Vermont and other New England vegetable and berry producers need on-going IPM education to address the various pest, disease and weed problems faced on their farms. Understanding the most current IPM strategies helps these growers to compete more effectively.

The Vermont IPM program participated in planning the most recent New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference and Trade Show which took place in December 2005, with 30 people from 7 states representing extension, farmers, industry and research. There were 25 half-day educational sessions containing 118 individual presentations, plus 6 farmer-to-farmer discussion sessions on wide-ranging topics. Total attendance over 3 days was 1,290 people, including 238 people associated with the trade show, and 138 speakers and conference workers.

Conference evaluations were completed by 160 people. Of these, 91% said that information obtained at the conference would help them improve IPM, 85% said it would improve soil or nutrient management, and 79% said it would help improve farm profitability.