2024 | Volume 15, Issue 9
Inside this Issue:
Extensión en Español Check out Extensión en Español, a Spanish language blog by two UMD professors, Anahí Espíndola (Entomology) and Macarena Farcuh (Plant Sciences & Landscape Architecture). https://extensionesp.umd.edu/
They cover a range of topics, including fruit, pollinators, pests, soils, and pesticides.
University of Maryland Extension Hires New Vegetable Production Specialist!
University of Maryland Extension is excited to announce Dr. Veronica Yurchak as the new UME Vegetable Production Specialist. Dr. Yurchak completed her doctorate from the University of Maryland’s Department of Entomology in Dr. Cerruti Hooks’ Sustainable Agriculture Program. Her primary research investigated the effect of various cover cropping methods on weed suppression and the biodiversity of pests and beneficial insects in sweet corn. Dr. Yurchak has gained extensive Extension and research experience in vegetable production working in Dr. Hooks lab as well as Dr. Galen Dively’s IPM Program within the Department of Entomology.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2024
Keedysville, MD - Harvest and postharvest practices for improving apple fruit marketability: Fruit quality and safety workshop will be held at the University of Maryland, Western Maryland Research and Education Center, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756, on Monday, November 4, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost to attend the workshop is $25, which includes snacks, lunch, coffee, and networking. Learn about the latest technologies and strategies for improving apple fruit marketability while maintaining fruit quality and produce safety. Presentations, demonstrations, and discussions! To register, go to https://go.umd.edu/AppleWorkshop
AGENDA
| 8:30 a.m. | REGISTRATION |
APPLE FRUIT QUALITY/ HORTICULTURE |
|
| 9:00 a.m. | Horticultural Practices and their Impact on Apple Fruit Quality. Dr. Macarena Farcuh, University of Maryland |
| 9:45 a.m. | Integrative Solutions for Controlling Fruit Drop and Enhancing Apple Coloration. Dr. Sherif M. Sherif, Virginia Tech |
| 10:30 a.m. | Break |
| 10:45 a.m. | An Update About Apple Postharvest Diseases and their Management for Growers in the Mid-Atlantic. Dr. Kari Peter, Penn State University |
| 11:15 a.m. | Achieving Fruit Quality by Managing Fireblight and Other Orchard Troubles. Mr. Dave Myers, University of Maryland Extension-Anne Arundel Co. |
| Noon | Working Lunch (Graduate students present their posters) |
| APPLE FRUIT SAFETY | |
| 1:00 p.m. | Benefits and Food Safety Risks in Postharvest Produce Washing. Dr. Rohan Tikekar, University of Maryland |
| 2:00 p.m. | Break |
| 2:15 p.m. | Navigating the New Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Rule. Ms. Carol Allen, University of Maryland |
| 3:30 p.m. | Wrap up and evaluation/surveys |
For more information or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event (two weeks prior), please contact Dr. Macarena Farcuh at mfarcuh@umd.edu or by calling (301) 405-1323.
Upcoming Events
Additional upcoming events can be found on the UME events website.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any UME event or activity, please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office 2 weeks prior to the event.
- 2024 MDA AgriSolar Summit. September 26 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. MDA Headquarters, (50 Harry S. Truman Parkway in Annapolis) Free, but registration is required. More information can be found at https://bit.ly/4dZuiwi
- Sustainable Insect Management Workshops This workshop will present information on common Ag insect pest identification and biology, monitoring and thresholds, preventive and nonchemical pest control methods, and chemical controls. Workshops will be repeated in two locations. Each workshop will be from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with lunch included.
- On September 30, 2024 in Queenstown, MD.
- On October 1, 2024 in Derwood, MD.
If you have questions about the program, please contact Emily Zobel at ezobel@umd.edu or 410-228-8800. Este evento se ofrece en español bajo solicitud previa. Para adaptaciones y solicitudes, contacte a Emily Zobel al 410 228 8800 antes del 16 de septiembre.
More information at https://go.umd.edu/IPMFall2024
- Women in Agriculture Fall Farm Tour – October 3, 2024. 8:00 am- 4:00 pm. Women in Ag and Annie's Project enthusiasts come together to tour the Southern MD area. Cost: $25.00 per person for the tour, including lunch at the Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards Club. More information here. https://agnr.umd.edu/events/women-in-agriculture-fall-farm-tour/
- Wye REC Pumpkin Twilight Tour. October 15, 2024, from 4 to 6 p.m. University of Maryland, Wye Research and Education Center. (211 Farm Lane Queenstown, MD). Free. For more information, please contact us at (410) 827-8056 Ext-114 or mstibbe@umd.edu. To register: https://bit.ly/4cYXcvs
- Apple Workshop: Harvest and postharvest practices for improving apple fruit marketability: Fruit quality and safety workshop.
November 4, 2024, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm at the University of Maryland, Western Maryland Research and Education Center, (18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD). The cost to attend the workshop is $25, which includes snacks, lunch, coffee, and networking. Learn about the latest technologies and strategies for improving apple fruit marketability while maintaining fruit quality and produce safety. Presentations, demonstrations, and discussions! To register, go to https://go.umd.edu/AppleWorkshop
- UMES Extension’s Small Farm Conference. November 1-2, 2024. UMES - Student Services Center (30665 Student Services Center Lane Princess Anne, MD) Cost $30-80. The 21st annual Small Farm Conference will consist of three tracks participants can follow. Each conference day offers two morning sessions that are applicable to each track (total of 4 sessions per track). More information can be found at https://bit.ly/UMES2024SmallFarmCon
- Ranching for Profit Workshops. October 24-25. 9 AM to 4 PM each day. Garrett College in McHenry, Maryland.. $100-150. More information can be found at https://go.umd.edu/rfpworkshop
- 2024 Cultivating Innovation in Maryland’s Agriculture and Technology Conference. December 12, 2024, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Crowne Plaza Annapolis, (173 Jennifer Road, Annapolis, MD). $85-120. For more information, go to https://go.umd.edu/AgTech2024 .
Food Safety Updates
The new Produce Safety Alliance health and hygiene video is available online. This video reminds workers of the importance of hand washing, good health, and clean clothes when picking fresh produce.
Fall is a busy time for Pick-Your-Own growers. Various Food Safety signs on proper hand-washing procedures, porta-potty usage, and pet policies are available to help educate your customers and promote produce safety. Signs are found here.https://psla.umd.edu/extension/produce-safety/order-signs-farm-food-safety
If you have any questions about Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) or the Produce Safety Rule (PSR), contact Carol Allen, callen12@umd.edu, 240-994-5043.
Download Vegetable & Fruit News, Volume 15, Issue 9 (PDF)
Vegetable & Fruit News is a research-based publication for the commercial vegetable and fruit industry available electronically from April through October. Published by the University of Maryland Extension Agriculture and Food Systems team.
Subscribe to Fruit and Vegetable News
EDITOR
Emily Zobel
University of Maryland Extension Agent - Dorchester County
501 Court Lane, Room 208
Cambridge, MD 21613
Phone: (410) 410-228-8800
Email: ezobel@umd.edu
Note: Registered Trade Mark® Products, Manufacturers, or Companies mentioned within this newsletter are not to be considered as sole endorsements. The information has been provided for educational purposes only