Vegetable and Fruit News-2026 (Volume 17, Issue 8)

September 2026  |  Volume 17, Issue 8

Inside this issue:

• IPM Vegetable and Fruit Scouting Tips
• Uncertainty in H2A Adverse Effect Wage Rates
• Beekeeping- Start Sampling for Varroa Mites
• September is National Food Safety Education Month
• Checking for Root-Knot Nematodes in Vegetable Crops
• Reminder: Fall Control of Perennial Weeds
• Apple Maturity Assessments 2026: Crimson Crisp and Ambrosia Week 7
• Plectosporium Blight on Pumpkins
• Weather Update - September 2026 
• University of Maryland Extension Events

Weather Update- September 2026

The weather information contained in this chart is compiled using the data collected using the Online Phenology and Degree-Day Models site (https://uspest.org/cgi-bin/ddmodel.us). The Drought Map is from U.S. Drought Monitor (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/) Information is available for free for all to use.

Upcoming UME Events!

Practical Experiences in Nutrient Management: Harvest Equipment Experiential
Date: Sept 16, 2026
Time: 9 am – 3:30 pm  |  Cost:  $15 fee. Lunch is included
Location: CMREC Upper Marlboro, 2005 Largo Road, Upper Marlboro, MD. 20774. 
Description: This workshop will provides participants with hands-on farming and nutrient management related activities including yield and moisture estimates of grain crops, harvest machinery overview and demonstration, and compost and
cover crop application to fields. CEUs: 5.5 hours of credit toward consultants’ or operators.
More Information can be found online at https://go.umd.edu/NMHEE26

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IPM Webinar Series:
The series meets on the third Thursday of every month from 12 to 1 pm. For more details and registration, visit https://go.umd.edu/ipmwebinar. Maryland Pesticide Credits are available. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Hayden Schug at 301-226-7502.

• Sep 17, 2026: Root-Knot Nematode Management in Vegetable Crops - Ben Beale, University of Maryland Extension

• Oct 15, 2026: Precision herbicide application - Dr. Travis Ford, University of Maryland Extension

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Event: Maryland Crop Scouting School at CMREC (Clarksville)
Date: September 24, 2026  |  Thursday
Time: 9:00 am to 2:45 pm  |  Cost: $10
Location: Central Maryland Research and Education Center, 4240 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Description: Join us for a hands-on Crop Scouting School focused on building practical skills for identifying and managing pests, diseases, and crop issues in the field. Participants will learn how to scout effectively, recognize key problems, and make informed management decisions using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles. This program is designed for farmers, crop consultants, and ag service providers looking to improve their field diagnostics and decision-making. This event covers common pests in row crop and vegetable production systems.
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maryland-crop-scouting-school-at-wye-tickets-1988090629591?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Virtual - Good Agricultural Practices and Introduction to the Produce Safety Rule Training

Good Agricultural Practices training teaches the producer of fresh fruits and vegetables how to minimize the risk of cross contamination of their produce with human pathogens. When these practices and protocols are implemented on the farm and after an MDA audit, the farm or operation can become GAP certified. This annual certification is often a buyer requirement on the wholesale or institutional level. These trainings are without cost to the Maryland fruit and vegetable grower whether growing by conventional methods, aquaponic, hydroponic, mushroom, microgreens, or CEA. Upon completion of the eight hour course, the attendee earns a certificate of completion issued by the Maryland Department of Agriculture Food Quality Assurance Program. A certificate of completion must be held by a principal of the operation in order for the operation to become GAP certified.

Virtual GAP Session #1
Dates: Monday, September 14, 2026 & Tuesday, September 15, 2026 (Both days must be attended to complete the course.)
Time: 4:00 – 8:00 pm EDT. |  Cost: Free
Location: Virtual
To Register and for more information contact: Carol Allen, callen12@umd.edu

Virtual GAP Session #2
Dates: Wednesday, September 23, 2026, & Thursday, September 24, 2026 (Both days must be attended to complete the course.)
Time: 4:00 – 8:00 pm EDT. |  Cost: Free 
Location: Virtual
To Register and for more information contact: Carol Allen, callen12@umd.edu

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In-Person Good Agricultural Practices Training
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm  |  Cost: Free
Location: University of Maryland College Park Campus. Information to follow 
To Register and for more information contact: Carol Allen, callen12@umd.edu

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Intro to Farm Business Web series
Dates (Wednesday):

• September 30, 2026: Farm Business Entities
• October 7, 2026: Business Planning
• October 14, 2026: Budgets and Financial Record Keeping
• November 4, 2026: TBD
• November 11, 2026: TBD
• November 18, 2026: TBD

Time:12 p.m. - 1 p.m. 
Location: Virtual.
Description: Sessions are independent of each other. Sign up once to attend one or all. Registration at
https://go.umd.edu/BFFBLL26 . If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Emily Zobel at 410-228-8800.

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In-Person Good Agricultural Practices Training
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm  | Cost: Free
Location: Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm, 3811 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215
To Register and for more information contact: Carol Allen, callen12@umd.edu

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Small Farm Success Workshop
Date: October 15, 2026, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location: The Elk Room - Cecil County Administration Building (200 Chesapeake Blvd, Elkton, MD 21921).
Description: Please join us for a practical, hands-on program designed to provide useful information and
resources for small-acreage farmers. Lunch will be provided.
More information at https://go.umd.edu/smallfarmsuccessworkshop. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Annie Steele at UME Kent County at 410-778-1661 or asteele4@umd.edu by October 1, 2026.

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Take Your Farm or Food Business to the Next Level—for Free  (8 week online course)
Are you a farmer or food entrepreneur? Are you considering launching a new product, applying for a loan or grant, or expanding into a new market? Do you want expert help taking the next step for your business? 

Apply today to join the new Maryland Agribusiness Coaching Level 2 program taught by the University of Maryland Extension faculty. The University of Maryland Extension is opening registration for their free, 8-week online Farm Business Coaching Program to help you grow your agricultural business. The course will run Sept. 28 through Nov. 20, 2026.  Led by experienced UME faculty, you’ll develop a comprehensive business portfolio covering your mission and goals, production plan, financials, marketing, and more. At the end, a professional business consultant will review your plan and provide tailored feedback from a financing perspective. This training is offered at no cost to you, thanks to a grant from AgriProspects, a project of the Extension Foundation and the United States Department of Agriculture. 

Apply now to get the coaching support you need to take your farm or food business to the next level: https://go.umd.edu/UMEMDAGBCL2026

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Nutrient Management Plan Training for Nursery, Greenhouse and Controlled Environment. 
Date: Oct 1, 2026
Time:  9:30 am – 3:30 pm  |  Cost: Class fee: $20, and Exam fee $20.00.
Location: Wye Research and Education Center (124 Wye Narrows Drive, Queenstown, MD 21658).  Nursery Operator Description: Certification (FTC) for writing nursery nutrient management plans will be offered to growers who are interested in attaining Farmer Training Certification for writing nutrient management plans. This training program will assist you in writing a nutrient management plan for your nursery or greenhouse operation, or controlled environment. 
More information can be found online at https://go.umd.edu/NMPYNGCE26 or by contacting Andrew Ristvey at aristvey@umd.edu or 301-226-7835.
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Urban Farming Vegetable and Fruit Production IPM Workshops PAT/NM Recertification
Date: December 17, 2026  |  Thursday
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  | Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Location: University of Maryland Extension-Anne Arundel County Office, 97 Dairy Lane, Gambrills, MD, 21054
Description: The workshop will explore advanced fruit and vegetable production practices focusing on sustainability, food security and integrated pest management tactics. This meeting will provide Private Applicator Recertification & Nutrient Applicator Voucher Recertification.
To register, please complete the Google Form IPM Workshop, December 17, 2026.

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Urban Farming Vegetable and Fruit Production IPM Workshops PAT/NM Recertification
Date: March 9, 2027  |  Tuesday
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  | Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Location: University of Maryland Extension-Anne Arundel County Office, 97 Dairy Lane, Gambrills, MD, 21054
Description: The workshop will explore advanced fruit and vegetable production practices focusing on sustainability, food security and integrated pest management tactics. This meeting will provide Private Applicator Recertification & Nutrient Applicator Voucher Recertification.
To register, please complete the Google Form IPM Workshop March 9, 2027

Discover more upcoming events from University of Maryland Extension!
Browse our full calendar and find programs near you!  
 

Vegetable & Fruit News Volume 17 Issue 8 - Download PDF

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.

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EDITOR

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.