Workshop will help volunteers become first detectors of fruit and vegetable pests

ST. PAUL, Minn. – You can train to become the front line of defense against new and emerging pests of fruit and vegetable crops at a July 24 workshop at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The workshop targets Minnesota commercial growers, home fruit and vegetable gardeners, as well as others involved with or interested in new and emerging diseases and insect pests. In-depth sessions will focus on pests of new concern for Minnesota fruit and vegetable growers, including spotted wing drosophila, brown marmorated stink bug, Goss’s wilt of sweet corn and exotic downy mildews of basil and cucurbits.

This half-day program is based on the highly successful and award winning Minnesota Forest Pest First Detectors Program. It is a joint venture of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, University of Minnesota Extension and National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN).

The workshop will be held Wednesday, July 24, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the MacMillan Auditorium at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive in Chaska, MN. The $25 event fee includes gate admission to the Arboretum. Anyone may attend, including individuals who do not wish to become a First Detector Volunteer.

For more detailed information about the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable First Detector Program and how to become a volunteer visit www.extension.umn.edu/pesticides/fdfruitveg.

Registration is open up until the 8:00 a.m. workshop start time. To register online for the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable First Detector Workshop, visit www.arboretum.umn.edu/gardening.aspx or call 954-443-1422.