Va. pumpkin growers will look to spring in meeting

HILLSVILLE, Va. — The Virginia Pumpkin Growers’ Association is looking to the growing season even as winter settles across the Mid-Atlantic.
The organization has scheduled its annual meeting for Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Southwest Virginia Farmers’ Market.
The all-day meeting begins with registration starting at 8 a.m. and the annual business meeting being held at 4:45 p.m.
A slate of speakers from Virginia Tech and the industry will share insights for the coming growing season.
The session will open at 9 a.m. with Ashley Edwards, Extension commercial horticulture agent, welcoming growers and guests. Virginia Tech’s Dr. Steve Rideout Extension plant pathologist, will present an update about fungicides and disease. His presentation will be followed by a discussion of weed control in pumpkins.
The morning program will continue after a break with Edwards discussing pumpkin varieties.
Virginia Tech entomologists Tom Kuhar and Sean Boyle will then talk about insect management.
The morning educational presentations will end with James Wilson. Extension apiculturist, and Courtney Walls will be discussing pollinators in pumpkins. The group will break for a catered lunch after recognitions of sponsors and guests.
When the meeting reconvenes at 1;30 p.m. Scott DeNoon from the Virginia Farm Bureau will talk about 1:30 -2:00 liability and agritourism. He will be followed by Mark Reiter and Edwards discussing “Fertilizer: Getting Your Money’s Worth.”
Presentations about Financials and Crop Insurance and Ag Labor/H2A Program are scheduled for the afternoon too. Speakers will be announced later. The educational talks will conclude with a discussion from Steve Pottorff, Carroll County Extension agent, with a Pesticide Legal Update and Field Watch.
Following an afternoon break, there will be a pumpkin marketing panel discussion and business meeting. The day is set to end at 4:15 p.m.