<b>By DOUG GRAVES<br>
Ohio Correspondent</b></p><p>

MORROW, Ohio — Whether your green thumb is large or small, the 2008 Southwest Ohio Fruit and Vegetable School has something in store for any type of grower.<br>
This year’s school will be held March 5. As in years past, the one-day school, located at Valley Vineyards and Winery in Morrow, Ohio, addresses the needs of commercial growers and backyard gardeners.<br>
The commercial session is designed for the business fruit and vegetable grower to fulfill their pesticide recertification needs. The backyard program is designed for backyard gardeners and Master Gardeners to gain practical gardening knowledge.<br>
Growers and serious gardeners will also learn the latest techniques of fruit and vegetable production from a large panel of experts in the field. Addressing both groups will be Joe Kovach, The Ohio State University associate professor and Integrated Pest Management coordinator; he will explain to all growers in attendance whether one can earn $90,000 per acre using integrated pest management and polyculture systems.<br>
“Proportionally large producers do not spend a lot of money on pesticides, compared with their other expenses,” Kovach said. “Dealing with pests is just part of doing business in agriculture. All other options besides pesticides are much more expensive or difficult to implement.<br>
But pesticides are still cheap. The actual amount that growers spend depends on the crop. Fruit growers spend more per acre than soybean growers because the crop is more valuable and the pest complex is more difficult.”<br>
And, Kovach will relay to his audience that there are new and improved pesticides available.<br>
“There is an increased number of reduced-risk pesticides that are now available, that are effective and have a lower environmental profile,” he said.<br>
Also addressing both groups will be Heidi Devine, wildlife biologist from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Devine will address the need to understand deer biology to better control crop damage.<br>
After a lunch break, attendees will split into separate sessions. Backyard growers will hear from OSU Horticulture Specialist Brad Bergefurd, OSU Small Fruit Specialist Maurus Brown and OSU Horticulture Specialist Shaun Wright. The trio will give tips to growing small fruits in the backyard.<br>
Those with commercial interests will hear from Sally Miller, OSU Plant Pathologist. She will discuss ways to manage phytopthora and downy mildew in vine crops.<br>
Direct marketing specialist Julie Fox will address key direct marketing approaches while Doug Doohan, OSU extension week control specialist, will give an update on fruit and vegetable week control materials.<br>
Contact Nancy McLaughlin of the OSU extension in Warren County at 513-695-1311 for more information. Valley Vineyards and Winery is located at 2276 East U.S. Route 22/3 in Morrow.