Illinois Tree Fruit School 2026

By Andi Anderson

The 2026 Southwestern Illinois Commercial Tree Fruit School will take place on February 12, 2026, at the Barefoot Restaurant located at 106 S Water St., Hardin, IL 62047. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and is designed to provide current, research-based information for commercial fruit production.

This educational program will focus on the major challenges faced by fruit producers in Southwestern Illinois. Topics will include disease control, pest management, and weather risk planning. Industry representatives will also be present to share information about the latest products and services that support healthy and profitable fruit production.

The day will begin with registration at 7:45 a.m. The first presentation at 8:30 a.m. will provide updates on peach diseases. At 9:00 a.m., participants will learn about integrated pest management in tree fruits with a focus on traps. A vendor break will follow at 9:45 a.m. Updates on apple diseases will be shared at 10:00 a.m., followed by a presentation on weather hazard forecasting at 10:30 a.m. The program will conclude after lunch, with adjournment scheduled for 1:30 p.m. There will be no afternoon presentations.

Registration fees are $35 per person for advanced registration by February 4. Registration at the door will be $50 per person. All registration fees include lunch and one copy of the Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide.

Participants can learn more or register for the 2026 program at https://go.illinois.edu/TreeFruitSchool.

The Tree Fruit School offers a valuable opportunity for growers to gain practical knowledge that can improve crop health, reduce losses, and increase long-term productivity. The sessions are presented in easy language and focus on real-world solutions that can be applied directly to orchards and fruit operations.

By attending this program, participants can strengthen their understanding of disease prevention, pest monitoring, and weather-related risks. This training supports safer production practices and encourages better planning for each growing season, helping commercial fruit operations remain successful and sustainable.

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