Iowa Specialty Producers Conference Scheduled in Ankeny

By Andi Anderson

Iowa specialty crop producers are invited to attend the 2026 Iowa Specialty Producers Conference on February 24 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

The event is hosted by the Iowa Specialty Crop Growers Association and is supported through grant funding from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach serves as a partnering organization for the conference.

Two extension specialty crop specialists will share research based knowledge and practical insights to help producers improve their operations and plan for future success.

“The Iowa Specialty Producers Conference has something for everyone,” said Christa Hartsook, small farms program manager with ISU Extension and Outreach. “With five tracks of breakout sessions, producers are able to dig in on information relevant to their farming enterprise. Our keynote address covers farm transition and concepts to deal with the stress associated with farming, something that applies to everyone.”

The conference begins with registration and breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by a welcome address at 8:30 a.m. by Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.

The keynote address will be delivered by Jason Haglund of Rural Policy Partners, focusing on stress management and well being in rural communities and among agricultural producers.

After the keynote, attendees may choose from five breakout session tracks designed to meet different farm needs. Topics include fruit production, vegetable production, floriculture, business and marketing, and specialty agriculture. These sessions allow producers to focus on areas most relevant to their operations.

Dan Fillius, horticulture field specialist for commercial vegetables with ISU Extension and Outreach, will present “The Best and the Worst of 2025 - Weather and Vegetables.” Randall Vos, horticulture field specialist for commercial fruit crops, will present “Not Dirt as Usual: Managing pH, EC and Fertility in Potting Media and Container-Grown Plants.” A full agenda is available on the conference website.

Registration costs $99 for association members and $120 for non members. Lunch is included, and on site registration will be available at a higher cost.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave