UCONN EXTENSION AND DEPARTMENT OF PLANT SCIENCE AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE AND FRUIT CROPS NEWSLETTER VOLUME 13, ISSUE 4 - DECEMBER 2017

C ROP TALK In This Issue

Calendar of Events……………………….....…….…..1

Do your Tomatoes have Blight?.......…….….1,3

Pruning Fruit Trees…………………………….…….2-3

Northeast Organic Vegetable Study……...…...4

Solid Ground Farmer Trainings………………..5-6

Getting Started with Biological Controls....7-8

UConn Extension’s Conference………….....9-11

‘18-19 NE Vegetable Management Guide...12

Calendar of Events

Dec. 12-14 - New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference at Radisson Hotel, Manchester, NH. For program and registration, visit https://newenglandvfc.org/

Jan. 8 - UConn Extension’s Vegetable & Small Fruit Conference at Maneeley’s Conference Center, South Windsor, CT. Contact: MacKenzie White to register mackenzie.white@uconn.edu or 860-875-3331. (See pages 9-11)

Feb. 13—Spring Bedding Plants Program at the Litchfield County Extension Center Contact Leanne Pundt at 860-626-6240 or leanne.pundt@uconn.edu for more information

Feb. 21- CT Risk Management School 3-8:30pm @ Nonnewaug Vo-Ag High School, Woodbury, CT 860-875-3331

Feb. 22 - CT Risk Management School 9am-3pm @ Scout Hall, East Windsor, CT 860-875-3331 (See page 8)

Feb. 22 - Spring Bedding Plants Program at the Tolland County Extension Center Contact Leanne Pundt at 860-626-6240 or leanne.pundt@uconn.edu for more information

By: Joan Allen, UConn Assistant Extension Educator, Plant Diagnostics

Do Your Tomatoes Have THE BLIGHT?

Late blight of potato and tomato is a devastating disease that can kill plants rapidly if the pathogen is present and favorable weather (moderate temperatures and damp) prevails. In 2017, weather was ideal from spring through midsummer but the disease wasn’t reported in New England until late July in Massachusetts. Dry weather during much of the remainder of the season kept disease from becoming widespread this year.

Spores are produced during humid or rainy weather and are dispersed by wind or wind driven rain up to 30 or more miles from their origin. When a film of water from dew, rain or irrigation is present on the plant surface, the spore can germinate and begin a new infection. Leaves, stems and fruit are all susceptible.

Ever since the destructive tomato late blight outbreak of 2009, growers have sometimes been sure (or at least concerned) that when their tomato plants start to look horrible, that’s what they have. Let’s take a closer look. It’s often one or more other tomato diseases (there are quite a few!), and may be less serious.

1. What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of late blight include large, often uniformly brown, leaf lesions, dark brown stem lesions with well-defined edges, and bumpy brown fruit lesions that are not soft (at first). During damp weather there may be white sporulation in these lesions.

2. Where are the symptoms on the plant?

Spores of Phytophthora infestans, the cause of late blight, come in on the wind during wet weather. These spores land on exposed plant parts, resulting in infections and symptoms on the top, middle, and lower plant parts. Other common diseases of tomato such as early blight and Septoria leaf spot are caused by spores that are produced in plant debris on the ground or infected plant parts and rain-splashed to the lower leaves. So these diseases include symptoms that begin primarily on the lower leaves and spread upward on the plant. You will not see white spores associated with these leaf spots. Leaf spots will generally be smaller and well defined in contrast to the larger brown leaf lesions of late blight. It’s important to note that early blight and Septoria leaf spot can both cause significant impact and may require control just like late blight.

Continued on page 3

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What is pruning: Pruning is the strategic removal of wood that results in a tree with a marketable crop, improved pest management, and overall improved plant health. It is a dwarfing process, although it increases vegetative growth near the pruning cut, overall it dwarfs the tree. Pruning reduces yield but increases quality as long as pruning is balanced – no more than 1/3 of the growth is removed in any one season (not including dead wood). Key points about pruning: 1. Dormant pruning delays fruiting by encouraging vegetative growth rather than reproductive growth. 2. Encourages new growth with high quality fruit buds. 3. Improves fruit quality by increasing sunlight penetration which is needed for the development of red color and high

sugar levels. 4. Reduces the potential for pest problems by allowing for rapid drying and good pesticide penetration. 5. Encourages an appropriate balance between vegetative (wood) and reproductive (fruiting) growth Dormant pruning and summer pruning: Dormant pruning of apples and pears occurs in the winter months, usually December through March, while stone fruit are pruned in early spring to avoid or reduce winter injury and the resulting bacterial disease issues. This timing will invigorate the tree. In the spring when growth begins, all the food reserves in roots move throughout the tree pushing buds to break and new growth to occur. Large limb removal would occur during this period. Summer pruning occurs in mid-August to early fall and is generally limited to suckers and water sprouts. No large cuts occur at this time. This timing does not invigorate the tree because food is already throughout the tree and new buds are not being pushed grow. Summer pruning is used to improve sunlight penetration throughout the tree canopy which improves red color & sugar content of the fruit - it can also increase sunburn on fruit so be careful with the amount of growth you remove; it improves flower bud development by reduced shading; may reduce fruit size & sugar levels by removing leaves that photosynthesize (make sugars); reduces carbohydrate reserves within the tree used for early season growth; and reduces late-season trunk enlargement and root growth. Summer pruning is also useful when trees have filled their allotted space and reduced growth is desired. Pruning cuts 1. Bevel/Dutch cut: Remove an entire branch at a 450 angle to the trunk,

beginning the cut on the topside of the branch, just outside the branch collar. This is used for scaffold/branch replacement when the branch circumference has become too large or when a branch broke and leaves a gap on the trunk. A new scaffold will develop at the same location.

2. Heading cut: Remove the terminal portion of shoot or leader. This eliminates apical dominance which will now allow for lateral buds to break and new lateral branches to develop. When heading back a branch/scaffold, cut back to a lateral or to a bud (if the branch diameter is small). This is used to redirect the direction of branch growth. For example, a branch that is growing downward as a result of heavy crop loads, can be cut back to a lateral that is growing at a more upward direction which will allow greater light and air penetration into the center of the tree. Also, useful to redirect branch growth away from the next tree in tight plantings. Heading cuts will also tend to stiffen branches. {Drawing: Colorado State Extension} Heading back to a bud on a leader is used when the existing leader of a free-standing tree is leaning over but has not yet reached the height you want. (The leader on supported trees can be tied upright). The bud will break just below the heading cut and will form the new leader. This is also used when the tree has reached the desired height. Cutting

By: Mary Concklin, UConn Visiting Associate Extension Educator, Fruit IPM & Production

Pruning Fruit Trees – A Primer

Photo: Giuncarlo

Page 3 VOLUME 13 , ISSUE 4 DECEMBER 2017

back to a weak lateral will slow upward growth. Heading back cuts on the leader used to be the norm at planting time and is now used only with certain growing systems.

3. Thinning cuts are used to remove branches/scaffolds back to the trunk or point of origin in situations where the branch may have become too large or is blocking light and air flow into the center of the tree. Make sure the cut is just outside the branch collar. It can also be used for limb renewal and combined with notching.

4. Bench cuts are only used on trees grown with an open center - peaches & nectarines, and is used to remove vigorous upright

growth with a cut made to a lateral branch. This cut is also referred to as ‘flat cut’ or ‘table-top cut’. {Drawing: VPI}

Do Your Tomatoes Have THE BLIGHT? (continued)

3. Is it early in the season?

The late blight pathogen cannot overwinter in the soil in our area, only in living plant tissue (ie culled, infected potatoes). It typically arrives during mid to late summer as spores are gradually carried northward in moist air currents. There are exceptions to this pattern as we saw in 2009 when it was introduced very early on infected transplants. Favorable weather (wet) is required for late blight to spread. So, early in the season it could be late blight (check for spores!) but is more likely one of the other diseases.

4. Late blight-like symptoms but grayish brown spores?

This is probably gray mold of tomato caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea. Moist weather and temperatures from 65°-75°F favor infection. We see some of this when we have an extended period of cool, wet weather. It’s especially problematic in tunnels and houses.

5. Check http://usablight.org to see if late blight has been reported in your area this season. If not, it still could be late blight, but this is one way to see how likely it is and also to help in deciding whether a protective fungicide should be applied.

6. If in doubt, consult with our new, yet to be hired vegetable IPM specialist or contact the UConn Plant Diagnostic Lab (Joan Allen) at joan.allen@uconn.edu or 860-486-6740. The Diagnostic Lab website is www.plant.lab.uconn.edu if you need to send in a sample.

7. Minimize foliar diseases of tomato by using resistant varieties and promoting drying air flow around the plants using ample plant spacing and vertical supports and pruning for indeterminate varieties. Orient rows parallel to the prevailing wind direction. Scout for symptoms frequently. Management is more effective when diseases are prevented or caught early.

8. For more information and photos of late blight symptoms, see the UConn IPM late blight fact sheet at http://ipm.uconn.edu/documents/raw2/html/361.php?aid=361

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Over the past two years, three Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) chapters- Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts- worked with 30 organic vegetable farmers to determine the cost of production of vegetable crops commonly grown in the Northeast. The project, funded by a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant, developed tools, provided technical assistance, and aggregated data into factsheets to support farmers’ production planning and assist them in increasing the profitability of their farm businesses. Each farmer in the project selected one to three crops to track and analyze using a workbook created by Richard Wiswall, author of The Organic Farmer’s Business Handbook. Looking at their numbers at the end of the 2016 season, one farmer participant noted, “Some crops that seem intuitively profitable are actually not that much better and sometimes worse than others that seem more onerous. And some aspects of a crop production that seem onerous actually don’t cost that much at all.” The results from participating farms were aggregated on a per acre basis into five crop-specific fact sheets that present key metrics such as net income, average price/case, cultivation hours/acre, wash and pack hours/acre, and many other data points related to the production of winter squash, potatoes, onions, head lettuce, and carrots. Supplemental factsheets present crop profitability comparisons, whole farm financial ratios, and tips for success when undertaking cost of production analysis. This data provides a reminder of the reality that farmers cannot continue growing food if their farm is not profitable. The list of expenses that were part of producing each vegetable sitting on your plate is extensive - seed, labor, tractors, packaging supplies, marketing, overhead and more. In order to not only be profitable but to maximize their profitability, farmers need to determine which crops are worth growing and which crops are not pulling their weight. A profitable crop is one that covers all business expenses with some money left over to pay the farmer. The cost of production workbook and the factsheets generated by this project can help farmers make informed decisions on crop mix, markets, and production systems that maximize their profitability. Interested farmers can access these resources and request technical assistance by visiting www.nofavt.org/cost-of-production or contacting Jen Miller, NOFA-VT Farmer Services Coordinator, jen@nofavt.org Figure: Results from 30 farms in MA, NH and VT: Net profit is defined as total sales minus all expenses, including overhead and marketing expenses.

Northeast Organic Vegetable Profitability Study

By: Jen Miller, NOFA-VT Farmer Services Coordinator

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Farmer-to-Farmer Trainings for Vegetable Growers in Classroom Settings Across the State

This winter, in partnership with several entities strategically located in several regions of the state, the Solid Ground Farmer Training Program will host over 30 trainings tailored for vegetable and fruit producers in their first ten years. All growers (including aspiring farmers) are welcome to attend as many free trainings as they like, the majority of which are led by experienced, Connecticut farmers. This year’s trainings showcase the wonderful teaching talents and agriculture experience of Steve Munno of Massaro Community Farm in Woodbridge (Tunnel Production), Bryan O’Hara of Tabacco Road Farm in Lebanon (Eco-Focused Farming Practices), Kerry Taylor of Provider Farm in Salem (Post-harvest Handling), Mark Palladino of Wild Carrot Farm in Canton (Irrigation for Small Farms), and Allyson Angelini of Full Heart Farm in Ledyard (Finding Your Market). In addition to farmer-led trainings, the Solid Ground Program recruits specialists with a strong track record of working directly with producers. Kitchen Table Consultants will be delivering fundamental training in Financial Record Keeping for Farm Businesses (Jan 3 in Windham and Hartford, Jan 4 in Ledyard). Former Extension consultant Eero Ruuttilla (now the Research & Development Manager at Johnny’s Select Seeds) will deliver an intensive 4-hour training in Planning and Growing Cover Crops (Jan 22nd in Simsbury, Jan 23rd in New Haven). Solid Ground trainings are scheduled across the state in Bridgeport, Hartford, Killingly, Windham, Bethel, New Haven, Simsbury, and at the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in Ledyard making them accessible to producers statewide. Check the website and sign up for emails to get announcements about many other events, online trainings, and one-on-one consulting through Solid Ground. Training dates and locations available at: https://newfarms.extension.uconn.edu/solidground/

All trainings are FREE! RSVP to Charlotte.Ross@UConn.edu

Training Highlight: BF 102: Setting up Financial Records for Farm Business BF 202: Financial Record Keeping for Farm Operations Trainer: Ted LeBow of Kitchen Table Consultants

In the BF102 training, the trainer will go through best practices for setting up an accounting system, with an emphasis on Quickbooks.. Topics will include: Separating personal and business finances and enterprise finances, setting up your chart of accounts, accounting systems to make your process more efficient and using your Profit and Loss statement to help you run your business. The trainer will delve into the P & L so that attendees will better understand its purpose. The trainer will be using real-life examples from two real farms, each with annual sales of just under $200,000.

In BF 202 training, the attendees will learn about: 1) Balance Sheets and Analysis - how to find cash in the balance sheet and why this is the most important document for your lender; 2) Cash Flow forecasting - how to build/review a 13 week rolling cash flow—if you’ve ever not been able to know what you should pay and when and how to think about the short-term future of your cash, you will go through this process and leave with an actual spreadsheet that can be used to forecast cash flow; and 3) Budgets!! Taking steps to build an interactive budget from scratch in under 1 hour!!

Ted LeBow was the Interim Executive Director for The Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture, a non-profit focused on promoting profitable farms that produce healthy food for all people while respecting the natural environment. Ted has worked with hundreds of small business owners, all over the country, creating and helping them

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execute against their financial goals. Ted’s two passions are financial sustainability and growing entrepreneurs and their teams. He is driven to help entrepreneurs to understand HOW they make a profit, not how much profit they make. Ted regularly presents seminars around cash flow, profitability and how to know if you’re profitable. Ted lives in Bala Cynwyd, just west of Philadelphia. In his spare time he shares a fleet of 1950’s era tractors and equipment with Philadelphia urban farms, cuts and mills his own lumber for live-edge furniture, fly fishes, builds bamboo fly rods, and participates along with his wife (as much as possible) in the lives of his three daughters (18, 22, 24).

Times/ locations: BF 102: January 3rd, 2018 (9am -12pm), @ Grow Windham - 872 Main Street Willimantic BF 202: January 3rd, 2018 (3-6pm), @ Hartford (location to be announced shortly) BF 202: January 4th, 2018 (10am – 1pm), @ Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, 101 Pequot Trail, Ledyard

Training Highlight: BF 109: Finding Your Market – Advantages & Challenges of Different Marketing Channels Trainer: Allyson Angelini & Keith Padin (Full Heart Farm) Are you trying to decide which direct marketing channel is right for you? This training will look closely at the opportunities and challenges of farm stands, CSAs, farmers’ market, preparing and selling a value-added product, selling to restaurants, and selling to schools. The training will also explore what sort of marketing trends can farms tap into now as they develop their direct marketing business. Attendees receive a free copy of the new Finding Your Market: A CT Farmers Guide To Selecting Direct Markets For Their Farm Products. The guide is full of advice and wisdom from Connecticut farmers.

Allyson has a degree in Agriculture Education from UMass Amherst. In 2012, she purchased Full Heart Farm in Ledyard, CT, where she raises small scale vegetables, berries, herbs, pork, and chicken for a 70 family meal-based CSA. Allyson has spoken at many conferences and events, including the National Young Farmers Conference. She serves as a mentor for Holistic Management International’s Beginning Women Farmers Program and Cornell’s Small Farms course. Allyson was named one of CT Magazine’s 40 under 40 for 2015, as well as eWomen Network’s Emerging Leader of the Year for 2015.

Times/ locations: BF 109: March 7th, 2018 (5 – 8pm), @ Killingly Ag High School – 226 Putnam Pike Killingly CT BF 109: March 24th, 2018 (10am – 1pm), @ Knox Inc – 75 Laurel Street, Hartford CT

The Solid Ground Training Program is led by Jiff Martin, Charlotte Ross, MacKenzie White, Mary Concklin, German Cutz, and Joseph Bonelli at UConn Extension, with funding support through USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Grant Program (Award 2016-70017-25416). Project partners include: Killingly Agricultural Education Program, New CT Farmer Alliance, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Community Farm of Simsbury, Green Village Initiative, CT NOFA, GROW Windham, Knox, Common Ground High School, and Listo Para Inciar (a Fairfield County Extension Program).

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Using biological controls against greenhouse pests offer many advantages including improved plant quality, and less worker exposure to pesticides with no re-entry intervals (REI’S) to follow. Many Connecticut growers have had success using biological controls against fungus gnats, western flower thrips, whiteflies and two-spotted spider mites. Biological controls against aphids are more challenging, especially against foxglove aphids, so many growers spot treat their aphid susceptible hanging baskets with pesticides that are compatible with biological control agents. Starting biological controls requires planning, so now is a good time to talk to biological control suppliers and fellow growers at winter meetings and trade shows to learn as much as you can before starting. Review your pesticide use. Pesticide residues, especially organophosphates and pyrethroids can adversely affect biological control agents for up to 3 to 4 months after their application. Residues may persist on benches, containers and greenhouse plastic. See resources at the end of this article for more information. Before beginning biological controls, ask your plant supplier what specific pesticides were applied to incoming plant material to ensure that there are no long lasting pesticides residues that can adversely impact the biological control agents. Here are some tips on getting started and scheduling releases for you: Start with a Clean Greenhouse and Stay Clean. Weeds are a common source of many greenhouse pests. One week before opening a greenhouse, order beneficial nematodes, Steinernema feltiae, (Nemasys, Nemashield, Scanmask) for fungus gnats; Stratiolaelaps scimitus for fungus gnat larvae and thrips pupae; Dalotia coriaria for fungus gnats, shore flies, and thrips in the growing media; and Neoseiulus (Amblyseius) cucumeris for thrips larvae. When your order arrives, open up the package immediately making there is no condensation or a “fermenting smell”. Check to see that the cold packs are still cold. Look for movement for natural enemy stages that should be active. Release as soon as possible.

Do not place the natural enemies in the refrigerator, which is too cool and dry or place the predatory mites in your office with concrete floors which is too dry for the predatory mites. Keep the predatory mites and rove beetles cool at room temperature and release the same day. Predatory mites in tubes should be placed on their side before releasing to insure a more even distribution in the tube. However, beneficial nematodes can be stored in a dedicated refrigerator to insure that the temperature remains at a constant 38-42°F. Write the arrival dates on the outside of all materials. Keep your packing slips and write down where and when you have released the biological control agents. Beneficial nematodes are best applied either late in the afternoon or on a cloudy, overcast day. Place the packages of nematodes at room temperature for one or two hours and then place them in water. Too rapid a temperature change will stress them. Nematodes can be applied with a fertilizer injector such as a Dosatron set at 1 to 100 ppm (to deliver 100 gallons of final solution). Remove all the filters to prevent clogging. The hose nozzle should have large enough openings so the nematodes can move freely through this opening. Apply as a ‘sprench” application, wetting the plant leaves and growing media. Some growers also drench greenhouse floors with their nematode solutions. Two applications spaced 2 weeks apart usually provide 6 weeks of protection. Beneficial nematodes can also be applied with preventive biological fungicides such as RootShield or RootShield Plus. For more see: BASF Nemasys Chemical Compatibility Guide: http://betterplants.basf.us/products/related-documents/nemasys-chemical-compatibility-guide.pdf The nocturnal rove beetles, Dalotia coriaria only needs to be applied once for they are easily established in greenhouses. The generalist predatory mite, Stratiolaelaps scimitus is applied once during seeding or sticking of cuttings. They are very mobile and colonize the growing media surface. Sprinkle them across the treated area so they are evenly distributed. Re-reapply when transplanting or repotting.

Getting Started with Biological Controls for Insects and Mites Pests in Spring Crops

By: Leanne Pundt, UConn Extension, Extension Educator, Greenhouse IPM

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The predatory mites, Neoseilus (Amblyseius) cucumeris are available loose in a tube of bran or as mini-sachet packets. N. cucumeris can be applied by gently sprinkling (broadcasting) the loose mites over plants or placed in a small pile (about a teaspoon) of loose mites in the middle of each plug tray. When using the mini-sachets for hanging baskets, place the sachets in the plant canopy, where they will stay more shaded so there is more relative humidity to ensure the predatory mite eggs hatch and they reproduce. Some growers release the loose mites until their plants are large enough to provide the needed shade.

Figure 1 Predatory Mite Sachet Placed in Plant Canopy. Photo by L. Pundt While scouting, if you see hot spots of two-spotted spider mites, you can order the specialist predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persmilis. Order from suppliers that will insure overnight shipping for this specialist predatory mite only feeds on two-spotted spider mites and is shipped

without food. Persmilis can be released every two weeks, if needed. Whiteflies tend to be a problem when growers overwinter stock plants, “pet plants” or have carried over weeds infested with whiteflies. If you see whiteflies on your sticky cards, host specific parasitic wasps (Encarsia formosa for greenhouse whiteflies or Eretmocerus eremicus for sweet-potato whiteflies) can be released. Plan ahead for a successful biological control program this spring. For more information: UConn Greenhouse IPM: http://ipm.uconn.edu/pa_greenhouse/ and look under the section on biological controls and under educational programs.

New England Greenhouse Floriculture Manual, A Management Guide for Insects, Diseases, Weeds and Growth Regulators that is available from the UConn CAHNR Communications Resource Center.

Smith, T. and L Taranto. 2015. Scheduling Biologicals UMASS Extension Factsheet https://ag.umass.edu/greenhouse-floriculture/fact-sheets/scheduling-biologicals

Pesticide Side Effects Databases: Koppert’s online interactive database: https://www.koppert.com/side-effects/

Biobest: http://www.biobestgroup.com/ (click on “side effect manuals”)

BASF (formerly Becker Underwood): http://betterplants.basf.us

BioWorks: Biocontrol Agents Use with BioWorks Products https://www.bioworksinc.com/products/shared/BiologicalControlAgents.pdf

Mark Your Calendars- New this year!

CT Risk Management School - 2 locations!

Feb. 21- CT Risk Management School, 3-8:30pm @ Nonnewaug Vo-Ag High School, Woodbury, CT Feb. 22 - CT Risk Management School, 9am-3pm @ Scout Hall, East Windsor, CT

Both Days will include; Risk Assessment Farmer Panel Breakout Sessions (Labor, Agri-Tourism, Marketing, etc.)

Contact: MacKenzie.white@uconn.edu or 860-875-3331

These institutions are an affirmative action/ equal employment opportunity employer and program provider.

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UConn Extension’s

VEGETABLE & SMALL FRUIT GROWERS’ CONFERENCE

Monday, January 8, 2018

Maneeley’s Conference Center, 65 Rye St., S. Windsor, CT 06074

Trade Show (8:00-8:55, 10:30-11:00, 12:00 -1:00, 2:30-2:45) Exhibitors listed on back

8:00-9:00 Pre-registration $40 – includes Trade Show/Continental Breakfast/Coffee/Lunch

Door registration $60

PROGRAM: Morning Moderator – Mary Concklin, UConn Fruit Specialist

8:55 Welcome – Bonnie Burr, Assistant Director & Department Head, UConn Extension

9:00 Spotted Wing Drosophila Research Update – Rich Cowles, CAES

9:30 Appropriate Manager Response to Difficult Employee Situations – Alexandra Gross, Bishop’s Orchards, Guilford, CT

10:00 Announcements: Stacia Monahan, Diane Hirsch

10:30 Break (Trade Show/Coffee & Tea)

11:00 Managing Common Diseases in Tomato and Pepper - Christine Smart, Cornell University

11:30 Finding Your Sweet Spot – Michele & Billy Collins, Fair Weather Acres, Rocky Hill, CT

12:00- 1:00 Lunch Break/Trade Show

Afternoon moderator – Stacia Monahan, CT Vegetable & Berry Growers’ Alliance

1:00 Bicolor Sweet Corn Varieties, and Understanding and dealing with Bird Damage - Ray Samulis, Rutgers Extension

1:30 Edibles 52 Weeks a Year – Sal Gilberties, Gilberties Petite Edibles, Easton, CT. Author of ‘Cooking With Microgreens: The Grow-Your-Own Superfood’

2:00 What’s Working with Bramble Production– Tim Nourse, Nourse Farms, S. Deerfield, MA

2:30 - 2:45 Break

2:45 Tapas Peppers from Padron, Spain - Ray Samulis, Rutgers Extension

3:15 Efficacy and Cost Effectiveness of Foliar Nutrient Applications to Vegetable Crops – Andy Radin, URI Extension

3:45 Re-certification Credits: 3 hours

The University of Connecticut and CT Agricultural Experiment Station are equal opportunity program providers and employers. Please call three weeks prior to this event if special accommodations are needed.

Directions: Take I-91 or I-84 to I-291. Take Exit 4 for Rt. 5 (north). After 3.5 miles turn right onto Sullivan Ave. (Rt. 194), in ¼ mile take a left onto Rye St., Maneeley’s is on left.

Registration: See form on page 11. Send a check made out to “UConn”, with your name(s) and email address, to: UConn Extension, 24 Hyde, Ave., Vernon, CT 06066. Pre-registration $40 per person, ends January 2nd. Contact: MacKenzie White at Mackenzie.White@UConn.edu or 860 875-3331

CT Vegetable & Berry Growers

Alliance

VOLUME 13 , ISSUE 4 DECEMBER 2017

Page 10

Trade Show Exhibitors

Applied Agricultural Technologies

Arthur Carroll Insurance

BioSafe Systems

Brookedale Fruit Farm & Farm Supply

CT Agricultural Experiment Station

CT Department of Agriculture

CT Vegetable & Berry Growers’ Alliance

Farm Credit East

Globe Bag Co.

Gowan

Griffin Farm Equipment

IPM Labs, Inc.

Johnny’s Select Seeds

J.S. Woodhouse

Oesco, Inc

Rimol Greenhouse Systems Inc.

Rupp Seeds Inc.

Seedway

Specialty Ag Products

Stokes Seeds Inc.

UConn Plant Science & Landscape Architecture

UConn Extension – Food Safety

UConn Extension – Agri-Ability

UConn Publications

USDA Risk Management Agency

This program is a cooperative effort of UConn Extension, UConn Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, and the CT Vegetable & Berry Growers’ Alliance.

Page 11 VOLUME 13 , ISSUE 4 DECEMBER 2017

UConn Extension’s Vegetable & Small Fruit Growers’ Conference (We need folks to pre-register so Maneeley’s has a head count for lunch/food & beverages)

Pre-registration Form

Amount Amount

Postmarked Postmarked

by Jan. 2 after Jan. 2

Name:________________________________________ $40 $60

Address:______________________________________ ----

Town:______________ State:_____ Zip:____________ ----

Check off: Vegetable grower ___ Fruit grower____ ----

Email Address: required for confirmation of registration

_____________________________________________ ----

Phone:________________________________________ ----

Name(s) additional registrants ($40/person by Jan. 2 &

$60/person after)________________________________ $___ $___

Total amount enclosed: $____ $____

Pre-registration postmarked by Jan. 2nd is $40 per person (includes educational session, trade show, Continental Breakfast, coffee break, lunch). Registration after Jan 2nd or at the door: $60. No refunds after Dec. 29th. Payment must accompany this registration form. No credit card payments accepted.

Check should be made out to: University of Connecticut or “UConn”.

Send completed Pre-registration and check to: MacKenzie White

UConn Extension

24 Hyde Ave.

Vernon, CT 06066

(860) 875-3331

Mackenzie.white@uconn.edu

Crop Talk Editors / Contributors

Mary Concklin, Commercial Fruit Crops, UConn Department of

Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, 860-486-6449,

mary.concklin@uconn.edu

MacKenzie White, Newsletter Layout, UConn Extension

mackenzie.white@uconn.edu

Administrative Officers

Cameron Faustman, Interim Dean, College of Agriculture, Health,

and Natural Resources

Michael P. O’Neill, Associate Dean and Associate Director, UConn

Extension

Bonnie E. Burr, Assistant Director & Department Head, UConn

Extension

Richard McAvoy, Department Head, Department of Plant Science

and Landscape Architecture

The information in this newsletter is for educational purposes. The recommendations contained are based on the best available knowledge at the time of publication. Any reference to commercial products, trade or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended. The Cooperative Extension System does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any product referenced or imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others which also may be available. All agrichemicals/pesticides listed are registered for suggested uses in accordance with federal and Connecticut state laws and regulations as of the date of printing. If the information does not agree with current labeling, follow the label instructions. The label is the law. Warning! Agrichemicals/pesticides are dangerous. Read and follow all instructions and safety precautions on labels. Carefully handle and store agrichemicals/pesticides in originally labeled containers, out of reach of children, pets and livestock. Dispose of empty containers immediately in a safe manner and place. Contact the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for current regulations. The user of this information assumes all risks for personal injury or property damage.

UConn Extension

24 Hyde Avenue

Vernon, CT 06066

An Affirmative Action/

Equal Employment

Opportunity Employer

and Program Provider.

2018-2019 New England Vegetable Management Guide

NOW AVAILABLE!

Purchase on January 8th at UConn Extension’s Vegetable & Small Fruit Growers’ Conference or order online at www.store.uconn.edu or call 860-486-3336.

$25 for the Vegetable Guide, $15 for the Pest ID Guide, and $30 for the set

Address: UConn CAHNR Communications Resource Center 3624 Horsebarn Road Extension U-4035,