AGENDA

8:00 - 8:50 Organic Waste Products as Soil Amendments...Andrew Ristvey, UME

9:00 - 9:50 Updates on Invasive Landscape Insect Pests...Lauren Nixon, UME

10:00 - 10:50 Aquatic Weed Control...Suzanne Boom, Longwood Gardens

11:00 - 11:50 How Fertility Directly Affects Turf Pest Control...Ginny Rosenkranz, UME

12:00 - 12:30 LUNCH

12:30 - 1:00 When and Why you Need to Call 811...Jason Lyon, Delmarva 811

1:00 - 1:50 Right of Way...Dwayne Joseph, UME

2:00 - 2:50 What Diseases are Damaging the Landscapes?...Anna Cristina Palma, UMD

3:00 - 3:50 MDA Pesticide Update...Billy Carmen, MDA

CREDITS/CEU:

MDA Pesticide Credits: (Forestry) 3A, C (Ornamentals and Turf) 5 (Aquatic) 6 (Right of Way) 10 (Demonstration & Research)

Virginia Pesticide Credits: 3A, C (Ornamentals and Turf) 5 (Aquatic) 6 (Right of Way) 10 (Demonstration & Research)

Delaware Pesticide Credits: 3A, C (Ornamentals and Turf) 5 (Aquatic) 6 (Right of Way) 10 (Demonstration & Research)

District of Columbia Credits:

Pennsylvania Credits:

MDA-NM Certification: 2 CEUs for Professional Fertilizer Applicator (PFA) 8

ISA: 3 CEUs, Maryland Tree Expert

LTE: 4.0 CEUs

Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional: 4 CEUs

CHP: 1 CEU (self-reporting on the MNLGA website)

Join us for a workshop focusing on pruning fundamentals to enhance yield, fruit quality, and long-term plant health for apples, peaches, blueberries, blackberries, etc. The program will begin at The Mill and conclude with hands-on pruning demonstrations at the University of Maryland, Lower Eastern Shore Research and Extension Center, where participants will practice techniques and receive guided instruction and feedback.

Learn how to avoid the 8 common mistakes of DIY landscaping.  From planning to pruning, mistakes can be made when landscaping.  Get advice from a pro.  The more you know, the better it will go!

Discover the beauty and ecology of moss on this guided Master Gardener hike at Irvine Nature Center. We’ll explore the wooded trails, learn about moss identification, and discuss how these small plants contribute to the health of forests and gardens. Please be prepared for the weather and to hike outdoors in uneven terrain.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity, please contact Stephanie Pully at pully@umd.edu or (301) 226-7616 before April 13, 2026.

Join University of Maryland Extension Educator, Jennifer Dixon Cravens, for an informative session on how to maintain a healthy diet during the spring season. Whether you are looking to boost your energy levels or simply eat more nutritiously, this event is perfect for you. We'll cover tips, recipes, and much more to help you make the most out of your meals this spring. Don't miss out!

Join University of Maryland Extension Educator, Jennifer Dixon Cravens, for a fun and informative online event where we'll explore the world of healthy cooking with herbs and spices! Learn how to enhance the flavor of your dishes while keeping them safe to eat. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, there is something for everyone in this session.

Join University of Maryland Extension Educator, Jennifer Dixon Cravens, for an insightful discussion on the power of seasonal foods and what to eat to help prevent and manage chronic illnesses. Learn how simple dietary changes can have a big impact on your health. Whether you're a foodie or a health enthusiast, this event is perfect for anyone looking to boost their well-being through the foods they eat. Don't miss out! 

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 
  Dr. Galvin Alonzo Ortiz, 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