Press Releases

Commissioner Comer headlines 2013 Fruit and Vegetable Conference

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 10, 2012
For more information contact:
Holly VonLuehrte
(502) 573-0450

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner James Comer is scheduled to address the opening session of the Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference Jan. 7 in Lexington.

Several members of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s marketing staff will lead sessions and give presentations at the conference Jan. 7-8 at Embassy Suites Hotel.

“I appreciate the opportunity to speak to Kentucky’s fruit and vegetable growers and wine makers,” Commissioner Comer said. “This conference will enable them to catch up, compare notes, and get advice on cutting-edge techniques for production and marketing.”

KDA marketing specialists will speak on wine production, wholesale marketing, social media, agritourism, selling at farmers’ markets, and organic agriculture. Several other experts will cover various aspects of fruit and vegetable production, including tree fruit production, small fruit production, and growing in high tunnels. Dozens of vendors will exhibit at the conference.

The conference will include the Celebration of Kentucky Wines on Jan. 7, the popular Grape and Wine Short Course both days, the Exhibitor and Grower Luncheon Jan. 7, and the Grower Awards Luncheon Jan. 8 featuring Kentucky Proud products. Several commodity organizations will hold their annual meetings during the conference. A pre-conference workshop on marketing and winemaking is scheduled for Jan. 6.

Deadline for preregistration is Dec. 19. The block of rooms for the conference will be held until Jan. 4. Program and registration information are available online at www.uky.edu/Ag/Horticulture/meetings.htm or through John Strang at (859) 257-5685 or jstrang@uky.edu or Tim Coolong at (859) 257-3374 or timcoolong@uky.edu.