2026 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention

INFORMATION

The Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention (MAFVC) is held each year to provide the latest updates and important information to fruit and vegetable growers from Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and surrounding states. The 2026 conference will be held at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, PA. from January 27 to 29, 2026.

This year’s convention will feature several pre-convention workshops, and a bus tour (register separately), and a trade show with over 170 exhibitors plus three full days of six or more concurrent educational sessions. Sessions on tree fruits, small fruits, wine grapes, organic and general vegetables, marketing, and many other topics are scheduled.

Pesticide applicator credits will be available for Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey growers that attend the sessions. The program is jointly sponsored by Maryland State Horticultural Society, University of Maryland Extension, State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association, Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension, New Jersey State Horticultural Society, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Virginia Horticultural Society, and Virginia Cooperative Extension.

2026 Convention Schedule

Maryland State Horticultural Society and Guest Registration

CONVENTION REGISTRATION NOTE: IF YOU ARE A PENNSYLVANIA GROWER PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR EACH PERSON, including spouses. Registration fees allow one to attend the trade show as well as all the fruit, vegetable, small fruit, wine grape, greenhouse, marketing, general, and Spanish educational sessions from January 27 thru 29, 2026. ( Pre REGISTRATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED OR PURCHASED ON OR BEFORE , JAN. 16, 2026) REGISTRATION FEES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

MSHS MEMBER CONVENTION REGISTRATION FEE:

• ADVANCED FIRST-PERSON REGISTERING from a family, farm, or company: $125 (Includes convention registration and 2022 MSHS Membership dues; $80 + $50=$130)
• ADDITIONAL PERSONS from a family, farm, or company: $65 (per person) To QUALIFY for the convention member rate you MUST HAVE AT LEAST 1 PERSON from a family, farm, or company that has paid their 2025 MSHS Membership dues.

WALK-IN (CASH, CHECK, & CREDIT CARD* ACCEPTED FOR WALK-IN REGISTRATIONS):

• FIRST-PERSON REGISTERING from a family, farm, or company: $145 (Includes walk-in fee along with 2026 MSHS Membership dues; $95+$50=$145)
• ADDITIONAL PERSON(S) from a family, farm, or company) $95 (per person) To QUALIFY you must have 1 person from a family, farm, or company that has paid their 2026 MSHS Membership dues.

*There is an additional processing fee from Eventbrite to pay by credit card

NON-MEMBER CONVENTION REGISTRATION FEES

• NON-MEMBER ONE DAY (per person): $130 Consider becoming a member; adding another $15 will help fund research and educational programs. You will also receive the discount member rate for the convention and the Summer Tour.
• NON-MEMBER THREE DAY (per person): $170 Consider becoming a member if you are attending 3 days at the convention. The member rate (see above) is significantly less.

MSHS MEMBERSHIP: (Note: 2025 Membership Dues is included in MSHS ADVANCED FIRST-PERSON MEMBER CONVENTION REGISTRATION FEE)

• 2026 MEMBERSHIP DUES: $50 (This is available to ADDITIONAL PERSONS from a family or farm/company who would like to become a member or those who are unable to attend the conference, but would like to pay their 2026 membership dues. Membership dues are used to fund much-needed research and to fund educational programs.)

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS RECEPTION AND BANQUET:

• BANQUET TICKETS: $35 (TUESDAY, January 28, 2026). Found in registration.

CONVENTION REGISTRATION:

• TO REGISTER BY CREDIT CARD: Convention Registration
• TO REGISTER BY MAIL AND PAY BY CHECK: click here...for offline registration form. Mail your check payable to Maryland State Horticultural Society (MSHS) with registration form to Chuck Schuster, 4055 Roxmill Court, Glenwood, MD 21738

PRE-CONVENTION WORKSHOPS (JANUARY 26, 2026)

To Register using a Credit Card use Workshop Registration to register separately.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Chuck Schuster or by email cfs@umd.edu

CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations received up to the registration deadline (January 19, 2026) will receive a refund (less the Eventbrite fees) No refunds will be issued after this date.

Special Note: The Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention and Pre-Convention Workshops will be held rain (SNOW) or shine.