ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Great Plains Growers Conference will be Jan. 12-13, 2024, on the Missouri Western State University campus in St. Joseph. The event includes optional pre-conference workshops on Jan. 11.

“This conference is a great educational opportunity for new and established fruit and vegetable farmers, and folks really appreciate the networking opportunities to meet and talk with other growers in the region,” says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Justin Keay, one of the organizers.

The conference is planned and hosted by extension professionals from Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. “Extension professionals and regional farmers will present fruit and vegetable growers with research-based information to help their farms grow and thrive,” says Keay.

Topics include farm business, tree fruits, small fruits, vegetable production, integrated pest management, organic/regenerative agriculture, greenhouses/hydroponics, high tunnels, forest farming, cut-flower production and a SARE farmer forum.

All-day pre-conference workshops include agritourism, worker protection standards/produce safety, farm-to-school grower training, specialty corn and beekeeping.

For details and registration, go to www.GreatPlainsGrowersConference.org.