"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." --Aristotle
Address any questions or comments regarding this newsletter to the individual authors listed after each article or to its editor, Rick Weinzierl, 217-333-6651, weinzier@illinois.edu. To receive e-mail notification of new postings of this newsletter, call or write the same number or address.
In This Issue:
Regional Observations (from Nathan Johanning and Kyle Cecil)
Notes from Chris Doll (late season, no over-thinning, urea for leaf breakdown and scab reduction, assessing vertebrate pests, a move to northern Illinois)
Fruit Production and Pest Management (distribution maps for brown marmorated stink bug; updates on spotted wing Drosophila and aronia)
Vegetable Production and Pest Management (mushroom research at the Dixon Springs Ag Center)
Local Foods Issues (GAPs audit cost-share, Rantoul Food Production Network, You Tube channel)
Upcoming Programs
The 2014 Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism, and Organics Conference will be held January 8-10, 2014.
Check the Illinois SARE calendar for a full list of programs and links for registration.
http://illinoissare.org/ and http://illinoissare.org/calendar.php
Also see the University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Team's web site at:
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/smallfarm/ and their calendar of events at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/units/calendar.cfm?UnitID=629.
- Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO and Michigan Greenhouse Growers EXPO. December 10-12, 2013, Grand Rapids, Michigan. See GLEXPO.com to register online or download a registration form to mail or fax. If you need a hotel room, make your reservations early. For hotels in the Amway Hotel Collection, go to Amway's Passkey website for online reservations. Information on other hotels offering convention rates is available at www.GLEXPO.com.
- 2014 Illinois Specialty Crop, Agritourism, and Organics Conference, January 8-10, 2014, Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, Springfield, IL. Lots more details to come, but it's time to mark your calendars. The keynote speaker on January 9 will be Elliot Coleman, co-author of Four-Season Harvest: How to Harvest Fresh Organic Vegetables from Your Home Garden All Year Long, and author of other widely popular books on high tunnel production and organic production. In addition to concurrent tracks on fruits, vegetables, herbs, agritourism, and organics on January 9 and 10, pre-conference workshops on January 8 will feature (1) Pumpkin Production, Pest Management, and Marketing; (2) Season Extension and Year-Round Markets; (3) GAPS and Food Safety Guidelines for Growers who Sell at Farmers' Markets; and (4) Optimizing Plasticulture and Drip Irrigation Practices (a.m.) and Growing Unique Fruits and Vegetables (p.m.). In addition, training and testing for the Private Applicator License (pesticides) will also be offered on January 8.
- Food Safety Modernization Act: Proposed Rule for Produce Safety Overview and Q & A Session (webinar), October 30, 2013. 3:00-4:30 PM Eastern/2:00-3:30 PM Central. To join the session, use this link at the time of the meeting: https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/fsma_10-30-2013/ . All audio will be over the phone. Follow instructions in the meeting room to connect. To participate by phone only, dial 888-854-1541. The November 15th deadline to submit comments is rapidly approaching! For more information on the FSMA Proposed Rule for Produce Safety, see http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm334114.htm?source=govdelivery and the Farmers' Toolkit at http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/UCM360295.pdf.
- Putting Small Acres to Work, November 2, 2013, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Sauk Valley Community College, 173 Illinois Route 2, Dixon, IL. University of Illinois Extension is sponsoring a workshop on a variety of topics to educate people who own or rent a few acres. Register online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/clw or call 815-244-9444 for more information.
- Meet the Buyers, November 4, 2013, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. University of Illinois Extension, Knox County Farm Bureau, 180 S. Soangetaha Rd, Galesburg, IL (map). Morning sessions include MarketReady (9:15 a.m.) and Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs) (11:30 a.m.). Buyers will begin arriving midmorning; confirmed participants include Quad Cities Food Hub, Neimann Foods, Testa Produce, Inc., a buyer for all Hy-Vee stores in Illinois, Loffredo Foodservice, Macomb Food Co-op, Knox College, and Augustana College. A special chef and farmer one-one-one session will take place 3:00-4:30 pm. Derek Shugart, GREDA, will provide an update regarding the Local Food Hub Feasibility Study Results for Knox County. RSVP to 309 342-2036.
- Weather Observation Classes, November 4, 11, and 18, 2013. University of Illinois Extension is offering a 3-session course that will cover weather basics, observation, and basic weather prediction and training for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) volunteer precipitation monitoring program at the University of Illinois Extension office in Springfield. Register online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lms/ or call 217-782-4617 for more information.
- Good Agricultural Practices Webinar Series, November 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2013. 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Connect from any computer with high-speed Internet access and a way to listen to the presentation via your computer (headsets are best, but speakers will work). Each registered participant will be sent webinar instructions, handouts, and a GAPs manual prior to the first webinar. Register online at https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=8869 or contact the University of Illinois Extension, Kankakee County at 815-933-8337.
- From Garden Gates to Dinner Plates (focusing on the Cottage Food Act), November 6, 2013. 9:30 a.m. – noon, at the University of Illinois Macon County Extension Office (Decatur). The program cost is $5 per person and pre-registration is required by November 4, 2013. To register, please call the Macon County Extension office at 217-877-6042 or register online at: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=8643.
- Meet The Buyers, (Kane County), November 8, 2013. 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Kane County Farm Bureau, 2N710 Randall Road, St. Charles, Illinois. Attendance is free, but seating is limited. Please RSVP early to reserve your seat. Program begins with Chef Zak Dolezal from Duke's Alehouse and Chef Serena Perdue with Niche restaurants, followed by Meijer, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Soup to Nuts, Dominick's, Testa Produce, Inc., Mariano's, Fox River Foods, Angelo's Caputo Fresh Market, Fresh Moves, and others. University of Illinois-Extension will provide sessions on Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs) and MarketReady at noon and in the afternoon. Call (630) 584-8660 with questions or to reserve your place.
Regional Observations
In western Illinois ... As I write this message the forecast holds the chance of our first killing frost this week. Growers in the area have enjoyed the extended season this year. I visited a farm last Friday (10/18) that was still harvesting beautiful peppers of every color and variety. It was ironic that the farm was completely sold out of pumpkins but had a good deal of peppers to harvest. The apple crop across this region continues to be marketed. We experienced a tremendous crop of tree fruits this year both in quantity and quality. Most growers have their fall/winter crops firmly established and growth has been good. High tunnel spinach, kale and turnips look very good and showed significant growth since planting. If you have never tried fresh spinach from a high tunnel on Christmas Day, please do so! I'm sure if you do, you will have a high tunnel on your own farm next season. Lastly, continue to monitor your "indoor" plantings for cabbage loopers.
Kyle Cecil (309-342-5108; cecil@illinois.edu)
In southern Illinois ... As of Wednesday the October 23, we have not experienced a widespread frost or freeze in the Murphysboro area; however, some patchy frost could be found on a few roof tops Tuesday morning. The current forecasts suggest we will drop below freezing by Friday morning putting an end to all of our unprotected summer annual crops. Pumpkin harvest is mostly finished except some U-pick operations with only about a week of prime marketing left before Halloween. Overall the pumpkin crop was good, although some localized areas that missed the spotty August/early September rains did suffer. Farmers' markets are starting to slow down but still have many cool season crops, winter squash, sweet potatoes, and potatoes among other produce still available. Apple harvest is nearing the end with only some late season apples still remaining to be picked.
Nathan Johanning (618-939-3434; njohann@illinois.edu)
Notes from Chris Doll
Another growing season is near the end and should have the normal number of variations usually found in the industry. The slow accumulation of degree days in the early part of the season is now reflected on the maturity dates of many varieties as well as much of the unharvested corn crop that I've seen. Some nice sunny days in October have helped the apple crop to develop color and flavor and have helped direct marketers have some great weekend sales. Once again, several reports of under thinning were received, but no reports of over thinning were reported or seen. In fact, it has been several years since an over thinning event happened on my watch.
I'm now in northern Illinois and have learned that a couple of frosts have affected the fall bramble crop, but not much else. Orchard visits here recently and in downstate earlier revealed a nice crop of apples, but in the PYO business, lots of dropped fruits, which really shows up in the Honeycrisp blocks. The stop-drop products and the delaying of maturity products are aids to the drop problem, but sometimes are not applied as needed for optimum results. The same might be said for some of the pest problems seen this year, like rosy apple aphid, black rot, and apple scab. Analyzing the cause(s) always comes back to timing, coverage, product, rate, and/or weather conditions. In viewing a couple of scab infections, I have suggested a postharvest-pre leaf drop spray of 40 pounds of Urea per 100 gallons to provide some nitrogen for increased decomposition of infected leaves as well as a partial nitrogen application. Chopping of the fallen leaves can be an aid, but some orchard floors are not favorable for 100 percent effectiveness.
Harvest time is also a good time to evaluate the 4-legged pests that like the orchard environment. Rabbit populations seem to be low, but mice/voles come and go, and population levels should be observed during the harvest by feeding on drops or trails under trees or bins, etc. Plan on post-harvest baiting if signs are seen or history suggests doing it. Deer populations seem to have had a good year, and the continuing use of repellents, fencing, and population reduction are all I can suggest. And a look at the calendar shows that the peach leaf curl spray time is very near.
As mentioned previously, the Back-40, my back yard orchard, is no longer my property. It was sold, along with the home of 47 years, to a party that was enamored with the idea of growing fruit in a nice neighborhood, and so the equipment, records, spray guides, etc. were included in the sale. It served me well as an observation site for many of the phenological and pest observations on both tree and small fruits for those 47 years lieu of having an experimental farm nearby. Needless to say, a month away from a favorite pastime and source of great eating is being missed. For the record, Irene and I have moved to Wheaton to be near two of our children and to make new friends. Our address is 200 Wyndemere Circle, Apt. W129, Wheaton, Il. 60187, and the phone is 630 752 2072 perchance visitors might be in the area.
The winter meetings will be coming soon, and I look forward to seeing readers then.
Chris Doll
Fruit Production and Pest Management
Updated Distribution Map for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in Illinois
Kelly Estes, the Illinois Coordinator for the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) provided the map below that shows detections of brown marmorated stink bug in Illinois. As noted in the previous issue of this newsletter, Kelly received numerous reports of large numbers of brown marmorated stink bugs entering homes in Madison and St. Claire counties in southwestern Illinois (primarily around Collinsville and O'Fallon). Where these insects are observed in high numbers in homes in the fall, well-established infestations must be present in surrounding fields, wooded areas, or orchards. There's not much for growers to do at this time of year (the insects are now seeking winter shelter), but these reports are forewarnings for next year. There's lots of good background information on brown marmorated stink bug from any sources including http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/bean/brown_marmorated_stink_bug.htm and http://extension.psu.edu/plants/tree-fruit/files/bmsb-slide-presentation. We'll discuss control practices for fruit and vegetable growers during winter educational programs and as the 2014 season approaches in the spring.
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Rick Weinzierl (217-244-2126; weinzier@illinois.edu)
Update on Spotted Wing Drosophila and Aronia
John Pilcher of Coldbrook Farm in Crete, IL (aronia.us@att.net; 708-227-2807), sent the following note on spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) and aronia berries ...
A late-summer small-scale trial that investigated the potential for SWD to infest aronia berries and blueberries was conducted by Rufus Isaacs at Michigan State University's Berry Crop Entomology Lab in East Lansing, Michigan. Dr. Isaacs used ten containers, 5 each of ripe aronia and ripe blueberries, and added 5 male and 5 female SWD to each container. After a sufficient amount of time to allow egg-laying and development, he found the aronia berries free of infestation, compared with damage in approximately 25 percent of blueberries. At the same time, an Illinois aronia grower observed SWD bypassing aronia when in the presence of raspberries.
While aronia growers might have been elated over this news, University of Wisconsin-Madison entomology graduate student Emma Pelton, conducting research under the direction of Christelle Guedot in the Department of Entomology, became aware of infestations in aronia in southern Wisconsin during the mechanical picking of ripe berries. "The grower and I both observed larvae on the packing line," Pelton reported, "which he estimated at 20 percent. A random sample was also used to rear SWD adults." This field was isolated from other fruits. "I'd trapped SWD on two other farms with large fields of aronia and infested raspberries," Pelton continues. "One might have had raspberries as a trap crop."
So ... while aronia appears to be a crop that SWD does not prefer, these observations clearly indicate that aronia berries are susceptible to infestation by SWD, especially in the absence of more preferred fruit crops.
Rick Weinzierl (217-244-2126; weinzier@illinois.edu)
Vegetable Production and Pest Management
Mushroom Research at the Dixon Springs Ag Center
The newest crop being evaluated for use in high tunnels in Illinois is mushrooms. The first harvest of wine cap mushrooms grown in a high tunnel at the Dixon Springs Ag Center occurred on October 23, 2013. Some background on this project can be found in an Illinois Agri-News article. Our goal at DSAC is to learn if mushrooms can be produced profitably in high tunnels so that they can be used as a fall and winter crop in rotation with tomatoes. In addition to wine caps, oyster, shitake, and lion's mane will also be part of the ongoing studies. We are confident there is significant demand for locally grown mushroom, and we are evaluating different species and cultural methods to determine economic feasibility for small scale producers.
Harvesting and weighing mushrooms from experimental beds.
Jeff Kindhart (618-695-2770; jkindhar@illinois.edu)
Local Foods Issues
Illinois GAPs Audit Cost-share Awarded to Montalbano Farms
Becoming GAPs-Certified is a step being taken by many Illinois growers. Montalbano Farms is the first Illinois Farm to receive a GAPs Audit cost-share award.
Due to the increase in the number of buyers requiring growers to have a Food Safety Plan and a 3rd party audit for Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), University of Illinois received two Illinois Specialty Crops Grants from the Illinois Department of Agriculture to provide GAPs training and provide cost-share assistance to farms seeking 3rd party audits. For more information see IFVN Vol. 19, No. 9, July 25, 2013.
Montalbano Farms (www.montalbanofarms.com ) is a small farm producing an amazing variety of fresh, locally grown produce for the Chicago area. Farmers Rob and Christina grow over 12 acres of specialty vegetables, fruit, and herbs on family land in Sandwich, Illinois. They have a CSA, sell at farmers markets, and also use direct sales. They decided to write a food safety plan when they started reading the food safety plans of some other farms. They realized that they were following a lot of similar practices and wanted to be able to tell their customers how they handle their food to ensure a safe product.
They attended a University of Illinois Extension GAPs training and began writing their farms Food Safety Plan (FSP), seeking help from university educators. James Theuri and Ellen Phillips visited the farm in August to conduct a mock audit. They toured the production fields and packing house with Christina while reviewing their FSP. In September, a USDA inspector visited their farm and Montalbano Farms became GAPs-certified. Although GAPs audits can be expensive, farms are finding it beneficial in opening up new markets. "Rob and Christina's hope is that the GAPs-certification will help to open more wholesale opportunities for their farm. The cost-share benefit allowed them to see if the certification is worthwhile by making it much more affordable.
To assist others in understanding the steps to GAPs certification, Rob and Christina will be opening their farm for a tour and to share their experiences in writing a Food Safety Plan and seeking a 3rd party audit on December 3 from 10am to noon. Ellen Phillips and James Theuri, Extension Educators for Local Food Systems and Small Farms, will provide information on GAPs. Contact Ellen Phillips at the phone number or email address below for more information.
Ellen Phillips (708-449-4320; ephillps@illinois.edu)
Rantoul Food Production Network
Local education, government, and non-profit groups have been exploring the idea of creating a food production, processing, and research and education facility in the Village of Rantoul on the former Chanute Air Force base for local foods producers. This project has the potential to have a positive economic impact on the region, help develop a strong sustainable local foods network in the area, and change the eating lifestyles of central Illinois residents. If you would like to be updated on future meetings and progress, please send an email to brad@ccfarmbureau.com.
Mary Hosier (217-333-7512; mhosier@illinois.edu)
University of Illinois Extension's Local Food Systems and Small Farms team has a You Tube Channel!
At http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDcS1iALRDeRzP60G7skqg ... for now, you can find these videos (with more to come) ...
- Poultry Nutrition and Health - 41:12
- Basics of Fruit Insect Management - 1:04:52
- Seed Saving - 59:28
- How to successfully raise Strawberries - 1:06:30
- Managing Crop Rotations in High Tunnels - 1:00:12
- Food Safety Modernization Act - 1:20:16
- Growing Unique Vegetables - 1:09:45
- Wildlife Damage Control - 1:08:08
- Season Extension with High Tunnels - 1:05:16
- Growing Vegetables Year Round Video - 1:12:03
- Raising Broiler Turkeys - 1:05:01
- Growing Garlic for Market - 55:21
Less Seriously ...
... from a few years ago, bumper stickers still worth a chuckle
- Your kid may be an honor student, but YOU are still an IDIOT
- I want to die in my sleep like my grandfather ... not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car
- I brake for no one
- I brake for ... no apparent reason
- Forget about World Peace, Visualize Using Your Turn Signal
- Tact is for people who aren't witty enough to be sarcastic
- What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
- Don't believe everything you think
- Eat well, stay fit, die anyway
- There are 3 kinds of people, those who can count and those who can't
- Look out! I drive just like you
- The closer you get, the slower I'll drive
University of Illinois Extension Specialists in Fruit and Vegetable Production & Pest Management
Extension Educators – Local Food Systems and Small Farms |
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Bronwyn Aly, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Pope, Saline, and White counties |
618-382-2662 |
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Katie Bell, Franklin, Jackson, Perry, Randolph, & Williamson counties |
618-687-1727 |
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Sarah Farley, Lake & McHenry counties |
847-223-8627 |
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Nick Frillman, Woodford, Livingston, & McLean counties |
309-663-8306 |
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Laurie George, Bond, Clinton, Jefferson, Marion, & Washington counties |
618-548-1446 |
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Zachary Grant, Cook County | 708-679-6889 | |
Doug Gucker, DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt counties |
217-877-6042 |
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Erin Harper, Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, and Vermillion counties |
217-333-7672 |
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Grace Margherio, Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center, St. Clair County |
217-244-3547 |
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Grant McCarty, Jo Daviess, Stephenson, and Winnebago counties |
815-235-4125 |
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Katie Parker, Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike and Schuyler counties |
217-223-8380 |
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Kathryn Pereira, Cook County |
773-233-2900 |
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James Theuri, Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties |
815-933-8337 |
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Extension Educators – Horticulture |
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Chris Enroth, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties |
309-837-3939 |
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Richard Hentschel, DuPage, Kane, and Kendall counties |
630-584-6166 |
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Andrew Holsinger, Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, & Montgomery counties |
217-532-3941 |
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Extension Educators - Commercial Agriculture |
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Elizabeth Wahle, Fruit & Vegetable Production |
618-344-4230 |
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Nathan Johanning, Madison, Monroe & St. Clair counties |
618-939-3434 |
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Campus-based Extension Specialists |
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Kacie Athey, Entomology |
217-244-9916 |
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Mohammad Babadoost, Plant Pathology |
217-333-1523 |
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