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Friday, June 14th – 3:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Quinn’s Tree Farm

290 West Ridge Road, Cornville, Maine

Program description:

Join us at Quinn’s Tree Farm in Cornville for an introduction to integrated pest management in Christmas tree production. Participants will learn how to apply crop protectants using backpack sprayers safely and efficiently. Participants will also learn about the life cycles of common needle cast pathogens in Maine and how to manage these diseases. In the final presentation of the day participants will learn about IPM strategies for both broadleaf and grass weeds that commonly impact Christmas tree production.

Contact Matthew Quinn to register: matthew.quinn141@gmail.com, 207-399-0566

Participants can earn 3 pesticide credits.

Agenda:

3:00 – 3:10pm: Welcome and Registration

3:10 – 4:20pm: Safe and Efficient Application of Crop Protectants 

Speakers: Brett Johnson and Kerry Bernard, UMaine Extension

• Backpack sprayer calibration demonstration.

• An overview of pesticide safety including product labels and personal protective equipment. 

4:30pm – 5:20pm: Disease IPM – Speaker Dr. Alicyn Smart, UMaine Extension

• Needle cast diseases of balsam and Fraser fir.

  • Biology of Lirula, Isthmiella, and Rhizosphaera spp. causing needle cast diseases of fir.

  • Integrated management of needle cast diseases of balsam and Fraser fir.

5:30pm – 6:20pm: Weed IPM – Speaker Brett Johnson, UMaine Extension

• Overview of weed biology, identification, and non-chemical management strategies.

• Chemical weed control options and integrated strategies using white clover as a beneficial ground cover. 

About the Speakers:

Brett Johnson is UMaine Extension’s Sustainable Agriculture and Farm Business Management Educator, Assistant Extension Professor, and statewide contact for Maine’s Christmas tree producers. Brett’s current work focuses on integrated pest management in Christmas tree production as well as identifying market opportunities for Maine’s specialty potato producers. Brett is a member of the Woods Product Program Leadership Team and coordinates Extension’s state-wide farm business planning course, Business Planning for Producers.

Dr. Alicyn Smart is UMaine Extension Plant Pathologist and Associate Extension Professor. Alicyn directs the Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab, the Regional Center for the Northeast Diagnostic Network (NPDN) and serves as Deputy Executive Director of the National Plant Diagnostic Network. Alicyn carries out research to enhance the success of Maine’s agricultural industries by reducing losses to plant diseases and minimizing disease management costs by providing early and accurate disease identification.

Kerry Bernard is UMaine Extension’s Pesticide Safety Education Program Professional. Kerry coordinates the pesticide safety program at UMaine Extension which supports commercial producers and other applicators by providing educational materials to prepare for licensing exams through the Board of Pesticides Control.