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Communication Associate: Public Relations | Lori Melton | lmelton@d.umn.edu | (218) 726-8830
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May 23, 2012
Cheryl Reitan | Associate Director of External Affairs | 218 726-8996 | creitan@d.umn.edu
Christiana Kapsner | UMD Public Relations Associate | 218 726-8830 | ckapsner@d.umn.edu


Spring, Summer, and Fall Workshops for Gardening Enthusiasts

SunflowerSunflowers at UMD
Interested in fruit tree management and pest control? Would you like to learn more about pollinator conservation? Register for a series of workshops that will answer your questions, and guide you through the growing season.

Saturday, June 2nd : Early Summer Orchard Tree and Pest Management
Time: noon – 3pm
Class Fee: $15 per session ($75 for those who register for all 6 sessions in advance)

Learn how to assess the level of fruit set and initial vegetative growth on your trees and what that may mean for management. We will discuss fruit thinning, "June Drop", water sprouting and other issues that arise at this stage in the season; and plan to monitor fruit development, insect pests and diseases in your fruit trees as we move into the summer season. You will learn more about using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and organic management perspective when dealing with potential pests or diseases. Organic sprays or treatments you can use to control specific pests in the summer months will also be discussed.

POLLINATOR CONSERVATION PLANNING SHORT COURSE
Wednesday, June 13th, 2012
9:00 am to 4:00 pm CDT

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, the Sustainable Agriculture Project at the University of Minnesota Duluth (SAP @ UMD), and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are offering a full day of training that will provide the latest science-based approaches to reversing the trend of pollinator declines, and the recipes necessary to protect and manage habitat for these vital insects.

SPECIFIC TRAINING OBJECTIVES:
• Identify approaches to increase and enhance pollinator diversity on the land
• Knowledge of current best management practices that minimize land-use impacts on pollinators Identify bees and distinguish them from other insects
• Understand the economics of insect-pollinated crops, and the effects of pollinator decline
• Knowledge of the current Farm Bill pollinator conservation provisions in programs such as WHIP, EQIP, CSP, and CRP
• Ability to assess pollinator habitat and to identify habitat deficiencies
• Ability to make recommendations to farmers and land managers who conserve pollinators (including subjects such as tillage, pesticide use, burning, grazing, and cover cropping)
• Ability to design and implement habitat improvements, such as native plant restoration and nest site enhancements

Location:
University of Minnesota Duluth Library
416 Library Drive
Duluth, MN 55812-3001
Cost:
Registration is $45 per person. Discounted registration is available for NRCS employees at $35 per person.
Each participant will receive a pollinator conservation toolkit that includes a copy of Xerces' latest book, Attracting Native Pollinators. Protecting North America's Bees and Butterflies, as well as habitat management guidelines and relevant USDA-NRCS and extension publications.

Lunch is not included. Please bring a sack lunch with you to the course.

Canceled registrations can be refunded until June 4th, 2012.


Registration:
Registration is required for this course. Click here to register online or for more information about the course.

Questions:
Contact Ashley Minnerath, Pollinator Program Assistant, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, at shortcourses@xerces.org or (855) 232-6639.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course made possible with the support of the University of Minnesota Extension Service, the Ceres Foundation and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Additional support for this training is provided by the following: CS Fund, Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, Irwin Andrew Porter Foundation, Turner Foundation, Whole Systems Foundation, and Xerces Society members. Special thanks to the Sustainable Agriculture Project at the University of Minnesota Duluth for their support and hospitality.


Saturday, July 7th : Mid-Summer Orchard Tree and Pest Management
Time: noon – 3pm
Class Fee: $15 per session ($75 for those who register for all 6 sessions in advance)

Apple Maggot season! Continuing to assess the fruit development and vegetative growth on our trees, practice "scouting" an orchard to identify specific pest and diseases and how to use the results of your scouting to make management decisions (to spray or not to spray). Explore the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and organic management perspective when dealing with potential pests or diseases and discuss specific organic sprays or treatments you can use to control specific pests.


Saturday, August 4th : Late-Summer Harvest, Orchard Tree & Pest Management
Time: noon – 3pm
Class Fee: $15 per session ($75 for those who register for all 6 sessions in advance)

Early season varieties may be starting to mature. We will compare and contrast the development of different fruit varieties and their susceptibility to different insect pests and diseases. We will practice "scouting" an orchard to identify specific pest and diseases and how to use the results to plan for fall harvest and management. Explore the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and organic management perspective when dealing with potential pests or diseases.


Saturday, September 8th : Fall Harvest, Orchard Tree & Pest Management
Time: noon – 3pm
Class Fee: $15 per session ($75 for those who register for all 6 sessions in advance)

As fall season varieties are starting to mature, we will discuss methods for harvesting your crop using safe handling practices to minimize fruit damage and preparations for crop storage as needed. We will compare and contrast the flavors, textures and colors of different fruit varieties and their susceptibility to different insect pests and diseases. We will practice "scouting" an orchard to identify fall pest and diseases issues and how to use the results to plan for fall harvest and management. Explore the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and organic management perspective when dealing with potential pests or diseases. Now is the time to think about "orchard floor management" before you put your orchard to bed for the season.

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