The 2012 Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference and Trade Show will have something of interest for anyone interested in fruit and vegetable production. This year’s event convenes Jan. 5 at 8 a.m. at Lexington’s Embassy Suites Hotel and concludes around 5 p.m. Jan. 6.

Preconference activities on Jan. 4 include a Winemaking Techniques Workshop from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and a fruit round table discussion from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

“We have many excellent sessions and speakers again this year,” said John Strang, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture horticulture specialist. “Success with fruit and vegetables is most always based on a producer's management skills, especially being able to do things on time. This conference is for beginners and experienced growers alike. We believe we have something to share with everyone, no matter how steep their learning curve."

Participants may choose from several concurrent sessions with topics including farmers markets, agritourism and social media, vegetable production, tree fruit and small fruit production, hydroponic tomato production, wholesale marketing, winemaking and association meetings. The Grape and Wine Short Course will take place all day Jan. 6.

The conference is a joint meeting of the Kentucky State Horticulture Society, the Kentucky Vegetable Growers Association, the Kentucky Farmers’ Market Association, the Organic Association of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Vineyard Society.

The Kentucky Vineyard Society will offer an optional Celebration of Kentucky Wines prior to the Kentucky Farmers Market Association meeting Jan. 5. The celebration will include wines from Baker-Bird Winery, Generation Hill Winery, Glisson Vineyards & Winery, Grimes Mill Winery, McIntyre’s Winery and Berries, MillaNova Winery, Misty Meadow Winery, Rock Springs Vineyard and Winery, The Little Kentucky River Winery and Verona Vineyards. The cost for wine tasting is $15 per person.

Participants will have an opportunity to use a Trading Post bulletin board to sell used equipment.

Conference registration is $30 and includes a one-year membership in the Kentucky Vegetable Growers Association, Kentucky State Horticulture Society or the Organic Association of Kentucky and entry to the Grape and Wine Short Course. Tickets for the Growers Award Luncheon are only available with advanced registration by Dec. 20 for $33.

The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, Kentucky State University and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture jointly sponsor the conference.

For more information about the conference, or to request registration materials, contact Mary Ann Kelley at 270-365-7541, ext. 216. The conference program, Agriculture Innovations Contest entry form and registration sheet are available online at http://www.uky.edu/Ag/ Horticulture/meetings.html.