Meeting/Event Information

Please join us a Wickham Farms where Tom Wickham will lead This educational orchard tour will be conducted via wagon ride through a commercial fruit orchard and will provide participants with an overview of modern orchard management practices. The program will include presentations by both English- and Spanish-speaking instructors to ensure accessibility for a diverse audience.

Topics covered will include:

Integrated pest management practices used in commercial fruit production.

The role and application of fungicides and insecticides in maintaining tree health and fruit quality.

Mating disruption technology for managing Oriental fruit moth and other insect pests, reducing reliance on conventional insecticide applications.

Current nursery propagation techniques, including budding and grafting topwood onto rootstock to produce dwarf fruit trees.

The influence of rootstock selection on tree size, vigor, productivity, and orchard management.

Tree health considerations and best management practices for commercial fruit trees.

Participants will gain an understanding of how modern orchard systems integrate pest management, propagation methods, and horticultural technologies to improve tree health, productivity, and sustainability. Ample time will be provided for questions and discussion throughout the tour.