Tomatoes are the most important vegetable crop, both in Missouri and worldwide. Tomatoes also offer a unique set of challenges for commercial farmers and home gardeners alike.

Join nationally recognized and local tomato experts for two days of educational sessions and tours of tomato farms at the Missouri Tomato Conference. The conference is scheduled for Aug. 14-15 at the Continental Conference Center, 2728 N. Rangeline, Joplin.

According to organizers, this conference targets commercial tomato farmers but also has useful information for home tomato growers.

Discussion topics will focus on both field and tunnel/greenhouse tomato production, and will include tomato culture, tomato cultivars, insect and disease management, fertility management, tomato grafting, harvest and postharvest handling, and tomato marketing.

Keynote presenters include Dr. Rick Snyder, Mississippi State University, and Dr. Richard Weinzierl, University of Illinois.

Two local tomato farmers are featured on the program, as are several regional tomato specialists.

Attendees will tour three farms on the second day of the conference. The program is funded in part with funds from the Missouri Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant program and Missouri USDA-SARE PDP.

"The Missouri Tomato Conference is a unique opportunity to learn from national and local tomato experts. Seldom do we have a gathering in Missouri of such expertise on a single crop like tomato," said University of Missouri Extension Horticulture Specialist Patrick Byers.

Conference registration can be done online at www.webbcityfarmersmarket.com/grower-training.html.