Maine Ag. Trades Show in the Howard Room
Augusta Civic Center, 15 Enterprise Drive, Augusta, Maine
The Maine State Pomological Society will be holding the annual meeting at the Maine Ag. Trades Show, hosted by the Dept. of ACF. Two pesticide applicator recertification credits will be offered for attending the morning session.
Agenda
9:00 a.m. — Welcome and Introductions
9:15 a.m. — Grower panel, favorite/least favorite pieces of orchard equipment
9:30 a.m. — Glen Koehler, Univ. Maine Extension. 2024 Apple Pest Review and Outlook for 2025.
Each year brings unique challenges and opportunity for apple growers and 2024 was no different. Glen Koehler will discuss the key pest, fruit development, and weather events observed in 2024, and also some looks ahead at tools to use to protect against pest damage in 2025.
10:00 a.m. — Break
10:15 a.m. — Dr. Maria Gannet, Univ. of Massachusetts, Managing Weeds in Perennial Crops.
Perennial weeds often become difficult to manage in perennial cropping systems. Dr. Gannett will present results from trials at Cornell and UMass, on the topic of attempting to manage bindweed in apple and blueberry orchards and optimal times for control.
11:15 a.m. — Board of Pesticides Control Update
11:45 a.m. — Maine State Pomological Society Annual Meeting, Sam Ricker, president
Announcements – Labor, regulations and other issues to be aware of Election of a new president and vice president
Summer Tour location Committee reports
12:00 p.m. — Lunch, on your own. Bring a lunch and join us in the meeting room
1:15 p.m. — Erin Cocca, Pollinator Conservation Specialist, Maine NRCS Partner Biologist, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
1:45 p.m. — Break
2:15 p.m. — Joint meeting with the Vegetable and Berry Growers Association
