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Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium

Block colors overlayed with text that reads Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium

The Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium will once again be presenting its Winter Fruit Meeting Series. Below you will find registration information for the 2024 series offerings. 

This series is presented to you by the Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium which consists of: Ms. Elizabeth Garofalo, Extension Educator, University of Massachusetts Extension Fruit Program; Dr. Terence Bradshaw, Assistant Professor, University of Vermont; Mr. Jeremy Delisle, UNH Cooperative Extension, Merrimack County; Dr. Renae Moran, Professor of Pomology and Mr. Glen Koehler, Associate Scientist Maine Food and Agriculture Center, University of Maine; Ms. Heather Faubert, Research Associate, University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension; Mr. Evan Lentz Assistant Extension Educator - Fruit Production and IPM, University of Connecticut; Michael Basedow, Regional Tree Fruit Specialist, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program.

Announcing the 2024 Winter Seminar Series!

Sessions will be held (see specific dates below) from noon to 1:30. Pesticide credit(s) will be available for indicated sessions. Pre-registration is required. Please be advised, those seeking pesticide recertification credits must log in to the session individually so that we can show proof off attendance to the certifying agencies. When logging in, be sure your screen name matches the name on your license. 

Thursday January 25, 2024

Dr. John Cline, University of Guelph

“New thinning opportunities with ACC (Accede™) for apple and
peach and Metramitron (Brevis) for apples.”

Apple, peach and nectarine trees usually bear an excessive number of fruit on the tree,
resulting in too many small unmarketable fruit. Removal of fruit by hand in July
each year is necessary to ensure the fruit are of sufficient size and quality at harvest
time. Hand thinning is time consuming, requires a significant amount of labour over a
short period, and is therefore expensive. This session will provide recent research on
two novel compounds called 1-ACC (Accede™) and metamitron (Brevis™) for thinning
and practical applications for incorporating them into a thinning programme.

If you couldn't make the live Zoom, no worries! You can view Dr. Cline's presentation here: https://youtu.be/cFzlRG6yb7c

Wednesday January 31, 2024

Dr. Beatrice Amyotte, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

“Strawberry Breeding and Cultivar Update”

This session will provide an overview of recent progress from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada strawberry breeding program located in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada. Recent work in cultivar development and variety trials will be discussed with specific implications for variety selection in the Northeast. New breeding-related research objectives will also be presented, including the application of genetic markers to develop cultivars with improved disease resistance.

If you couldn't make the live Zoom, no worries! You can view Dr. Amyotte's presentation here: https://youtu.be/spEJTE_67tY

Wednesday February 7, 2024

Dr. Macarena Farcuh, University of Maryland

Kristen DeMarree, Donald DeMarree Fruit Farm Inc. Williamson, NY

“Use, Efficacy and Cost of Reflective Ground Cover in the Orchard”

DeMarree Fruit Farm has spent three years implementing and assessing the efficacy of reflective orchard ground cover. Over this time they have analyzed labor costs and tracked revenue improvements as a result of this practice.  

If you couldn't make the live Zoom, no worries! You can view Kristen and Dr. Farcuh's presentations here: https://youtu.be/7tyJb538GwY

 

Wednesday March 6, 2024

Dr. Jaime Piñero, University of Massachusetts, Stockbridge School of Agriculture

“Mass Trapping for Japanese Beetle Management”

Dr. Piñero is an entomologist at University of Massachusetts in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. His research seeks to develop behaviorally-based pest management tools such as attract-and-kill systems that are based on information from insect sensory ecology and behavior.

In this seminar, Dr. Piñero discusses efficacy and implementation of a mass trapping system for managing Japanese beetle.

1 NYS DEC Recertification Credit in categories 1A, 10, and 22

This session is approved for 1 New England pesticide recertification credit.

Use this link to register! https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtd-mgqD0oGdUWNomfg8NM1ZSlpFN-iWXr

Wednesday March 13, 2024

Dr. Jessica McBride, University of Connecticut

Jessica McBride, PhD, is Director of Communications at UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources where she oversees public and media relations, branding, social media, marketing, and other strategic activities to raise brand awareness and reputation.

“How to Effectively Engage With the Press”

Working with the media can be a great way for producers to raise awareness of important issues with a broad audience. Unfortunately media training isn’t typically part of business or crop production training. Learn the basics of working with journalists – from tips for a successful interview to becoming a go-to resource for journalists.

Andre Tougas, Tougas Family Farm and Chelcie Martin, Honey Pot Hill Orchard will share their experiences with the press from this year- what worked, what didn't and what they plan to do differently next time.

Use this link to register! https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAtf-6hqToiEt1plqhTJopWrDbq1a94j8Dz

Wednesday March 20, 2024

Dr. Kerik Cox, Ms. Līga Astra Kalniņa

“BioControl, Forecast Models and Apple Scab- Finding the Sweet Spot”

Disease forecasting is an important tool for tree fruit producers to predict infection events and time fungicide applications. Currently NEWA has been a critical tool for growers, however there are other disease prediction models. We will present the results of our efforts to improve the utility of these prediction models by integrating biopesticides to manage apple scab. We will address how certain biopesticides can be implemented into current disease management programs which rely heavily on the use of multi-site fungicides and still achieve adequate disease control.

Use this link to register! https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYpduGoqz4rH9ZogpuBo5UooBpq9ILLMyBT

1 NYS DEC Recertification Credit in categories 1A, 10, and 22

This session is approved for 1 New England pesticide recertification credit.

 

Please be sure to check out what the rest of the team is up to!

UNH Cooperative Extension 

URI Cooperative Extension

UMaine Cooperative Extension 

UVM 

UConn

New York Cooperative Extension 

UMass Extension Fruit Team