expanding, while "Targeting Your Customers" will help you assess those new projects. Ever wonder about hosting school tours, birthday/wedding parties, fee fishing, or a festival? You will find those here, too.

Business Management topics will include crisis management, estate planning and family business relationships, as well as a review of USDA's WIC and seniors farmers' market nutrition programs. MADMC '04 is also pleased to have the fresh marketing ideas of three of the Northeast SARE program's Sustainable Educators. Jack Gurley of Calvert's Gift Farm in Sparks, Maryland will discuss his experiences marketing through Community Supported Agriculture. "The Little Things That Mean a Lot" will be covered by Perkasie, Pennsylvania farm marketer James Binsberger. Courtney Haase of Nunsuch Dairy and Cheese, Bradford, New Hampshire, will discuss the challenges and opportunities in direct marketing dairy products.

The educational sessions end Tuesday afternoon with a presentation by Jim Lanard of FLG Strategies on how to effectively deal with the media, be it in a time of crisis or a bumper crop. Wednesday's workshops will close the program. Bring pictures of your market layout and displays if you would like an evaluation, or spend the day at Linvilla Orchards for an in-depth look at several facets of this remarkable and highly successful Mid-Atlantic farm market.

Even the trade show will take a fresh approach this year. Sign up with the vendors of your choice on Monday and meet with them one-on-one Tuesday morning for a closer look at their product line.

For a complete conference program and registration materials, call 609-625-0056 or visit the conference web site at www.madmc.com.

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Virginia Grown Conference And Trade Show Announced
Tony Bratsch, Virginia Tech

The 2nd Annual Virginia Grown Conference and Trade Show, will be held January 21-23, at the Holiday Inn Select - Koger South, 1021 Koger Center Boulevard, in Richmond, VA. Directions, and details of the upcoming program are highlighted below. This year the program will offer three distinct educational tracts: Tree Fruit Production, Direct Marketing and Specialty Crops/Small Fruit. Exhibitors and their wares will be on hand in the trade show area throughout the three-day conference.

The first educational tract addresses apple and peach production issues for commercial growers. Each year this segment brings nationally known experts as guest speakers. These sessions will begin Wednesday afternoon and continue through Thursday.

The second tract is designed for small fruit and specialty crop growers. It will start on Wednesday, with an all-day program: "Putting Small Acreage to Work with Horticultural Crop Options". This will be a unique opportunity for those considering specialty crop ventures and will be an introduction to potential crops. On Thursday, "Small Fruit Production and Pest Management" will be the focus, with sessions on blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries.

Direct marketing will be the third educational tract. A workshop for farmers' market managers will be held on Wednesday afternoon. Thursdays program will feature various direct market sessions highlighting both industry and grower speakers.

Plenty of time has also been set aside so that all three groups can get together to network. There will be a happy hour on Wednesday evening, box lunches on Thursday, and a reception on Thursday evening, all in the Exhibit Hall. In addition, Friday's program will begin with a buffet breakfast and a morning general session open to all participants.

For more information and registration materials, contact the Virginia Grown Association at 540-667-9101, or email Carol Guyer cguyer@green-inc.com. A registration form is provided below.

Final Note: In conjunction with the conference, the Richmond Area Vegetable Growers Association will be holding their annual meeting at the Holiday Inn on January 22. Program information and registration information are provided below.

VIRGINIA GROWN CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW
January 21-23, 2004
Holiday Inn Select - Koger South - Richmond, Virginia

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2004
Track 1 - Apple & Peach Growers - 1-4 p.m.

Welcome - Orville Smoot, VSHS president
Integrating New Insecticides and Mating Disruption - Larry Hull, Pennsylvania State University
Apples: To Thin or Not to Thin? - Rich Marini, Virginia Tech
Breeding Fresh Market Peaches and Nectarines - John Clark, University of Arkansas

Track 2 - Specialty Crops - 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Putting Small Acreage to Work:
Selected Horticulture Crop Options

Welcome - Tony Bratsch, Virginia Tech
Specialty Vegetables for High-End Direct Markets - Our SARE Grant Experience, Jason Murray, VCE Loudon Co.
Field Grown Cut Flowers - An Option for Direct Marketers - Andy Hankins, Virginia State University
Greenhouse Production Basics and Best Crop Options - Joyce Latimer, Virginia Tech
Pumpkins, Gourds, and Other Fall Harvest Options - Regina Prunty, VCE King George Co.
Pawpaws - Taking a New Look at an Old Native- Neal Peterson
Wild Simulated Ginseng - Take Advantage of Your Woodlot - Andy Hankins
Putting High Tunnels to Work - Chris Mullins, Virginia State University
Our Experiences with Globe Artichokes and Colored Bell Peppers - Tony Bratsch

Track 3 - Direct Marketing - 1-5 p.m.
Farmers Market Managers Workshop - Jeff Ishee, Manager of the Staunton-Augusta and Verona Farmers Markets
Team Building and Creating Direction for a Municipal Farmers' Market - Kevin Hoschar, corporate consultant, Farmers' Market Grower and Aficionado
Tips and Techniques for New (and not so new) Markets - Libbey Oliver, Manager, Williamsburg Farmers' Market
Market Promotions and Creating Community Alliances - Kathy Emerson, Manager, 17th Street Farmers' Market, Richmond
Open Forum - Discussion of Farmers' Market Management Issues in Virginia

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2004
Track 1 - Apple & Peach Growers
8:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m.

Welcome - George Behling, WVSHS president
How to Grow Large Galas - Terrence Robinson, Cornell University
Processing Industry Outlook - Robert Solenberger, Moderator
Controlling Internal Worms on A Processing Budget - Larry Hull, Pennsylvania State University
RAMP Project Report - Chris Bergh, Virginia Tech
Is Smart Fresh in Your Future? - Nate Reed, AgroFresh, Inc.
Growing Organic for Processing - Paul Gabb, Bowman-Hearty, LLC
Disease Susceptibility of New Apple Cultivars and Horticultural Performance - Keith Yoder, Virginia Tech & Dr. Steve Miller, Kearneysville Research Center
Where Do We Go From Here with Virginia Apples? - Phil Glaize, Virginia, Apple Growers Association Chairman

Are We Marketing Our Peaches or Just Selling Them? - Mike Orr, George Orr & Sons and John Lott, Bear Mountain Orchard
Orchard Safety - Personal Protective Equipment - Glenn Chappell, VCE Prince George's Co.

Track 2 - Small Fruit Production
Pest Management - 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Welcome and SFSG Update - Dean Vidal
Plasticulture Strawberries - Mastering the Basics - Barclay Poling, N.C. State University
Blackberry Cultivars - Developments and New Options for Growers - John Clark, University of Arkansas
Gooseberries, Currants and Other Alternative Small Fruit - Jerry Williams, Virginia Tech
Blueberries - Review of Cultivars and Best Production Practices - John Clark
On-Farm Experiences with Blueberries at the Crows Nest Farm - Charlie O'Dell
Getting Back to the Basics of Pest Management in Small Fruit:

  • Insects - Doug Pfeiffer, Virginia Tech
  • Weeds - Jeff Derr, Virginia Tech
  • Diseases - Keith Yoder, Virginia Tech

Track 3 - Direct Marketing
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Trends Affecting Direct Marketers - John Lord, St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA
Niche Marketing - Organics, CSA's, Specialty Crops
Linda Wickenheiser, Red Rake Farm
CSA speaker - TBD
Small Farm Wineries

  • Peaks of Otter Winery (fruit wines) - Danny Johnson
  • Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery (berry wines)
  • Hickory Hill Vineyard (grape wines)

Agritourism/Agritainment - Partnering with the Local Community to Promote Farm Activities - Martha Steger, Virginia Tourism Corporation

  • Farm day camps - Jackie Hott, Hedgebrook Farm
  • Dinner in the Garden - Beverly Morton Billand, Patowmack Farm

Marketing & Advertising - Gary Green, Kennedy & Green Advertising

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2004
All Groups
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Buffet Breakfast
Labor Update - AWER, Jim Saunders, Saunders Brothers Orchard and Sam Hamilton, Virginia Agribusiness Council
Is Virginia Cooperative Extension Still In Our Future? - Skip Jubb, Virginia Tech
My Grocery Store Wants Virginia Produce - TBD
How Can We Build the Virginia Grown Conference? - Charlie Coale, Moderator

Sponsored by the
Virginia State Horticulture Society
West Virginia State Horticulture Society
Farmers Direct Marketing Association
Small Fruit & Specialty Crop Association
Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension
Virginia Department of Agriculture

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Advance Registration Form
Virginia Grown Conference and Trade Show
January 21 -23, 2004
Holiday Inn Select, Richmond, Virginia

A check must accompany registration
Make checks payable to:
Virginia Grown Assn., P.O. Box 2445, Winchester, VA 22604
Phone: 540-667-9101

Name: ____________________________________________________________

Business Name: ____________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip: _____________________________________________________

Phone: ________________ Fax: _________________ Email: ____________

Other Attendees (all attendees must register):

 

REGISTRATION RATES
Three-day Advance Registration _____ @ $75.00 ________
Must be postmarked by December 30, 2003

Three-day (at door) _____ @ $90.00 ________
After December 30, 2003

One-day (at door) _____ @ $35.00 ________

Does not include Thursday Reception or Friday Breakfast Buffet

GROUP AFFILIATION
_____ Virginia/West Virginia State Horticultural Societies
_____ Virginia Direct Marketing Association
_____ Virginia Small Fruit and Specialty Crop Growers Assn.

CONVENTION REGISTRATION - Full registration covers materials, special functions, and entrance to trade show and educational sessions. REGISTRATION BADGES WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ALL CONVENTION FUNCTIONS. Members of the VSHS Women's Auxiliary must register through that organization.

CANCELLATION POLICY - Registration cancellations received by December 30, 2003 entitle registrants to a full refund. Cancellation requests received from December 31, 2003 to January 10, 2004 will be subject to a $15.00 processing fee. NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE AFTER JANUARY 10, 2004.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS - Registrants are responsible for their own room reservations. Call the hotel and specify you are attending the Horticultural Society meeting. The Holiday Inn Select phone number is (804) 379-3800. Reservations must be made by the cut-off date of December 30, 2003.

Directions to the Holiday Inn Select - Koger South

From North of Richmond:

  • Take the I-64 W/ I-195 S exit- exit number 79- toward POWHITE PKWY/ CHARLOTTESVILLE. (0.17 miles)
  • Merge onto I-195 S via exit number 186- on the left- toward POWHITE PKWY (Portions toll). (2.45 miles)
  • Take VA-76 S/ BELTLINE EXWY toward VA-150/ POWHITE PKWY/ US-60/ US-360 (Portions toll). (0.16 miles)
  • Merge onto VA-76 S (Portions toll). (5.56 miles)
  • Merge onto MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE/ US-60 W toward MIDLOTHIAN. (2.88 miles)
  • Turn RIGHT onto KOGER CENTER BLVD. (0.05 miles)

From East of Richmond

  • Take I-64 W.
  • Merge onto RICHMOND PETERSBURG TURNPIKE/ I-95 S via exit number 190- on the left. (1.45 miles )
  • Merge onto DOWNTOWN EXWY/ VA-195 W/ I-195 N via exit number 74A toward I-195 N/ POWHITE PKWY (Portions toll). (3.03 miles)
  • Take POWHITE PKWY/ VA-146 S toward VA-150/ VA-288/ US-60 (Portions toll). (0.12 miles)
  • Merge onto POWHITE PKWY (Portions toll). (5.43 miles)
  • Merge onto MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE/ US-60 W toward MIDLOTHIAN. (2.88 miles)
  • Turn RIGHT onto KOGER CENTER BLVD. (0.05 miles)

From South of Richmond

  • I-95 N Exit 67 CHIPPENHAM PKWY (150).
  • Go 10 miles to MIDLOTHIAN TRNPK (RT 60W).
  • Go 5 miles to KOGER CENTER BLVD. Take RIGHT to hotel.

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Richmond Area Vegetable Production Program

January 22, 2004
9:00 AM - 3:15 PM
Holiday Inn Select - Koger South
1021 Koger Center Boulevard
Richmond, VA
(Held in Conjunction with the Virginia Grown Conference)

9:00 Registration

9:30 Welcome and Introductions Regina Prunty, VCE

9:35 Greenhouse Production Tips for Vegetables and Annuals Joyce Latimer, Virginia Tech

10:20 Pumpkin Production and Variety Update Paul Davis, VCE

10:45 Pesticide Legal and Safety Update Colleen Calderwood and Sam Johnson, VCE

11:00 Cucurbit Variety Selections (Cucumbers and Melons) Bill Jester, NC State

11:45 - 1:00 Visit Exhibitors and Lunch on your own

1:00 Pre and Post Emergence Weed Control in Cucumbers, Melons, Tomatoes, Peppers and Pumpkins Henry Wilson, Eastern Shore AREC

1:45 Insect Management Update Tom Kuhar, Eastern Shore AREC

2:30 Disease Update Christine Waldenmaier, Eastern Shore AREC

3:15 Complete Pesticide Recertification Paperwork and Evaluations

3:30 Adjourn

Approved for Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification - Category 90, Food and Fiber Production
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To register, please complete and return the following by Jan. 9th to: VCE-King George, PO Box 410, King George, VA 22485. Questions call 540-775-3062.

Name: ______________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________

Phone: ____________________ Email ______________________

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Virginia Biological Farming Conference And Trade Show

Jan. 30-31, 2004
Airfield Conference Center
Wakefield, VA

This year's themeŠ
"Healthy Soil, Healthy Farms, Healthy People"
Two days of education and networking about:

  • producing field crops, horticultural crops and livestock in both organic and sustainable, low-input systems.
  • selling field crops, locally-grown fruit and vegetables and livestock products that are ecologically produced

We are back in this lovely Southeast Virginia setting amidst the tea-colored waters and calling birds for the fantastic fifth annual Virginia Biological Farming Conference. Presentations will include organic certification, soil management, livestock management, horticultural production, agronomic production and biological controls. Marketing and financial information will be included.

Livestock producers will learn how to raise hogs on dirt, out in pastures, rather than in confined buildings. Participants will learn how to sell certified organic pork. Cattle farmers can learn about management of pasture soils and the importance of forage diversity in ruminant nutrition. Speakers will also discuss alternative methods for feeding livestock and for maintaining herd health without antibiotics.

Representatives from several of Virginia's most successful Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms will explain how they operate their marketing programs. In other horticulture topics, growers may discover how to increase crop growth and reduce diseases with applications of compost tea. Growers can learn about winter production of blackberries and raspberries in high tunnels (unheated greenhouses). Small farmers can learn how to maximize their soil fertility through vermi-composting. There will be an incredible presentation on raising and selling cut flowers by two excellent growers from North Carolina.

Scientists are making great strides in understanding the relationships between the insects that feed on crops and the predators and parasites that can be used to keep them under control. Growers of both horticulture crops and agronomic crops may learn how to plant the kind of habitat plants that attract and maintain populations of beneficial insects for affordable biological control.

The thread that runs through the VABF Conference is community. The conference is an opportunity for collaboration among growers and consumers and wholesale buyers and suppliers and university researchers and government officials. We have an entire program for young people at this conference to make sure they know how much we need their help to keep agriculture alive in Virginia.

  • Any interested farmer or farm manager
  • Livestock producers
  • Market gardeners
  • Extension educators and teachers
  • Government agricultural professionals
  • Homeowners interested in pesticide-free gardening
  • Youth who like to garden and learn about the environment

Registration is $85 if received by January 20. This $85 fee covers your handout materials, name badge, participation in all sessions, Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and lunch, plus refreshment breaks. Vegetarian food will be available at meals. AFTER JANUARY 20, the registration fee DOES NOT include meals.

Please register early to ensure your meals. Registrations received after Jan. 20 and walk-in registrations may NOT include food. There is no on-site food service except as part of the registration package before Jan. 20, so those registering after Jan. 20 will have to drive to Wakefield to purchase meals. Please use the enclosed registration form and mail with your payment to the address indicated.

Checks or money orders must accompany the registration form, and be made payable to "Virginia Biological Farming Conference." No purchase orders or credit cards. You will be notified of receipt of your registration form and check.

For Program updates please see the VABF website: http://www.vabf.org.

Vendor Inquiries Welcome...Limited spots are available for vendors with products or services related to responsible farming and organic production methods. For information, contact Andy Hankins, ahankins@vsu.edu, (804)524-5962.

2004 Virginia Biological Farming Conference
Program Schedule
Southeast Virginia 4-H Center - Wakefield, Virginia

Friday, January 30
9:00-12:00 Seed Saving Workshop - Ira Wallace

11:30-1:00 Registration check-in

1:00 pm Welcome - Katherine Smith, VABF President

1:10-2:30 Opening Plenary Address: "Changing Farms, Changing Lives: Reflecting on 23 Years of Organic Farming - the Present and the Future" Elizabeth Henderson

2:30 Breakout Sessions
A. "High Tunnel Small Fruit Production" - Kathy Demchak
B. "Making and Using Compost Tea" - Steve Diver, ATTRA
C. "Pastured Pork and Organic Field Corn" - Emile DeFelice

3:30-4:00 Break and trade show

4:00-5:00 Breakout Sessions
A. "Getting Started in Commercial Production of Organic Vegetables" - Alex Hitt
B. "Importance of Rhizosphere Organisms in Sustainable Soil Management" - Jerzy Nowak
C. "Biological Control of Insect Pests in Field Corn, Soybeans, Small Grains, Cotton, and Peanuts" - Richard McDonald

5:15 pm Annual Business Meeting for the Virginia Association for Biological Farming and Concurrent Trade Show

6:00 pm Dinner

7:30 pm Panel Discussion: "Where are we headed in organic farming" - panel includes Emile DeFelice, Jerzy Nowak, Marty Mesh, and Steve Diver. Moderator - Andy Hankins - VSU

9:00 pm A. "Organic Farming Films"
B. "Music & Dancing" with live music and instruction by PHD. All are welcome, children included.

Saturday, January 31
7:00 am Breakfast

8:30-9:30 Breakout Sessions
A. "Organic No Tillage Cover Cropping Systems for Vegetable Production" - Ron Morse and Mark Schonbeck
B. "Organic Certification" - Marty Mesh
C. "Small is Beautiful - Just Say No to Things You Don't Need" - DeLaura Padovan and Steve Hickman

9:30 - 10:30 Breakout Sessions
A. "Biological Control of Insects in Vegetable Crops" - Richard McDonald
B. "Beyond Compost Teas: Preparing and Using On-Farm Extracts and Special Cultures"-Steve Diver, ATTRA
C. "Herd Health and Productivity from the Soil Up" - Jerry Brunetti

10:30-11:00 Break and Trade Show

11:00-12:00 Breakout Sessions
A. "Regional Seed Sources for Organic Crop Production" - Ira Wallace and Cricket Rakitta
B. "Community Supported Agriculture" - Panel of CSA farmers: Charlie Maloney, Marlin Burkholder, Ron Juftes
C. "Raising and Selling Organically-Grown Cut Flowers" - Alex and Betsy Hitt

12:00 pm Lunch and Raffle

1:30 - 2:30 Breakout Sessions
A ."Vermi-composting" - Lori Marsh
B. "Organic Greenhouse Vegetable Production" - Jim Jacobs
C. "Improve Ruminant Nutrition Through Forage Diversity" - Jerry Brunetti

2:30 pm Closing Circle and Evaluations

3:00 pm Have a Safe Trip Home

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UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

January 6-7, 2004. Eastern Shore Ag Conference & Trade Show, Moose Lodge, Belle Haven, VA. For information and registration, contact: Jim Belote, VCE, Accomack County, 757-787-1361, ext. 14, or email: jbelote@vt.edu

January 13-14, New Jersey Vegetable Growers Association Annual Meeting, Borgata Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, NJ. Contact: Mel Henninger 732-932-9711 Ext.120

January 13, 2004. VFGA Greenhouse Production Update, Virginia Transportation Research Council Building, Charlottesville, VA. For more information, contact Joyce Latimer, jlatime@vt.edu, 540-231-7906, or preview program and download registration information from http://www.floriculture.vt.edu/calendar/calendar.asp

January 15, 2004. VT Perennials Production Program at the NCAN Green and Growin'. Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem, NC. For more information, contact Joyce Latimer, jlatime@vt.edu, 540-231-7906, or preview program and download registration information from http://www.ncan.com/Green%20&%20Growin.htm

January 16-17, 2004. 5th Annual Farming for Profit And Stewardship Conference, Future Harvest - Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, Four Points Sheraton, Hagerstown, MD. For more information, contact Bruce Mertz of Dawn Stephenson, fhcasa@friend.ly.net, 410-604-2681, or visit the FH-CASA website: http://www.futureharvestcasa.org/

January 19-20, 2004. Greenhouse programs at the Mid-Atlantic Horticulture Conference, Ramada Plaza Resort Conference Center, Virginia Beach, VA. For more information contact Joyce Latimer, jlatime@vt.edu, 540-231-7906, or preview program and download registration information from http://www.phcv.org/

January 21-23, 2004. Ohio Fruit and Vegetable Growers Congress , Toledo SeaGate Convention Centre and Radisson Hotel, Toledo, OH. Contact: www.ohiovegetables.org

January 21-23, 2004. Virginia Grown Conference and Trade Show, Holiday Inn Select- Koger South, Richmond, VA. Contact Liz White, Conference Coordinator, for registration and exhibitor information at 540-667-1165, or email: lwhite@green-inc.com

January 22, 2004. Richmond Area Vegetable Growers Meeting, to be held in conjunction with the Virginia Grown Conference, at the Holiday Inn Select-Koger South, Richmond, VA. Contact: Regina Prunty. Please send a copy of the form in this newsletter by Jan. 9th, to VCE-King George, PO Box 410, King George, VA 22485, or call 540-775-3062 for more info.

January 24, 2004. Landowners Woods & Wildlife Conference, Manassas, VA. For more information, contact: Adam K. Downing, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Madison County, 540-948-6881, E-mail: adowning@vt.edu

January 27-29, 2004. Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Hershey, PA. Contact: Bill Troxell 717-694-3596 or e-mail: wt.pvga@tricountyi.net

January 30-31, 2004. Virginia Biological Farmers Conference and Trade Show, Airfield Conference Center, Wakefield, VA. For more information, contact Andy Hankins, ahankins@vsu.edu, 804-524-5962, or visit the VABF website: http://www.vabf.org./

February 5, 2004. Southwest Virginia Vegetable Growers Meeting, Scott County, VA. Contact: Scott Jerrell, VCE Scott County, 276-452-2772, email: sjerrell@vt.edu

February 7, 2004. Landowners Woods & Wildlife Conference, Charlottsville, VA. For more information, contact: Adam K. Downing, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Madison County, 540-948-6881, E-mail: adowning@vt.edu

February 19, 2004. Mid-Atlantic Pumpkin School, Lancaster, PA (Tentative). Contact: Bill Lamont, Dept. of Horticulture, Penn State, 814-865-7118 or email: wlamont@psu.edu

February 22-25, 2004. (MADMC) Mid-Atlantic Direct Marketing Conference and Trade Show. Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. For additional program information visit the MADMC web site: http://www.madmc.com/

February 25, 2004. Shenandoah Valley Regional Horticultural Conference, Weyers Cave Community Center, Weyers Cave VA. Contact: Eric S. Bendfeldt, Virginia Cooperative Extension, 540-564-3080, Email: ebendfel@vt.edu

March 5-6, 2004. Passive Solar Greenhouse Workshop: Design, Construction and Year Round Production. Sonnewald Natural Foods, Spring Grove, PA. Contact: Steve Moore (717)-225-2489 or sandemoore@juno.com

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