The Rural Voice, 2003-02, Page 42AgriTech
Thinking of summer produce
Janice
Becker is a
computer
enthusiast
and
journalist
living near
Walton, ON.
What better time to think of the
fresh juicy fruits and crisp vegetables
produced across this province than in
the dead of winter?
As I searched for interesting
happenings scheduled for early 2003,
I came across the Ontario Fruit and
Vegetable Convention and Trade
Show, February 18-19 at Brock
University in St. Catharines. Aside
from being located in a wonderful
part of this province where the great
wines of the Niagara Region can be
enjoyed, the convention offers more
than two days packed with guest
speakers and valuable information.
Beginning with the pre -convention
program on February 17, a fire safety
and liability reduction workshop is
planned. As well as hearing from
farmers with personal experience
dealing with the impact of a fire and
the fire marshal's office, Jerry
Howell of Howell's Family Pumpkin
Farm will talk about haunted house
safety and there will be round table
discussions on fire safety with
regards to corn mazes and straw
decorations.
At the regular sessions beginning
Tuesday, Dr. Deb Stark, assistant
deputy minister with OMAF and Dr.
Craig Pearson, Dean of the Ontario
Agriculture College will discuss the
state of horticulture research.
Nutrient management will also be
on the morning agenda. On both
days, participants may attend sessions
specific to growers of grapes, tender
fruits, tomatoes and peppers or
potatoes. Speakers range from
producers, OMAF representatives,
and college and university research -
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Grown from local seed sources
Member Forest Gene Conservation Association
A division of
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Website: www.treeseedlings.com
38 THE RURAL VOICE
ers from Canada, the United States,
New Zealand and Australia as well as
specialists from various agencies,
associations and companies.
Dr. Randy Worobo of Cornell
University will discuss safety issues
pertaining to unpasteurized cider or
juices. '
Direct farm sale strategies will
deal with municipal zoning, attracting
customers and presenting a farm
image. Jim Craig of Carp Farmers'
Market, www.carpfarmersmar-
ket.com, will talk about the success
of his operation.
On Wednesday, the sessions will
cover the topics of wineries, sweet
corn, vine crops, apples, marketing,
irrigation and water management.
Because the list of speakers and
subjects offered is extensive, it may
take time to sort through the choices.
For specific details about the
convention, connect to the Fruit and
Vegetable Magazine website at
www.fruitandveggie.com or call 1-
800-265-2827.
I found the site very easy to use
and packed with information for
those interested in fruit and veg-
etables or horticulture in general as a
link connects surfers to the Horticul-
ture Portal at www.hort.port.com.
Not only is the site very current,
actually updated on the day of my
visit, it offers surfers the opportunity
to read feature and news items from
the most recent magazine as well as
search back issues through 2001.
As well as signing up for newsletters,
subscription requests can be submitt-
ed on-line. An extensive buyer's
guide provides addresses and phone
numbers for companies which deal
with everything from ATV sales and
bird scaring systems to nursery stock
and work clothes. It is worth a look.
To check out other upcoming
conferences and meetings, including
the Ontario Independent Meat
Processors 23rd Annual Conference
and Exposition in London, February
28 to March 2, check out the OMAF
site at www.gov.on.ca/OMAFRA/
English/index.html.
Please contact me at
jlbecker@wightman .ca or through
the Rural Voice office with feedback
or topic suggestions.°