Vegetable farmers can get a leg up on the competition for the 2010 growing season through a continuing program offered by Ohio State University Extension on December 18th.  The Mid-Ohio Valley Vegetable School is an opportunity to learn about new production practices and emerging issues facing vegetable producers.

The aim of the school is to extend new knowledge from Ohio State University to area producers.  Experts from OSU Extension will share the latest research relating to sweet corn, tomatoes and other vegetable crops grown in the area.  They will answer producer questions and help farmers prepare for the 2010 growing season that is already upon us.

The morning will begin at 9am with a Food Safety Certification Program where producers will learn basic practices for safe handling of food crops from the field to the consumer.  Participants will receive a Food Safety Certificate to use for their own farming operation.

One of the most highly respected vegetable plant disease researchers in the country, Sally Miller will be on hand for the day.  Sally is a plant pathologist and does research at the Wooster branch of the Ohio Agricultural Research & Development (OARDC) Center.  She will review tomato & pepper disease management from the 2009 growing season and the hot topics which will affect growers in 2010.

Hal Kneen and Eric Barrett will share the results of the 2009 OSU Vegetable Trials and Results and updates on OSU Extension Insect & Weed Control recommendations. The program will end at 3pm.

OSU Extension will share research trial data on products from a range of companies.  The school will be held on Friday, December 18th, 2009.  Registration & Refreshments begin at 9:00am and the day adjourns at 3:00pm. A $20 registration fee includes lunch, program handouts and pesticide recertification credits.  Participants will receive three hours recertification credit in core, 3A and 4 from the Ohio Department of Agriculture.