Local Governments • U.S. Department of Agriculture

It is the policy of the University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, and University of

Maryland Extension that all persons have equal opportunity and access to programs and facilities without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or parental status, or disability.

The University of Maryland Extension Agriculture & Food Systems and the Environment & Natural Resources Teams proudly present this publication for commercial vegetable and fruit industries.

Volume 9 Issue 6 September 20, 2018

Viruses in Cucurbits By Jerry Brust

Extension IPM Vegetable Specialist University of Maryland

jbrust@umd.edu I am seeing and getting reports of virus infected squash, pumpkin and cucumber fields, so I thought I’d go over some information about viruses. Several aphid species are responsible for transmission of the most common viruses in cucurbits. Although some cucumber beetles have been shown to vector some viruses (such as Cucumber mosaic virus) their success rate under field conditions makes them a minor contributor to most virus infection problems. However, Squash mosaic virus I and II (SqMV) is vectored most commonly by spotted cucumber beetles and possibly by a few other species of cucumber beetles. The spotted cucumber beetle can carry the virus for 10-20 days and transmit the virus when it regurgitates fluid into their feeding site. SqMV-I infection usually results in mild plant symptoms while SqMV-II infection results in severe plant symptoms. SqMV is usually first introduced into a field via seedborne infection and is not very common in cucurbit fields in the mid-Atlantic compared with the viruses vectored by aphids. Aphid vectored viruses belong to two main virus families: potyviruses: papaya ringspot virus-W (PRSV), watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), and zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV); and cucumoviruses: cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Aphid Virus Infection and Symptoms WMV is capable of infecting all commercially grown cucurbits. The most common symptoms caused by this virus is leaf mosaic (variegated patterns of dark and light green to yellow that form a mosaic) and leaf distortion (fig. 1A). Symptoms may vary from plant to plant

according to the species or varieties, virus concentration in the plant, timing of infection, single or mixed infections, or temperature making symptoms mild or more severe (fig 1). External symptoms may develop within four or five days after young plants become infected but may take up to 14 days to develop when the foliage is older and more mature. Symptoms develop more rapidly at 79° to 89°F than at 61° to 75°F. Cucurbit plants rarely become infected in the seedling stage. Fig. 1 Virus symptoms on plants can be more severe (A) or milder (B).

Typically, viruses affect most cucurbit fruit by causing lumps, bumps and rings to appear on the skin of the fruit (fig. 2). However, at times there is little loss if the fruit has been pollinated and begins to grow before virus infection occurs. Infection just at pollination may cause the fruit to have blotches or stripes of green or yellow color (fig. 3). If the plant is infected before pollination there usually is no fruit production, but if some are produced then symptoms on the fruit include surface discoloration, bumps and other fruit deformity, early browning, shrinking or death, small fruit size and poor yields. Secondary infection by other microorganisms may occur on the virus infected fruits and cause soft rot.

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Fig. 2 Fruit with virus infection causing lumps and bumps.

Fig.3 Fruit with mild virus infection.

On plants, viruses can either infect the plant alone or together. If a plant is infected by only one virus, the symptoms generally are milder than if by two or more. Infection by two viruses initially causes strong mosaic and distortion on leaves. Infected plants have smaller and smaller new leaves. Late stage infections include leaves that turn yellow or become scorched along the edge.

Aphid species Out of a possible 50 species of aphids that can be found in cucurbit fields, only a few have been shown to carry and effectively transmit the mosaic viruses. The melon (Aphis gossypii) and green peach (Myzus persicae) aphids were strong vectors while the potato (Macrosiphum euphorbia) and bean (Aphis fabae) aphids were poor vectors. The corn leaf aphid is one of the most numerous in pumpkin and squash fields but does not carry the virus.

Management Aphids transmit the virus to plants through their sucking mouthparts. Viruses that are non-persistently transmitted are difficult to manage because the aphids acquire and transmit the virus so quickly. The non-persistent (NP) acquisition or transmission of the virus is completed in a matter of seconds to 1 minute. NP viruses cannot spread very far from where they were originally acquired. Pesticides sprayed on the plant will eventually kill the aphids, but too late to stop them from transmitting the virus. Therefore, insecticides have little effect on NP virus transmission by transient, non-colonizing aphids, though insecticides can control direct

damage (foliar deformation and honeydew deposits) and secondary transmission of the virus in a field. Insecticides include Fulfill, Beleaf, the neonicotinoids and some of the pyrethroids.

Resistant varieties: A limited number of resistant varieties are available for certain viruses on squash and pumpkin while cucumber has many more resistant cultivars available – see the Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations guide. Most of the squash cultivars with virus resistance have just intermediate resistance, which means that the plant can restrict the growth and development of the virus and show less severe symptoms compared with a susceptible plant. Some cultivars of yellow summer squash carry a "precocious yellow gene," which mask the color-breaking that is common with most cucurbit viruses.

Reflective mulch: This mulch is highly reflective (fig. 4) and the light reflecting off the mulch confuses the aphids when they fly over the mulch and therefore do not land on the plants. The mulch works until the cucurbit plants cover the plastic mulch. This control method can increase the time with no infection occurring in the field by 2-4 weeks. For crops such as squash or cucumbers this can be the difference between just a few harvests and many harvests. Fig. 4 Reflective mulch and cucurbit planting.

Planting dates: Virus infection is less severe when cucurbits are planted earlier in the season. The fruit is not affected as much in earlier plantings because the fruit was set before the virus arrived. Planting several successions of cucumber or squash will help to mitigate all but late season virus infections.

Weeds as Alternative Hosts Many weeds can act as reservoirs for viruses even though they show no symptoms. Aphids will often land on these weedy plants and probe the plants at which time they acquire the virus in a matter of seconds. Some of these weeds include: Shepherd's purse, Virginia pepperweed, Chicory, Canada thistle, Jerusalem artichoke, Prickly lettuce, Dandelion, Cocklebur, Endive, Escarole, Sunflower, Yellow rocket, many Wild mustards and radish, Marsh yellowcress, Pennycress, several Chickweed species, Common lambsquarter, and most Morning glory and Speedwell weeds.

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Growing Hops in Maryland By Bryan Butler

Principal Agent, Agriculture Carroll County Extension

University of Maryland bbutlers@umd.edu

WMREC Hops Yard: A Collaboration of the University of Maryland and Flying Dog Brewery

In an effort to support the new and rapidly growing brewing industry in Maryland, 24 varieties of hops have been established at the University of Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station in Keedysville, Maryland. Although not the first hops planting on a research farm, this planting is about ½ acre and contains 24 varieties replicated three times and is being managed intensively with regard to fertility, irrigation, as well as insect, disease and weed management using IPM principles. Current varieties in the trial;

Planted May 2016: Alpharoma, Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Crystal, Mt. Hood, Mt. Ranier, Nugget, Sorachi Ace, Southern Cross, Tahoma, and Ultra.

Planted in 2017: Canadian Red Vine, Galena, Glacier, Amallia, Neo 1, New Port, Multi Head, Southern Brewer, Teamaker VF, Willamette, Vojvodina, and Zeus.

Multi Head and Neo 1 have been removed and will be replaced for the 2019 season by two plants that have been growing in the Central for over 100 years.

The following information was generated from what we are learning from the planting in Keedysville, Maryland in 2018. We hope to update this information as we continue to learn about the ins and outs of hop production in Maryland. This outlines our progress in learning about hop production and is intended to be less a recipe for production but more a menu for growers to select what works in your own operation and for ideas for solutions to challenges that limit production in our hot, humid, pest rich environment.

The Current Trial • Spaced 3.5’ x 14’ on ¼ Acre. Laminated posts with a

cable at 18’. Posts are 4’ in the ground. • Soil was prepared the previous fall, limed, and

phosphorus and potassium added to optimum levels. • Plantings received the equivalent of 180 lbs. of nitrogen

yearly from three applications in 2016 and 2017 with 120 pounds in 2018.

• Tall fescue planted between rows in spring 2016. Weekly IPM scouting with control measures taken as needed.

• Crowning was done about three weeks later in 2018 than 2017 in an attempt to increase yields.

Pest Control: Weekly integrated Pest Management (IPM) scouting is a must for successful hops production in Maryland. Rapid deployment of control measures can make all difference between success and failure of a new planting. This consists of walking the rows observing overall condition of your plants looking at vigor, color of foliage, discoloration or browning of leaves and presence of insects or mites. It is important to be examining both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves with a magnifying glass or hand lens to see mites or early infestations of leaf hoppers. Major pest issues in order of impact on our current planting include; Downy Mildew, Leaf hoppers, Mites, Alternaria Cone Disorder, Fusarium Cone Tip Blight, Japanese Beetles. Management of the Established Maryland Hop Yard

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8/12/18- 8/24/18 - Harvest Varieties harvested at 23-29 percent dry matter

On-Line at: Commercial vegetable Guide

Be Aware of Potential Early Anthracnose Infection in Annual

Strawberry Plants By Mengjun Hu

Plant Pathologist, PSLA University of Maryland

Pay close attention to the health of your strawberry plants if you use plasticulture system and the plants have been just planted. Very recently, anthracnose infection was found in planting stock of one major supplier of strawberry transplants. Strawberry growers in Virginia have reported dying plants on their newly established plastic mulch beds, which is presumably due to anthracnose infection.

As a major threat to strawberries, the anthracnose pathogen, Colletotrichum species, can infect nearly all parts of the plant, including fruit, crowns, leaves, runners, and petioles. Among different species, Colletotrichum acutatum is the most prevalent and able to infect the young plant tissues and the fruit. Symptoms on the young plants appear as brown to black spots or necrosis on leaves, and/or petioles. Orange-colored spore masses may develop in the lesion over time under humid and warm conditions. Later in the season, anthracnose is often found on the ripe fruit. Here are some thoughts on minimizing the risk of anthracnose infection: 1. I f you have NOT planted your straw berries this year, it is important to know your tip source. As you may know, strawberry plants supplied to our growers were grown from the tips of runners from "mother plants". The nurseries either grow these tips out into small plants in the field that are then harvested and sold as "bare root transplants", or increase the number of runner tips to sell downstream nurseries called “plug producers” that use tips to grow "plug plants" in peat-based media. The plugs will then be provided to our growers. In some cases, anthracnose infection has found to be linked to the tip production or somewhere in the nursery production chain. In other words, it is important to use clean transplants. 2. I f you have seen dying plants in your strawberry field, it is critical to know w hat causing it. Early season anthracnose infection can be confused with other disease or physiological issues, it would be in your best interest to submit suspect samples to Plant Clinics for the diagnosis. I and Dr. Karen Rane at Plant Clinics will work together to confirm the disease and identify the fungal pathogen to species level. Based on the test results, we will make recommendations. In general, the control of anthracnose relies on fungicide application. FRAC 11 such as Abound, Cabrio, Azaka, and Aftershock is the primary fungicide class for anthracnose control, however, resistance is a concern. Captan and Switch are

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also effective against the disease, and the potential resistance risk is less. Given the significance of this disease, it is important to scout your field throughout the season. Immediate removal of infected plants or dying plants will potentially reduce the disease inoculum. Herbicide treatment intended to kill infected plants will not reduce the inoculum, in fact, it will facilitate the spore production of the fungus.

Should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at: MJHU@UMD.EDU, or Tel: 301-405-5586

Update Your Nutrient Management Plan Now

By David Ruppert Nutrient Management Program Coordinator

Assistant Clinical Professor, ENST University of Maryland

druppert@umd.edu

Plan ahead, and update your Nutrient Management Plan now before the spring rush. A reminder brought to you by the UMD Agricultural Nutrient Management Program With preparation, it’s easy to be in compliance with Maryland’s Nutrient Management Law.

Producers need a plan if: • grossing $2,500 income or have greater than 8,000 lbs.

live animal weight, • their previous plan is expired, or

subjects under “Plan Update Requirements” (e.g. planned crop, nutrient sources, acreage managed, number of animals) have changed.

Why should you start now? ● UME Advisors are currently more available to

write plans; wait too long (e.g. January) and you might have to resort to a private planner

● Fall 2018 soil and manure analyses are good for the 2019 growing season.

● Guarantee you have a plan in hand before you apply nutrients, complying with MDA regulations.

What information do you need to provide? ● Planned crops for 2019 ● Crops planted in 2018 ● Soil tests (to be updated at least every 3 years) ● Manure analysis (to be updated at least yearly) ● Animal production information ● Yield records ● Maps of any new farms/fields ● Operations with perennial fruits and fields

requiring P risk assessment may require additional information and data collection. Individual advisors can advise in more detail what information is needed.

Who can write a Nutrient Management Plan? ● A certified Nutrient Management Consultant from

your county extension office, or a private planner listed on MDA’s website: https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/counties/NM_CONSULTANT_FOR_HIRE_DIRECTORY_2018.pdf

● Operators can become certified to write their own nutrient management plan for their operation.

● See the following links (updated continuously) for training and certification information; several trainings will be offered over the winter at multiple locations: http://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Pages/nutrient_management_training_program.aspx the ‘Event Calendar’ on the right side of https://extension.umd.edu/anmp

How to Interpret Salinity Test Results Salinity Matters for High Tunnels and

Growth Media By Neith Little

Urban Agriculture Extension Agent &

Andrew Ristvey Extension Specialist for Commercial Horticulture

University of Maryland Salinity is an important consideration for management of healthy soil and growth media, particularly in high tunnels or hoop houses. Salinity measures the total amount of soluble salts (minerals) in the soil or growth media.

One of the benefits of growing in a high tunnel is that it protects your crops from excessive rain and keeps their leaves dry, which can reduce the spread of disease. However, soaking rains serve the beneficial purpose of leaching salt accumulated from fertilizers, compost and minerals in the irrigation water, down below the root zone. So over time a lack of soaking rains can result in a build-up of minerals in high tunnel soil, increasing the soil’s salinity. You can sometimes visually see a build-up of these minerals as a white crust on the surface of your high tunnel soil.

Salinity is also an important measure of the quality of growth media (mixes of substrates such as peat, coir, compost, sand, vermiculate, etc.). Some composts can have a high salt content, so if you are mixing your own growth medium, or purchasing one, it’s a good idea to make sure that the salinity of your mix is not too high.

What happens if the salinity is too high? Basically, too much salt makes it harder for your crops to pull water and nutrients into their roots, and at very high levels it can stunt root growth. This is the same thing people talk about when they say a high-nitrogen fertilizer can “burn” seedlings’ roots.

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How do you measure salinity? You may be able to visually see very high salinity as white crusting on soil, but how do you spot the problem before it gets that bad?

You can send a sample off to the lab, or use an Electrical Conductivity (EC) probe to measure salinity in soil and growth media. A simple probe costs about $150, and measures both EC and pH.

Electrical Conductivity is a measure of how easy or difficult it is for electricity to pass or conduct through the material. In soil or growth media, it is a measurement of salts or minerals dissolved in solution (the soil water). The more salt in the soil, the higher the conductivity. The procedure to measure EC in your soil or growth media is very simple. Mix equal parts by weight of soil and distilled water, let it sit for at least 30 minutes, stir again and insert the probe.

A note about units: Electrical conductivity is reported in a variety of units, but presently the Siemens is the derived metric unit of electrical conductivity.

Electrical conductivity probes typically measure in mS/cm (milliSiemens per centimeter). You may also see salinity reported as µS/cm (microSiemens per centimeter) or dS/m (desiSiemens per meter). Converting between units of Siemens is relatively simple, because while the units are different, the scale is the same. For instance, 1 mS/cm = 1 dS/m 1mS/cm = 1000 µS/cm

Occasionally old reports use the unit of mho for electrical conductivity. A mho is the reciprocal of ohm, the unit of resistance (and you thought chemists didn’t have a sense of humor). 1 mho/m = 1 mmho/cm = 1 mS/cm = 1 dS/cm = 1000 µS/cm

In aquaponics and hydroponics, people sometimes use measure Total Dissolved Solids as an estimate of salinity, instead of electrical conductivity (EC). However, TDS measures all dissolved solids in water, not just salt, so electrical conductivity is a more accurate measure of salinity specifically.

Occasionally EC is used as an estimate of nitrogen because available nitrogen is usually in a salt form. However, EC measures all salts—nitrogen, sodium, potassium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and more—so a high EC reading may be due to high nitrogen, or it may be due to high sodium, and you will not be able to tell the difference. For this reason, we do not recommend using EC to estimate nitrogen availability on urban farms.

How do you interpret the results? At salinity above 2 mS/cm seedling germination starts to be inhibited and roots of larger plants may have difficulty accessing nutrients and water. Above 4 mS/cm roots are physically damaged and may die. This factsheet from Utah Extension explains it very well.

Irrigation water and high-tunnel soils A farmer using high tunnels should also get a water quality test. Irrigation water can carry dissolved minerals which will accumulate in time, potentially increasing the salinity and pH of the soil in time. If salinity is a problem, the high-tunnel soil should be exposed to rainfall if possible, which can leach the minerals out of the root zone.

Conclusion: If you are growing in a high tunnel, or mixing your own growth media, measuring the salinity of your soil or substrate is a good idea. In a high tunnel, we recommend measuring salinity annually, so that you can monitor changes over time. If salinity measurements increase over time, or are above 2 mS/cm, it’s time to assess why and what to do. Penn State Extension has a helpful article on next steps for salinity management in high tunnels.

Welcome! To the Grapes and Fruit website. Statewide Extension and research programs (link is external) for viticulture (grape growing), tree & small fruits, and enology (winemaking), are being created and implemented at Western Maryland Research and Education Center by Dr. Joseph A. Fiola (link is external), Extension Specialist in Viticulture and Small Fruit. Dr. Fiola works with existing vineyard and winery owners to increase production and improve quality. He is working to expand the industry in Maryland by educating new vineyard owners. This site is designed for the commercial grower or someone who would like to start a vineyard.

Harvest (August-September) • Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) -

Part 1 (pdf) • Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) -

Part 2 (pdf) • Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) -

Part 3 (Fruit Damage and Juice/Wine Taint) (pdf)

• Red Leaves in the Vineyard—Diagnosis and Management (html) (pdf)

• Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) I - Background (html) (pdf)

• Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) II - Scouting and Management (html) (pdf)

Post-Harvest (October) • Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) -

Part 3 (Fruit Damage and Juice/Wine Taint) (pdf)

• Fall Weed Management (html)(pdf) • Red Leaves in the Vineyard—Diagnosis and

Management (html) (pdf)

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AG MARKETING ALERT! Dear Ag Marketing Subscriber, Mastering Marketing – September 2018: Falling Back is for the Clock; Not Your Marketing Strategies has been posted on the web. To access the article click on the link below: http://extension.umd.edu/learn/falling-back-clock-not-your-marketing-strategies

If you have any questions or comments about this article or have clients or colleagues that would value receiving it as well, please contact Ginger Myers at gsmyers@umd.edu or sbarnes6@umd.edu SAVE THE DATES SOWING THE SEEDS OF SOCIAL MEDIA SUCCESS—STRATEGIC MARKET PLANNING This seminar will be held in two locations with the same program offered at each site. More information and registration information will be available soon. Tuesday, November 13, 2018 MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE CENTER 1114 Shawan Road Cockeysville, MD 21030

Thursday, November 15, 2018 CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE 1000 College Circle, Room HEC 110 Wye Mills, MD 21679

This seminar seeks to offer training for those ready to expand their already existing Internet marketing plans to the next level. Seminar topics will include: • Learn to define business vision and goals, brand voice

and how to align them with social media marketing activities,

• Gain insight on the operation and application of major social networking platforms,

• Learn to create a marketing action plans based on desired outcomes and how to integrate social media into the mix.

• Stay out of trouble by learning the legal parameters concerning postings, dealing with negative feedback, posting pictures, and on-line offerings.

• Hear from a panel of successful social media farm marketers.

Chesapeake Culinary Center

Sponsors a Food for Profit Class October 30, 2018

Denton, MD – Have you ever been told that your favorite homemade bread, or salsa, is “good enough to sell?” Do you have additional fruit or vegetables from your farm or home garden that you would like to make into a commercial product? Food for Profit is a one-day workshop designed to help you work through the maze of local and state regulations, food safety issues, and business management concepts that all must be considered in setting up a commercial food business. The course will be held at the Chesapeake Culinary Center, 512 Franklin Street, Denton, MD 21629 on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This session of Penn State Extension’s popular course has been specifically adapted to Maryland’s food production regulations, food entrepreneurial resources, and marketing opportunities. HOW CAN FOOD FOR PROFIT HELP ME? Food for Profit will take you step-by-step through the entrepreneurial process. It will provide you with the information and skills to assess if your idea will be something that will sell at a profit. Conducting a feasibility study (to see if yours is a good business idea), performing marketing research, and beginning to draft a business plan are a few of the concrete tools taught by certified instructors and business experts. By attending this class, you can learn how to evaluate the opportunities on paper before you look for funding or take action (saving money and time). REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Food for Profit will meet from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm., on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at the Chesapeake Culinary Center, 512 Franklin Street, Denton, MD 21629. The tuition cost of $55 per person which includes all materials and lunch. Registration is through the University of Maryland Extension Eventbrite on-line system* at https://ffp-oct30.eventbrite.com or by calling 301-432-2767 ext. 301. to obtain a mail in registration form. For further information about workshop content or require special assistance to participate in this program, please contact Ginger S. Myers, University of Maryland Extension Specialist at gsmyers@umd.edu, 301-432-2767 ext.338. Pre-payment and registration are required for this workshop. Registration deadline is Friday, October 19, 2018.

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University of Maryland Extension

Releases Farm Stress Management Online Resources

By Laura Wormuth UME Communications Coordinator

lwormuth@umd.edu

The University of Maryland Extension (UME) announces the release of a new web page devoted to assisting farm families in dealing with stress management through difficult economic times.

“Farm Stress Management,” released in conjunction with National Suicide Prevention week Sept. 9-15, is a set interdisciplinary resources to help farmers navigate the numerous publications online and provide timely, science-based education and information to support prosperous farms and healthy farm families.

Farm families are feeling the stress of an inconsistent and unreliable economy; declining incomes, several years of low commodity prices, and increasing costs have allied to worsening debt issues. Farmers have been forced to parcel off their land, file for bankruptcy, and take secondary jobs off the farm to provide supplemental income.

Access to affordable and effective health insurance and care is one of the top concerns among farmers who are often self-employed. Providing health insurance, disability coverage, and planning for retirement and long-term future care have also proven problematic. In fact, in a USDA-funded study, 45 percent of farmers were concerned that they would have to sell some or all of their farm to address health-related costs.

The new web pages offer resources to manage farm stress through a variety of subject areas including financial management, legal aid, mediation, stress and health management, and crisis resources for families dealing with depression substance abuse, mental health concerns.

Farms have a special role in American society and are critical to our national and local economies. With world populations expected to increase to a predicted 9 billion by 2050, farmers become even more crucial for feeding our communities. Healthy farms and healthy farm families promote rural community growth, environmental stewardship and cultural legacies. The new UME online resources can be found at: https://extension.umd.edu/FarmStressManagement. For more information, please contact Laura Wormuth, UME Communications Coordinator, at 301-405-6869 or lwormuth@umd.edu

Nutrient Management Plan Writing Workshops Offered September 21 and 28 The Maryland Department of Agriculture and University of Maryland Extension will offer two, one-day workshops titled, How to Write a Nutrient Management Plan. The first workshop will be held September 21 at the Montgomery Extension Office in Derwood, and the second workshop will be held September 28 at the Wye Research and Education Center in Queenstown. The workshops are designed for people who are new to the nutrient management plan-writing process. Participants will learn how write a nutrient management plan using NuMan Pro, the nutrient management planning software program while earning six credit hours toward the Maryland Nutrient Management Program’s continuing education requirement. The $20 registration fee covers materials and lunch. Register by mail before September 15by calling 410-841-5959 or visiting the program’s website. Lawn Care Professionals Must Be Certified to Apply Fertilizer The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds citizens that Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law requires lawn care professionals to be certified and licensed by the department to apply fertilizer to the lawns that they manage. A list of Certified Lawn Care Professionals is available on the department’s website.

Mark your Calendars! 2018 AGNR Open House

Saturday, October 6th from 10:00 am-3:00 pm at the Central Maryland Research and Educator Center located at 4240 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042

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The Maryland Department of Agriculture's Pesticide Regulation Section has been maintaining a pesticide sensitive crop locator list for the last several years. As you know, the sensitive crop locator is a voluntary program that allows growers to enter their sensitive crop location and allows applicators to access the database to possibly change-up their pesticide tank mix, if applying a volatile product to a nearby tank. Again, this is strictly a voluntary program. As this program has gotten a little cumbersome for us to maintain and the fact that the database seems to be suffering from growth issues, MDA is currently in discussions with Fieldwatch/Driftwatch to develop and take over Maryland's program. It will still operate as a voluntary program. Fieldwatch has been in operation for several years and currently operates Driftwatch is several states. The program also contains Beecheck. Beecheck is a program that will allow beekeepers to mark their colonies on the driftwatch map. It also gives the beekeepers an option to remain "private" so that only MDA Licensees and certified applicators can access the information. If all goes as planned, we hope to have the new system operational by January. Fieldwatch will meet with us and to attend recertification meetings, as time allows, to introduce the program. They also have PR material that they will be sharing with MDA.

Visit the Driftwatch website at: https://driftwatch.org/ Rob Hofstetter, Entomologist Supervisor Enforcement/Special Programs Coordinator Maryland Department of Agriculture Pesticide Regulation Section 50 Harry S Truman Parkway Annapolis, MD 21401 Ph: 410-841-5710 Fax: 410-841-2765 rob.hofstetter@maryland.gov 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. The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to any person and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.

See the Attachments!

1. Agricultural Conservation Leasing Workshops

Vegetable & Fruit News A timely publication for the commercial vegetable and fruit industry available electronically in 2018 from April through October on the following dates: April 26, May 24, June 19, July 26, August 23, September 20 and October 25 (Special Research & Meeting Edition).

Published by the University of Maryland Extension Focus Teams 1) Agriculture and Food Systems; and 2) Environment and Natural Resources. Submit Articles to: Editor, R. David Myers, Extension Educator Agriculture and Natural Resources 97 Dairy Lane Gambrills, MD 21054 410 222-3906 myersrd@umd.edu Article submission deadlines for 2018 at 4:30 p.m. on: April 25, May 23, June 18, July 25, August 22, September 19 and October 24 (Special Research Edition).

Why are conservation practices less common on leased farmland?Lack of communication ● Lack of knowledge ● Lack of security in the rental relationship

These train-the-trainer workshops will give agricultural service providers communication and leasing strategiesto help landowners and farmers overcome the challenges of implementing conservation practices on leased

farm land. Interested landowners and farmers are also encouraged to attend! Nutrient Management Continuing Education Credits Available!

Intro Webinar 11/15/18

12:00.-1:00 p.m.

Lower Shore 12/10/18

8 a.m. – 3 p.m. 31901 Tri-County

WaySalisbury, MD21804

Mid-Shore1/8/19

8 am – 3 pm Chesapeake College

HPAC 127, 1000 College Circle

Wye Mills, MD 21679

Southern MD 1/17/19

8 am – 3 pmCharles County Soil

Conservation District 4200 Gardiner Rd

Waldorf, MD 20601

Western MD 1/23/19

8 am – 3 pm Frederick County

Extension Office 330 Montevue Ln

Frederick, MD 21702

Central MD 1/28/19

8 am – 3 pm Baltimore County

Ag CenterCockeysville, MD, 21030

More information and registration available at: https://agresearch.umd.edu/agroecolFor questions, translation assistance, and/or special accommodations contact:

Nancy Nunn, 410-827-8056 or nnunn@umd.edu.

Agricultural Conservation Leasing Workshops