New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference

Farmers, agricultural service providers, and industry professionals from across the Northeast are invited to attend the New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference and Trade Show, taking place December 15-17 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown in Manchester, New Hampshire.

The conference will feature 31 educational sessions over three days, providing growers with the latest research, practical production strategies, and business management tools for vegetable, berry, and tree fruit operations. Additional sessions will focus on emerging topics including farm technology, organic production, protected culture, and cut flower growing.

A highlight of the conference is the popular Farmer-to-Farmer series, which brings growers and speakers together for informal, in-depth discussions on timely issues facing farms today. These interactive sessions encourage the exchange of real-world experiences, practical solutions, and innovative ideas among peers.

In addition to the educational program, attendees can explore an extensive Trade Show featuring more than 120 exhibitors, view student and faculty research during the poster session, and connect with fellow growers, researchers, advisors, and industry representatives through networking events and social mixers.

The educational program includes five concurrent sessions each morning and afternoon:

• Tuesday, December 15 - Sweet corn, Strawberries, Apples, Cut flowers, Cucurbits, Stone fruit, Sprayer technology, Advanced farm technology
• Wednesday, December 16 - Apples, Brambles, Farm business management, Tomatoes, Mixed vegetables, Cover crops, Soil and water management, Specialty fruit, Winter growing
• Thursday, December 17 - Blueberries, Protected culture, Mixed vegetables, Weed management, Postharvest handling, Root crops, Soil testing and amendments, Seed saving, Farm business management

Special programming will include Worker Protection Standard Train-the-Trainer certification and thirteen Farmer-to-Farmer discussion sessions.

The conference steering committee has assembled an outstanding lineup of speakers from across the Northeast and around the country. Presentations will showcase the latest innovations, research findings, and practical approaches to fruit and vegetable production, marketing, and farm management.

Whether attendees are looking to improve crop production, explore new technologies, strengthen their farm business, or connect with fellow growers, the New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference offers valuable information and networking opportunities to help farms succeed.

Registration Information

• Pre-registration fee: $130 per person, $100 additional attendee if registering at the same time as a group; $60 for students (high school or college). Students must show a valid student ID when picking up their registration packet.
• Deadline: Pre-registration must be completed by November 30, 2026. After this date, the fee increases to $165 ($70 for students, $135 for each additional). Late registration (after December 11) or walk-in registration is $180.
• Accommodations: Overnight accommodation options are listed on the NEVF conference webpage.
• Assistance: For physical, language, or financial assistance, please contact Olivia Saunders at 603-447-3834 or Olivia.Saunders@unh.edu at least three weeks prior to the event, and every effort will be made to accommodate your needs. A block of rooms is reserved for attendees requiring on-site accommodation for mobility reasons.

For more details, including online and downloadable registration materials, visit New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference website.

Sponsors

The event is sponsored by the New England Vegetable & Berry Growers’ Association and the Massachusetts Fruit Growers’ Association in conjunction with the Universities of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, as well as Cornell University, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. 

NEVF Conference website