By Emily Zobel, University of Maryland Extension Educator-Dorchester Co., and Jerry Brust, University of Maryland Extension IPM Vegetable Specialist
If you had plants in high tunnel this season that were showing drought and salt stress in the form of poor growth, thin canopy, excessive leaf drop, poor fruit set, poor yields, necrotic leaf margins, especially on older leaves that can curl, then you might want to test your soil for high soluble salts. Most growers routinely test their high tunnel...Read more about High Tunnel Growers Should Consider Testing for Soluble Salt
USDA’s Risk Management Agency Offers Virtual Workshops on Changes to the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm Insurance Options
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering virtual workshops on Nov. 15 and Dec. 13 for agricultural producers and stakeholders to learn about the latest updates and improvements to the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and the Micro Farm insurance options. WFRP and Micro Farm are two of the most comprehensive risk management options available. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) will announce in-person events later this fall. These insurance options are especially important to specialty crop, organic, urban and direct market producers. Policy im-provements and these workshops are part of RMA’s efforts to increase participation in crop insurance.
“We want to make sure farmers and ranchers know about these very important insurance options. We invite specialty crop, organic, urban and direct market producers to join the virtual ‘RMA Road-show,” RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger said. “The RMA Roadshow will include me and leader-ship to highlight important improvements to Whole-Farm and Micro Farm and answer your questions.”
Changes include:
Doubling the maximum insurable revenue under WFRP, now up to $17 million
More than tripling the size of farm operations eligible for Micro Farm to $350,000 in approved revenue
2022 Survey of the Most Common and Troublesome Weeds
Kurt M. Vollmer, Extension Weed Management Specialist, UMD
The Weed Science Society of America in conjunction with the regional weed science societies are conducting a survey of the most common and troublesome weeds in broadleaf crops, fruits, and vegetables. Cropping systems in this survey of interest to Maryland growers include alfalfa, fruit & nuts, pulses, soybean, cole crops, cucurbits, and other vegetables. Participants are asked to list the 5 most common and 5 most troublesome weeds in any of these systems they are comfortable with. Commonly refers to weeds that are frequently seen, and troublesome refers to weeds that are the most difficult to control, but may not be widespread. The survey can be accessed by going to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2022WeedSurvey, and will remain open until October 24. To see the results of previous surveys visit https://wssa.net/wssa/weed/surveys/.
SARE Farmer Grant Call for Proposals Open
We are now accepting Farmer Grant Proposals for 2023. The online system opens on October 1, 2022. Proposals are due no later than November 15, 2022, at 5 p.m.
Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide
The Agriculture Law Education Annual Agriculture and Environmental Law Conference, on Friday, October 28th from 7:30 AM-3:00 PM at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Annapolis, MD. Registration will be $50 in-person, $40 online. Free for Students. More information and registration here: https://umaglaw.org/2022-annual-agricultural-and-environmental-law-conference/
Basics of Strawberry Cultivation Webinar. Sat, Oct 29, 2022, 10:00 am. Learn about June Bearer Strawberries (Sep-June), Day Neutral Strawberries (Mar-Nov), and Low Tunnel Construction. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/umes-extension-8340408017
Baltimore County, October 31, 2022, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm, Baltimore County Agricultural Center (1114 Shawan Road, Suite 2, Cockeysville, MD)
Maryland Department of Agriculture, November 3, 2022, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm (50 Harry S. Truman Parkway Annapolis, MD)
Virtual, November 7, 2022, Register, and a ZOOM link will be sent.
UMES Extension’s 19TH Annual Small Farm Conference, on the UMES campus, on November 4-5, 2022. Registration is $70 for both days or $35 for only one day. More information and registration here: https://wwwcp.umes.edu/extension/small-farms-program/conference/
Apple Growers Workshop, Monday, November 7, 2022, from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm, at WMREC (18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD). The cost is $20. More information and registration can be found here: AppleWorkshop.eventbrite.com
Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School, in-person in Ocean City, MD, November 15-17, 2022. Registration is $325 until October 15 and will increase to $375 until registration closes at midnight on November 7th. The Princess Royale will have discounted room rates available until October 14th. More information and registration here: https://go.umd.edu/crop22registration.
Vegetable & Fruit News is a research-based publication for the commercial vegetable and fruit industry available electronically from April through October. Published by the University of Maryland Extension Agriculture and Food Systems team.
Emily Zobel
University of Maryland Extension Agent - Dorchester County
501 Court Lane, Room 208
Cambridge, MD 21613 Phone: (410) 410-228-8800 Email: ezobel@umd.edu
Note: Registered Trade Mark® Products, Manufacturers, or Companies mentioned within this newsletter are not to be considered as sole endorsements. The information has been provided for educational purposes only.
