This is a joint announcement from the UVM Fruit Program and the Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association. We typically consider April 1 the ‘start’ of the apple growing season in Vermont, so here we are- trees still dormant, weather cold and damp, but green tip and the start of the 2026 crop right around the corner. We are partnering with VTFGA on our orchard monitoring program this year- they are sponsoring our collaboration with Farmable for collection of scouting data, we are providing traps to growers who agree to participate. Funds to provide traps are limited so we do ask limit this offer commercial growers (however you choose to define that). We’ll have regular trainings via email or online meeting to help implement scouting this year. Farms do not need to participate in the scouting program to receive our now roughly-weekly email bulletins, they will come through this list as usual. -Terry
Hi everyone,
We have been working to refine the 2026 UVM Fruit Program/VTFGA IPM Monitoring Program and seek to share some updates. This years efforts include launching a multi-year Program to support Vermont growers in tracking pest activity and sharing monitoring data with the UVM IPM Program. This information helps provide timely guidance on pest pressure and management decisions, strengthening and refining effective IPM practices across Vermont orchards.
Your participation is important. The more growers involved, the stronger our Vermont-specific data will be—supporting better recommendations, industry reporting, and research that directly benefits our state’s orchard industry.
We encourage all VTFGA members to please participate and help build a stronger, more informed pest management network for Vermont growers.
What’s new this year
We’ll be using the Farmable app to make it easier to record observations while you’re out in the orchard. You can log trap counts and notes directly into the app on your phone, rather than needing to go back and enter data later. The VTFGA will support a shared account that allows participating growers to easily share their scouting data to the UVM Fruit Program. UVM will use this data to provide membership timely guidance on pest pressure and management decisions as well as use the information for industry reporting and further Vermont orchard research.
This year will be a trial run as we explore how well the app works for growers. A free version of Farmable is available for mapping and note-taking (including trap counts). Growers will also have the option to upgrade to a Pro version at a discounted rate if they’re interested in additional features like calculating tank mixes, spray records, job creation and harvest tracking. Farmable Pro, a $399/ annual cost will be offered at $149 for VTFGA members for 2026.
If you’re interested in participating but are not comfortable using a phone-based app, please feel free to reach out—we’re happy to talk through other options to ensure your participation.
What’s expected
Growers who participate will:
· Set up and monitor provided traps throughout the season
· Conduct weekly scouting
· Share scouting observations with UVM (ideally through the Farmable app). ALL Farmable data is owned by the orchard. Orchards select what they share with UVM.
Farmable will provide how-to videos and technical support. The UVM IPM Monitoring Program will also be available for additional guidance and support.
Next steps
Please see the links the UVM Fruit Program/VTFGA IPM Monitoring Program interest form and Participation Agreement which outlines the program in more detail. If you would like to participate this season, please fill out both forms and return the Agreement by April 5th tovtappleinfo. With this information, we will coordinate to deliver traps to you and give you next steps in Farmable or otherwise to get you started.
https://go.uvm.edu/2026uvmapplescoutinterest
https://go.uvm.edu/2026uvmvtfgascoutagreement
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. Thank you and here is to a great kick off to the 2026 growing season!
Best Regards,
Jess Yates and the VTFGA Board
Terry Bradshaw and the UVM Fruit Program