ST. CLOUD -- Growers throughout the Upper Midwest will gather at the River's Edge Convention Center over the next two days to talk about the fruit and vegetable industry.

Rodney Elmstrand owns Rod's Berry Farm in North Branch. He says the industry has become a big part of the public's lives.

"Fruits and vegetables are becoming a more important part of everyone's diet and we are happy to hear that," says Elmstrand.

The conference offers growers a chance to sell their products, check out new growing supplies and hear the latest research.

"Biological control of both insects and creating healthy soils are kind of the new cutting edge ideas," says Elmstrand.

However, growing fruit and vegetables is more of a challenge then your regular crop, such as corn and soybeans.

"Growing fruits and vegetables are very labor intensive and require special markets and marketing techniques," says Elmstrand.

Elmstrand says growers learn just as much from the speakers as they do from each other at the trade show.

 

Growers across the Upper Midwest gather at the Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference and Trade Show. (PHOTO: Alex Svejkovsky, WJON News)
Growers across the Upper Midwest gather at the Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference and Trade Show. (PHOTO: Alex Svejkovsky, WJON News)
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