12TH ANNUAL VEGETABLE AND FRUIT EXPO CAN REAP KNOWLEDGE FOR GROWERS

Are you a greenhouse grower who wants some hot tomatoes? Are you a "berry" nice producer who rambles with brambles? Are you a fruit tree grower who is out on a limb? Or ... are you ready to go nuts with pecan production? Whether you grow traditional vegetables or exotic fare, the 12th annual Vegetable and Fruit Expo will introduce you to new methods, equipment and tactics that will help you grow and sell marketable crops. It will all take place at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, NC, from Dec. 15 - 17.

This year's Expo will feature the following feast of topics from which to choose:

Direct Marketing Program - Dr. John O'Sullivan, marketing specialist at North Carolina A&T State University

"Getting Your Direct Market Ready for the 21st Century," will be the theme of Dr. Sullivan's workshop at the Vegetable & Fruit Expo. The second topic will be, "Is it Time for an Association of Direct Marketers in North Carolina?"

Marketers and specialists from the North Carollina Department of Agriculture, NC A&T, North Carolina State University, and Virginia Tech will lead as well as participate in the discussions.

Rambles With Brambles - Dr. Gina Fernandez, small fruit specialist, North Carolina State University and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service; Ervin Lineberger, a North Carolina bramble grower

Brambles (raspberries and blackberries) are two high-value specialty crops that can sometimes present prickly problems as well as juicy rewards.

According to Fernandez, these small fruits are in great demand in the Southeast. Farmers are growing several tasty and thornless varieties that do well here. Fernandez will tell you what you need to do to get started. She will be joined by Ervin Lineberger, a North Carolina bramble grower who will share with you the fruits of his success.

Get Ready to Go Nuts - Bill Bunn, a pecan grower in Nash County

"Are Pecans in Your Future?" will be an interesting topic at the Expo. Bunn, a pecan grower in Nash County will give insight on how to crack this market.

"Tree" Cheers for Tree Growers - by experts in their fields

Topics presented under the umbrella of Tree Fruit Alternatives will be:

• "Production Updates and Diversification Opportunities," by Dr. Mike Parker, tree fruit specialist at NC State

• "Small Scale Tree Fruit Production," by Gary Morrell, an Alexander County grower

• "Disease Management Strategies," by Dr. David Ritchie, plant pathologist at NC State

The Blurbs on Herbs - Meg Shelton, an herb grower in Leland; Don Thompson, a NC Department of Agriculture marketing specialist; Dr. Jeanine Davis, horticulturist at N.C. State's Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station; Dr. Mike Boyette, agricultural engineer at N.C. State

Shelton's topic will be, "A Diversified Herb Operation: Its Birth and Expansion." Thompson will speak about the "Keys to Success With Fresh Market Herbs." Davis will discuss "Medicinal Herb Production and Contract Growing."

Do you want to preserve your herbs? Boyette will offer some "Considerations for Building or Buying an Herb Dryer."

These are just a sampling of the great things in store for vegetable and fruit growers who want to bring in a beautiful bounty. Come to the Expo and join the folks who have been there and have done that.

The Expo is sponsored by the North Carolina Vegetable Growers Association, the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, and other related agencies.

For a detailed copy of the entire Expo program, registration forms, costs, and list of local motels, please contact your local center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Or call Bonnie Holloman, Executive Secretary, North Carolina Vegetable Growers Association, (919) 772-2204.