CORNVILLE — The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is set to offer a course, Integrated Disease and Weed Management in Christmas Tree Production, from 3-6:30 p.m. Friday, June 14, at Quinn’s Tree Farm, 290 West Ridge Road.
Participants can learn how to apply crop protectants using backpack sprayers safely and efficiently. Other topics covered include the life cycles of common needle cast pathogens in Maine and how to manage these diseases, and IPM strategies for both broadleaf and grass weeds that commonly impact Christmas tree production. Participants can earn three pesticide credits.
Speakers include UMaine Extension faculty Brett Johnson and Alicyn Smart, as well as Extension pesticide safety education program professional Kerry Bernard. Johnson is the Extension’s sustainable agriculture and farm business management educator and statewide contact for Maine’s Christmas tree producers.
Smart is UMaine Extension plant pathologist. She also directs the Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab, the Regional Center for the Northeast Diagnostic Network, and serves as deputy executive director of the National Plant Diagnostic Network.
Bernard coordinates the pesticide safety program at the Extension, which supports commercial producers and other applicators by providing educational materials to prepare for licensing exams through the Board of Pesticides Control.
The suggested donation for this class is $15. Registration is required at umaine-extension by Thursday, June 13.
For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, call 207-342-5971 or email [email protected].