On December 11 the Fruit and Vegetable Growers Symposium offered by University of Illinois Extension and Iowa State University Extension will be held at the Scott County Extension Office in Bettendorf, IA. This annual event is geared towards commercial growers. General sessions for both fruit and vegetable growers will be "Direct Marketing Ideas to Improve Produce Sales" and "Cropping Profits – High Tunnel Production Considerations", followed with breakout sessions specific to each grower group.

This year the vegetable focus is on tomato production. Topics will be "Fitting Heirlooms into your Tomato Enterprise", "Tomato Production – Varieties and Quality" and "Insect Management Updates with a Focus on Tomatoes and Peppers". The fruit focus will cover "Realities of the Potential for Grape Production in the Upper Midwest, "Potential for Aronia as a New Crop" and "Insect Management Updates with a Focus on Insects and Insecticides". Specialists and experts from both campuses will present these timely topics and be on hand to answer questions.

Register before December 4. A sliding registration fee is offered for a farm or business that registers more than one person. If you have questions or would like further information please contact Martha Smith, University of Illinois Extension, #309-836-2363. Or visit the Johnson County Extension website at www.extension.iastate.edu/johnson Walk-in registrations will be accepted.

Registration begins at 12:00 p.m. with the program beginning at 1:00. Come early to visit with product vendors who will have displays and informational brochures. The Symposium ends at 5:00.