Tree Fruit Newsletter — February 28, 2025
Upcoming Meetings and Webinars
Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium – Webinars start this Wednesday
This winter, we will be hosting the webinar series in New England and eastern New York. Topics include marketing, weed management, apple scab, bitter rot, and new research on cold hardiness in apple rootstocks and peach varieties. Some of the sessions will offer pesticide applicator recertification credits. For more information and to register, visit the Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium webpage.
Sessions will be held (see specific dates below) from noon to 1:30 p.m. 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 of attendance to the certifying agencies. Include your license number when registering. When logging in, be sure your screen name matches the name on your license.
- March 5, 2025 — Dr. Srdjan Acimovic Assistant Professor, Tree Fruit and Specialty Crop Pathologist at Virginia Tech University. This presentation will cover the biology and environmental conditions that favor bitter rot on apples; the cultural, fungicidal, and other management options to reduce losses; and new areas of research to understand and minimize this important apple disease.
- March 12, 2025 — Dr. Jason Londo, Associate Professor, School of Integrative Plant Science, Horticulture Section, Cornell AgriTech “Understanding Cold Hardiness Risks in Fruit Crops”, and Renae Moran, University of Maine “Update on Cold Hardiness in the New Peach Variety Trial”.
Cornell Fruit Winter Webinar Schedule
Please save the date for six upcoming bi-weekly lunch hour webinars happening on Fridays this January through March. Webinars hosted by CCE ENYCHP, NYSIPM, CCE Harvest NY, and CCE LOFP.
Week 5: St. Peachtrick’s Day: Stone Fruit Insect and Disease Management
Speakers: Dr. George Sundin (Michigan State University) and Brett Blaauw (University of Georgia)
Friday March 14, 2025 11:00am-12:30pm
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
March Tree Fruit Preseason Meeting
Tuesday, March 19, 2025
8:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.
Room 170, University of Southern Maine / Lewiston Auburn College, 51 Westminster Street, Lewiston ME
Preregistration is NOT required. The $30 registration fee is due at the door, but is waived for two people per member farm of the Maine State Pomological Society if dues are paid prior to the meeting. Membership dues will be accepted at the meeting but will not qualify for the registration fee waiver.
Attendance qualifies for 3 pesticide applicator recertification credits.
For the more information and the tentative agenda, visit the Preseason Tree Fruit Meeting page.
Business Basics for Maine Farmers
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.
UMaine Cooperative Extension York County, 45 Kennebunk Road, Alfred, Maine 04002
This workshop will cover essential business planning topics for farmers, including financial management, recordkeeping, and strategies for long-term farm viability. It’s a great opportunity for both new and experienced farmers to gain valuable insights and practical tools to strengthen their operations.
Chris Laughton, Director of Knowledge Exchange at Farm Credit East, will present “Business Basics for Maine Farmers”. His presentation will cover record keeping, financial statements, cash flow budgeting, and financing your business.
Cost: $10
Dinner will be provided.
To register, visit the Business Basics for Maine Farmers event’s page.
Renae Moran
University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Tree Fruits
PO Box 179
Monmouth, ME 04259
(207) 933-2100
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