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3. Vegetable Production and Pest Management http://www.ipm.uiuc.edu/ifvn/volume14/frveg1412.html#veg visit this link if you would like to see an excellent photo of the aphids to confirm your identification. Aphids on pumpkin fruits In the last couple of weeks I've received a few questions about aphids on pumpkins ... on the fruits. Similarly, last year I observed heavy infestations in a couple of fields at this time. Where aphids are numerous on leaves or fruit of cucurbits and the infestation includes winged adults and wingless forms as well, the culprit is almost always cotton-melon aphid, Aphis gossypii. As vines dry down and the only succulent plant parts in the field are the fruits, thousands of aphids can be found on a single pumpkin. Controlling aphids to prevent colony buildups that result in live insects on fruit at harvest (and a cosmetic or contaminant issue for shipping and sales) can be necessary at this time. Cotton-melon aphid, Aphis gossypii (Univ. of Tennessee) Under the "Aphids and Leafhoppers" heading of the 2008 Midwest Vegetable Production Guide, there are lots of insecticides listed, but several carry the note "leafhoppers only," and others are labeled for one or two but not all of the vine crops covered in that chapter. For pumpkins ... * Organic growers may use M-Pede or other insecticidal soaps ... they are fairly effective against aphids that are contacted directly by sprays. Rick Weinzierl (217-244-2126; [log in to unmask]) >>> 4. Applications for 2009 State Pesticide Notification and Organic Farm Registries Being Accepted LANSING - MDA-NewsRelease MDA-NewsRelease 8/28/2008 10:59 AM >>> For Immediate Release Contact: Jennifer Holton, 517-241-2485August 28, 2008or [log in to unmask] The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) is currently accepting applications for the 2009 Pesticide Notification Registry and Certified Organic Farm Registry. These registries are published by the department each year to help protect consumers from pesticide drift and identify the location of organic certified farm locations. The "Pesticide Notification Registry" allows a person with a physician-diagnosed condition to be notified prior to a pesticide application on turf or ornamental plants on property adjacent to the applicant. To be added to the Pesticide Notification Registry, an applicant must submit a Pesticide Notification Registry Application, Physician's Certification Form that indicates condition or illness and additional distance requirements for notification, and forms listing adjacent and other properties within the distance of notification. Applications and supporting documents must be received no later than February 1, 2009. Renewal notices for the 73 Michigan residents that appeared on the 2008 notification registry will be mailed this fall. Michigan's "Certified Organic Farm Registry" compiles a list of state organic farms and is provided to all commercial firms licensed in agricultural, right-of-way, or aerial pesticide application. The registry information is provided to these firms so they can identify organic farms and take the additional precautions necessary to prevent pesticide drift onto these sensitive sites. MDA maintains a registry of individuals requesting notification prior to an ornamental or turf pesticide application adjacent to their primary residence. The registry is published annually on March 15 and the deadline for submitting an application for the 2009 registry is February 1, 2009. An application package for the Organic Farm Registry is available on the MDA Web site at www.michigan.gov/mda. The forms can also be obtained from MDA's Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, Michigan 48909 or by calling 517-241-1169. There are no fees associated with either registry. ************************************************************************ ************** Events In order of occurrence 5. Cover Crop Plot Tour: Can Cover Crops Reduce Your Fertilizer Bill? September 16 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the Smalley Farm. Plots are located just west of the intersection of Dennis and Williamston Roads, Williamston, MI. Come see 19 combinations of cover crops that were drilled into wheat stubble; learn about potential fertilizer savings, seed cost, availability, competitiveness against weeds, and farmer opinion. Dale Mutch, MSU Cover Crop Specialist will also be present. Cost: $5.00 6. Twilight Tour of MSU Corn Variety Trials: September 15 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Jorgensen Farm Elevator. This event is co-sponsored by Jorgensen Farm Elevator, Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, and Greenstone FCS. Dinner is free and will be prepared by the Wooden Nickel. Door prizes: at least 27 bags of seed corn from 12+ companies. From Ingham/Livingston County MSU Extension Program Reminders for All Producers Meet a Master No-till Cover Cropper and Visit the Ohio Farm Science Review Immediately following the Cover Crop Plot Tour, some may choose to continue on to visit the farm of David Brandt, a long-time no-till farmer in Ohio who has recently begun to use cover crops to improve soil fertility and reduce fertilizer costs. After visiting with David, we will spend the night in Columbus, attend the Farm Science Review on September 17, and return that evening. This trip will cost each attendee a maximum of $50.00 for transportation (lodging and food on your own). For this program, a RSVP is required. For more information about these programs, please contact Dan at 676-7207 or [log in to unmask] 7. Hoophouse Workshop Thursday, September 25, 2008 from 4 to 9 p.m. Presenters: Dr. John Biernbaum, Michigan State University Professor of Horticulture When: Where: BJ's Restaurant990 N. Center Street, Gaylord, MI 49735 Topics to be Covered: Design options for a range of costs and sizes Construction methods including cold frames and small scale build your own Crop selection and scheduling Soil preparation and fertility management Planting, growing and harvesting methods Space is limited to 20 attendees. An RSVP is needed to attend. Please contact the Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) office to register at (517) 432-0712. There is no fee for the workshop, and dinner is included. ** *** BJ's Restaurant, Gaylord, MI Program funded by the USDA Farm Services Agency The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its program and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information ( Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of Discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Nov 13, 2008 Lansing Center Making It In Michigan conference is your opportunity to learn, find, talk, and be inspired This conference is filled with great businesses creating and producing some of the most unique food products and agricultural enterprises in America. This one of a kind conference is your opportunity to meet with Product Center clients, MSU's expertise, regulatory departments, industry professionals, suppliers, co-packers, and talk to the MSU Product Center Staff, Michigan's leader in entrepreneurship for food, agricultural, natural resources, and the bioeconomy. Check out the conference at http://www.makingitinmichigan.msu.edu/About/Conference/tabid/62/Default. aspx If you would like to access previous postings to the Mich-Organic listserv you can copy and paste the following URL into your browser address bar http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html