Essential vegetable farming insights at Great Lakes Expo

By Andi Anderson

The Great Lakes Expo (GLEXPO), a premier Midwest event for fruit, vegetable, and farm market industries, is set to return this year from Dec. 10-12 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Known for its educational programming and expansive trade show, GLEXPO attracts growers, educators, and agricultural professionals from across the country. Each year, Michigan State University Extension organizes vegetable-focused sessions covering industry updates, best practices, and new techniques to help farmers thrive.

The vegetable sessions provide specialized knowledge on various crops, including cucurbits, asparagus, brassicas, root crops, and sweet corn.

Farmers can earn restricted use pesticide (RUP) and certified crop advisor (CCA) credits by attending relevant sessions.

Some highlighted sessions on Dec. 10 include the Pickles and Vine Crops session, where Purdue University’s Laura Ingwell will discuss pest management with a focus on pollinator protection.

For asparagus growers, Michigan State experts like Zsofia Szendrei will present research on asparagus beetle management. Brassica growers can learn weed management strategies for crops like broccoli and cauliflower, led by experts from Rutgers University and Michigan State.

On Dec. 11, attendees can explore mushroom cultivation in a dedicated session covering foraging, indoor and outdoor production, and marketing techniques. Onion producers can attend an update on managing common onion pests and weeds.

There will also be an organic vegetable management session that includes tips on machinery for any scale, pest management in protected culture, and biological controls.

Additional sessions on Dec. 12 include potato management techniques such as pest control, irrigation, and compost use, as well as celery pest updates.

In addition to these vegetable-focused sessions, the Great Lakes Expo features various educational programs on fruit, greenhouse production, and farm-market techniques. Attendees are encouraged to explore the full agenda and find more information by visiting the official GLEXPO website.

This year’s Great Lakes Expo promises to be an invaluable event for vegetable producers seeking to expand their knowledge, adopt innovative practices, and connect with industry experts and peers.

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