In this Issue:

POSTHARVEST PHYSIOLOGY
- Articles on the Web (Postharvest Physiology)

HORTICULTURE
- Fall Application of Herbicides
- Scout Your Fields for Weeds

SMALL FRUIT
- Southeast Strawberry Expo - November 6-8, 2005
- North American Berry Conference - January 4-6, 2006

OTHER
- New Apple Harvest Training Video Available From PSU Cooperative Extension
- Apples Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer, Cornell Study Says
- Note from the FTN Coordinator

UPCOMING EVENTS
- Educational Opportunities

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HORTICULTURE

FALL APPLICATION OF HERBICIDES:
At last winter's tree fruit meetings I tried to stress the use of fall applications of herbicides. The main reason to look at this option is to reduce the dependency on a single spring application. Fall application will help control some of the winter annuals, such as the mustards, that creep in and prevent good coverage with your spring applied pre-emergent herbicides. Fall application also allows you to apply your spring herbicides a little later. The later application in the spring also means that you will get better control of weeds into the fall. Try the fall application on part of your orchard and see the potential it provides.

SCOUT YOUR FIELDS FOR WEEDS:
Fall after, or during, harvest is the ideal time to scout your fields for problem weeds. You should note those areas where perennial weeds are present and plan to take control appropriate control measures. Check the edge of your orchards as well. Some weed species can become problematic as they move from the orchard edge or from adjacent fields and become established in the tree rows. Treating problem weeds that are currently only on the edge of your orchards or in adjacent fields will prevent their introduction into the orchard. Many of these problem weeds are easier to treat before they enter the orchard than once they are established in the orchard. Control of perennial weeds is generally a 2 or 3 year proposition. Investing some time each year will keep these pests to a manageable level in your orchards.

If you need help in identifying weeds there are several web sites that have good pictorial presentations of weeds. The following sites may be of use to you

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POSTHARVEST PHYSIOLOGY

ARTICLES ON THE WEB:
"Lenticel Breakdown of Gala Apples" by Eugene Kupferman describes current research and provides practical advice for dealing with lenticel breakdown on the packingline.
http://postharvest.tfrec.wsu.edu/EMK2005A.pdf

"Bin and Storage Room Sanitation" by Peter L. Sholberg describes the effectiveness of various bin and room sanitizers.
http://postharvest.tfrec.wsu.edu/PC2004F.pdf

"Fruit Skin Disorders" by Larry Schrader, Jianshe Sun, Jianguang Zhang, Jeong-Hak Seo, Leo Jedlow and David Felicetti characterizes skin disorders and causes in several apple varieties.
http://postharvest.tfrec.wsu.edu/PC2004E.pdf
(from Chris Sater, WSU-TFREC)

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SMALL FRUIT

Those of you interested in strawberry plasticulture should find the meeting below to be of interest. Here's an abbreviated press release from the North Carolina Strawberry Association:

SOUTHEAST STRAWBERRY EXPO IS NOVEMBER 6-8, 2005:
Growers have discovered that if you are interested in the commercial production of strawberries on plastic, the Southeast Strawberry Expo is one of the best places to learn about it. This year's Expo will be held November 6-8, 2005 at the Sheraton Imperial in Research Triangle Park, NC. The conference starts Sunday morning, Nov. 6, with two intensive workshops. One is a "New Grower Strawberry Plasticulture Workshop" for growers considering strawberries, just getting started, or in their first year or two. It will feature the expertise of Ron and Sonny Cottle, of Cottle Farms, one of the leading producers and nursery suppliers in the Southeast, and Dr. Barclay Poling, NC State University's strawberry extension specialist. The other pre-conference workshop, tentatively titled "Connecting with Customers," will focus on developing practical marketing plans. In the afternoon, a farm tour will visit several successful farms and markets in the Sanford, NC area, finishing with an informal BBQ dinner at one of the farms.

The main conference begins Monday morning, Nov. 7, and runs through noon on Tuesday, Nov. 8. It includes presentations, breakout sessions, and a tradeshow of suppliers to the strawberry industry: plants, containers, irrigation, equipment, and more. Growers will be prominently featured throughout the Strawberry Expo program. Two general sessions showcase "Grower Spotlight" farms: Eric Hunter from Easley, SC, and Donny Fulks of Fredericksburg, VA (Belevedere Farm). The banquet speaker will be Marvin Brown, a Florida grower known for his insight, leadership, and innovation. Growers will also share their experiences in breakout sessions-often informal roundtables-- on organic strawberry production, school tours, finding markets for peak production, and "Tools of the Trade". North Carolina's highly respected extension specialists will share their knowledge on Diagnosing Plant Problems, Using Methyl Bromide Alternatives, Developing Healthy Soil, and Achieving Optimum Yields. Other sessions will focus on PR & the Media, Value-added Opportunities, Starting Small in Agritainment, and Diversifying into Crops Before and After Strawberries.

For more information and a registration form, contact the NC Strawberry Association at 1138 Rock Rest Rd., Pittsboro, NC 27312, ncstrawberry@mindspring.com, or 919-542-3687 or visit www.ncstrawberry.com. The host hotel, the Sheraton Imperial, is on Interstate-40, only a few minutes away from the Raleigh-Durham airport, and only half an hour from Raleigh or Durham. Reservations may be made by calling 919-941-5050. Mention the "Strawberry Expo" to receive the special conference rate.

p.s. Interested in sustainable and organic agriculture and strawberries? Take in back-to-back conferences: The 20th Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association will be held Nov. 4-6 only a few minutes away in downtown Durham. For more information, visit www.carolinafarmstewards.com or call 919-542-2402.
(Kathy Demchak, Dept. of Horticulture, PSU)

NORTH AMERICAN BERRY CONFERENCE, January 4-6, 2006:
Please note that North American Berry Conference is being held more than a month earlier than usual. Because of this, those planning to attend need to register and make other arrangements earlier than in other years. This meeting is being held at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center in Savannah, GA, and is immediately followed by the SE Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference January 6-8. Speakers and topics tentatively scheduled for the berry conference are:

Dr. David Handley, Univ. of Maine (two topics): 1) The Strawberry Plant: What You Need to Know, and 2) Insect ID, Scouting, and Management

Shannon Mangnuson, Chesterfield Berry Farm, VA: Building Services around Your Crop

Dr. Carl Sams, Univ. of TN: Biofumigation with Composting for Soil Borne Pests

William Beckham, AgFirst Farm Credit Bank, SC: Return per Hour Profit (tentative title)

Bob Gray, Four Corners Farm, VT: Using Alternative Techniques to Meet Market Demands

Dr. Craig Chandler, Univ. of FL: Choosing Your Cultivar and Growing Method for Profitability

Dr. Eric Siderman, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Assoc.: Growing Organic

Jen Arter, Walnut Springs Farm, MD: The ABC's of Getting and Keeping School Tour Business

Dr. John Duval, Consultant, FL: Drip Irrigation

Norine Larson, Consultant, MN (two topics): 1) Selecting and Hiring for Good Retention, and 2) Training Employees to Work Together

Dr. Shahrokh Khanizadeh, Hort. Res. and Devel. Center, Quebec: Strawberry Cultivars and Breeding

Farmer-to-Farmer Discussion Sessions: 1) Marketing: Ideas and Opportunities, hosted by Anne Geyer and 2) Production: Challenges to Profitability, hosted by Rudy Heeman
Showcases: Cottle Strawberry Nursery, NC, and Lane Packing Company, GA

Additional details provided by the North American Strawberry Growers Association:
NASGA is emphasizing the importance of registering early for the 2006 conference because of the date change. Registration materials are available on the NASGA website, www.nasga.org.

Wednesday's sessions will offer two concurrent tracks, one on production and one on making your business profitable (topics above). Thursday will feature a tour for attendees of both the Berry Conference and the Regional Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference. Friday's morning's general sessions will highlight pest management, a local grower and marketing information.

Registration is separate for both conferences. For information on the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable conference, visit their website, http://www.gfvga.org/).

NASGA is a multi-country organization of approximately 300 members, primarily small production growers that specialize in pick your own or farm market sales, along with the research community and suppliers that support them. For more information visit their website: www.nasga.org.
(Submitted by: K. Demchak, Dept. of Horticulture)

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OTHER

NEW APPLE HARVEST TRAINING VIDEO AVAILABLE FROM PSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION:
Harvest Success: A Guide to Better Apple Picking is now available from Penn State Cooperative Extension. This 14 minute Spanish/English production is designed to help orchardists better train their workers on proper apple harvesting techniques. The video covers six main topics: work preparation (proper dress, water, equipment), ladder skills (carrying a ladder, setting a ladder, tripod ladders), picking (the roll pick method, placing fruit in the picking bag, picking don'ts), spot picking, and transportation (bin hauling, stacking). Filmed in a Pennsylvania orchard using actual apple harvesters, this video is particularly suited for Mid-Atlantic orchardists looking to reduce harvest bruising - get yours today! This production is available in both DVD and VHS formats for $35 (includes both the Spanish and English versions) from Penn State Cooperative Extension of Adams County. To order, or for more information, contact Matt Harsh (717-334-6271 ext. 321, rmh27@psu.edu) or Amber Lockawich (717-263-9226, all180@psu.edu).
(submitted by Matt Harsh, Adams County Extension)

APPLES REDUCE THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER, CORNELL STUDY SAYS: VIENNA, Va.
An apple a day may keep breast cancer away, according to a study published this spring by food scientists at Cornell University - important news for women as October is recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"Women should be aware that apples can be easily implemented into a cancer-preventing diet," said Wendy Davis, R.D., a nutritionist for the U.S. Apple Association. "Disease-fighting antioxidants found in apples and apple products promote overall good health throughout life."

The Cornell researchers treated animals with a known mammary carcinogen and then fed them whole apple extracts. The study found that tumor incidence was reduced by as much as 44 percent. The phytonutrients in apples, rich in antioxidants, are credited for their cancer-fighting abilities.

"Our findings suggest that consumers may gain more significant health benefits by eating more fruits and vegetables and whole grain foods than in consuming expensive dietary supplements, which do not contain the same array of balanced, complex components," said Dr. Rui Hai Liu, Cornell Associate Professor of Food Science, the lead author of the study.

Other studies have found that apples may not only reduce the risk of cancer, but also the risk of heart disease and diabetes. In addition, other studies even show that apples may help dieters lose weight.
(News release from The U.S. Apple Association-USApple-the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry)

NOTE FROM THE FTN COORDINATOR
Based on the request from the county-based extension educators, during the 2005 season the Fruit Times Newsletter will be available only once per month. Ms. Karen Weaver will be compiling the FTN and distributing it to our electronic subscribers. Karen can be contacted by phone (717) 677-6116 ext. 0 or by e-mail: ksw5@psu.edu.

Listed below is the remaining date for this year FTN schedule:
Nov. 29, 2005

Please send all materials to be included in the newsletter to Karen no later than the day of publication at 10:00 AM. Your assistance in meeting this deadline is highly appreciated.
If you have any questions or suggestions for the newsletter please feel free to contact me.
Thank you.
(Greg Krawczyk)

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UPCOMING EVENTS

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:
Wednesday, November 9, 2005 (see article below)
Young Grower Tour of Brown's Orchards and Farm Market, Loganville, PA.
The tour group will leave the Adams County Agricultural and Natural Resources Center at 9:30 am and return around 2:00 pm. Van transportation will be provided. Please pre-register by contacting Tara Baugher (tab36@psu.edu) or Matt Harsh (rmh27@psu.edu).

Monday, December 19, 2005 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
In-Depth Fruit School on Intensive Fruit Production-A Systems Approach (see below)
Featuring Presentations by Dr. Dave Ferree, Ohio State Professor Emeritus and expert on light management in intensive systems and Steve Hoying, Cornell Pomologist with 20 years experience researching tree fruit planting systems
Adams County Agricultural and Natural Resources Center, Gettysburg, PA
Contact Person: Tara Baugher, tab36@psu.edu or 717-334-6271, ext. 314
Please pre-register by completing the form at the end of this issue of Fruit Times.

Monday, December 19, 2005 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Pruning Workshop for Fruit Growers and Employees, Presented in both Spanish and English
Basic Pruning Principles and New Strategies to Improve Fruit Quality in High-Density Plantings (No charge or pre-registration for coming to just this portion of the In-Depth Fruit School on Intensive Fruit Production)
Location TBA
Contact Person: Tara Baugher, tab36@psu.edu or 717-334-6271, ext. 314

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Next Mid-Atlantic Young Grower Tour: Wednesday, November 9th
Brown's Orchards and Farm Market, Loganville, PA

The tour group will leave the Adams County Agricultural and Natural Resources Center at 9:30 AM and return around 2:00 PM. Van transportation will be provided.
Please sign up for the tour by contacting Tara Baugher (tab36@psu.edu) or Matt Harsh (rmh27@psu.edu).

Nestled among the rolling hills of Southern York County, yet not far off the well-beaten path, is a place where old and new memories meet. Brown's is a feast not only for the taste buds, but the eye and the mind as well.
A store unlike any other, it has grown from humble beginnings as a roadside produce stand into a thriving Central Pennsylvania business dedicated to serving friends and family from all over. www.brownsorchards.com/ - Brown's Family

 

Cider Safety Course
The Penn State Department of Food Science will be offering a 1-day cider safety course at 3 locations in Pennsylvania this November. This training opportunity has been approved by the PA Department of Agriculture as a certified course that meets the requirements set forth in the Pennsylvania Food Employee Certification Act (Title 7, Chapter 76). Under the Act, all cider makers in Pennsylvania must become FECA certified by attending a food safety class and passing an exam.

To reserve a seat, please register by November 1, 2005.

The Penn State Cider Safety Course: A 1-day workshop is offered at 3 locations:

Cider makers and others not covered under the Pennsylvania regulation but who wish to increase their knowledge of food safety and sanitation control measures associated with juice and cider processing

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

PROGRAM AGENDA:

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

The registration fee is $110 per person and will cover lunch, refreshment breaks, presentation handouts, and additional reference materials.

Seating is limited - Please Register Early!!
Registration is due by November 1

You may pay by check or credit card. If paying by check, make payable to Penn State University

Mail check or credit card information and completed registration form to:

For further information on the course or directions to the course, contact:

Or visit the Penn State Cider Safety Course Web Site foodsafety.psu.edu//SaferCider.html

REGISTRATION FORM

Course Date/Location (Circle one):

Sat 11/12 - State College

Mon 11/14 - Mercer

Fri 11/18 - Leesport

Your Name (Please Print): _______________________________________________

Your Company or Affiliation:______________________________________________

Street Address: _______________________________________________________

City: _____________________________________________
State: ____________________________________________
Zip Code: _________________________________________

Daytime Telephone (plus area code): ____________________

E-mail: ___________________________________________

If paying with a credit card, please provide the following information:

Credit Card Number: __________________________________________

Credit Card Type:_____________________________________________

Expiration Date: ______________________________________________

Cardholder's Mailing Address: ___________________________________

City: _______________________________________________________
State: ______________________________________________________
Zip Code: ___________________________________________________

Authorization Signature: ________________________________________

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FUTURE OF OUR FOOD & FARMS SUMMIT - Wednesday, December 14, 2005
The 7th Annual Future of Our Food & Farms Summit in conjunction with the 2nd Annual Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Commodity Processing Food Show presents:

Penn State Extension In-Depth Fruit School
Monday, December 19, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Adams County Agricultural and Natural Resources Center
670 Old Harrisburg Rd., Gettysburg, PA

Topics:

Guest Speakers:

Penn State Speakers:

Registration Form for Intensive Fruit Production Workshop:

Name________________________________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________________________

Number Planning to Attend ______________ X $45 = Total Enclosed _____________________
(Please make checks payable to "PSCE Program Fund.")
Registration fee includes lunch and an educational packet.

Please send payment and this form by December 5th to:

Contact Person: Sharon Baker, 717-334-6271, ext. 348; slb37@psu.edu
(Registration fee must be prepaid at the time of registration. No refunds will be given after the due date. No confirmations will be mailed.)

To charge your Visa or Mastercard, fill in the information below and sign.
(Please make sure your credit card billing address and address above match.)

Account Number: ______________________________________________

Expiration Date: _______________________________________________

Cardholder Name: _____________________________________________

Signature: ___________________________________________________

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, contact Penn State Extension, at 334-6271, in advance of your participation or visit. This publication is available in alternative media upon request. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.