Produce Growers Conference to focus on potatoes, marketing

PALMER — This year’s annual Produce Growers Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Feb. 19-20 at the Palmer Depot will highlight potatoes and farm marketing.

Four Cooperative Extension potato experts from the Lower 48 will talk about identifying and preventing common potato diseases, including late blight and bacterial ring rot. They will participate by audio and Alaska experts will answer questions.

Ring rot caused significant losses of potatoes in the Matanuska Valley last year, according to Palmer Cooperative Extension agent Steve Brown. Potatoes are the second-most valuable crop in the state, behind hay, and the most important crop in the Valley.

Other topics at the conference include Facebook marketing, farm insurance, farm management, weeds, using mycorrhizae, precision farming and agricultural agency updates.

Cost is $30 for one day or $45 for both and includes lunch. The agenda and registration information are online at uaf.edu/ces.