University of Vermont

Hi:

Sorry about the late announcement, this has gone out to the VTFGA list via (snail) mail already but this list is a bigger net to cast out to the grower community. The 2022 Vermont Tree Fruit Association annual meeting will be held on Zoom, 12:00 noon – 1:30 PM. I think we all hope this is the last one of these online meetings we’ll have, thanks for bearing with us.

This meeting will be a bit different from many in the past. Instructional content from regional fruit production experts has been provided this year via the Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium webinar series. These roughly weekly webinars will continue through March, and are where growers can get pesticide applicator education credits. We’ve had good attendance from Vermont growers so far, check the list of remaining meetings at: https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/news-events/northeast-extension-fruit-consortium

The VTFGA meeting does not carry any pesticide credits, as it is more of an update of our work at UVM, of the organization, and on marketing and other plans for 2022. As such, it is not set up in a webinar format, but rather as a meeting, so attendees will have greater access to contribute. This also means that there is no registration for the meeting itself, which will be hosted at: https://go.uvm.edu/22applezoom

There is a registration for the VTFGA, which is your industry organization that supports many needs of fruit growers in the state. UVM Fruit Program and VTFGA are separate organizations, but we work together to provide broad support for the industry, with educational support from my side, and marketing and lobbying support from VTFGA. It’s a great partnership and worthy of growers’ support.

Please find the VTFGA registration at: https://go.uvm.edu/22applereg (also attached to this message).

See you on March 1.

Agenda, VTFGA Annual Meeting
March 1, 2022 12:00 – 1:30 PM

Zoom

12:00 Registration

12:05 News from UVM Fruit Team and expectations for 2022
Dr. Terence Bradshaw, UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Specialist

12:45 Vendor spotlight
Eric Boire, VTFGA Executive Director

12:50 VTFGA Business meeting
Eric Boire, VTFGA Executive Director

1:05 Vendor Spotlight
Jake Jacobs, UVM Risk Management Agency

1:10 2021 Apple Marketing Program

1:30 Adjourn

Terry

brochureVTFGA126th_2022.pdf

Passing this on from Vermont state entomologist Judy Rosowsky. My take, supported by Judy, is that this is a reasonable approach toward elimination of one of the remaining uses of a chemical that has good reason to be removed from use worldwide. We agree, as do the officials at USDA we’ve met with, that this approach presents little to no risk to the region’s grape and wine producers. -TB

This is a notification to the grape growers in Vermont of some upcoming regulatory changes in the procedures for importing grapes from Chile. Chile is host to the grape pest European Grapevine moth, aka EGVM, Lobesia botrana.

The USDA is proposing to phase out methyl bromide fumigation, which has been a primary means of treatment for grapes from Chile imported into the US. They would like to use a systems approach to phytosanitation in cooperation with Chilean grape producers or allow them to treat exported grapes using radiation.

These proposed changes were about to be posted on the Federal registry for public comment, but feedback from the US grape industry, especially form those in California, led them to amend their process. The proposed changes are posted at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import-information/commodity-import-approval-process/stakeholder-consultation. Comments in writing are solicited and are due by March 29th.

This website will house the pest risk analysis for the EGVM and the commodity import document. USDA would like feedback from industry on the suggested changes in treatment options and anything else related to this process. USDA will host a webinar on Feb 23rd that will be targeted towards industry and will review the systems approach. Participants in the webinar will include the Chilean Plant Protection Association and USDA APHIS folks but will not include Chilean growers. There will be a Q&A session on March 2nd. If you are interested in attending either the webinar or the Q&A session, or if you know anyone who does, please let me know and I will send you the USDA contact.

If you have concerns about the import treatment option changes, please let me know, as I can help facilitate a response. If you know of anyone else I can alert about this, please send them my way. In my professional opinion the systems approach or radiation treatments are acceptable options to methyl bromide fumigation.

Thank you,

Judy Rosovsky

State Entomologist

VAAFM

Judy.rosovsky

802-279-2212

Please share widely where appropriate.

https://go.uvm.edu/vtgrapesurvey

The University of Vermont Fruit Program is conducting a short survey on alternative viticultural practices in the region and growers’ satisfaction with them. This survey will help inform and develop a research agenda for the region supporting diverse management philosophies. It should take 5-15 minutes to complete. We are interested in receiving responses from all vineyard operations in the region, and especially from vineyards that use low-input management practices to manage pests, diseases, and vineyard health. The survey is intentionally designed to prevent backtracking after submitting an answer. Please keep that in mind when completing it.

https://go.uvm.edu/vtgrapesurvey

Thank you,

Terence Bradshaw, UVM Fruit Program Director
Bethany Pelletier, Graduate Research Assistant

Registration is open now for a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training on March 8 and 9, 2022. The training will be delivered remotely via Zoom video conference by the University of Vermont Extension Produce Safety Team and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Produce Program.

This food safety training is designed for fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about on-farm food safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).

Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training

• Date: Tues, March 8 – Wed, March 9, 2022
• Time: 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
• Cost: $20 (includes course materials and AFDO certificate)
• Location: Remote delivery via Zoom video conference

Learn More & Registerby February 16, 2022

This training satisfies the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement for covered farms that "at least one supervisor or responsible party" complete "food safety training … recognized as adequate” by FDA (21 C.F.R. §112.22(c)).

Even if your farm is not covered under the Produce Safety Rule, this course canhelp your farm develop a strong food safety culture, a better farm food safety plan, and a more effective operation.

Contact Dana Ruppert at dana.ruppert or (802) 257-7967 ex. 302 for more information or to request a disability-related accommodation.

Best,

Ollie Cultrara (they/them)

Produce Program Outreach & Education Coordinator

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets | 94 Harvest Lane, Williston, VT 05495

Cell: (802) 461-5128 | ollie.cultrara

agriculture.vermont.gov/produceprogram

Passing this on from our colleagues at University of New Hampshire. -TB

UNH Extension Grafting Workshop for Commercial Orchardists

Please consider attending our upcoming Grafting Workshop for Commercial Orchardists to be held on the afternoon of February 16th at Poverty Lane Orchards in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Please note that space is limited and registration is required.

Commercial grafters from Virginia will be on site for detailed instruction, along with our host farm owner, Steve Wood. A major focus will be to understand the principles of effective grafting and practice the grafting cuts being taught, and participants will have access to instructors throughout the class for guidance.

Grafting new cultivars onto existing apple trees in the orchard offers many advantages. In this case, there is a larger initiative at play. Research has shown that select cultivars are particularly attractive to plum curculio (PC) and apple maggot fly (AMF). Grafted trees can serve as trap trees to hold PC and AMF, where they can be controlled, reducing the need for insecticide applications to the remainder of the orchard block. More information about this initiative will be shared at the workshop.

For full details and to register, please visit the event page here.

Jeremy DeLisle

Field Specialist – Food and Agriculture

Fruit and Vegetable Team

Merrimack County

315 Daniel Webster Highway
Boscawen, NH 03303

Phone: 603-255-3556 x 805

Feel like your family needs to start talking about the future of the farm, but you don’t know where to start?
Have questions about passing on the farm?

Attend this FREE farm succession planning webinar series for transitioning farmers and junior generation farmers to learn the basics of succession planning, including how to get started, where to find advisors and additional resources, ask questions, and get support on this challenging process. All generations, including family and non-family members, who may play a role in the farm’s future are encouraged to attend. Four-part live webinar series meets virtually on Wednesdays at lunchtime from 11:00am – 1:00pm:

January 26 – Getting Started & Financial Considerations: Resources, Tips and Where to Get Assistance

February 2 – Legal Considerations: Business Entities, and Estate Planning

February 9 – Financial, Retirement & Tax Considerations: Taxes, Viability and Retirement

February 16 – Farmer Panel Successes & Challenges: Several farmers will share their experiences

“With sound succession planning with concrete action steps, it is more likely that the goals and desires of all the

generations involved can be met, and there is a greater likelihood that the farm will stay in farming,” explains Mike Ghia, Vermont Field Agent at Land For Good.

Instructors include Land For Good’s Mike Ghia, Vermont Field Agent, as well as guest attorney with expertise in succession planning, Jesse Richardson, Professor of Law, Lead Land Use Attorney, and guest financial specialist Nicholas Bullock, EA, Senior Farm Tax Specialist, Yankee Farm Credit. For more details or to register, go to landforgood.org/events.

Registration gives you access to all the webinars in this series, as well as class worksheets and resource handouts. Webinar recordings will also be made available to watch at your convenience.

Register Now!

Priority for registration given to Vermont farmers. Farmers from across New England welcome to attend as space allows.

Funded with support from individual donors and the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board.

January 27-28, 2021

Cornell Cooperative Extension 2022 NYS Tree Fruit Conference January 27-28, 2022 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN Get EARLY BIRD registration rates and save money when you register by January 20th! Full Programs Both Days 4.0 hrs DEC recertification credits total – see schedule link below for exact times After months of careful planning, the full program is set and “all systems are go” for our 2nd annual virtual conference. Presented by the CCE Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program and CCE-LOF. Interested in sponsoring the conference? There are a few sponsor spots available at: https://blogs.cornell.edu/nystreefruitconference/sponsorship/ Full conference information is at the conference landing page at: https://blogs.cornell.edu/nystreefruitconference/ The full program can be found below and at: https://blogs.cornell.edu/nystreefruitconference/program/ Questions? Please contact Craig Kahlke at 585-735-5448 or cjk37. REGISTER HERE Thank you to our Full Conference Sponsors! Conference general questions? Contact Craig Kahlke at 585-735-5448 or cjk37 Day 1 – Thursday, January 27th, 2022 Session 1: Business Session I: Apple Industry Outlook and Regulatory Updates 7:45 AM Zoom Check-In 8:00 AM Welcome and Announcements – Craig Kahlke, CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program (5 min) 8:05 AM Session Introduction – Mark Wiltberger, CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program (5 min) 8:10 AM US Apple Outlook – Chris Gerlach, Director of Industry Analytics, US Apple (30 min) 8:40 AM US Apple Advocacy Update – Diane Kurrle, Senior Vice President, US Apple (15 min) 8:55 AM Regulatory Update for New York State – Jim Bittner, New York State Horticultural Society (15 min) 9:10 AM Apple Crop Insurance Policy 2023 Changes – John Fitzpatrick, Crop Growers (30 min) 9:40 AM Break Session 2: Business Session II: New Technologies and Profitability in Orchard Systems 10 AM Welcome, Introductions, and Vendors – Mark Wiltberger, CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program (5 min) 10:05 AM Apple Crop Insurance Policy 2023 Changes – John Fitzpatrick, Crop Growers (30 min) 10:35 AM Analyzing Profitability of Your Orchards – Mark Wiltberger, CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program (30 minutes) 11:05 AM Adopting New Technologies for Your Farm: Evaluating Orchard Management Systems – Mark Wiltberger, CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program (30 min) 11:35 AM Retail Trends – Steve Lutz, Category Partners (30 minutes) Lunch Break: 12:05 – 1 PM Session 3: Climate Change, Postharvest, and Marketing 1:00 PM Welcome, Introductions, and Vendors – Craig Kahlke, CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program (5 mins) 1:05 PM Adapting New York fruit crops to climate change: temperature effects on winter physiology – Dr. Jason Londo, Cornell University (30 min) 1:35 PM Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere (DCA) for Storage of Organic and Traditional Apple Varieties. – Dr. Chris Watkins, Cornell University (30 minutes) 2:05 PM Marketing and Promotion of Apples from New York – Cynthia Haskins, New York Apple Association (30 minutes) 2:35 PM Break Session 4: Integrated Pest Management I 1.25 DEC credits – 10, 1A, 22 3:00 PM Welcome, Introductions, DEC credit sign-up, and Vendors – Janet van Zoeren, CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program (5 mins) 3:05 PM Brown marmorated stink bug –monitoring and management connections – Dr. Greg Krawczyk, Penn State University (30 min) 3:35 PM Life history of native solitary bees: do I need to invest in honeybees? – Maria van Dyke, Cornell University (20 min) 3:55 PM From citrus (and other crops) to apples – Dr. Monique Rivera, Cornell University (20 min) 4:15 PM A Field Study of How an Applied Stress Impacts the Growth of Virus-Infected Apple Trees – Dan Donahue, CCE Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program (15 mins) 4:30 PM Utilizing susceptibility and resistance genes to develop fire blight resistant apples – Ricky Tegtmeier, Cornell University (15 mins) 4:45 PM Adjourn Day 2 – Friday, January 28th, 2022 Session 5: Integrated Pest Management II 1.5 DEC credits – 10, 1A, 22 8:00 AM Zoom Check-In 8:10 AM Welcome, Introductions, DEC credit sign-up, and Vendors – Dan Donahue, CCE Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program (5 mins) 8:15 AM Apple scab development and snow cover – Juliet Carroll, NYSIPM (20 min) 8:35 AM Fire blight panel – 2021 Successes and Challenges – Dr. Kerik Cox, Cornell University; Mark Russell, Two of Clubs Orchard LLC, Appleton, NY; Rich Breslawski, Charles Breslawski Farms LLC, Hamlin, NY; Andy Vega, New England Fruit Consultants, Montague, MA; Jim Eve, Eve farm Service LC, Naples, NY; and Jesse Mulbury, Northern Orchard, Peru, NY (60 mins) 9:35 AM Beating Back Bitter Rot: Optimizing Management Strategies – Dr. Kari Peter, Penn State University (20 mins) Break: 9:55-10:15 AM Session 6: Maintaining High Quality Orchard Soils 1.25 DEC credits – 10, 1A, 22 10:15 AM Welcome, Introductions, DEC credit sign-up, and Vendors – Mike Basedow, CCE Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program (5 mins) 10:20 AM Should I apply residual herbicides in the spring or fall? – Mike Basedow, CCE Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program and Janet van Zoeren, CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program (25 mins) 10:45 AM Microbial community diversity in the apple rhizosphere – Dr. Gregory Peck, Cornell University; Dr. Mark Williams, Virginia Tech; and Dr. Hazem Sharaf, Virginia Tech (20 mins) 11:05 AM Woodchips as an alternative to herbicide: the case of a Long Island Orchard – Dr. Deborah Aller, Cornell University (20 mins) 11:25 AM Soil Health in Washington Orchards – Tianna Dupont, Washington State University Extension (30 mins) 11:55 AM Final Q & A – (10 mins) Lunch Break: 12:05-1:05 PM Session 7: Managing Crop Load and Tree Fruit Nutrition for Improved Tree Root Growth, Mineral Uptake, Fruit Quality, Color Enhancement, and Storability 1:05 PM Welcome, Introductions, and Vendors – Mike Basedow, CCE Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program (5 mins) 1:10 PM Precision crop load management with an emphasis on improving fruit quality, color development, and storability –Dr. Terence Robinson, Cornell University (35 mins) 1:45 PM Rain-exclusion irrigation studies and their effects on stem water potential, fruit size/weight, and color on Gala – Dr. Luis Gonzalez Nieto, Cornell University (12 mins) 1:57 PM The effect of soil physical and moisture conditions on tree root growth and uptake – Dr. Emily Lavely, Michigan State University Extension (20 mins) 2:17 PM Nitrogen Management for improved fruit quality/color development – Dr. Lailiang Cheng, Cornell University (25 mins) 2:42 PM Q/A – (5 mins) Break: 2:47-3 PM Session 8: The Use of Reflective Fabrics and Pneumatic Defoliation to Improve Fruit Color of High Value Apple Cultivars in NY State 3:00 PM Welcome, Introductions, DEC credit sign-up, and Vendors – Mario Miranda Sazo, CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program (5 mins) 3:05 PM The importance of diffuse scattering and factors that influence light interception, distribution, and reflection from the ground – Dr. Terence Robinson, Cornell University (10 mins) 3:15 PM The use of ground cover materials to increase fruit color on Honeycrisp, NY-1, NY-2, and Evercrisp – Dr. Luis Gonzalez Nieto, Cornell University (15 mins) 3:30 PM The use of reflective materials and pneumatic defoliation to increase red fruit color in WA State – Lee Kalcsits, Washington State University (35 mins) 4:05 PM Grower Experiences with Fabrics and Pneumatic Defoliation Machines in NYS – Grower panelists Rusty Lamb, Yonder Fruit Farms, Valatie, NY; Chris Whipple, H.H. Dobbins Inc., Lyndonville, NY; Jimmy Zingler, Zingler Farms Inc., Kendall, NY; and Kyle Wafler, Wafler Farms Inc., Wolcott, NY (40 mins) 4:45 PM Conference wrap-up 5 PM Adjourn Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. CCE ENYCHP | enych.cce.cornell.edu ‌ ‌ ‌

CCE ENYCHP | 61 State Street, Troy, NY 12180 Unsubscribe tbradsha@uvm.edu Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by enychp powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Happy new year-

UVM Extension Agriculture Engineering has created a series of videos on project planning for postharvest operations that may be of interest to fruit growers. While the videos are largely based on vegetable farms, the principles regarding efficient workflow, sanitary design and operation, and food safety are the same for all produce operations.

You can view the series at: http://go.uvm.edu/phwebinar

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied. Always read the label before using any pesticide. The label is the legal document for the product use. Disregard any information in this message if it is in conflict with the label.

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, UVM Extension, USDA NIFA E-IPM Program, and USDA Risk Management Agency.

UVM Extension helps individuals and communities put research-based knowledge to work. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.

First, the Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association annual meeting will be held online on March 1, 2022 12:00-2:00 PM. Stay tuned for more information.

The Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium is again hosting a series of webinars this winter for fruit producers. Topics may be of interest to apple, stone fruit, grape, and small fruit growers. All webinars are offered free of charge, but attendees must pre-register. Most are approved for pesticide credits in New England and New York.

The present list (more may come) includes:

January 11- Spotted Lanternfly- What you Need to Know

February 1- Fungicide and Streptomycin Resistance in Apple Pathogens- Status and Management

February 8- Spotted Wing Drosophila- Research Updates and Management

February 22- Precision Crop Load Management in Honeycrisp

March 8- Bacterial Spot and Phytotoxicity of Peach

March 15- Herbicides: Materials, Timing and Rates

March 22- Northeast Cider Apple Project

March 29- Plum Curculio Research- Update and Management

More information and registration links may be found at: https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/news-events/northeast-extension-fruit-consortium

As an author of some of the material in this series- last year on the apple industry, this year on the grape industry and how to prune grapevines- I’d like to suggest this locally-produced, locally-relevant book if you’re still thinking about gifts this holiday season.

https://vermontalmanac.org/

Following up on last year’s inaugural edition of Vermont Almanac, Volume II has been published and will be shipping to readers and available in local bookstores the first week of December.

So what’s inside?

All new stories about and by a new cast of Vermont farmers, writers, loggers, artists, scientists, poets, thinkers, and doers. In all, more than 70 Vermonters contributed content to Volume II.

Vermont Almanac, which is produced by For the Land Publishing, a Vermont non-profit organization, tells “stories from and for the land.” It’s an annual look at the people, places, nature, climate, traditions, innovations and resilience of rural Vermont. Past, present, and future. With nearly 300 pages of content, organized into monthly chapters, there’s something (many things, actually) for anyone with an appreciation for this place we call home and our way of life here.

Part of the content is practical (how to set mouse traps for optimal success; how to tell different soil types apart; and tips for telling dangerous cyanobacteria from run-of-the-mill green algae). Part of it is educational (did you know that Vermont-grown grains are being used in Vermont-made breads, beers, and spirits? That grapes and hops are increasingly popular ag products in the state? That mushroom farming is a thing?). There’s a monthly nod to the historical (learn about the Revolutionary-era standoff that set the stage for Vermont to be formed; how the state banned billboards back in the 1960s; the daily life of a farmer in 1915). Some stories are important from a cultural perspective (keeping alive Native American language and charting a future for all races to find a home in rural Vermont). And some content is meant to be just plain enjoyable (read about the joy of pig personalities; the splendor of barn

The list of topics explored in Vermont Almanac, Vol. II, goes on and on: garlic, ginseng, finches, flowers, cow-judging, apple-grafting, syrup-making, chicken-farming…and much, much more. It’s a year’s worth of content that’s perfect for anyone who lives in or just loves rural Vermont.

www.vermontalmanac.org

Vermont Almanac Vol II Press Release (1).pdf