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Farm Events: |
Farm News: Show Me The SpudscommentsPosted: 01.23.2012
The biggest event in the Wisconsin potato industry is set for January 31 to February 2, 2012 at the Holiday Inn, Stevens Point. The WPVGA/UW Extension Grower Education Conference and 63rd Annual Industry Show allow the entire industry to converge and network under one roof.
Wisconsin’s grower conference is widely recognized as one of the largest and best events in the nation, offering top-notch educational programming on the most critical issues facing the potato industry. The Industry Show features state-of-the-art technology along with the newest products and services available in the industry while also facilitating networking opportunities for growers, vendors and researchers.
The trade show takes place over two days, Tuesday, January 31 and Wednesday, February 1, at the Holiday Inn on the east side of Stevens Point, in the heart of Wisconsin’s Central Sands growing region. This venue offers a large exhibition area and the ability for exhibitors to display large agricultural equipment indoors. This year’s show has an expanded exhibit area, with over 15 additional booth spaces and upwards of 75 exhibitors. There will also be some heavy equipment on display outdoors.
Although it may be cold outside, it’s an excellent time for industry members to get together, meet old friends and see the latest in farm technology. Also, with planting time just around the corner, growers are ready to make their plans and purchases for the coming season.
In addition to a large contingent of Wisconsin growers, attendees come from all across the U.S. as well as Canada. Combining the Show with the Grower Conference has led to a record attendance of over 500 growers and industry members annually. It’s easy for attendees to move back and forth from the conference rooms to the exhibit area. Conference meeting rooms, as well as dining and break areas, are adjacent to the show floor. Conference sessions are scheduled with ample breaks, providing plenty of time to visit exhibitors.
The grower conference will be held over all three days and features general sessions with topics of interest to the entire potato industry, as well as breakout sessions with more industry-specific topics. Growers and industry representatives attending the conference will have the opportunity to get a head start on the season with expert market outlooks, research reports, information on new technologies and agribusiness advice. Key topics this year include fumigation rules and regulations, scab management, new genetic advancements and storage management issues. There will also be a panel discussion on potato marketing as well as a grower panel on the integration of dairy into potato and vegetable rotations.
Over the three days of the conference, virtually all of the University of Wisconsin’s potato researchers will be on hand to discuss their research results and recommendations for the coming year. In addition, several nationally-recognized speakers have been confirmed: Leslie Wanner of the USDA-ARS Vegetable Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland will offer her expertise on potato common scab; David Douches of Michigan State University will speak on biotechnology from a breeder perspective; National Potato Council and United States Potato Board representatives will also be giving updates on their respective organizations. GAP, food safety and traceability will also be covered.
Now fixtures at the grower conference are the Annual Meetings of the WPVGA and the WPVGA Associate Division along with meetings for the Wisconsin Muck Growers Association. The WPVGA will hold its Annual Meeting on Thursday, February 2, beginning at 1 p.m. The Associate Division Annual Meeting is set for 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 1.
The Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association and the WPVGA Associate Division sponsor a reception from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the conclusion of the first day of the Show/Conference (Tuesday, January 31). Food and refreshments are provided free of charge to all attendees.
The annual industry banquet is the premier social event in the Wisconsin potato industry. Set for Wednesday, February 1, the cocktail hour begins at 5:15 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30. The annual industry awards banquet follows dinner and includes the prestigious WPVGA Hall of Fame inductions. After the awards presentation, the WPVGA Associate Division hands out generous cash prizes of $100, $200, $300, $400 and $500, as well as a grand prize of a 40-inch LCD TV. To top off the evening, former Green Bay Packer Blaise Winter will bring his motivational speaking talents to entertain banquet attendees.
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