These are recordings of the presentations given during the Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association of Delaware annual educational meeting, which was held January 11-14, 2021. Talks from each of the four sessions are available for viewing by clicking on the talk title links below.
FVGAD Fruit Session (Monday)
Strawberry Renovation and Carryover
Dr. Gordon Johnson, Extension Vegetable and Fruit Specialist, University of Delaware reviews recommended practices for matted row and plasticulture strawberry renovation and carryover.
USDA Strawberry Breeding and Low Tunnel Production
Dr. Kim Lewers, Research Geneticist, USDA-ARS presents information on new varieties released by her program, her low tunnel production system for day neutral strawberries and labor-saving crop management innovations.
Disease Management in Strawberries
Dr. Mark Hoffman, Small Fruits Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor, North Carolina State University discusses old and new strawberry diseases and scouting and management tools.
Robotics and Ultraviolet Light – The Progress and Future of Non-Chemical Treatments
Adam Stager, Founder/CEO TRIC Robotics LLC presents results from trials of his robotic system to apply UV-C light to strawberry fields for pest and disease control.
High Tunnel Berry Production Niches, Challenges, and Solutions
Kathy Demchak, Senior Extension Associate, Penn State University shares recommendations and tips for production of various berry crops in high tunnels
Insect Management in Small Fruit and Tree Fruit
Dr. David Owens, Extension Entomologist, University of Delaware covers control options and ID tips for a variety of fruit pests.
FVGAD General Session (Tuesday) – Produce Food Safety, Covid-19, Extreme Weather, and Labor Issues
Produce Food Safety Regulatory Updates, Food Safety Outreach
Representatives from the Delaware Department of Agriculture provide regulatory updates for the FSMA Produce Rule and Dr. Gordon Johnson from the University of Delaware discusses food safety outreach activities and a proposed FDA rule on produce traceability.
Moving Forward in the Era of COVID; Recent Produce Food Borne Illness Outbreaks
Dr. Kali Kniel, Professor of Microbial Food Safety, University of Delaware gives an update on Covid-19 including vaccines and discusses recent produce food borne illness outbreaks in 2010.
Climate Trends
Kevin Brinson, Director, Delaware Center for Environmental Monitoring & Analysis at the University of Delaware provides information on climate trends in Delaware including precipitation and temperature and impacts of storms in the region.
Weather Extremes and the Vegetable and Fruit Industry
Dr. Gordon Johnson, Extension Vegetable and Fruit Specialist and Dr. Emmalea Ernest, Associate Scientist, Extension Fruit and Vegetable Program, University of Delaware provide information on the impacts of heat, excess precipitation, and other weather extremes on vegetables and fruits.
Climate and Extreme Weather Adaptation Roundtable
A panel including Dr. Gordon Johnson, Extension Vegetable and Fruit Specialist, Dr. Emmalea Ernest, Associate Scientist, Extension Fruit and Vegetable Program, James Adkins, Irrigation Engineer, Dr. Jarrod Miller, Extension Agronomist, Dr. Mark VanGessel, Professor and Extension Weed Science Specialist, University of Delaware and Dave Marvel Jr., FVGAD President discuss weather adaptation including breeding programs, drainage ,salt inundation, understanding nitrogen losses, weed management in warmer winters, and spreading risk with field locations.
Labor Issues Roundtable
A panel including Kenny Bounds, Delaware Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Sherese Brewington-Carr, Delaware Department of Labor and Dave Marvel Jr., FVGAD President discuss labor issues including protecting farm workers from Covid-19, vaccinations for farm workers, guest worker programs, and labor programs for agriculture in Delaware.
Handouts:
COVID-19 Health Care Advisory for Migrant Workers in Delaware
Foreign Labor Certification (FLC) Fact Sheet
Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Services Brochure
FVGAD Fresh Market Vegetable Session (Wednesday)
Research Update – Watermelon, Tomato, Broccoli, Particle Film
Dr. Gordon Johnson, Extension Vegetable and Fruit Specialist, University of Delaware shares results from watermelon, broccoli and tomato variety trials and discusses research on stress reduction in vegetables using particle films.
Research Updates on Cauliflower, Specialty Melons, and Shade Cloth
Dr. Emmalea Ernest, Associate Scientist, Extension Fruit and Vegetable Program, University of Delaware provides variety trial results for cauliflower and specialty melons and shares information on use of shade cloth for stress management in peppers.
Vegetable Disease Updates
Dr. Andy Wyenandt, Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology, Rutgers shares information on the biology and management of bacterial spot, downy mildew, anthracnose, powdery mildew, and other diseases of vegetables
Insect Updates on Watermelon, Sweet Corn, Tomato, Cabbage, Kale
Dr. David Owens, Extension Entomologist, University of Delaware discusses the biology and control of mite and insect pests in fresh market vegetables including spider mites, worm complexes, rind feeders, aphids, and beetles.
Update on Weed Management for Fresh Market Vegetables
Dr. Mark VanGessel, Professor and Extension Weed Science Specialist, University of Delaware provides information on weed biology and control in vegetables as well as herbicide updates.
High Tunnel Projects at DSU
Dr. Rose Ogutu, Horticulture Specialist, Delaware State University discusses research and extension programs in high tunnel vegetable production with an emphasis on Integrated Pest Management and the use of beneficials to manage insects and mites.
FVGAD Processing Vegetable Session (Thursday)
Research Updates and Variety Trials in Peas, Lima Beans and Snap Beans
Dr. Emmalea Ernest, Associate Scientist, Extension Fruit and Vegetable Program, University of Delaware provides variety trial results and an update on the UD lima bean breeding program.
Research Update on Pickling Cucumbers; New and Re-Emerging Processing Vegetables Project
Dr. Gordon Johnson, Extension Vegetable and Fruit Specialist, University of Delaware shares variety trial results from yield stability trials for parthenocarpic pickling cucumber and introduces a new research initiative on processing vegetables.
Snap Bean Weed Survey and Weed Control Updates
Dr. Mark VanGessel, Professor and Extension Weed Science Specialist, University of Delaware and Dr. Kurt Vollmer, Weed Management Specialist, University of Maryland discuss the latest weed control recommendations for processing vegetables, including post emergence applications for lima bean.
Insect Management in Processing Vegetables
Dr. David Owens, Extension Entomologist, University of Delaware discusses insect management in sweet corn, lima bean and snap bean.
More Than Meets the Eye: Soilborne Diseases in Processing Vegetables
Dr. Alyssa Koehler, Extension Plant Pathologist, University of Delaware reviews the biology and management of nematodes, oomycete and fungal pathogens that are soilborne.
COVID-19 in 2021
Dr. Kali Kniel, Professor in Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware discusses keeping workers and customers safe from COVID-19 and the outlook for the pandemic in 2021, including vaccine distribution.