Country Folks Grower

Rapid apple decline is a phenomenon that has been killing young apple trees in North America and growers are stumped. Awais Khan, associate professor of plant pathology and plant-microbe biology, offers insight on possible causes and next steps.

Monthly series features conversations on agritourism University of Vermont Extension and the International Workshop on Agritourism will present an online agritourism series monthly featuring experts from around the globe. Agritourism Gatherings is a virtual series for farm, food and travel communities will address issues of interest to agricultural producers, farm stay operators and other agritourism industry professionals, although anyone is welcome to participate. Ses...sions are free to attend, but advance registration is required for each session. For program details or to register, visit go.uvm.edu/agritourism-gatherings. To request a disability-related accommodation to participate, contact Becky Bartlett at 802.257.7967 ext. 301 or [email protected]. Scheduled programs for autumn include: Oct. 8 Regenerative Tourism and Agriculture, 1 - 2 p.m. The session will focus on the global regenerative tourism movement and how regenerative agricultural practices have helped shape this movement. Speakers are from a Costa Rican sustainable rainforest ecolodge, a California meat company, a New York farm-based hospitality business and Vancouver Island University. Nov. 19 Indigenous and Tribal Perspectives on Agritourism, noon - 1 p.m. Presenters from the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, La Paz on Foot (Bolivia), the Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute (Guatemala) and the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin will discuss indigenous-led agritourism initiatives, best practices for integrating agro-biodiversity conservation in tribal communities and how ancient culture and history can apply to contemporary travel company design and marketing. Future programs in the series are Experiential Education/Experience Economy (January), Social Justice in Agriculture and Tourism (February), Virtual Farm and Food Experiences (March), African Perspectives on Agri/Eco Tourism (March), Culinary Lens on Agritourism (April) and The Future of Nature-Based Tourism (May). See more

Learn how cranberry farming is incorporating the use of drones for agricultural purposes.

CAES Announces the Finding of Spotted Lanternfly in West Haven and Greenwich, Connecticut - New Haven, CT - The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) in cooperation with USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) announce the detection of single live adult spotted lanternfly, Lycoma delicatula, in West Haven, CT and multiple live adults in Greenwich, CT. While the spotted lanternfly in West Haven may be a single import due to travel from out of state, there... is a population in Greenwich and surveys in the immediate areas of both detections will be conducted. Single adults were detected in Farmington in 2018 and Southbury in 2019. The spotted lanternfly is an invasive sap-feeding planthopper that was discovered in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014. It is native to China, India, and Vietnam. It attacks many hosts and has the potential to severely impact Connecticut’s farm crops, particularly apples, grapes, and hops, as well as a number of tree species like maple. In the fall, adults can often be found congregating on tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus), willows and other trees. They will lay egg masses on trees and almost any nearby surface. It has also been reported in New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia and New York. Early detection is important for the protection of Connecticut businesses and agriculture. The public is urged to report potential sightings of this invasive pest to [email protected]. Submission of a photograph with any report is encouraged. See more

If anyone needs a good soundtrack while working today, #FarmAid has shared this year's concert. https://www.farmaid.org

Good looking lineup for tomorrow's auction!

*Spotted lanternfly found in West Haven and Greenwich* The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) in cooperation with USDA-APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) announce the detection of single live adult spotted lanternfly in West Haven, CT, and multiple live adults in Greenwich, CT. While the spotted lanternfly in West Haven may be a single import due to travel from out of state, there is a population in Greenwich and surveys in the immediate areas of both... detections will be conducted. Single adults were detected in Farmington in 2018 and Southbury in 2019. The spotted lanternfly attacks many hosts and has the potential to severely impact Connecticut’s farm crops, particularly apples, grapes and hops, as well as a number of tree species like maple. In autumn, adults can often be found congregating on Tree of Heaven, willows and other trees. They lay egg masses on trees and almost any nearby surface. It has also been reported in New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia and New York. Early detection is important for the protection of Connecticut businesses and agriculture. The public is urged to report potential sightings of this invasive pest to [email protected]. Submission of a photograph with any report is encouraged. See more

What are you doing differently on your farm this year?

At the Berry Patch farm in Stephentown, New York, big, ripe blueberries are waiting to be picked. The farm is experiencing one of its best seasons to date thanks to better management of fall infestations of spotted wing drosophila (SWD), part of a research collaboration with Greg Loeb, professor of entomology at Cornell AgriTech, part of Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The ABCs of Specialty Crops walks you through some of the specialty crops eligible for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.

The Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association will be sponsoring a New Christmas Tree Growers Meeting on Saturday, September 12, 2020 from 8:45 a.m. 1:00 p....m. at: Moose Apple Christmas Tree Farm 2425 Wickliffe Road Berryville, VA 22611 Kyle Peer, Superintendent of Reynolds Homestead Forest Resources Research Center with Virginia Cooperative Extension, and Paris Rasnic, owner of Moose Apple Christmas Tree Farm, will discuss getting started with Christmas tree production including seedling selection, planting techniques, farm layout, and shearing. We will also discuss applying pesticides and herbicides safely. This is a hands-on workshop with indoor and outdoor sessions. Everyone will need to wear appropriate footwear and bring work gloves. Participants are also asked to wear a face mask for your protection as well as that of the other participants. An agenda is attached as well as a pre-registration form. Lunch will be provided at the end of the meeting. The cost for the program is $10 per person. Please pre-register by September 8. To PRE-REGISTER, complete the attached registration form, listing all attendees, and submit with your registration fee(s) to the VCE Frederick Office (107 N Kent Street, Winchester, VA 22601). Checks should be made payable to Treasurer, Virginia Tech. For more information about the program, contact Mark Sutphin, Extension Agent, Horticulture, at 540/665-5699 or [email protected] There will be a charge of $50.00 for all returned checks. No refunds will be processed unless we are notified prior to September 8, 2020. If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services, or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Mark Sutphin, Frederick County Extension, at (540) 665-5699/TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.