UMaine Extension Hosts Vegetable and Fruit School

Annual event focuses on pest management and crop production for commercial growers

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association are co-hosting the Maine Vegetable and Fruit School on Tuesday, March 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University of Southern Maine – Lewiston Campus. The day-long program is designed for commercial vegetable and fruit growers, with a focus on pest management and crop production topics.

Why it matters

The annual event provides valuable educational opportunities and networking for Maine's commercial vegetable and fruit growers, helping them stay up-to-date on the latest research, techniques, and best practices to improve their crop yields and quality.

The details

Presentations will cover pest management for strawberries, squash, cucumber, garlic and onions, as well as topics like cherry tomato production, new vegetable varieties, post-harvest handling, and grape potential in New England. Pesticide applicator recertification credits and continuing education credits will be available.

  • The event will take place on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The players

University of Maine Cooperative Extension

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is a statewide organization that provides research-based information and educational programs to Maine citizens.

Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association

A professional association representing commercial vegetable and small fruit growers in Maine.

University of Southern Maine

The host location for the event, with the program taking place at the Lewiston Campus.

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What’s next

Interested participants can register for the event by March 12 on the program webpage. Walk-ins are welcome, but lunch is not guaranteed for those who do not pre-register.

The takeaway

This annual event is an important resource for Maine's commercial vegetable and fruit growers, providing them with the latest research-based information and educational opportunities to improve their crop production and management practices.