Apr 14, 2021Virtual spring orchard meetings scheduled by Penn State Extension
The annual spring orchard meetings sponsored by Penn State Extension will once again be held virtually via Zoom this year due to the continued in-person meeting restrictions set in place by Governor Wolf and Penn State University.
The meetings will run at two-week intervals: April 22, May 6, and May 20. We are trying something new this year by moving the “twilight” time to coincide with the lunch hour.
The reason for the move to the lunch hour is twofold. We received feedback from several of our growers who expressed a wish to adjust the times so they would not conflict with evening family or church activities. We also realized that most of you would be taking a break for lunch anyway; you can learn from our experts and earn credits while you eat. Best of all, you can share morning field observations while they are still fresh on your mind.
Three category credits for the renewal of PDA pesticide applicator licenses will be available at each meeting through the presentations and discussions led by Penn State faculty members Rob Crassweller, Greg Krawczyk, Kari Peter, and Jim Schupp. Instructions on how to register your pesticide license and those of your employees for credits will be sent the week prior to each meeting.
Extension Food Safety educator Jeff Stoltzfus will also join us at 1:30 p.m. during the open Q&A time to provide a brief update on FSMA regulations and what to expect if your enterprise will be inspected this year.
We encourage growers to submit questions, photos from the orchard, or suggested discussion topics in advance of each meeting. You may send them to your local Extension tree fruit educator, or directly to Daniel Weber or Don Seifrit.
Meeting Schedule
April 22nd, 2021
| Time | Talk Title | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00–12:30pm | The NEWA Carbohydrate Model and Thinning Recommendations * | Dr. Robert M. Crassweller, Professor of Horticulture |
| 12:30–1:00pm | 2021 Insect and Mite Concerns for Late April * | Dr. Greg Krawczyk, Research Professor – Tree Fruit Entomology |
| 1:00–1:30pm | 2021 Disease Concerns for Late April * | Dr. Kari A. Peter, Associate Research Professor – Tree Fruit Pathology |
| 1:30–2:00pm | FSMA Updates Open Discussion and Q&A | Jeff Stoltzfus, main speakers, and the community of viewers. |
Registration link for April 22, 2021
May 6th, 2021
| Time | Talk Title | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00–12:30pm | 2021 Insect and Mite Concerns for Early May * | Dr. Greg Krawczyk, Research Professor – Tree Fruit Entomology |
| 12:30–1:00pm | PGRs and Chemical Thinning * | Dr. James R. Schupp, Professor of Pomology |
| 1:00–1:30pm | 2021 Disease Concerns for Early May * | Dr. Kari A. Peter, Associate Research Professor – Tree Fruit Pathology |
| 1:30–2:00pm | FSMA Updates Open Discussion and Q&A | Jeff Stoltzfus, main speakers, and the community of viewers. |
Registration link for May 6, 2021
May 20th, 2021
| Time | Talk Title | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00–12:30pm | 2021 Disease Concerns for Late May * | Dr. Kari A. Peter, Associate Research Professor – Tree Fruit Pathology |
| 12:30–1:00pm | 2021 Insect and Mite Concerns for Late May * | Dr. Greg Krawczyk, Research Professor – Tree Fruit Entomology |
| 1:00–1:30pm | Weed Control for Orchards * | Dr. Robert M. Crassweller, Professor of Horticulture |
| 1:30–2:00pm | FSMA Updates Open Discussion and Q&A | Jeff Stoltzfus, main speakers, and the community of viewers. |
Registration link for May 20, 2021
* This talk qualifies for one PDA pesticide applicator license renewal category credit.
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