The Deep South Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference and Trade Show will be held at the Riverview Plaza Hotel in Mobile, Ala., Dec. 3-4.

The annual multi-state meeting draws crowds from Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi with an expected attendance of more than 500 people, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist James Boudreaux.

The event includes presentations and a trade show with more than 40 vendors exhibiting the latest products and equipment in fruit and vegetable production.

One of the highlighted sessions, “Solutions to Some of the Important Problems in Farming,” addresses labor, transportation and insurance concerns.

Other concurrent sessions cover blueberry, vegetable, peach, citrus and organics production, plus agritourism businesses.

“A program on how to get started in the fruit and vegetable business is a must for new growers,” Boudreaux said.

Sessions feature speakers from universities with large research programs.

“These speakers provide valuable insight into the direction of the produce industry in other states in addition to the latest findings from their research programs,” Boudreaux said.

Growers attending the meeting not only will hear the latest production information, they also will get to visit with growers from different states and to meet the research and Extension people from various universities.

“The meeting is a winning situation for all who attend,” Boudreaux said. “If a grower comes away with just one new idea that improves his yields or sales, the expense of the trip is well-justified.”

Registration is $105. A registration form is available at the Deep South Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Web site: http://www.deepsouthfruitveg.com. Updated agendas and general conference information also are at the site.

Additional general conference information is available from Mississippi State University professor John Braswell, at (601) 403-3939 or [email protected].

For exhibitor information, contact Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce administrators Paige Manning, at (601) 359-1163 or [email protected], or Guy Feltenstein, at (601) 692-7804 or [email protected].