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STATE COLLEGE -- In early 2025, Penn State Extension will offer a series of in-person and virtual events to update produce growers on what happened across the state during the most recent growing season, share university research and provide opportunities for pesticide applicators to earn Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator recertification credits.
The "Produce Grower Update" workshop will occur in February and March in various locations. This in-person workshop covers research updates for vegetable and small fruit production, industry trends and pesticide safety and sustainability. Participants can choose from the following locations:
-- Center Valley: 1-3:30 p.m., Feb. 12, Penn State Lehigh Valley, 2809 Saucon Valley Road, Room 135.
-- Loganton: 8:30-11 a.m.. Feb. 17, Sugar Valley Rural Charter School, 236 E. Main St.
-- Brockway: 10 a.m.-noon, Feb. 22, Brockway Area High School, 100 Alexander St.
-- Belleville: 9:30 a.m.-noon, Feb. 28, Belleville Community Hall, 11 Walnut St.
-- Butler: Workshop will be offered three times, from 10 a.m.-noon on Feb. 28, March 11 and March 20, Penn State Extension Butler County office, 101 Motor Pool Way.
-- Monaca: 1-3 p.m. March 4, Penn State Beaver Student Union Building, 100 University Drive, Room 16.
-- Erie: 1-3 p.m. March 12, Knowledge Park, 5240 Knowledge Parkway.
Virtual events will include:
-- "Bacterial Diseases in Tomato," 10 a.m.-noon, Feb. 13. This webinar will feature strategies to manage bacterial diseases in tomatoes and ensure safe pesticide use.
-- "Current Berry Issues," 10 a.m.-noon, Feb. 20. This webinar will cover strategies to tackle current berry industry challenges and safe pesticide use.
-- "Sweet Corn Insects," 10 a.m.-noon, Feb. 27. Participants can learn about identifying insect pests in sweet corn, methods for monitoring sweet corn insect pests, integrated pest management strategies and safe pesticide application.
-- "Integrated Pest Management," 10 a.m.-noon, March 6. This webinar will focus on new research on integrated pest management in vegetable production and safe pesticide application.
-- "Weed Management in Pumpkins," 10 a.m.-noon, March 13. This webinar will feature the latest research and field observations related to pumpkins.
The webinars each carry a registration fee of $15, while the in-person workshops are $10 each.
For more details on the events and the available pesticide applicator recertification credits, visit the Penn State Extension website.