DECEMBER 2015
Published by the
Maryland State
Horticultural Society
in cooperation with
University of Maryland
Extension
DECEMBER 2013
MID-ATLANTIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONVENTION
Dr. Joseph Fiola, Specialist in Viticulture and Small Fruit,
University of Maryland Extension
The 2016 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable
Convention 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 conference will be
held at the Hershey Lodge and Convention
Center in Hershey, PA on February 2-4, 2016.
The program will consist of six or more
concurrent educational sessions offered during
the three days. Sessions on tree fruits, small
fruits, wine grapes, organic and general
vegetables, pesticide safety, and too many
others to mention.
This year, Elaine Froese a professional speaker,
writer and farm family coach who specializes in
succession planning will provide the keynote
presentation. The full program is provided at
the end of this newsletter.
As usual, there will be an extensive trade show,
including displays of horticultural equipment,
marketing merchandise, packaging, seed
companies, fruit nurseries, as well as pesticides
and other supplies and services for commercial
growers. 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 Mary-
land 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.
Maryland growers are reminded to
pre-register (form on page 23) through the
Maryland State Horticultural Society.
Pesticide credits will be available at the
meeting.
And just a reminder, updates on the latest
research and extension for the commercial
fruit and vegetable industry are presented in
monthly issues of the Vegetable and Fruit
Headline News from UME. If you would like to
view archives or the latest edition, please go to:
Vegetable & Fruit Headline News
https://extension.umd.edu/anne-arundelcounty/agriculture/vegetable-fruit-headlinenews
Special Research Edition—Oct. 23, 2015
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/
_docs/VegetableFruitHeadlines6-7.pdf
I look forward to seeing
you in Hershey !
Inside this issue:
Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable
Convention Information and
Registration
The Summer Orchard Tour 2015
Your Dues Dollars at Work—Funding
Research Proposals for 2015
Passages
Asian Pear Tree Performance, Taste
Test Results and Internal Breakdown
Getting Ready for FSMA:
Research and Education
Programs in Good Agricultural
Practices (GAPs)
Facilitating Intergration and
Adoption of Risk-based Fungicide
Programming to Promote Sustainable
Strawberry Disease Management in
the Mid-Atlantic
High-Density Orchard Systems for
Maryland: Field-testing Advanced
Selections from the Geneva Apple
Rootstock Breeding Program
Pollination and Yield Enhancement
for High Tunnel Tomatoes
Incorporating Surround® into an
IPM Program for Control of BMSB in
Apples
Harry G. Black Distinguished Service
Award
Arthur H. Thompson Travel
Fellowship
MSHS WEBSITE REVAMPED
The Maryland State Horticultural Society is proud to announce
a new and improved website.
The URL has remained the same and we hope you will visit the
site (http://www.mdhortsociety.org/) and navigate the various
pages to obtain the latest news, upcoming events,
membership information, awards, and MSHS history.
Maryland State Horticultural Society
Meetings Held at MAFV Convention
PAGE 2
HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER — DECEMBER 2015
THE SUMMER ORCHARD TOUR 2015
MEMBERSHIP
RENEWAL
Lynn Moore, MSHS Secretary
Annual Dues
If you are not planning to attend
Hershey this year, please consider renewing your Maryland State
Horticultural Society membership.
High Tunnel Cherry Production at Walnut Springs Farm
This summer on July 8, the Maryland State Horticultural Society visited the northeast corner
of Maryland.
The first stop was Walnut Springs farm on Blue
Ball Road in Elkton, Maryland. The farm is
owned and operated by Phil Johnson and his
daughter Molly Brumbley. We were treated to
coffee and doughnuts while Phil showed us his
rather impressive planting of black raspberries,
along with matted row strawberries and elderberry plantings. Molly had a chance to take us
into the two high tunnels of sweet cherries. It
was exciting to see such a large example of
season extenders and crop protectors in
production.
Photo: Molly Brumbley
the entertainment area with a rather spectacular goat walk, animal barns, lots of kid activities
and the new tunnel mountain. All of these activities supplement the large fruit operation of
apples, cherries, peaches, table grapes, blueberries, and primocane raspberries. Both Nathan and Evan were generous enough to give a
pruning demonstration on cherries. Their pedestrian orchards are very pick-your-own
friendly.
The tour was well attended and enjoyed by all.
Please join us next year. I know you will have a
good time and learn something new!
Membership dues for 2016 is
$50. All you need to do is fill out
line 2 of Mid-Atlantic Fruit and
Vegetable Convention registration form and send payment to:
Then we went right down the road and spent
the afternoon at Milburn Orchards. The Milburn
family treated us to an elaborate and delicious
lunch and a tour of their newly expanded market. They did a nice job expanding the market
in a tight spot and making it look like it has
always been like that. Just past the market is
Milburn Orchards
Raspberry Production at Walnut Springs Farm
Photo: Molly Brumbley
The dues are used to promote
much needed research for production problems facing commercial growers. As funds continue to be cut at our Land Grant
Universities, the local horticultural societies have been able to
fund research projects. These
funds are then used for matching grants. Because they are
grower-funded, they are very
effective levers for obtaining
additional funds. Like it or not,
research these days requires
outside funding, and we need to
step it up if we’re going to get
meaningful results when we
need them.
Photo: Dr. Christopher S. Walsh
Nathan Milburn discussing Milburn Orchards tall spindle
apple planting. Photo: Dr. Christopher S. Walsh
University of Maryland
Extension—WMREC
Attention: Susan Barnes
18330 Keedysville Road
Keedysville, MD 21756
HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER — DECEMBER 2015
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
EXTENSION DEMONSTRATION
WINES RECEIVE MEDALS
FROM AMERICAN WINE
SOCIETY
PAGE 3
YOUR DUES DOLLARS
AT WORK—FUNDING
RESEARCH PROPOSALS
FOR 2015
Lynn Moore, MSHS Secretary
Each year the Maryland State Horticultural
Society funds research projects designed to
improve the profitability of fruit producers
and support family farming in Maryland.
Grants are awarded to projects that are relevant to the industry and will benefit Maryland
growers. These grants are frequently used as
seed money to attract other monies to fund
the research projects.
Wines from the University of Maryland
Viticulture & Enology Research and Extension
Program were entered in the 2015
National American Wine Society Amateur
(non-commercial) Wine Competition that took
place on November 3-5, 2015 in Tysons Corner,
Virginia. Eleven wines were entered all of them
received medals: 3 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze.
Year Name of Wine
Research Center Medal
Three projects were funded in 2015:
2012
Carmenere/Cabernet Franc
WREC/CMREC
Gold

2012
Chambourcin/Cabernet Savignon Ripasso
WMREC
Gold
2013
Petit Verdot/Cabernet Sauvignon
GRV
Gold
Improving Diagnosis and Control of Black
Root Rot in Mid-Atlantic Perennial Strawberries by Dr. Cassandra Swett, University
of Maryland.
NV
Pinot Gris/XX15-15-51/Albarino
WREC/WMREC/GRV Silver
2012
Chambourcin
WMREC

NV
Amarone Kit
Effect of Kaolin Clay on Pesticide Residues
Preliminary Study by Dr. Jane DuBois,
University of Maryland.
2012
Teroldego/Malvesia Negra
WMREC
Silver

2012
Linae Ice
WREC
Silver
2012
Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot
Silver
2012
Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot
Bronze
Continuation of Monitoring for Fungicide
Resistance in Maryland for Small Fruit and
Stone Fruit Orchards. Dr. Guido Schnabel,
Professor and Extension Specialist, Clemson University.
2015
Kozma 55 Nouveau
Silver
Silver
WREC
Bronze
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND LOCATIONS:
WMREC:
Western Maryland Research & Education Center, Keedysville, MD
WREC:
Wye Research & Education Center, Queenstown, MD
LESREC:
Lower Eastern Shore Research & Education Center, Salisbury MD
CMREC:
Central Maryland Research & Education Center, Upper Marlboro, MD
For more information about University of Maryland Research Centers go to: http://agresearch.umd.edu/locations
OTHER LOCATIONS:
AREC:
Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research & Education Center, Winchester, VA (Virginia Tech)
www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/alson-h-smith/
GRV:
Golden Run Vineyard, Hans & Jenny Schmidt, Sudlersville, MD
Each scientist is happy to discuss their project
with any grower. Project results are presented
to the Maryland State Horticultural Society
and are available on request. Frequently projects are presented at the twilight tours sponsored by University of Maryland, and/or the
winter meetings at WMREC and WyeREC and/
or the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable
Convention held at Hershey, PA.
PASSAGES
Elmer “Lee” Black (92) born near Thurmont,
Maryland, passed away on November 9, 2015 in
Burlington, NC. He was the son of the late Willis G. &
Maude Baker Black. In addition to his parents he was
preceded in death by his brother Harry Black, sister,
Betty Seiss, son, Jeffery Black, and a grandson Jason
Fizer. He is survived by his wife, Frances; daughters,
Wanda Fizer and Lana Gladhill; sons Terry, Ronald
and Jerry Black; 13 grandchildren and 19 great
grandchildren.
Elmer graduated from Thurmont High School,
enlisted in the Army Air Corps, started a photography
business in Thurmont and Emmitsburg, and then
bought an abandoned farm and orchard which
established Blacks Hilltop Orchard, which he ran until
his retirement. During this time he worked closely
with his brother, owner of Catoctin Mountain
Orchard. To view the obituary you can go to: http://
www.legacy.com/obituaries/fredericknewspost/
obituary.aspx?n=elmer-black&pid=176471773
PAGE 4
HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER — DECEMBER 2015
ASIAN PEAR TREE PERFORMANCE, TASTE TEST RESULTS AND INTERNAL BREAKDOWN
Chris Walsh, Mike Newell, Kathy Hunt, and Brianne Redman
We organized a field trial of
commercially available Asian pear
cultivars in 2010. Trees were set in
Maryland at the WyeREC and in eight
other research stations in the eastern
United States. The goal of this
coordinated trial was to test the
adaptation of this crop to the typical
management practices used by
direct-market producers in the
region.
Asian pear trees are quite precocious
and productive. Trees in this study
began flowering and fruiting in their
second leaf, and measurements of
yield and postharvest quality began
in 2012 and continued through 2015.
In Maryland, we have already seen a
great variability in tree survival. Two
European cultivars set as controls
each lost 3 of 5 trees to a severe
blossom blight infection that began
in the third leaf. The blight-resistant
European cultivar, Potomac, showed
good tolerance to blight, but was not
precocious. Potomac trees only
began to crop significantly in their
fifth leaf. While blight affected some
Asian pear trees, about half of the
Asian cultivars had good tree survival
at this location. (See table)
Unlike European (buttery) pears
which are harvested firm and then
ripened in cold storage, Asian pear
fruits are harvested tree-ripe. During
this study fruit were picked at Wye
and then held in refrigerated storage
for a few weeks. After short-term
storage they were evaluated at a
series of Maryland Agricultural
Experiment Station Open Houses.
Consumers are immediately drawn to
our Asian pear evaluations. In 2015,
we presented taste testers with slices
of three varieties and asked for their
preference. That data are shown in
the table above. At Keedysville,
Shinsui and Kosui did well, while
Isiiwase was not well received. At the
Wye Twilight Meeting, attendees
appeared to like the three varieties
ASIAN PEAR RESEARCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
2015 Taste Testing Results Keedysville and Wye
Twilight Meetings and the Terp Farm Open House
CULTIVAR
FIRST
PICKING
TREE
SURVIVAL
(%)
TASTE TEST RESULTS % PREFERRED
Keedysville
8/19/2015
(44 Participants)
Wye
9/8/2015
(29 Participants)
Upper
Marlboro
10/9/2015
(122 Participants)
…
…
…
…
…
Isiiwase
August 6
100
5
Shinsui
August 6
100
45
Kosui
August 10
100
50
27
Hosui
August 20
40
…
38
Yoinashi
September 11
80
…
…
49
Atago
September 18
60
…
…
27
Shinko
September 18
100
Ya Li
October 7
40
Olympic
October 15
100
…
35
…
24
…
…
…
…
…
…
tested about the same. In our third
tasting, Yoinashi did particularly well.
Since these testings used fruit from
earlier harvests, Olympic and Yali
were not used in the 2015 testings.
In earlier years, ‘Olympic’ was ranked
as the best tasting fruit at Clarksville
(data not shown), probably due to its
high soluble solids (sugar) content.
This result is similar to many grower
observations and particularly notable
as this cultivar has also shown good
field tolerance to fire blight.
As we worked with this crop, we have
noted that there is a tendency for
some cultivars to develop flesh
disorders. In 2014, many growers
reported internal browning and
breakdown (IBB) in Olympic. Some
‘Olympic’ Asian pear fruit harvested
at WyeREC showed IBB symptoms in
2015. The flesh browning and water-
Internal browning and breakdown in Olympic fruit harvested in
late September at WyeREC.
soaked flesh tissue occurred just outside the core line
(See photo). We believe the breakdown may be
induced by hot, dry weather in August and September.
While some fruit damage is visible at the time of
harvest, this damage also increased during cold
storage. In 2015, Mike Newell found that after one
Continued on page 5
PAGE 5
HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER — DECEMBER 2015
ASIAN PEAR TREE PERFORMANCE, TASTE TEST RESULTS AND INTERNAL BREAKDOWN continued from page 4
week of storage, breakdown increased from 40% to 70%. The Chinese variety Yali, exhibited internal browning at harvest in 2014. In 2015,
no browning was observed at harvest, but after three weeks of cold storage, 100% of the fruit had internal browning.
In a preliminary trial, we tested whether fruit color and fruit size of ‘Olympic’ pears could be used to identify fruits with these flesh
disorders. Larger fruit were more prone to IBB while greener fruit, as measured using the Delta A meter, were less prone. Based on these
two observations, we recommend that growers pick Olympic fruit two weeks earlier to avoid problems in future years, minimizing
consumer complaints and ensuring adequate storage life.
GETTING READY FOR FSMA: RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN GOOD
AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES (GAPS) Chris Walsh, Donna Pahl and Justine Beaulieu
The produce rules implementing the Food
Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) passed by
Congress in 2010 will be published in their
final form in 2015. While this may come as
a surprise to some farmers, many
researchers, educators and auditors have
been working since 2010 to assist farmers
in implementing Good Agricultural
Practices (GAPs). In Maryland, we have
worked hard to help fruit and vegetable
growers in two ways: 1) Training farmers to
develop and implement GAPs plans and 2)
Developing scientific ‘metrics’ needed for
farmers to implement produce safety
programs.
When FSMA was passed five years ago,
only a few farmers in Maryland were GAPcertified. Most of those farms were
wholesale producers who needed to
comply with buyer requests for third-party
audits. Today there is a large number of
growers who sell directly to consumers
through farmers markets, roadside stands,
pick-your-own farms and communitysupported agriculture. These producers are
equally interested in GAPs certification, but
a wholesale-GAPs farm audit is not aligned
with the needs of direct-market producers.
Using funds from a Specialty Crops Block
Grant, the Maryland Department of
Agriculture and the University of Maryland
teamed together to develop the MDA GAP
Audit Program. That program was
developed in 2011 by Deanna Baldwin at
the Maryland Department of Agriculture
along with Donna Pahl and Chris Walsh at
the University of Maryland. Deanna
manages the regulatory component of the
program, while Donna has provided oneon-one assistance with local growers as a
GAPs educator.
In general, obtaining a GAPs certification is
a multi-step process that can take over a
year to complete, whether the farm
produces for wholesale or for retail
markets. In the first year, farmers learn
about GAPs through brief talks at winter
meetings and decide to pursue further
knowledge on the subject. They then
attend a one-day training session to learn
about produce safety practices and
regulations, and in the afternoon begin
developing their own farm GAPs plan using
provided resources. If the farm is interested
in pursuing a certification, it can request an
MDA audit once the GAPs plan is complete.
Costs associated with the MDA GAP
inspection are covered by the Specialty
Crops Block Grant. So far, more than 800
Maryland farmers have attended GAPs
training programs, highlighting the
interest and need for such trainings.
In the following year, farms seeking USDAAMS audits for wholesale markets learn
more about risk assessments and are then
readied to meet Harmonized GAP
standards, which is a certification required
by many wholesale buyers. This stepwise
approach has been very effective. Since we
began these trainings, we have watched a
number of farms move through these steps
to improve food safety, with over 50
Maryland farms currently certified through
the GAP programs and many others who
have modified their practices, even if they
do not plan to obtain a certification. In
addition to these farmers certified by the
MDA programs, many others have passed a
variety of private third-party audits
required by their wholesale buyers.
Aside from the time required to develop
and complete the GAPs paperwork, there
are two major requirements for a GAPs
certification: 1) Adding worker training
programs in food safety and 2) Conducting
a water testing program for indicator
organisms. By attending GAP trainings,
farmers quickly learn what is needed for an
effective worker training program. Taking
water samples is a bit more complicated.
While soil testing for fertilizer
recommendations is routine, taking water
samples for microbiological quality is not.
When monitoring agricultural water
sources for microbial quality,
nonpathogenic generic E. coli is used as an
indicator organism (to test for the presence
of fecal matter). Generic E.coli is used for
several reasons: it is not normally present
in the environment, is relatively easy and
cost-effective to monitor, and it is used in
EPA recreational water standards. Donna
Pahl posted a video on You Tube, which is
easily accessed on the Walsh and Pahl Lab
Food Safety web page http://
psla.umd.edu/research/research-labpages/food-safety-fresh-fruits-andvegetables showing how to take a water
sample for E. coli testing.
To better assess the quality of agricultural
water sources in Maryland, Donna Pahl
worked with Dave Martin, University of
Maryland Extension, Baltimore County and
four other Extension educators to conduct
a statewide assessment of agricultural
waters. This project took monthly water
samples during the 2013 and 2014
growing seasons, testing farm wells and
surface waters on the Eastern Shore and in
Central and Western Maryland.
Cooperating farmers benefitted from this
project. They received monthly information
on the quality of water they were using on
their farms which helped them comply
with the water testing requirements
Continued on page 6
PAGE 6
HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER — DECEMBER 2015
GETTING READY FOR FSMA: RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
(GAPS) continued from page 5
needed for their GAPs plans. In cases where E. coli levels were above the suggested guidelines, the farmers were quick to take the
measures needed to reduce their risks. Additionally, this project allowed UM Extension to assess the overall quality of irrigation water
sources in Maryland and comment on the draft FSMA regulations when they were first published.
For the last few years, our lab has also participated in a USDA NIFA-funded SCRI project sampling commercially produced leafy greens
and tomatoes. After taking field samples, leafy greens and tomato fruit were tested for their microbial load. Much of the 2015 field and
laboratory studies were conducted by Donna Pahl and Justine Beaulieu. In the photos above, Donna (left photo) and Justine (right photo)
are preparing tomato samples for coliform and E. coli testing, following the protocols specified in the SCRI project.
Shortly after these photos were taken, Donna was hired by Cornell University to fill a new position in southern California as the Southwest
Regional Extension Associate for the Produce Safety Alliance. Donna has done a fantastic job during the past five years in her position as
a Maryland GAPs Educator. While it’s hard for all of us to see her leave, it’s great to know her efforts in Maryland have led to a promotion
as a regional trainer for the Produce Safety Alliance.
Justine Beaulieu was hired to continue with our food safety research and assist in the University of Maryland - Maryland Department of
Agriculture GAPs education and certification programs. Justine comes to the lab with a strong background. She received her MS degree
in May from the University of Maryland in plant pathology, where she spent two years conducting fungicide-resistance research on
Phytophthora in Maryland nurseries. Prior to attending graduate school, Justine received a BS degree in Environmental Science and Policy from
the University of Maryland, and then went on to a two-year Peace Corps assignment to Vanuatu.
NEW FACT SHEETS RELEASED FROM UNIVERSITY OF
MARYLAND EXTENSION
Check out the following fact sheets that were
recently released online from the University of
Maryland Extension:
Spotted Wing Drosophila Monitoring
and Management
http://ter.ps/SWDFactSheet
Launching a Cottage Food Industry
http://ter.ps/CottageFood
HOLD THE DATE!
THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 25, 2016
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
WESTERN
MARYLAND
REGIONAL
FRUIT MEETING
HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER — DECEMBER 2015
PAGE 7
FACILITATING INTERGRATION AND ADOPTION OF RISK-BASED FUNGICIDE PROGRAMMING
TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE STRAWBERRY DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN THE MID-ATLANTIC
Dr. Cassandra L. Swett, Assistant Professor, Grape and Small Fruit Pathology, University of Maryland - AGNR-PSLA , Bryan R. Butler Sr., Extension Agent,
University of Maryland Extension—Carroll County
Figure 1. Weather station at WMREC
field station. Leaf wetness hours and
temperature are used together with
forecasted weather predictions to evaluate
risk of pathogen infection periods.
This project seeks to address critical
challenges in strawberry disease control
and implementation of promising riskbased management strategies for the midAtlantic U.S. Anthracnose and Botrytis fruit
rot diseases are primary drivers of yield
losses in most regions of the mid-Atlantic.
In the past five years, multiple fungicide
failures have resulted in major reductions
in available effective chemistries and there
is a high resistance risk for most remaining
chemistries. Disease forecasting systems
such as Strawberry Advisory System (SAS)
have proven highly effective in reducing
fungicide use and resistance risk for
strawberry producers in the southern and
northeastern U.S (Figure 1 and 2). In
response to requests from mid-Atlantic
growers to have this system available, we
propose three specific objectives, to (1)
validate a disease forecasting system for
timing fungicide applications to control
strawberry fruit rots in the mid-Atlantic
which will commence in the spring of 2016,
(2) develop a region-specific disease
forecasting App and website, and (3)
educate growers on efficacy and use of the
of risk-based disease control through panel
discussions led by collaborating growers,
demonstration plot tours, and
development informational resources, to
rapidly enable producer adoption.
Dr. Swett and Mr. Butler will coordinate
field trials at the Western Maryland
Research and Education Center,
Keedysville, MD. In mid-September, bare
root strawberry plants were planted into
plastic-mulched rows. A weather station
will be placed on site and connected to the
weather station network (AgroClimate),
and fungicide treatment application will
begin in the spring (Figure 1 and 2). The
calendar-based sprays will be compared
with sprays timed according to the disease
forecast system. An unsprayed treatment
will be included to verify disease pressure.
Trials will be conducted using the most
popular plasticulture strawberry cultivar in
the mid-Atlantic, ‘Chandler’, highly
susceptible to AFR, and the recently
released ‘FlavorFest’, tolerant to AFR. This
information will be used to incorporate
cultivar susceptibility into the disease
forecast system.
Fruit will be harvest twice weekly from May
through June and both diseased and
marketable fruit counted and weighed.
Anthracnose fruit rot and Botrytis fruit rot
incidence will be quantified as the
percentage of the total number of fruit
rendered unmarketable by each disease.
Based on the outcomes of this study, we
aim to test efficacy in on-farm trials with
collaborating growers and expand the
usefulness of this system to diversified
producers by evaluating whether SAS can
be used in a harmonized forecasting-based
fungicide management system to control
the Botrytis fruit rot pathogen (B. cinerea)
and the Anthracnose fruit rot pathogens
(Colletotrichum species) in other fruit crops
commonly grown in hyperdiverse
agriculture, including blueberries,
raspberries, apples, peaches and grapes.
Figure 3. Members of the Berry
pathology lab plant strawberries with
Bryan Butler for the WMREC field trial
planned for 2016.
Figure 2. Infection of both Botrytis fruit rot (L) and anthracnose fruit rot (R) are triggered
with greater 12 leaf wetness hours at or above 650 F-- warm spring rains are a primary
trigger.
PAGE 8
HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER — DECEMBER 2015
HIGH-DENSITY ORCHARD SYSTEMS FOR MARYLAND: FIELD-TESTING ADVANCED
SELECTIONS FROM THE GENEVA APPLE ROOTSTOCK BREEDING PROGRAM
Bryan R. Butler Sr., Extension Agent, University of Maryland Extension—Carroll County, Anna Wallis, Christopher S. Walsh, Emily Snyder, and Tim von Thun, Department of Plant
Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland-College Park, Julia Harshman, Washington State University, Douglas Price, Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station,
Gennaro Fazio, USDA-ARS, Cornell-Geneva
2013 as trees begin to fill their space
This was the sixth leaf for our first
evaluation of G-202 rootstock on a large
scale. This study serves to examine and
compare the growth habits of apple trees
on tissue culture (TC) and stool bed G-202,
as well as G-935 and G-41. The plot is split
with half of the trees having Cripps Pink for
a scion and the other half having Brookfield
Gala for the scion. We have been
evaluating these High Density systems for
western/central MD since 2010. As we
collect data on new dwarfing disease
tolerant rootstocks we hope to provide
useful information to determine the
appropriateness of this High Density
system for hot humid conditions of the mid
-Atlantic region; and gain a better
understanding of the growth habit of TC
trees in comparison to those produced in
traditional stool beds. By observing the
growth rate and structure, overall size and
yield, we want to begin to determine if the
TC process is detrimental to apple
production or cultural practices in the
orchard. Much of the work that has been
done with these rootstocks and the Tall
Spindle system has been done in other
parts of the country. Maryland growers
have had to extrapolate from that
information; given the variation in climates,
we are not certain how closely
recommendations from states like New
York or Michigan can be followed here.
With regard to rootstocks, at this point, I
can assure you need to know if you are
By June most trees appeared to be just about where we wanted
getting Gala on a 202TC vs. a stool bed 202
because the TC tree will be significantly
larger. This does not seem to be the case
with Cripps Pink. Tree size is comparable on
both and the TC tree is very nice to work
with when under Cripps Pink. Data has
been collected on height, trunk diameter,
survivability, fruit quality (which includes
color, soluble solids, firmness, and starch),
fruit size, yield per tree, and tree efficiency
(fresh weight of fruit/cross sectional area)
for four seasons. To this point as we finish
the 6th leaf on this planting there has been
very little difference between the trees. The
202TC trees certainly broke out of the
blocks fast and initially made a larger more
robust tree in comparison to stool bed 202
trees but, the planting overall appears to
be evening out and it is difficult to see a
great difference between many of the
trees, and statistically there are no
differences between the treatments. Yield
was actually down from 2014 which may
be due more to over thinning than
anything else but fruit quality, color and
size were very good in both varieties.
This year the planting received its second
fairly significant setback, with the first
being brittleness at the graft union on
some trees. Heavy fire blight pressure
caused significant damage to the new
shoots originating from the Dutch stub
cuts.
Continued on page 9
The renewal shoots were particularly
susceptible to shoot blight, which then led
to visible trunk cankers in August. This was
particularly problematic on the Brookfield
Gala trees which necessitated removal of
significant portions of the scaffold
branches on several trees.
Although this project is primarily a
rootstock evaluation, rootstock does not
appear to be influencing this situation
nearly as much as scion and the pruning/
training system. I do have growing
Figure 1. Fire blight canker in
late August on Gala
PAGE 9
HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER — DECEMBER 2015
HIGH-DENSITY ORCHARD SYSTEMS FOR MARYLAND: FIELD-TESTING ADVANCED SELECTIONS FROM THE GENEVA APPLE ROOTSTOCK BREEDING PROGRAM continued from page 8
concerns about this system in our climate.
Although rootstock selection is very
important and we have a long way to
evaluate scion/rootstock combinations. I
feel the training system may be the first
factor in mid-Atlantic High Density
orchards that may need to be addressed.
We have not lost any trees to fire blight yet
but I am not sure if it will matter if the
rootstock is alive if we lose the scion to
cankers in the main trunk. I have enjoyed
working with this system very much and
having had the opportunity to prune from
a standard tree down to this I will say this is
an efficient system but we may need to
modify it further to fit our growing
conditions.
In 2014, I was very excited this season to
have actually accomplished renovation
pruning. You can see (figure below) it did
really work and we are now finishing our
fifth leaf and will begin doing a lot more of
this type of pruning as we work on our
Maryland Modified Tall Spindle System.
In 2015, I was increasingly concerned that I had actually created a serious problem in the
planting by doing this type of pruning as I tried to renovate older heavier limbs in the
lower part of the trees of the Modified Tall Spindle System.
Although this was the final season for collection of the complete data set, the planting will
remain and be managed so further observations can be made regarding this rootstocks
and scion interaction, and the overall serviceability of the planting and system. I would like
to try leaving scaffold branches on the lower part of the tree and compare yield potential
and survivability to the tall spindle.
A number of old research orchards planted at Keedysville were removed during the past
few years. These sites were chisel plowed to remove old roots and bio-renovated with
two crops of rape and seeded to tall fescue prior to replanting in 2015. We planted
sleeping eye Pink Lady and Granny Smith on 969 on 11/13/14 with one row on the trellis
and two rows to be free standing. Other trees planted in spring, 2015 include Fuji budded
on G935, G41, G202, G214, G11, G222, Bud 9, M9 (Nic29), M9 (Nakb337) and G42; planted
at 6’x12’ and 3’x12’ spacing’s on a four-wire 9’ trellis system.
As far as survivability, we have lost a number of trees. All tree losses were due to breaking
at the graft union. Most of the losses were early on but G-935 continues to break and has
been the rootstock that has lost the most trees.
2015 CRIPPS PINK YIELD PER TREE AND SURVIVAL AT KEEDYSVILLE
ROOTSTOCK
YIELD (KG/TREE)
SURVIVAL (%)
G.41
21.4
54
G.935
14.3
68
G.202
15.4
100
G.202 (TC)
20.3
96
PAGE 10
HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER — DECEMBER 2015
POLLINATION AND YIELD ENHANCEMENT FOR HIGH TUNNEL TOMATOES
Jerry Brust, IPM Vegetable Specialist
percentage of culls was significantly
reduced when tomatoes were treated 4times a week in HT-B and when treated 2, 4
and 6 times a week vs 0 in HT-A (tables 1
and 2). Average fruit size was significantly
greater when pollination enhancement
techniques were used for 2, 4 or 6 days a
week vs. no enhancement in HT-A and HTB (Tables 1 and 2).
Fig. 1 Average yield of fruit harvested from pollination enhanced plants (left) vs. nopollination enhancement (right)
The Problem: Tomatoes in high tunnels
(HT) often produce a great deal more
flowers than they do tomato fruit. Much of
this fruit deficit is due to poor pollination
and fruit set. Tomatoes are usually selffertilized with their pollen being well
hidden. It takes some decent wind or
bumble bee action in order for the pollen
to be released. But in a HT it often is
difficult to get enough air movement into
the center to have effective pollination. So,
I was looking for a simple easy method of
increasing pollen release from tomato
flowers to see if that increased the number
and/or size of tomato fruit being produced
and, if it did, could the plant nutritionally
support the increase in tomato fruit
(measured as fruit quality). The way in
which I enhanced pollination and fruit set
was by using a leaf blower, yes a leaf
blower.
Methods: Four different cultivars of
tomatoes were used in 2 HTs (HT-A and HTB), 2 hybrids (Mt Fresh+ and Crista) and 2
heirlooms (Cherokee Purple and Big Beef). I
used a Craftsman 235/150 mph electric
blower. An ‘enhanced pollination
treatment’ consisted of taking the leaf
blower and placing it on low (150 mph)
with the end of the blower 2-3 ft from a
plant and moving it back and forth and up
and down concentrating the movement in
the area of the flowers. Plants were treated
either for 0, 2, 4 or 6 times a week.
Treatments started 5-days after the first
flower cluster appeared and were treated
for 4 weeks.
Results: Overall, 2015 was a good year
for HT tomatoes in these trials. The average
for the 4 tomato cultivars in each HT will be
examined first. At both HT sites - A and B
using the leaf blower at least 4 times a
week resulted in significantly greater fruit
set and yields than not enhancing
pollination (tables 1 and 2). The pollination
enhancement increased yields by 44% in
HT-A and 60% in HT-B vs. the control. The
Discussion: Overall yields were good in
these two HTs compared with previous
seasons. Normally, I would have expected
19.6 lbs/plant in these HTs, but instead got
21.8 lbs per plant (control plants). Research
in the eastern United States has
demonstrated that the yield per tomato
plant from a HT should be between 20 and
30 lbs per plant. As you can see, I was at the
bottom end of this range with an average
of 19.6 lbs/plant. The average increased to
as much as 33.7 lbs per plant with the
pollination enhancement technique. It
would seem that the low end of the scale
that I was at was mostly due to poor
pollination in these HTs. By enhancing
pollination, I was able to increase my yields
by as much as 72%. The pollination
enhancement technique also improved
fruit quality by reducing the percentage of
culls and increasing the average fruit size.
We did not add any extra nutrients to HTs
compared with how we normally fertilize.
Plants would need to be treated for 5-10
seconds at least 4 times a week for there to
be a good possibility of yield and quality
enhancement. This technique did appear
to work better on the first 8-10 fruit clusters
the plants produced vs. using the
technique on later fruit clusters.
Table 1. Number of times per week plants treated-HT-A
No. days/wk. treated:
Yield (lbs./plant)
% fruit that were culls
wt. of average fruit (oz.)
0
2
4
6
21.5a
8.4a
7.05a
22.7a
6.5b
8.85b
30.2b
4.5c
10.34c
31.8b
4.2c
10.51c
Means within a row with different letters are significantly different at the p< 0.05 level
Table 2. Number of times per week plants treated-HT-B
No. days/wk treated:
0
2
Yield (lbs/plant)
22.1a
26.4b
% fruit as culls
12.6b
8.7ab
wt. of average fruit (oz.)
7.12a
8.36b
4
33.7c
6.3a
9.14c
Means within a row with different letters are significantly different at the p< 0.05 level
HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER — DECEMBER 2015
PAGE 11
INCORPORATING SURROUND® INTO AN IPM PROGRAM FOR CONTROL OF BMSB IN APPLES
Bryan R. Butler Sr., Extension Agent, University of Maryland Extension—Carroll County , and Douglas Price, Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station
present. Pheromone traps for Coddling Moth, Tufted Apple Bud
Moth and Oriental Fruit Moth were placed in the block and
monitored weekly to determine need for application. BMSB were
monitored using three-minute surveys of five trees weekly to
determine presence and damage to fruit.
Half of the trees received the program without Surround® added
and half received the program with Surround® added. fifty fruit
per panel were destructively sampled at harvest to evaluate
damage.
Having had the opportunity to experience Brown Marmorated
Stink Bug (BMSB) in 2010, I am always aware of this bugs
capabilities. However, since then I feel there has been a marked
decline in numbers and damage and I hope we will never see
2010 again, but that may also mean we will not truly be able to
evaluate the value of this project with such low levels of damage.
I have continued my work with Surround® and “soft insecticides”
this season on apple and peaches. This makes the fourth
consecutive year for this project and, although we have one more
year to go, the analysis of the data so far is not really a big surprise
to me. Damage has been very low and we have not seen a
significant difference in the treatments. As the pressure seems to
drop each season of this project, it has become more difficult to
see any differences. To give BMSB a better chance we never
added any products to our spray programs on any of the tree fruit
at WMREC to target BMSB. BMSB pressure was very light again this
season with a scattered migration to homes occurring the fourth
week of September into the first two weeks of October in central
Maryland.
This project examines the potential to return to pre-2009 timing,
interval, and material selection by incorporating Surround® to
reduce BMSB damage.
The Surround® was used at a rate of 12.5 pound per 100 gallons as
a tank mix that may be acting as a repellent or tactile deterrent
and could offer greater protection of the fruit. Thus, the addition
of the clay to the surface of the fruit and foliage may be resulting
in behavioral modification of BMSB. It is well-documented that
BMSB is very mobile and moves into the orchard causing the most
severe damage on the perimeter rows. The clay barrier from
Surround® was thought be deterring BMSB from moving into the
orchard or possibly reduce the time spent in the trees leading to a
reduction in feeding damage, but weekly counts for the last four
years show no significant difference in egg masses, nymphs, or
adults in treated or untreated areas.
The insecticide applications were made based on an IPM program
using traditional monitoring tools for lepidopteron pests with
visual observations for BMSB being added to the program and
material selection being based on need for control of the pests
The apple data for 2015 on our Fuji block was overall light from
BMSB, but we did find BMSB in the block later in the season and
did have damage to fruit. As mentioned earlier this year, we did
not add any BMSB specific products to our program and had
minimal damage all the way through the Cripps Pink harvest.
There was some damage, although it was very low, yielding a high
percentage of salable fruit.
In our Red Haven peach block, we had no BMSB pressure at all in
2014 and, although we did experience some cat facing injury in
2015, the injury appeared to come from native Brown Stink Bugs
as opposed to BMSB. Weekly counts and end-of-season
evaluation of the fruit showed extremely low levels of injury with
brown stink bugs being the stink bug we did find in the block just
before harvest time, but very few BMSB for the last two years.
After four years working on this project, I am forming an opinion
that using Surround® early may be very helpful as we work our
way through the initial incursion from BMSB, However, if pressure
begins with that fresh, hardy population later in the season, the
use of Brigade or Venom or similarly effective product is the way
to go to ensure clean fruit at harvest.
This work will continue as we try to provide adequate control
with the softest possible program.
PAGE 12
HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER — DECEMBER 2015
FRUIT ROTS AND SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA IN FALL RED RASPBERRIES: THE PERFECT
STORM? Kelly Hamby, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Maryland Department of Entomology
Cassandra Swett, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Maryland Department of Plant Science and Landscape
Architecture, Berry Pathology Program
The Problems: Raspberry production in the Mid-Atlantic is
challenged by pre-and post-harvest fruit rot diseases as well as
insect pests, most notably the pre-harvest disease, Botrytis fruit rot,
and the vinegar fly insect pest, spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila
suzukii). While it is most important to manage Botrytis fruit rot during
bloom, the pathogen, Botrytis cinerea, can also infect ripe fruit later
in the season. Infection periods for Botrytis occur during periods of
warm temperature that are combined with wetness (rains or heavy
dews). Additionally, Botrytis more easily infects wounded fruit.
Recent surveys suggest that a second fruit rot pathogen,
Cladosporium, may also be causing pre and post-harvest losses. The
grey-green color of early Cladosporium infections is the main trait
that distinguishes it from Botrytis fruit rot which is lighter grey;
however, later symptoms can be very similar. Wounding also
appears to play an important role in facilitating Cladosporium fruit
rot development, and it can initiate disease development even on
un-ripe fruit. One potential source of wounds in Mid-Atlantic berry
fields is spotted wing drosophila (SWD). SWD females create
wounds as they lay their eggs in fruit, and in addition to the direct
damage of larvae feeding in fruit, this may also facilitate secondary
damage by fruit rot development in these fruit. Additionally, this
secondary fruit rot may provide an inoculum source for fruit rot
outbreaks. Compounding this issue, insecticides targeting SWD
often wash off and do not effectively control spotted wing
drosophila populations during pathogen infection periods
triggered by persistent leaf wetness. SWD populations build during
the season, with the heaviest insect pressure occurring in the late
summer and early fall, so this is particularly relevant for late season
management.
The North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association (NARBA)
supported our project to gather preliminary data examining the
possible role SWD plays in fruit rot development in raspberries in
2015. We present one portion of this project here, and a full report
will be provided to NARBA later in the year.
Methods: Two Maryland fall (primocane fruiting) raspberry
fields were used for this project. At site one three rows of ‘Caroline’
were used and at site two three rows of ‘Jaclyn’ were used. In early
August, at least five raspberry clusters composed of hard green
raspberries (at least 5 fruit per cluster) were bagged per row at each
site using nylon mesh 1 gallon paint strainer bags securely closed
with wire to exclude spotted wing drosophila. Un-infested
(confirmed un-infested with SWD and not exhibiting any visible
fruit rot symptoms) ripe raspberries were collected from both field
sites and used within one day of collection for laboratory
experiments. Raspberry clusters were placed in floral water picks
inside test tube racks and kept cool until use. Treatments included a
control where no flies and no spores were introduced to the fruit,
SWD only where laboratory reared SWD (20 males, 20 females per
enclosure) were introduced, and SWD with Botrytis spores. See
Figure 1 for an example of the treatment enclosure. After a 24 hour
treatment period where the clusters and flies were left at room
temperature (~73°F (23°C)) on the bench top, the fruit clusters were
Figure 1. Treatment enclosure.
Figure 2. Mean ± SE (N = 2) proportion of fruit infected with
Botrytis fruit rot for each laboratory treatment for each site.
Figure 3. Mean ± SE (N =2 ) proportion of fruit infected with
Cladosporium fruit rot for each laboratory treatment for each site.
sterilely removed from the cages and inspected to ensure no flies
remained. They were then transferred to incubation bags and
held at a 63°F (17°C) for 3-5 days before incidence of Botrytis and
Cladosporium, as well as other post-harvest fruit rots were
evaluated. Treatments were replicated two times for each site.
Continued on page 13
HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER — DECEMBER 2015
PAGE 13
FRUIT ROTS AND SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA IN FALL RED RASPBERRIES: THE PERFECT STORM? continued from page 12
Results: Flies exposed to Botrytis spores increased the number of Botrytis
infected fruit in our laboratory studies relative to fruit that were not exposed to
flies carrying spores (Figure 2). However, we do not know if the number of
spores the laboratory flies were carrying would be similar to the spore exposure
of flies in the field, nor do we know if flies in the field would visit un-infected fruit
within 24 hours of spore exposure. Therefore, this laboratory experiment is a
worst-case scenario. Site 2 had a much higher background level of Botrytis,
probably due to infections that occurred during flowering. Interestingly, the
introduction of laboratory flies and subsequent wounding of the field collected
fruit by flies increased the number of fruit that were infected with Cladosporium
fruit rot at both sites (Figure 3). Therefore, it is likely these fruit carried latent
Cladosporium infections that better developed into rot after the flies wounded the
fruit.
Figure 4. SWD larva (arrow) from within a fruit
rot infected raspberry.
Discussion: SWD and fruit rot pathogens occur together in Mid-Atlantic fall
red raspberry fields, and are likely impacting one another. However, we are just
scratching the surface of these potential impacts with the preliminary laboratory
and field studies that were conducted in 2015. We have confirmed that SWD
wounds can increase incidence of fruit rot pathogens such as Cladosporium
under controlled laboratory conditions. We also observed that if flies are
exposed to Botrytis spores they may be able to transport them to healthy fruit
and initiate Botrytis infections. In the field, we have observed early stages of fruit
rot development occuring with SWD larvae (Figure 4). Do these larvae later die
when the fruit rot infection advances (the fungus covers the fruit entirely), or do
they finish development before the infection progresses and emerge
successfully? If these flies successfully emerge, will they then carry spores to
other fruit that are not exhibiting disease symptoms? If SWD is important to the
development of fruit rot, this may mean that (1) the disease is less severe in early
season raspberries that are less affected by the flies and (2) controlling SWD
could help to minimize pre and post-harvest losses from fruit rots. We plan to
continue investigating this issue, so stay tuned for further information.
Thanks to all the members of the Berry Pathology lab and Hamby lab who helped with sample collection, experiment set up, and
processing. We would like to particularly thank cooperating growers for allowing us to use their sites and fruit and to NARBA for
providing funding for the work.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION OFFERS PRIVATE PESTICIDE
CERTIFICATION AND RECERTIFICATION & NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT
VOUCHER TRAINING
University of Maryland Extension is offering private pesticide applicator and Nutrient Management certifications and recertification
classes for farmers during the fall, winter, and spring season. To find a listing for classes/workshops near you go to:
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION EVENTS:
http://extension.umd.edu/events
PRIVATE PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION COURSES
http://mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Documents/2015%20Private%20Testing%20and%20Training.pdf
PRIVATE PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION MEETINGS:
http://mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Documents/Private%20Recert%20Meetings%202015%20-2016.pdf
NUTRIENT APPLICATOR VOUCHER COURSES:
http://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/counties/VoucherTraining.pdf
PAGE 14
HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER — DECEMBER 2015
ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR THE MID-ATLANTIC FRUIT
AND VEGETABLE CONVENTION IS NOW AVAILABLE
Online registration for the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and
Vegetable Convention has been set up for those
who would like to use their *credit card can go
to:
http://mafvconventionmshs.eventbrite.com
*There is an additional processing fee from
Eventbrite to pay by credit card
If you would like to attend the workshops on
Feb. 1, you will need to mail the registration
form on page 24.
If you have any questions or need help, please
contact Susan Barnes at 301-432-2767 x301 or
by email sbarnes6@umd.edu
LODGING AT
HERSHEY
To make hotel reservations, please
call 1-800-HERSHEY or 717- 5333311. The group code number is
1042731. Discounted rate for the
2016 convention is $140.00.
Remember to make your room
reservation early as the Hershey
Lodge has sold out of rooms the
past two years.
For additional information go to:
www.hersheylodge.com
2016 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jan. 7-10, 2016: Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable
Conference, www.seregionalconference.com/
January 7-9, 2016: North American Strawberry Growers
Association , Savannah, Georgia in conjunction with the
Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Convention,
www.nasga.org/n-american-strawberry-growers-conference.htm
Jan. 14-16, 2016: Future Harvest - CASA 17th Annual
Conference—Cultivate the Chesapeake Foodshed ”
www.futureharvestcasa.org/conference/2016-conference
Jan. 18-20, 2016: Ohio Produce Growers and Marketing
Association (OPGMA), http://opgma.org/OPGMA-AnnualCongress
Jan. 19-21, 2016: 2016 Empire State Fruit and Vegetable
Expo http://nysvga.org/expo/information/
Jan. 29, 2016 (8:45 AM to 3:30 PM): Central Maryland Vegetable Growers Meeting, Friendly Farm Inn, Foreston Road, Upperco, MD. Registration or more info. call (410) 887-8090 or visit
web page: http://extension.umd.edu/baltimore-county/
agriculture/upcoming-agricultural-meetings
Feb. 2-4, 2016: 2016 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable
Convention, Hershey, PA http://www.mafvc.org (registration and
program included in this newsletter)
Feb. 1 - Feb. 06, 2016: 30th Annual NAFDMA Convention, Nashville, Tennessee, http://www.farmersinspired.com/Convention/
Feb. 5-6, 2016: Maryland Wine & Grape Industry Annual
Meeting www.marylandgrapes.org/events/
annualconference.shtml
Feb. 6-12, 2016: 59th International Fruit Tree Assoc. Annual
Conference, Grand Rapids, Michigan
http://www.ifruittree.org/dnn/default.aspx
Feb. 11, 2016 (8 AM -4 PM): Southern Maryland Vegetable &
Fruit Production Meeting, Location: Bowie Elks Lodge, Rt. 450,
Gambrills, MD. For more information: R. David Myers (410) 2223906 or email myersrd@umd.edu. Registration: https://
events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?
oeidk=a07ebhos4vsfd956c5c&oseq=&c=&ch=
Feb. 11, 2016: Mid-Atlantic Women In Agriculture, 15th
Annual Regional Conference , Dover Downs Hotel and Casino
Dover, DE
www.extension.umd.edu/womeninag/annual-conference
Feb. 17, 2016: Bay Area Fruit School, Wye Research and
Education Center, Queenstown, MD. For more information
contact: Mike Newell @ mnewell@umd.edu
Feb. 25, 2016 (8:30 AM to 4:00 PM): Western Maryland
Regional Fruit Meeting, Western Maryland Research & Education Center, Keedysville, MD. For more information or registration
contact Susan Barnes at (301) 432-2767 x301 or
sbarnes6@umd.edu
Mar. 2-4, 2016: 2016 North American Raspberry &
Blackberry Conference, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, WV
www.raspberryblackberry.com/local.cfm?
doc=webdocs/2016ConferencePreview.htm
HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER — DECEMBER 2015
MARYLAND STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
MEETINGS HELD AT MAFV CONVENTION
The Maryland State Horticultural Society will have the following meetings during the Mid-Atlantic Fruit
and Vegetable (MAFV) Convention.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING (officers and board members)
Tuesday, February 2, 2016 ● 4:30 PM (NEW TIME!) ● Tower #2
HARRY G. BLACK DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Although primarily intended to be given to a fruit
grower or those involved in fruit production, it may be
given to a person in an allied industry such as
processing, a state employee, a county agent, university
personnel, or to any other person making a special
contribution to the fruit industry. The committee will
annually review the list of nominees, if any, to determine
its recommendation to the Executive Board.
PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS ARE:
Lloyd Balderston III, 1976
Dr. Castillo Graham, 1976
Professor A. F. Veirheller, 1976
S. Herman Todd, 1977
William C. Main, 1978
Theodore Stegmaier, 1978
M. N. “Nick” Pope, 1979
Dr. L. O. Weaver, 1980
Dr. Ben L. Rogers, 1981
Dr. Arthur Thompson, 1982
Harry G. Black, 1985
George H. Butler, Jr., 1986
William M. Allenberg, 1996
Evan B. Milburn, 1997
John H. Rinehart, 1999
Dr. Paul W. Steiner, 2000
I. Bruce Barr, 2005
Henry R. Passi, 2008
Allan Baugher, 2011
Robert E. Black, 2014
ARTHUR H. THOMPSON TRAVEL FELLOWSHIP
The purpose of the Thompson Travel Fellowship is to expose young people, working in the Maryland fruit industry, to ideas
on fruit production in other areas of the
world. In order to do this, the Maryland
State Horticultural Society has established
a fellowship of up to $1,000. This fellowship can be awarded annually to young
people working in the fruit industry to promote leadership within the Society.
Recipient: The recipient will be a fruit
grower or someone else associated with
fruit production in Maryland, to be given to
young persons aged 18 to 30, to encourage travel outside the state of Maryland.
The recipient would be expected to make a
short presentation to the membership at
the annual meeting concerning the information learned in the travel.
The Horticulture Technology
Newsletter is published yearly
by the Maryland State Horticultural
Society in cooperation with
University of Maryland Extension.
Maryland State Horticultural Society
(MSHS)
Contact: Robert E. Black
15308 Kelbaugh Road
Thurmont, MD 21788
Phone: 240-409-7491
E-mail: HBGala@aol.com
BUSINESS MEETING (All members are encouraged to attend)
Wednesday, February 3, 2016 ● 4:30 PM ● TBA
The Harry G. Black Distinguished Service awarded is
given, when deemed appropriate by the Executive
Board, to a person who is a member of the Maryland
State Horticultural Society making a significant
contribution in the state of Maryland this year and in
years past. The Award and Nominations Committee,
consisting of three members appointed by the
President, shall recommend to the Executive Board such
an award.
PAGE 15
Application and Procedure: To apply,
a brief explanation of the proposed trip
should be submitted in writing. The application letter should include the name, age,
and potential trip being considered by the
applicant. Applications should be submitted by January 22, 2016 to be considered for use during the subsequent year.
Applications for the award should be
submitted to: Lynn Moore, Secretary, c/o
MSHS , Nominating and Awards Committee, 2415 Woodbine Road, Woodbine, MD 21797, (410) 489-7034.
The Awards and Nominating Committee
will consider the nominations and will
make its recommendation to the Executive
Committee, which will make the final decision. The Thompson Fellowship will be
presented at the Awards Banquet held during the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable
Convention in Hershey, PA.
MSHA Officers:
President: Wade Butler
1st Vice President: John Fendrick
2nd Vice President: J.D. Rinehart
Secretary: Lynn Moore
Assistant Secretary: Dr. Joe Fiola
Treasurer: Robert Black
Board Members:
Henry Allenberg
Molly Bromley
Jay Milburn
Brad Miller
Washington White
University of Maryland Extension
Dr. Joseph Fiola , Specialist in Viticulture
and Small Fruit
18330 Keedysville Road
Keedysville, MD 21756
Phone: 301-432-2767 x344
E-mail: jfiola@umd.edu
Susan Barnes, Administrative Assistant II
Phone; 301- 432-2767 x301
E-mail: sbarnes6@umd.edu
The University of Maryland Extension
programs are open to any person and will
not discriminate against anyone because
of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation,
physical or mental disability, religion,
ancestry, national origin, marital status,
genetic information, political affiliation,
and gender identity or expression.
PAGE 16
Feb. 2–4, 2016
Schedule
&
Registration
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM (AS OF NOVEMBER 19, 2015)
Please note, speakers, topics, times and rooms in this program are subject to change. Check for updates on the website at www.mafvc.org.
The printed program at the Convention will take precedence over any pre-convention programs.
PRE-CONVENTION WORKSHOPS—MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2016 (pre-registration is required)
Unless otherwise noted, workshops will be conducted at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey.
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
FARM TRANSITION—FEE: $40 (includes lunch)
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
HOPS PRODUCTION 101—FEE: $90 (includes lunch)
This one day session is designed to provide farm families with critical resources to navigate through transitioning the farm from one generation
to the next. You will interact with both nationally recognized experts and
farm families who are currently working through the transitioning process.
This one day session on hops production is designed to educate
hops growers and prospective hops growers on site selection, nutrient
management, pest management, harvesting & processing of hops, and
how to work with local brewers to market hops.
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
1:00PM
2:45 PM
What You Need to Know When Transitioning
the Farm From One Generation to the Next Louis Shuntich, Advanced Consulting Group with
Nationwide Insurance.
Farm Family Communications - Dynamics and
Challenges and Family Meeting Guidelines - Darlene
Livingston, PA Farm Link
Families in the Arena - Lenny Burger Jr. & Lenny Burger III,
Burgers Farm; Lewis & Robin Peregrim,
Miller's Orchard Farm Market
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
PA PESTICIDE APPLICATOR LICENSE TRAINING—FEE: $60
(includes lunch) If you intend to purchase and/or apply restricted use pesticides for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity on land
which is owned or rented by you in Pennsylvania, then you need a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) Pesticide License. To become a
certified private applicator, testing is required. This full day session on
February 1, will cover the basics and prepare you for the pesticide applicator’s exam (which will take place the morning of February 2, from 8:30 a.m.
– 11:30 a.m.). Fee includes the Private Applicator Packet (course and study
material). This class is not on the MSHS registration form—If you would
like to register for this class, please contact William Troxell at 717-6943596 or by email pvga@pvga.org
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
TOOLS FOR FARM FOOD SAFETY PLANNING, GAP AUDITS,
AND FSMA COMPLIANCE—FEE: $50 (includes lunch)
This workshop will assist growers who are writing a USDA Harmonized
GAP Food Safety plan and who are preparing for a GAP audit. In addition,
we will provide updates on the Produce Safety Rule of the Food Safety
Modernization Act (FSMA), including scope, coverage, exemptions and
timelines for compliance. Limited to 50 participants. Speakers will include
Dr. Luke LaBorde, Penn State Univ.; Judy Martin, PA. Dept. of Agriculture;
Lee Stivers, Penn State Ext.; and Thomas Ford, Penn State Ext.
9:45 AM
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
1:00 PM
1:45 PM
2:15 PM
3:00 PM
Site Selection and Pre-Plant Considerations for Eastern
Growers - Steve Miller, Cornell Coop. Extension
Nutrient Management in Commercial Hops Plantings Thomas Ford, Penn State Extension
Growers Perspective on Training and Planting HopsNoah Petronic, Keystone Hops
Weed Management in Hops Production Systems Timothy Weigle, Cornell University
How Brewers Use Hops, What Varieties and Why John Trogner, Troegs Brewery
Insect and Disease Management in Commercial Hops
Production Systems - Timothy Weigle, Cornell University
Harvesting and Processing of Hops for Eastern Growers
- Steven Miller, Cornell Coop. Extension
Economic Considerations for Commercial Hops
Production - Kevin Martin, Penn State Extension
Experiences With Using Local Hops and Local Growers John Trogner, Troegs Brewery
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
HARD CIDER FROM SEED TO SIP: BUSINESS AND
PRODUCTION WORKSHOP—FEE: $120 (REGISTRATION DEADLINE 1/4/16)
This workshop will be conducted at The Vineyard and Brewery at
Hershey, 598 Schoolhouse Road, Middletown, PA 17057
http://vineyardathershey.com/the-brewery/
(fee includes networking from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. with tapas by Sophia’s at
Walden and an opportunity to try Hershey Brewery Ciders)
1:00 PM
Welcome
1:05 PM
Hard Cider Market Trends - Carla Snyder, Penn State
Extension, Marketing & Ag Entrepreneurship
U.S. hard cider market trends with a focus on Mid-Atlantic
market sales, consumer outlook and competition.
1:30 PM
Developing the Modern American Hard Cider Orchard Eric Shatt, Cornell University, Horticulture & Redbyrd Cider
Challenges of growing cider apples, choosing your varietal
blend, orchard design and much more.
2:30 PM
Benchmark Tasting of Fruit Ciders
Tasting to focus on select fruit ciders to evaluate style relative
to fruit ciders from a commercial or craft perspective. Data (i.e.,
residual sugar, alcohol, tannin) presented on each hard cider
along with sensory descriptors and production techniques. Led
by Denise Gardner.
2016 MID-ATLANTIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONVENTION EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
PAGE 17
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2016 (pre-registration is required)
3:30 PM
4:00 PM
Content Marketing - Mary Bigham, Town & Dish Works
LLC.
Customized, professional content marketing to increase sales,
customer engagement and brand awareness for your cidery!
Hard Cider Production: A Closer Look at Fermentation Denise Gardner, Penn State Extension, Enology
Dive into the world of primary fermentation from yeast selection to stylistic options available for hard cider producers.
1:30 PM-3:30 PM
PRUNING BY THE NUMBERS – SIMPLIFIED RULES FOR PRUNING
AND TRAINING TALL SPINDLE SYSTEMS —FEE: $15
Various Tree Spacings, Simplified Pruning and Training Strategies
Economic Impacts based on Yield and Fruit Size
TIME TO BE ANNOUNCED
FARM MARKET TOUR—FEE: $60 (includes lunch)
This all-day bus tour will leave and return to the Hershey Lodge and
Convention Center. Stops include Kauffman’s Fruit Farm and Market
(including their own cider pressing and canning operations), Bird-in-Hand,
PA, Cherry Hill Orchards Outlet, Country Barn Farm Market and Kegel’s
Produce, in Lancaster, PA
This workshop will be conducted at the Penn State Fruit Research &
Extension Center 290 University Drive, Biglerville, PA 17307
http://agsci.psu.edu/frec.
Topics to discussed and demonstrated: Pruning Tall Spindle Trees at
MAIN CONVENTION PROGRAM
TUESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 2, 2016
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
9:00
History and Status of Fencing for Wildlife
Management - Frank Otto, Summit Ag Systems
9:45
Managing Deer Damage in Your Enterprise - Jonathan
Kays, University of Maryland Extension
COVER CROPS
9:00
Beneficial Cover Crop Mixes for Vegetable Rotations Kaitlin Dye, Cover Crop Solutions, LLC.
9:45
Nutrient Recovery In Cover Crops – Steven Groff, Cedar
Meadow Farms
HERBS
9:00
Getting Started with Growing Culinary Herbs – Dr. Elsa
Sanchez, Penn State University
9:45
*Basel Downy Mildew: Management and Progress in
Research – Dr. Andrew Wyenandt, Rutgers Coop. Ext.
INTRODUCTION TO HOPS
9:00
Site Selections and Pre-Plant Considerations & Basic
Management for Eastern Growers - Steve Miller, Cornell
Cooperative Extension
9:45
Pest Management in Hops Production Systems Timothy Weigle, Cornell University
10:10 Economic Considerations of Commercial Hops
Production - Kevin Martin, Penn State Extension
GMO'S
9:00
GMO Basics, The Science of it and Crafting Marketing
Messages - William Hlubik, Rutgers Coop. Extension &
Heather Mikulas, Penn State University
9:45
Consumer Perceptions of GMO's and Mandatory
Labeling – Dr. William Hallman, Rutgers University
ORGANIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
9:00
Minimum Tillage and Cover Cropping for Managing
Weeds in Organic Vegetables – Dr. Cerruti Hooks,
University of Maryland
9:45
Low Soil Inorganic N is Not so Yield Limiting in
Established Organic Systems – Dr. Alison Grantham,
Blue Apron
TREE FRUIT
9:00
Invocation – Ed Weaver, Weavers Orchard
9:05
President’s Address – Timothy Weiser, State Horticultural
Association of Pennsylvania
9:15
*Managing Nematodes in Tree Fruit Orchards – Dr. Kari
Peter, Penn State University
9:45
George Goodling Lecture - How We Will Survive the
FSMA and the Next Challenge, Whatever It Is - John
Rice, Rice Fruit Company
FOOD BANKING
9:00
Overview of Food Banking - Sheila Christopher, Hunger
Free Pennsylvania
9:45
Tax Policy for Food Donations - Carrie Calvert, Feeding
America
KEYNOTE
10:45 Mid-Atlantic Legislative Affairs Update
11:00 Keynote Presentation – Discuss the UndiscussabullTools for Talking about the Tough Issues in Farm Transfer Elaine Froese, Family Farm Coach
* before a topic indicates the topic is expected to qualify for a category pesticide applicator license update credit.
** before a topic indicates the topic is expected to qualify for a core pesticide applicator license update credit.
PAGE 18
2016 MID-ATLANTIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONVENTION EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
TUESDAY AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY 2, 2016
SWEET CORN
1:00
**Storage and Spills – Dr. Timothy Elkner, Penn State
Extension
1:30
*Fall Armyworm Migration - Implications for the Mid
Atlantic - Robert Meagher Jr, USDA, ARS
2:00
No-Till Planter Set-Ups: Do's and Don'ts - Thomas
Strzelecki, Covered Wagon Produce
2:30
*Cover Crops for Weed Management and N-Supply Steven Mirsky, USDA, ARS
3:15
Early Season Production – Ronald & William Beinlich,
Triple B Farms; Brenton Barnhart, Country Creek
Produce; Mark & Andrew Duda, Duda's Farm; Harold
Weaver, Meadowgate Vista Farm
3:15
4:00
Chasing Nutrient Solutions Targets - Thomas Childs,
Twin Springs Fruit Farm
*Downy Mildew in Hydroponic Basil - Thomas Ford,
Penn State Extension
LABOR/FARM MANAGEMENT
To be announced
FOOD SAFETY CRISIS MANAGEMENT
1:30
Impact of FSMA on Mid Atlantic Growers – Dr. Wesley
Kline, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
2:00
Can Cow Manure Be Used Safely as Fertilizer for
Vegetables? – Dr. Jeffrey LeJeune, Ohio State University
3:15
Are You Ready for a Recall - Amy Philpott, Watson
Green, LLC.
WHOLESALE MARKETING
1:30
Food Hubs - Enhance Your Understanding of This
Newer Method to Get Farm Fresh Food to Consumers
- Ann Karlan, Fair Food
2:15
Farm To School - Recent Successes and Future
Opportunities to Connect Local Produce with School
Food Programs - Vonda Cooke, Child Nutrition Program
3:15
Direct Store Deliveries - Meeting Criteria, Building
Relationships and What We Do to Exceed
Expectations - James Weaver, Meadow View Farm
4:00
Produce Auctions - Trends in This Industry and What
is On the Horizon - Bennie C. Yoder, Countryside
Produce Auction
ROOT CROPS
1:30
*Gain the Upper Hand in Weed Control by
Understanding the Enemy - Darcy Telenko, Cornell
Coop. Extention
2:00
Growing and Marketing Root Crops at Everblossom
Farm - Elaine Lemmon, Everblossom Farm
2:30
Variety Selection for Flavor, Nutrition and Marketing
- Jan Van Der Heide, Bejo Seeds
3:15
*Insect Pests of Root Crops – Dr. Shelby Fleischer, Penn
State University
4:00
**Overlooked Steps to Getting the Correct Rate of
Pesticides - Lee Stivers, Penn State Extension
TREE FRUIT - HONEYCRISP SYMPOSIUM
1:30
Fruit Packer Observations on Honeycrisp Post
Harvest Disorders - Benjamin Rice, Rice Fruit Company
2:00
Three Years of Storage Research on Pennsylvania
Honeycrisp—Implications for Growers and Packers Christopher Watkins, Cornell University
3:00
Growing Tips for Honeycrisp - Grower Panel, Dr. Tara
Baugher, Penn State Extension (moderator); Bennett
Saunders, Saunders Brothers Orchard; Nathan Milburn,
Milburn Orchards; Joseph Lerew, Lerew Orchards
3:45
Rootstocks and Site Preparation for Honeycrisp - Rob
Crassweller, Penn State University
ORGANIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
1:30
*Weed Management in Organic Onions - Bryan
Brown, University of Maine
2:00
*Scouting Insects in High Tunnels - Kathleen Ayers,
Penn State University
2:30
*Using Biocontrols for Insect Pests in High Tunnels –
Dr. Margaret Skinner, University of Vermont
3:15
*Identifying Common Natural Enemies in High
Tunnels – Dr. Margaret Skinner, University of Vermont
4:00
Planning Diversified Crops for Winter Income - Elaine
Lemmon, Everblossom Farm
HYDROPONICS
1:30
Tomatoes Varieties for Hydroponics in the MidAtlantic - Natalie Bumgarner, University of Tennessee
2:00
*Keeping Hydroponic Systems Clean Using
Peroxides - Vijay Kumar Choppakatla, BioSafe Systems
2:30
*Utilizing Microbial Probiotics in Hydroponic Lettuce
Production - Natalie Bumgarner, University of
Tennessee
* before a topic indicates the topic is expected to qualify for a category pesticide applicator license update credit.
** before a topic indicates the topic is expected to qualify for a core pesticide applicator license update credit.
2016 MID-ATLANTIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONVENTION EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
PAGE 19
WEDNESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 3, 2016
TOMATOES
9:00
Penn State Variety Update - Dr. Majid Foolad, Penn
State University
9:30
*Looking at Nanomaterials for Bacterial Spot Control To be announced
10:15 *Tomato Disease Update - Planning for 2016 - Dr. Beth
Gugino, Penn State University
11:00 *Detection of Canker and Salmonella in Irrigation
Water - Nitika Khatri, Ohio State University
11:30 PVGA Annual Meeting - Crystal Room
GENERAL VEGETABLES/IPM
9:00
Update on Biodegradable Mulch - Dr. Michael Orzolek,
Penn State University Emeritus
9:30
**Air Blast Sprayer Calibration - Eric Oesterling
10:15 All Season Field Production of Lettuce - Arthur King,
Harvest Valley Farms
11:00 Celery Production - Paul Rebarchak, Penn State
University
11:30 PVGA Annual Meeting - Crystal Room
GREENHOUSE SKILLS
9:00
Potting Media Management - Dr. Youbin Zheng,
University of Guelph
9:30
**Water Quality - Impact on Pesticide Efficacy and
Plant Production - Thomas Ford, Penn State Extension
10:15 Deconstructing Fertilizer Formulas - Dr. Cari Peters, J R
Peters, Inc.
11:00 *Managing Western Flower Thrips Using Biocontrols Scott Creary, IPM Labs
11:30 PVGA Annual Meeting - Crystal Room
PEPPERS AND EGGPLANT
9:00
Pepper Variety Trials - Sheldon Sutton, Rupp Seeds
9:30
Broad Mites in Peppers - Steven Bogash, Penn State Ext.
10:15 Diseases of Peppers - Dr. Andrew Wyenandt, Rutgers
University
11:00 Peppers and Eggplant for Ethnic Markets - Thomas
Strzelecki, Covered Wagon Produce
11:30 PVGA Annual Meeting - Crystal Room
SMALL FRUIT
9:00
*Spotted Wing Drosophila - When Do I Really Need to
Start Spraying? – Dr. Gregory Loeb, Cornell University
9:30
Closing the Loop in Recycling Ag Plastics - It Can Be
Done! - Ron Davis, Davis Enterprises, Inc.
10:15 *Thrips Galore, and We Don't Want More! – Dr.
Margaret Skinner, University of Vermont & Kathleen
Demchak, Penn State University
11:00 Performance of New Strawberry Varieties in
Plasticulture and Matted-Row Field Trials – Dr. Timothy
Elkner, Penn State Extension & Kathleen Demchak, Penn
State University
BUSINESS PLANNING FOR DIRECT MARKETERS
9:00
Yes, You Really Do Need a Business Plan - Keith
Dickinson, Farm Credit East
10:00 You Think you're Being Smart, but… - Ed Weaver,
Weavers' Orchard, David Fleming Jr., Shady Brook Farm &
Caleb Torrice, Tabora Farm
11:30 Family Dynamics - I Can't Fire My Sister! - Elaine Froese,
Family Farm Coach
WINE GRAPES
9:00
What People Should Know Before Establishing Their
Vineyard - Dr. Joseph Fiola, University of Maryland
Extension
9:45
Identifying and Managing Weed Problems That Escape
Conventional Practices - Andy Senesac, Cornell
Cooperative Extension
10:15 Ecological Considerations for Winegrape Growers Alice Wise, Cornell Cooperative Extension
11:00 Leaf Removal Strategies for Improving Grape Health
and Wine Quality - Michela Centinari, Penn State
University
11:30 The Essentials of Grape Nutrient Management Dr. Gary Pavlis, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
TREE FRUIT
9:00
Performance of European Pears – Dr. James Schupp,
Penn State University
9:30
The Continuing Quest for Optimal Harvest
Management & Storage of Apples - Christopher
Watkins, Cornell University
10:15 Rootstock Scion Combination Observations - Bryan
Butler, University of Maryland
10:45 **The Worker Protection Standard is Here - James
Harvey, Penn State University
11:15 The Young Grower Alliance & Precision Management
Innovations - Russell Homberg, Ben Lerew, Mark Boyer
SPANISH
9:00
Practica sobre Identificación de Malezas (Hands-On
Weed Identification) - Dwight Lingenfelter & Lee
Stivers, Penn State Extension; Beth Sastre, VCE-Loudon
Extension Office
10:00 *Técnicas de MIP para Producción en Macrotúnel (IPM
Techniques for High Tunnel Production) - Maria Gorgo
(NRCS), Noel Soto (NRCS), Cathy Thomas (PDA)
10:45 **Protegernos y Nuestras Familias de la Exposición a
Pesticidas (Protecting Yourself and Your Family from
Pesticide Exposure) - Hector Nunez-Contreras, Penn
State Extension
* before a topic indicates the topic is expected to qualify for a category pesticide applicator license update credit.
** before a topic indicates the topic is expected to qualify for a core pesticide applicator license update credit.
PAGE 20
2016 MID-ATLANTIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONVENTION EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY 3, 2016
TOMATOES
1:30
*Bio Pesticides - Where Is the Future - Timothy Johnson,
Marrone Bio Innovations
2:00
**Storage and Spills - Dr. Timothy Elkner, Penn State
Extension
2:30
*Fruit Rots and Timing of the Last Fungicide
Application – What’s the Best Approach? - Cheryl
Trueman, University of Guelph
3:15
Top Tomato Production - Steven Bogash, Penn State
Extension
4:00
*What We Have Learned about Managing Stink Bugs
in Tomatoes - Dr. Thomas Kuhar, Virginia Tech
GENERAL VEGETABLES
1:30
Succession Planting - Dr. William Lamont, Jr., Penn State
University
2:00
Asparagus Production - Dr. Thomas Orton, Rutgers
Cooperative Extension
2:30
*Evaluating Select Management Strategies for
Bacterial Diseases of Onion - Jennie Mazzone, Penn
State University
3:15
How Plant Growth Promoters Size Grain and Fill Fruits
- Dr. Richard Woodward, Stoller USA
4:00
*New Vegetable Herbicides - Dr. Mark Van Gessel,
University of Delaware
GREENHOUSE ORNAMENTALS
1:30
*Diagnosing Disease Problems in the Greenhouse Virginia Brubaker, GGS-Pro
2:00
*Diagnosing Insect Problems in the Greenhouse Virginia Brubaker, GGS-Pro
2:30
Succulents - All the Juicy Details - John Friel, Emerald
Coast Growers
3:15
Best Plants From the 2015 Penn State Flower Trials Sinclair Adam, Penn State Extension
4:00
LED's in Greenhouse Production - Dr. Youbin Zheng,
University of Guelph
SPECIALTY CROPS
1:30
Outstanding New PawPaws - Carl Cantaluppi, North
Carolina Extension
2:00
You Can Grow Ginger - Leah Tewksbury, Tewksbury
Grace Farms
2:30
Chick Peas Have Potential - Joseph Yodok & Jase Moore;
John Esslinger, Penn State Extension
3:15
Growing Okra on Plastic – Dr. William Lamont, Jr., Penn
State University
4:00
**Get My Drift? - John Esslinger, Penn State Extension
AGRITOURISM
1:30
How to Handle Large Crowds at Your AT Events Timothy VonThun, VonThun Family Farm
2:00
Practical Advice for Managing Liability on Agritourism
Farms - Brian Schilling, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
2:30
Tips for Hiring and Managing Employees for
3:15
4:00
Agritourism - Gillian Armstrong, Rutgers University &
William Hlubik, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Agritourism Need Not to be a Risky Business - Patricia
Hastings, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Consumers Want to Know Their Farmer, But Do
Farmers Know Their Customers - Richard VanVranken,
Rutgers University
PEACHES
1:30
*Contribution of Mid-Season Cover Sprays to Management of Peach Brown Rot at Harvest - Norm Lalancette,
Rutgers University
2:15
*The Use ProGibb and ReTain to Reduce Peach Flower
Bud Density & Enhance Fruit Firmness - Win Cowgill,
Rutgers University
3:00
Peaches: Trends and Opportunities - Eric Gaarde,
Gaarde FoodSource
3:45
*Bacterial Spot Management in Stone Fruit - Sarah
Bardsley Capasso, Penn State University
4:30
Maryland State Horticultural Society Business Meeting
- Location TBA
WINE GRAPES
1:30
Clean Plant Material - An Effective Strategy for Disease
Prevention in the Vineyard - Hemant Gohil, Rutgers
Cooperative Extension
2:00 Early Season Disease Control for Mid-Atlantic Wine
Grape Production - Bryan Hed, Penn State University
2:45 Diagnosis and Integrated Management of Late Season
Fruit Rots in Wine Grapes - Dr. Cassandra Swett,
University of Maryland
3:30 Update on Spotted Lanternfly Research in Grapes Dr. Michael Saunders, Penn State University
TREE FRUIT
1:30
**Top Ten Tips for Pesticide Applicators - Dr. Kerry
Richards, Penn State University
2:00
*Attract and Kill for BMSB - Chris Bergh, Virginia Tech
2:45
US Apple Association & PA Apple Marketing Board
Updates
3:30
*Solid Set Systems as a Novel Method of Delivering
Chemical Inputs in Apple - Dr. Larry Gut, Michigan
State University
4:30
Maryland State Horticultural Society Business Meeting
- Location TBA
SPANISH
1:15
Visita al Mercado de Productores de la Villa Masónica
– This session will be held at Mason Village, 310 Eden View
Road, Elizabethtown.
1:20
Poda Básica y Principios de Manejo de Carga del
Cultivo de Arboles de Manzana (Basic Pruning/ Crop
Load Management Principles for Apple Trees) - Mario
Miranda Sazo, Cornell Cooperative Extension
* before a topic indicates the topic is expected to qualify for a category pesticide applicator license update credit.
** before a topic indicates the topic is expected to qualify for a core pesticide applicator license update credit.
2016 MID-ATLANTIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONVENTION EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
PAGE 21
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY 3, 2016 CONT...
2:00
Equipo de Crecimiento de Frutales – Comunicación en
Áreas de Trabajo (The Fruit Growing Team – Work
place Communication) - Miguel Saviroff, Penn State
Extension
2:30
Pasos para Podar Arboles de Manzana en un Sistema
de Eje Alto (Steps for Pruning Apple Trees to the Tall
Spindle System) - Mario Miranda Sazo, Cornell Cooperative
Extension
THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 4, 2016
VINE CROPS
9:00
*New Options for Cucumber Beetle Management Dr. Shelby Fleischer, Penn State University
9:30
Growing Seedless Watermelons - Dr. Gordon
Johnson, University of Delaware
10:15 *Weed Control in Vine Crops - Making the Most
With What We Have Available - Dr. Mark Van
Gessel, University of Delaware
11:00 Seedless Watermelon Varieties - Results of the SE
PA Trial - Tanner Delvalle, Penn State Extension
11:30 Biological Strip-Till for Vine Crops - Dr. Gordon
Johnson, University of Delaware
BIO CONTROLS IN HIGH TUNNELS
9:00
*Managing Key Pests of Tomatoes with
Biocontrols - Scott Creary, IPM Labs
9:30
TerraGrow and TerraClean 5.0 in High Tunnel
Systems - Vijay Kumar Choppakatla, BioSafe
Systems
10:15 *Pathways to Biological Control - Case Studies
from the 2015 Growing Season - Nicolas Ellis,
Norden Agricultural, LLC.
11:00 *Managing Leaf Mold in High Tunnel Tomatoes Steve Bogash, Penn State Extension
11:30 Root Zone Temperature Management - Natalie
Bumgarner, University of Tennessee
POTATOES
9:00
Update from the United States Potato Board Nolan Masser, Red Hill Farms Inc. and David Fraser,
United States Potato Board
9:30
Review of the 2015 Potato Season - Robert Leiby,
PA Coop. Potato Growers
10:15 Fertility Management for Potatoes - Dr. Steven
Johnson, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
11:00 *General Disease Update - Dr. Beth Gugino, Penn
State University
11:30 *Insect Control Measures - Dr. Thomas Kuhar,
Virginia Tech
CUT FLOWERS
9:00
*Biologically Based Approaches to Disease
Management in Specialy Cut Flowers - Thomas
Ford, Penn State Extension
9:30
High Tunnels as Overwintering Structures for
Perennials and Simi-Hardy Annual Cut Flowers: A
Sharing of Experiences - Dr. Chris Wien, Cornell
University
10:15
11:00
11:30
Hybrid Liliums & Other Bulb Crops for Summer
Production - Ko Klaver, Botanical Trading Co.
Utilizing Topping Pinching Techniques to Increase
Floral Stem Yield in Cut Flowers - Dr. Chris Wien,
Cornell University
Grower's Prespective on the Cut Flower Industry Michelle Elston, Roots Cut Flower Farm LLC.
SMALL FRUIT
9:00
***What's New in Biofumigants for Strawberry
Production - Dr. Charles Johnson, Virginia Tech
9:30
Pruning Brambles - Increase Harvest Efficiency and
Winter Hardiness While Improving SWD Management
- Nathan Nourse, Nourse Farms
10:15 *A National Research Effort to Manage Spotted
Wing Drosophila and Recent Advances in Biology
and Management - Dr. Hannah Burrack, North
Carolina State University & others to be announced
11:00 *Strawberry Diseases and Early Season Stunting Dr. Charles Johnson, Virginia Tech
11:30 *Strawberry Crown Rots - How to Tell Them Apart
and Differences in Control - Dr. Cassandra Swett,
University of Maryland
MARKETING 101
9:00
Capturing Your Virtual Customer - Rebecca
Frimmer, Kitchen Table Consultants
10:15 Are Your Products Paying the Rent? - Josh Smith,
Frecon Farms
11:15 Business Collaborations to Expand Your Market The Partnership of a Hard Cidery and Diversifie
Farm Market - Reed Soergel, Soergel Orchards
PEACHES
9:00
*Ernie Christ Lecture - Getting Back into an IPM
Program in Peaches & Nectarines - Dean Polk,
Rutgers University
10:00 To be announced
10:30 Nectarine Varieties – 50 Years of Experiences in the
East - Jerry Frecon, Adams County Nursery
11:15 Peach Genetics and Breeding for the Future - Ralph
Scorza, USDA, Kearneysville
TREE FRUIT
9:00
*Fungal Leaf Pathogens of Apple - Keith Yoder,
Virginia Tech.
9:30
*Mating Disruption Then, Now and the Future - Dr.
Larry Gut, Michigan State University
* before a topic indicates the topic is expected to qualify for a category pesticide applicator license update credit.
** before a topic indicates the topic is expected to qualify for a core pesticide applicator license update credit.
PAGE 22
2016 MID-ATLANTIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONVENTION EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 4, 2016 CONT...
10:30
11:00
11:30
Getting to the Root of the Tree - Emily Lavely, Penn
State University
What Affects the Tree’s Photosynthesis Factory - Dr.
Richard Marini, Penn State University
Flower Power: Apple Pollen Tube Growth and its
Management - Thomas Kon, Penn State University
THURSDAY AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY 4, 2016
PUMPKINS
1:30
*Update on Insect Pest Management Research in
Pumpkins - Dr. Thomas Kuhar, Virginia Tech
2:00
Tale Of A Thousand Pumpkins - Creating Magic at
the Arboretum at Penn State's Pumpkin Festival Shari Edelson, Penn State University
2:30
*Soil Borne Cucurbit Disease Management and a
Foliar Disease Update - Dr. Beth Gugino, Penn State
University
3:15
*Palmer Amaranth and Waterhemp Anxieties Management and Legal Implications? - Dwight
Lingenfelter, Penn State University
SMALL FRUIT
1:30
Crop Production Methods in Beach Plum and Aronia
- Jenny Carleo, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
2:00
*Demystifying Blueberry Declines in the Mid-Atlantic
- Dr. Cassandra Swett, University of Maryland
2:30
Understanding Winter Hardiness and Injury in
Blueberries - Dr. Mark Ehlenfeldt, USDA - ARS
3:00
*Recent Developments in Blueberry Pest Control
Options - David Trinka, MGB Marketing
3:30
*Practical Monitoring and Management of Spotted
Wing Drosophila in Highbush Blueberries Dean Polk, Rutgers University
HIGH TUNNELS
1:30
Supplemental Heating for High Tunnels - David King,
Harvest Valley Farms
2:00
Plastic Films for High Tunnels - Dr. Michael Orzolek,
Penn State University Emeritus
2:30
Managing Key Pests of Peppers and Cucumbers with
Biocontrols - Scott Creary, IPM Labs
3:15
***Pesticide Sprayers for High Tunnels - Thomas Ford,
Penn State Extension
3:45
Growing Cucumbers in High Tunnels - Steven Bogash,
Penn State Extension
SOCIAL MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
1:30
Apps, Sensors and Technology for Crop Results - Ben
Butler, Butlers Orchard
2:00
Using Videos to Share Your Story - Sarah Cornelisse,
Penn State University
2:30
Social Media Realities - Shannon Dill, University of
Maryland Extension
3:15
Tricks of the Trade - Shannon Dill, University of
Maryland Extension
POTATOES
1:30
Developing Infrastructure in MSU Potato Breeding
Program to Facilitate Bringing New Specialty to
Small Growers - Dr. David Douches, Michigan State
University
2:00
*Dickeya, an Emerging Pathogen on Potatoes - Dr.
Steven Johnson, Univ. of Maine Coop. Extension
2:30
New Varieties for Pennsylvania Potato Growers Michael Peck, Penn State University
3:15
New Opportunities in Disease Resistant Breeding in
Potatoes - Dr. David Douches, Michigan State Univ.
3:45
Blue and White Potato Chips - Dr. William Lamont Jr.,
Penn State University
INNOVATIONS EQUIPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE
1:30
To be announced
2:00
Future of Drones in Ag - Paul Caskey, SkyPhilly
2:30
Irrigation Optimization - to be announced
3:15
Is There a Future in Interseeding Cover Crops? Corey Dillon, Penn State University
3:45
To be announced
PEACHES
1:30
Ripening in Peach & Nectarine & Internal Breakdown
- Dr. Christopher Walsh, University of Maryland
2:00
National Peach Council Industry Update - Kay Rentzel,
National Peach Council
2:30
Microbiology of an Orchard Soil - David Eissenstat,
Penn State University
3:00
Managing Nematodes in Tree Fruit Orchards Dr. Kari Peter, Penn State University
3:30
**Sprayer Deposition - Dr. Kerry Richards, Penn State
University
TREE FRUIT
1:30
**Effect of Water Quality on Pesticides - Dr. Kerry
Richards, Penn State University
2:00
*How to Use Harvista Technology - Dr. Nancy Brill,
AgroFresh
2:45
*Managing BMSB as Part of the Total Insect Pest
Management System* - Dr. Greg Krawczyk, Penn State
University
* before a topic indicates the topic is expected to qualify for a category pesticide applicator license update credit.
** before a topic indicates the topic is expected to qualify for a core pesticide applicator license update credit.
Maryland State Horticultural Society (MSHS) Annual Meeting - Feb. 2-4, 2016
At the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention - Hershey Lodge Convention Center, Hershey PA
POSTAL CODE
STEP 3 — SPECIAL OFFER WITH MAFVC REGISTRATION

FREE 1 year subscription to Country Folks Grower
—
$60
$60
$80
$80
$80
$110
$110
$110
$110
$110
1-DAY
$150
$150
$150
$150
$150
$150
3-DAY
$35
$35
$35
$35
$35
$35
$35
GROWERS
DINNER
$60
$60
$60
$60
$60
$60
$60
$60
Farm Market Tour
$40
$40
$40
$40
$40
$40
$40
$40
Farm
Transition
$50
$50
$50
$50
$50
$50
$50
$50
Food Safety
Training
$120
$120
$120
$120
$120
$120
$120
$120
REGISTRATION
DEADLINE 1/4/16
$90
$90
$90
$90
$90
$90
$90
$90
Hops
Production
$15 $
$15 $
$15 $
$15 $
$15 $
$15 $
$15 $
$15 $
WORKSHOPS (FEB. 1, 2016)
—
$60
$80
$110
$150
$35
2016 MSHS
MEMBER
—
$60
$80
$110
$150
NON
MEMBER
—
$60
$80
$110
Pruning by the
Numbers
MEMBER
ADDITIONAL
$130
Membership &
Walk-in Reg.
Hard Cider
—
WALK
IN
—
$60
$80
ADVANCED
REGISTRATION
—
$60
TOTAL ENCLOSED $
PAYMENT METHOD

CHECK #________

CASH
TOTAL

Add my name to the e-mail list (receive program information from MSHS/UME)

I do not have e-mail and wish to receive program information from MSHS/UME via U.S. Mail.
STEP 2 — MAILING PREFRENCE (Please check preference )
*There is an additional processing fee from Eventbrite to pay by credit card
If you would like to attend the workshops on Feb 1, you will need to mail this registration form
If you would like to pay by credit card* (convention/membership only) go to:
http://mafvconventionmshs.eventbrite.com
JOIN MSHS TO QUALIFY FOR THE CONVENTION MEMBER RATE
PHONE
STATE
STEP 1— FARM/BUSINESS INFORMATION (PLEASE PRINT)
FARM/BUSINESS NAME
STREET ADDRESS
CITY
E-MAIL
$50
Optional
$50
Optional
$50
Optional
$50
Optional
$50
Optional
$50
Optional
$50
Optional
OR AFTER
1/22/16
—
Membership & Advanced Reg.
$115
MSHS
2016
DUES
STEP 4 — ATTENDEE REGISTRATION (MUST BE POSTMARKED ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 22, 2016
Please CIRCLE the following that
applies for each person attending
To QUALIFY for the Advanced Registration
convention rate you must have at least 1 person
from a family, farm or company that has paid
their 2016 MSHS Membership dues.
PLEASE PRINT NAME
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8
Please make your check payable to: MARYLAND STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY (MSHS)
(You may use one check to pay for convention registration and 2016 Membership Dues)
Mail registration and payment to: University of Maryland Extension—WMREC
Attention: Susan Barnes, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756
For more information please call Robert Black at 240-409-7491 or e-mail hbgala@aol.com
Thank you for registering in advance!
HORTICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER
Which includes the
MID-ATLANTIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONVENTION
(Program and Registration)
Western Maryland Research & Education Center
18330 Keedysville Road Keedysville, MD 21756
The University of Maryland Extension is an Equal Opportunity Employer with Equal Access Programs.