• Webinar on Organic Management of SWD

This webinar will report on national project to develop organic approaches for management of spotted-wing drosophila (SWD).

It is scheduled for Feb. 7 from 2 – 3:30 p.m. Register online at oregonstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_efBnBYi8QDSzu2NOGopQBg#/registration.

A team of researchers across the U.S. is studying approaches to management of SWD in organic fruit crops, with funding from the USDA-Organic Research and Extension Initiative. Join team members for this event that will update attendees on recent research and the emerging results from studies underway in various berry crops.

Presenters will focus on recent efforts to release the classical biological control agent Ganaspis brasiliensis (samba wasp) at organic sites nationwide, and will include Dr. Jana Lee (USDA-ARS), Dr. Kent Daane (UC-Berkeley) and Dr. Philip Fanning (University of Maine). The webinar is free, but you must register in advance to get the link for this presentation.

• UMaine Wild Blueberry Conference, Feb. 17 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Register online at https://umaine-extension.formtitan.com/ftproject/events?eventid=a1c8c000007zNpd or by calling Mary Michaud at 207.581.3175

The conference takes place at the Moore Community Center, 125 State St., Ellsworth, Maine, in person with breakout rooms, coffee, lunch, etc. Virtual attendance is via Zoom; link will be emailed to you the day before the event. Three Pesticide Credits are available for full-day attendance.

The cost is pay what you can: $10, $20, $50 or $100. The suggested donation is $20. All proceeds go directly toward the Extension Wild Blueberry Programming.

Agenda

AM Value-Added:

  • 9 – 10 a.m. – “WeCo Fresh Pack Line & Berry Storage” with Ron Howard and Dr. Phil Fanning
  • 10 – 10:30 a.m. – “Freeze Drying with Gean’s Greens” with Frank Mannario
  • 10:30 – 10:45 a.m. – Break
  • 10:30 – 11 a.m. – “Successes, Setbacks & the Future of Wild Blueberry Wine: A Progress Report” with Michael Terrien
  • 11 – 11:30 a.m. – “WBANA-Sponsored Health Research Update” with Kitty Broihier and Colleen Craig
  • 11:30 a.m. – noon – Networking, visit exhibitors and view research posters

AM Crop Management:

  • 9 – 9:30 a.m. – “Using Drones to Detect Water Stress, Chlorophyll & Yield” with Dr. YongJiang Zhang
  • 9:30 – 10 a.m. – “Food Safety Research & Regulations” with Dr. Rob Machado and Lindsey Werner
  • 10 – 10:30 a.m. – “Applying Mulch” with Peter Jordan and Dr. Lily Calderwood
  • 10:30 – 10:45 a.m. – Break
  • 10:45 – 11:30 a.m. – “Federal Assistance for Organic Production” with Chris Grigsby and Dr. Lily Calderwood
  • 11:30 – 11:45 a.m. – “Grants to Clean Power Your Farm Operation” with Malcolm Smith and Leigh Hallett

PM Integrated Pest Management:

  • 1 – 1:30 p.m. – “Wild Blueberry Commission” with Eric Venturini
  • 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. – “Endangered Species Act & Pesticides” with Cameron Douglas
  • 2:30 – 3 p.m. – “Disease Management” with Dr. Seanna Annis
  • 3 – 3:30 p.m. – “Insect Pest Management” with Dr. Phil Fanning
  • 3:30 – 4 p.m. – “Introducing Drone Spraying” with Patrice Sison