Western Maryland Regional Fruit Meeting

Western Maryland Regional Fruit Meeting 

Keedysville, MD – The University of Maryland's Western Maryland Research and Education Center is excited to announce the annual Western Maryland Regional Fruit Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 2026. This valuable event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756. 

Join us for a comprehensive day dedicated to the commercial fruit industry. This meeting provides commercial fruit growers with the latest updates in pesticide and nutrient management, regulatory changes, and recent research. Sessions are led by industry experts and University of Maryland Extension specialists, offering practical guidance and new insights to support successful fruit production. Attending this meeting counts toward recertification for continuing education credits (CEUs) for individuals holding a current and valid license in Maryland and West Virginia for Pesticide Recertification Training and Maryland Nutrient Management Voucher. 

The cost to attend the workshop is $40* before February 5, 2026, and $45* thereafter. Your registration fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and educational handouts. Don’t miss the opportunity to expand your knowledge and connect with fellow industry professionals. For more information and to register, please visit https://go.umd.edu/WMFM 

*There is an additional processing fee from Eventbrite to pay by credit card.

MAIL-IN REGISTRATION: Downloadable PDF Fruit Meeting registration form

Agenda (subject to change)

MORNING SESSION

• 8:30 a.m. - Registration & Continental Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m. - Introductions & Program Overview
  Dr. Joseph Fiola, Specialist in Viticulture and Small Fruit, UME, WMREC, Keedysville, MD.
• 9:10 a.m. - Nutrient Management Update & Recertification
  Bryan Harris, Implementation Coordinator, NMP, MDA, Annapolis, MD
• 9:40 a.m. - Pesticide Regulatory Update & Recertification 
  Rob Hofstetter, Program Manager, Pesticide Regulation Section, MDA, Annapolis, MD
• 10:10 a.m. - Break & Visit Displays
• 10:30 a.m. - Connecting the Dots Between Winter Injury and Rapid Apple Decline
  Dr. Lisa Tang, Research Horticulturist, USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV
• 10:55 a.m. -  From Lab to Field: Understand Root Architecture in Drought Responses of Apple Rootstocks 
  Dr. Brett Shelly, Horticulturist, USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV
• 11:20 p.m. - Orchard and Nursery Trials with Our Patented Maryland Apple Trees - Speeding Up the Process
  Dr. Chris Walsh, Emeritus Professor, Horticulture, PSLA, UMD
• 12:00 p.m. - Lunch & Visit Displays

AFTERNOON SESSION

• 1:00 p.m. - Maryland State Horticultural Society (MSHS) & Maryland Apple Promotion Board Update
  Chuck Schuster, MSHS Executive Director; Bill Gardenhour, Apple Promotion Board Update, Gardenhour Orchards, Smithsburg, MD
• 1:15 p.m. - Strawberry Neopestalotiopsis and its Impact in Mid-Atlantic Strawberry Fields 
  Dr. Mengjun Hu, Associate Professor of Plant Pathology or Samantha Ann Hasselhoff, Research Graduate Assistant, Plant Pathology, PSLA, UMD
• 1:40 p.m.-  The Effect of Fumigants on the Inoculum of Strawberry Neopestalotiopsis Species 
  Post-Doctoral Candidate, Plant Pathology, PSLA, UMD
• 2:10 p.m. -  Strategies for Managing Pome Fruit Rots 
  Dr. Tami Collum, Plant Pathologist, USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV
• 2:35 p.m. - Break
  2:55 p.m. - Slug and SWD Management Reminders
  Dr. Kelly Hamby, Associate Professor/Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology, UMD
• 3:25 p.m. - Updates on Plum Curculio and Lepidopteran Decision Support Tools and Management Tactics
  Brian Ruether, Research Scientist and Tracy Leskey, Director/Research Leader, Entomology USDA
• 3:55 p.m. - Discussion Questions, Comments, Pesticide and Nutrient Management Recertification, Program Evaluation, and Adjourn