Maine State Pomological Society’s Annual Summer Tour

apples in cratesCooper Farm
155 Norris Hill Road, Monmouth ME  04259
July 9, 2025
9:30 a.m. — 2:30 p.m.

The Maine State Pomological Society and Cooper family cordially invite you to attend this year’s Summer Tour to be held at Cooper Farms at their Monmouth facility. To RSVP, call Renae Moran at (207) 713-7083 (or email at rmoran@maine.edu) by July 1. Preregistration is not required, but is certainly appreciated. Cost to attend the Summer Tour is $30. Admission for two grower-members or one associate member is included with annual dues. To pay dues, please contact Margie Hansel, the Society secretary (mhansel@maine.rr.com).

One credit pesticide applicator recertification pending BPC approval.

Agenda

9:30 a.m. — Welcome and Registration

10:00 a.m. — Tour of the packing house with Karen Killian and Cooper Farms staff.

10:45 a.m. — Hillary Peterson, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the IPM Council of Maine.

Supporting Fruit Growers through IPM: Updates, Resources, and Opportunities. Hillary Peterson, Integrated Pest Management Specialist with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, will provide an overview of the Maine IPM Council and its work on behalf of farmers across the state. She will also highlight current IPM resources and priorities relevant to the tree fruit industry, with room for discussion about emerging needs and opportunities for grower involvement. Hillary completed her Ph.D. at Penn State University, where her research focused on biological control of brown marmorated stink bug in apple, peach, and cherry orchards.

11:15 a.m. — Advertising with Anne Trenholm Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and Jennifer Geiger, Maine Department of Tourism.

11:45 a.m. — Pomological Society reports from standing committees

Noon to 1:00 — Lunch

1:00 p.m. — Orchard Tour

The Monmouth orchard features Gala, Honeycrisp and its high-coloring strains, high density orchards, dwarfing rootstocks, and great views of the surrounding area.

  • The Eco Apple program in action. Their website: For Growers – Red Tomato
  • Glen Koehler, UMaine Extension, Apple IPM updates and what to look out for in late summer.

Directions to Cooper Farms — 155 Norris Hill Road, Monmouth, ME 04259

From the north and east:

I95 Exit 109b, go West on Rte. 202 (toward Winthrop) for 16 miles. Turn left on Norris Hill Road. Cooper Farms is on the left, a short distance past the Highmoor Farm orchards. Alternate routes exist.

From the south and west:

I95 exit 86, left on Rte. 9 and continue 0.7 miles, then take a right onto Pleasant Hill Road for 0.8 miles. Continue through the stoplight where the road becomes Rte. 132 (Wales Rd. and then Pond Rd.) for 4.6 miles. Take left onto Leeds Junction Road, travel 2.9 miles to Rte. 202. Take a right onto Rte. 202 and go 1.5 miles to the Norris Hill Road, and take a right. Cooper Farms is on the left, a short distance past the Highmoor Farm orchards.

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