Page 28 - MNLGA Free State Winter 2023_WEB

MEMBER EVENT

Nursery field Day at Abby Farms

th
n September 13 the MNLGA nutrient management policy and
hosted its Annual Field Day procedures for the future.
Oat Abby Farms in Waldorf, Attendees participated in three of
MD. With threats of rain throughout the four educational stations offered.
the week, we could not have asked for The stations offered were: Advancing
more perfect weather for this event. Environmental Monitoring Systems for
The sun shone on over 100 attendees, Greenhouse, Nursery, and Controlled
and the day was successful.
Environment Crop Production, Nursery
We began the day with a welcome Disease Update, Insect Management
by Abby Farms and MNLGA board Update – Get the latest on 6 insects
member Justin Taylor, who shared in 35 minutes, and Atlantic Tractor
a little about their operation, Equipment Demonstration.
followed by welcome a from MNLGA Advancing Environmental Monitoring
President John Murphy. MNLGA Systems for Greenhouse, presented
Executive Director, Vanessa Finney, by Dr. Andrew Ristvey and Dr. John
shared an overview of the day and Lea-Cox, shared that various sensors
updates about the MNLGA Certified can measure many environmental
Professional Horticulturalist Certificate parameters. It’s the integration of
(CPH) Program. Testing is held three all that data that creates valuable
times during the year. The next test will information for production managers
be held in January 2024.
to utilize. Participants in their session
Attendees heard from Jamie were informed that greenhouse,
Tsambikos, MDA Nursery Inspector, nursery, and controlled-environment
about essential updates directly from production systems are reliant
the MDA. Craig Regelbrugge, Executive upon production managers being
Vice President for Advocacy, Research aware of and understanding many
& Industry Relations at AmericanHort, environmental factors and being
joined us for the day to share industry able to use that information to
news on the national front. Alan increase production efficiency. They
Jones, Manor View Farm, Inc. shared learned what is possible with these
with the members information from sensor networks and what you need
the Maryland Nutrient Management to know about your operation to
Task Force, a committee on which he maximize their potential and improve
represents industry. The task force production efficiency.
is responsible for advising MDA on (continued on page 31)

28 WINTER 2023 • Free State News