Winter Meeting of the Maine State Pomological Society

Trades Show Pomological Society Meeting

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Fort Western Room with Vegetable and Berry Growers from 9:00 a.m. to noon

Arnold Room from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Augusta Civic Center during the Maine Ag Trades Show

Agenda

9:00 a.m. – Joint meeting with the Vegetable and Berry Growers Association, in the Fort Western room

12:00 p.m. – Lunch and networking

1:00 p.m. – Welcome and Introductions

1:15 p.m. – Maine State Pomological Society Annual Meeting, Sam Ricker, President

  • New members of the Executive Board, Heather Davis and Erica Gottschalk
  • Election of a new president and vice president
  • Labor, regulations and other issues to be aware of
  • Update on the New England Apple Council, Harry Ricker
  • Summer Tour planning, Renae Moran
  • Other Committee reports

1:45 p.m. – Scott Speck, USDA Risk Management Agency, disaster assistance programs available to apple growers, highlighting things specific to the recent drought conditions

2:00 p.m. – Renae Moran, Rootstock Research for Apple Growers, selecting the best rootstock for your orchard system preferences and to address common problems

2:30 p.m. – Grower panel discussion, Ellen McAdam, Art Kelly, Renae Moran

  • Peach varieties that grow and sell well
  • Managing brown rot in wet years
  • Other issues including marketing undersized fruit, thinning and cold storage

3:00 p.m. – Glen Koehler, IPM Update

3:30 p.m. – Adjourn