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Fruit and Vegetable Growers Striving for the Best

NEWS

 

Save the Date – Events and Training for

Fall 2023 
November 7, 2023

Western Maryland Research and Education Center (WMREC) 

Fall Apple Workshop

8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 Agenda

  • 8:30 a.m.  REGISTRATION

APPLE FRUIT QUALITY/ HORTICULTURE

  • 9:00 a.m. - Apple fruit physiological disorders and their effects on quality. Dr. Macarena Farcuh, University of Maryland

  • 9:45 a.m. - Plant growth regulators and their effects on fruit quality. Dr. Macarena Farcuh, University of Maryland

  • 10:30 a.m. - Break

  • 10:45 a.m. - Weed management effects on fruit quality. Mr. Dave Myers, University of Maryland Extension-Anne Arundel Co.

  • 11:15 a.m. - Connecting the dots: Orchard management, apple tree decline, and postharvest rots. Dr. Kari Peter, Penn State University

  • Noon - Working Lunch

APPLE FRUIT SAFETY

  • 1:00 p.m.- Sanitization of irrigation water. Dr. Rohan Tikekar, University of Maryland

  • 1:30 p.m. - Reducing cross contamination risk during washing of fresh produce using sanitizers. Dr. Rohan Tikekar, University of Maryland

  • 2:00 p.m. - Break

  • 2:15 p.m.  - Picking Baskets, Field Crates and Bulk Bins: What is the Best Way to Clean and Sanitize Them? Ms. Carol Allen, University of Maryland

  • 2:45 p.m. - Introducing the New Worker Health & Hygiene Video. Ms. Carol Allen, University of Maryland

  • 3:30 p.m. - Wrap up and evaluation/surveys

 

 

New Online Course for Maryland Cottage Food Producers & On-Farm Home Processors

Register here: https://go.umd.edu/mfvcourse

For questions or needing accommodation contact:
Dr. Shauna Henley, shenely@umd.edu

Something New!

The FarcuhLab has started a YouTube channel for you to subscribe and follow!

The Farcuh Fruit Quality Lab's channel showcases latest research and extension activities for improving fruit quality, nutritional value, shelf-life capacity, safety and marketability throughout fruit development, harvest and postharvest storage. The Farcuh Lab 's mission is to find novel strategies to decrease fruit loss/waste, support environmental sustainability and, at the same time, enhance fruit consumption by meeting consumers’ expectations.

To view these videos use the tab below.

 

 

Apple Maturity Assessments for the Mid-Atlantic

We do the lab work so you don’t have to.

The determination of apple harvest maturity and optimal harvest dates can be achieved by using different maturity indices.

We take measurements of percent blush apple skin, skin chlorophyll content (DA index), fruit firmness, starch content, soluble solids and titratable acidity.

These measurements are performed weekly using different apple cultivars throughout the course of the season. To subscribe to the weekly updates use the tab below. 

 2022 - 2023
MSHS Executive Board Officers

Hallie Butler-Van Horn, President

Bryan Butler, 1St VP

Brad Miller, 2nd Vice President

Bob Black, Treasurer

Haley Sater,  Secretary

Board members are 

Paul Jackson

Stephen Milburn

Daniel Heyser

Stephen Blades

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER

The membership year runs from January 1st to December 31st.  Membership dues are collected during the registration process for the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention.  For those seeking membership after the convention click here... for more information.
 

TREE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP)

Tree Assistance Program (TAP) is to provide financial assistance to qualifying orchardists to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines that were damaged by natural disasters. To learn more about this program and eligibility, click here for more info >>

WMREC HORTICULTURAL TWILIGHT MEETING & TOUR

Click here to access handouts >>
 

PUBLICATIONS

Click on the links below:

Horticultural Technology Newsletter

Spotted Wing Drosophila Monitoring and Management 
University of Maryland Fact Sheet 1023, November 2015

 

SOURCES FOR MD GROWN FRUIT

Click on the links below:
Maryland Apples

Maryland's Best
National Peach Council
University of Maryland Extension: Grapes and Fruit
University of Maryland: Aronia
Mid-Atlantic Aronia Growers Association

FRUIT MEETINGS


Bay Area Fruit School  (link to presentations & videos) 
Western Maryland Regional Fruit Meeting (presentations)

2019 Summer Tour visiting Arterra     Photo Credit:Christopher Black

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