GL EXPO Highlights

Trade Show

The EXPO's trade show is one of the largest shows for fruit and vegetable growers, greenhouse growers and farm marketers in North America! Last year, a record 458 companies and organizations exhibited products and services in the trade show. This year's show is expected to be even bigger! There will again be an additional exhibit area featuring farm market vendors, other product vendors and information booths.

Trade show hours will be 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Be sure to plan enough time to see all the exhibits.

 

NEW THIS YEAR

Trade Show Reception, Tuesday 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM, Wednesday 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Join us in the back of the Exhibit Hall Tuesday and Wednesday for a reception with the exhibitors. Cash Bar and Light Refreshments.

 

Education Program

The education sessions start at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. Over three days, the program includes sessions on fruit crops, vegetable crops, other specialty crops, greenhouse crop production and marketing, farm marketing ideas and operations, farmers markets and organic production and marketing.

 

EXPO Prayer Breakfast

Wednesday, December 11, 7:00 a.m.

Pantlind Ballroom, Amway Grand Plaza Hotel

Larry Bodke

After living for six years of his early life as a city boy in Dearborn Heights (a suburb of Detroit) Larry's parents, Ron and Phyllis Bodtke moved the family to Grand Junction, Michigan to a fifteen acre blueberry farm.  Larry earned a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science from Michigan State University and then worked as an Ag lender for the Farm Credit System and a Commercial Bank before coming back to the family farm in 1989. He now farms about 1000 acres of blueberries along with his wife, brother, sister, and three nephews.  The family also partners in a 600 acre blueberry farm operating in Oregon and Washington which is about 30% organic. In addition to blueberries, the family farms 2800 acres of grain and owns Beeches Golf Club in South Haven, Michigan. They just celebrated their 50th Anniversary in the blueberry business.

Larry is a past President of The Michigan State Horticultural Society, has served on the Board of Greenstone Farm Credit and as a Deacon and Elder at Hope Reformed Church in South Haven.

Larry has been married to Liana for 35 years. They have four adult children and four grandchildren.

Sixty years of life, with half of those being in full-time farming has brought much joy along with many challenges. He will be speaking today about sustaining joy through adversity.

 

 

EXPO Banquet

Wednesday, December 11, 6:30 p.m.

Ambassador Ballroom, Amway Grand Plaza Hotel

The banquet will feature a serving of Michigan foods and wines. The program features recognition of people for outstanding service to our fruit and vegetable industries. This year's recipients of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Scholarships and Jordan Tatter Scholarships will be recognized as well. And the winning entries in this year's Cider Contest will be announced.

Tickets are $40. Advance purchase through registration is recommended. A limited number of tickets will be available at registration until noon on Wednesday.

 

COUNSELING AT THE EXPO

Two of our Keynote Speakers will be offering FREE one-on-one counseling sessions at the EXPO. These complimentary sessions are limited and early booking is encouraged to reserve one of the available time slots. To secure your private session please call 734-239-8027.