2021 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO
2021 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO
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2021 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO

We are excited to welcome you back to Grand Rapids, MI!

After shifting to a fully virtual format in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO and Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo is planning a fully in-person event, with every aspect of the event that attendees and exhibitors have come to know and love - from the trade show floor to the signature Farm Market sessions. 

Masks are encouraged, especially in our educational classrooms.  There will be masks available in the registration area and outside classrooms.  The Expo will also have hand sanitizing stations around the event.  Due to an update, the Expo’s statement on Covid in the onsite printed program has changed.  Visit cdc.gov for the latest information from the CDC on Covid recommendations for masks, vaccines, and boosters.

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Registration 

Registration Type

 

Fruit

Vegetable

Fruit/Vegetable

Greenhouse

Early Bird Rates 

(available through 11/15/21)

$85

$85

$95

$85

 

Onsite Rates 

(after 11/15/21)

$105

$105

$115

$105

Education Sessions

  • Farm Market
  • Fruit
  • General Interest
  • Greenhouse
  • Vegetable
Date Name Time More Info
Monday, December 6, 2021Farm Market Bus Tour 
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Welcome and Keynote9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Outdoor Recreation Opportunities On Your Farm2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021How to Market Your Farm Using Web-based Tools to Find Your Ideal Customer4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Strategic Farm Diversification9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021U-nique U-picks2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Thursday, December 9, 2021Dried Flower Arangements9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Thursday, December 9, 2021Agritourism 1019:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Thursday, December 9, 2021Keeping Farm Visitors Safe – Helps Your “bottom line” and Helps You Sleep Better at Night9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Date Name Time More Info
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Sweet Cider9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Berries9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Fruit Production Technologies9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Chestnuts9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Apple I2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Grapes2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Blueberry I9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Peach & Plum9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Cherries9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Blueberry II2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Apple II2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Thursday, December 9, 2021Hard Cider9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Thursday, December 9, 2021Managing Fruit Production in a Changing Climate9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Thursday, December 9, 2021Organic Fruit Production1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Date Name Time More Info
Tuesday, December 7, 2021MDARD/FSA/Rural Development9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Beginning Farmer 19:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Agribility1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Produce Safety2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Beginning Organic2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Agriculture Technology9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Labor 19:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Large Scale Organic9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Climate and Sustainability9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Beginning Farmer 29:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021MAEAP12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Soil Health & Cover Cropping2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Ag Consumer Insights2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Irrigation2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Labor 22:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Thursday, December 9, 2021Farm Management9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Thursday, December 9, 2021Farm Succession9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Thursday, December 9, 2021Organic Marketing9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Date Name Time More Info
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Keep the Plant Sales Momentum Moving9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Tiny Game Hunting: Common Practices and Tips for Making the Most of Your Scouting Program9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Big Picture Biocontrol: A Multi-faceted Approach to Greenhouse IPM10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Developing a Fertilizer Program for Greenhouse Crops10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Battling Botrytis in the Greenhouse2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Beyond the Basics: PGRs for Crop Improvement2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Best-Performing Annuals and Perennials in Michigan3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Advances in Downy Mildew Control and Greenhouse Disease Recommendations3:00 PM - 3:50 PM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Latest and Greatest from 2021 MSU Research Projects9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Recognizing and Preventing Ethylene Damage in the Greenhouse9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Guidance on Selecting Substrates and Substrate Suppliers10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Keeping the Weeds at Bay: Recommendations for Greenhouse Weed Control2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Tropicals, Succulents, and Cacti, Oh My!2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Using Biostimulants to Improve Greenhouse Crop Quality3:00 PM - 3:50 PM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Next Generation Substrates: Peat-Reduced and Peat-Free Options3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Thursday, December 9, 2021Specialty Cut Flower Production1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Date Name Time More Info
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Asparagus9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Pickling Cucumber9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Tomato/Pepper/Eggplant9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Hightunnel & Greenhouse Vegetables2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Carrots2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday, December 7, 2021Sweet Corn & Beans Succotash2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Onion9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Vine Crops9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Celery2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021Greens & Herbs2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Thursday, December 9, 2021Mechanical Cultivation9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Thursday, December 9, 2021Organic Vegetable Production1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Special Events

Prayer Breakfast

Wednesday, December 8, 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Imperial Ballroom, Amway Grand Plaza Hotel

Speaker: Nathanael Szobody

Nathanael is the son-in-law of Bob Gregory, a fruit grower in Nortwest Michigan. Nathanael moved to Chad, Africa with his parents in 1999. During his high-school years he learned the local language and took an interest in the traditional agriculture. Today, he lives in Chad as a church worker along with his wife, Carrie, and their six children. They are translating scripture into a tribal language, they have started an elementary school and are teaching children how to care for their land in the long term.

Tickets are $22 and should be purchased through pre-registration.

EXPO Banquet

Wednesday, December 8, 6:30 PM

Ambassador Ballroom, Amway Grand Plaza Hotel

The Banquet will deature a serving of Michigan foods and wines. The program features recognition of people for outstanding service to our fruit and vegetable inductries. This years recipients of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Scholarships will be recognized as well. The winning entries in this years Cider Contest will be announced. 

Tickets are $40. Advanced purchase through pre-registration is recommended. 

Farm Market Bus Tour

Monday, December 6

The annual Farm Market Bus Tour is back for 2021! The full-day bus tour will be held the day before the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO. Participants will visit new markets in different areas of West Michigan. The tour is sponsored by Fruit Growers News and Vegetable Growers News.

The Farm Market Bus Tour is a great opportunity to network with other farm marketers, while learning how some innovative farmers get their products onto the tables of consumers using creative and unique marketing strategies. There will be interactive discussions while traveling on the buses to share information, which will be moderated by Michigan State University Extension educators. 

The Bus Tour is SOLD OUT for 2021.

Visit fruitgrowersnews.com/bustour or vegetablegrowersnews.com/bustour for more information on the tour, including descriptions of each of the host farm markets that will be visited. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to see and learn about new possibilities for your market. 

Do you recieve Pesticide Credits at the EXPO?

If so, we have a change coming your way!  In 2021 we will no longer be using bubble sheets for submitting information.  At the end of a session you will use your personal mobile device to submit information for pesticide credits.  If a personal mobile device does not work for you, please visit the pesticide credit booth in the Grand Gallery.  At the booth you can log your information on a computer or on a paper form (Take the presented education session code with you to the pesticide credit booth).

 

An instructional email will be sent as we approach the event dates. 

Thank you to our Registration Sponsor

Summit Tree Sales
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