MT. VERNON, Ill. – Commercial fruit and vegetable growers face a lot of uncertainties. One thing is certain: University of Illinois Extension has the practical, current research to help you make those important production decisions. Get practical research-based information to make your specialty crop flourish and profit at the Fruit and Vegetable School on Feb. 12 in Mt. Vernon.
The 2025 Southern Illinois Fruit and Vegetable School brings informative, practical, and up-to-date research-based information to address the challenges of growing fruit and vegetables commercially in Southern Illinois and Missouri. Industry experts will share current trends in insect and disease management, as well as a variety of other production-related topics.
This year, the program will feature three separate tracks to address vegetable, tree fruits, and cut flower production. Onsite vendors will also be available to discuss production needs. The program will be held at the Doubletree Meeting & Event Center, 222 Potomac Boulevard, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. The event is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m., and lunch will be on your own.
A new spray guide is not available this year. Instead, you will be given a supplement to the 2023-2024 Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide. Spray Guides will be available for purchase at the school for $15.
For more information or to register, visit go.illinois.edu/TreeFruitVegetable. Attendance is $35 per farm for advanced registration on or before Feb. 1. Registrations after Feb. 1 or at the door are $50 per farm. If you have questions about the 2025 program, please contact Horticulture Educator Christina Leuking at lueking@illinois.edu.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.