Nov 16, 2020

Penn State schedules annual Winter Fruit Schools

Penn State Extension has announced the dates of the annual Winter Fruit Schools: Feb. 22 and March 1, 2021. These meetings will be online-only in a format, similar to the virtual twilight meetings held this past spring. To reduce broadcast video fatigue in our viewers, the meetings are projected to be morning-only events lasting at most three hours. The meetings will be free to attend.

Pesticide recertification credits

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture pesticide credits will be awarded for attending these meetings. A minimum of one core credit will be awarded on each date through the presentation by Penn State Pesticide Education Specialist Jim Harvey. Three category credit-bearing presentations per meeting will also be provided by the Penn State Faculty and Research Specialists.

The meetings on Feb. 22 and March 1, 2021, will differ in content although the number of category and core credits available at each will be the same. Because of this, growers are encouraged to attend both meetings and may receive full pesticide credits at both meetings, for a possible total of two core and six category credits. This total matches the quantity usually awarded in the in-person winter meetings.

Topics for winter tree fruit meetings

We are soliciting topic suggestions for the specialists to address. As the season winds down and you reflect on the challenges of this year, or those you project may be an issue in 2021, please consider sharing your thoughts with your local Extension educator. The specialists appreciate this feedback from growers, as it helps them better understand what is important to you!

The agenda and registration details will be published once finalized – look for them in Penn State Extension’s Fruit Times and SHAP’s Pennsylvania Fruit News. Advance registration for the winter fruit school webinars will be required in order to receive the pesticide credits.

– Daniel Weber and Tara Baugher, Penn State University