December 2024 - 24

GREAT LAKES EXPO NEWS
XXXXX
Maximizing crop yield,
sustainability
Learn from experts sustainable farming
and advanced crop management techniques
BY MADI SCHAFER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
D
uring the 2024 Great Lakes
Fruit, Vegetable and Farm
Market Expo, attendees can
gain insights into pest management
and production practices to
maximize yields.
Suresh Ghimire, associate
Extension educator and vegetable
specialist at the University
of Connecticut in Storrs, and
Emmanuel Torres Quezada,
assistant professor of horticultural
science at North Carolina State
University in Raleigh, will present
research findings to assist growers.
Garlic grown on soil-biodegradable
plastic mulch (BDM) at Gresczyk
Farms in New Hartford, Connecticut.
Photo by Shuresh Ghimire.
Ghimire specializes in integrated
pest management and the use of
soil-biodegradable plastic mulches
(BDM) with a focus on vegetable
production and climate adaptation.
He holds a doctorate in horticulture
from Washington State University,
where his research focused on BDM
for vegetable production.
Ghimire will highlight the
application of BDM, including the
necessary equipment adjustments
and how BDM performs throughout
the crop season.
" I will also discuss its postseason
breakdown following tillage,
drawing from our six-year study on
BDM degradation, " Ghimire said.
" Additionally, I will highlight the
24 | DECEMBER 2024
potential benefits and challenges of
adopting BDM, including its effects
on soil quality. This information will
help growers make well-informed
decisions about integrating BDM into
their farming practices. "
Ghimire will also share a video
featuring a Connecticut grower
explaining how they began using
BDM and why they continue using it.
" This firsthand experience will offer
valuable insight into the practical
benefits and challenges of adopting
BDM from a grower's perspective, "
Ghimire explained.
Growers who have transitioned
to BDM often find it challenging
to revert to polyethylene mulch,
mainly because of the economic
UConn Extension Vegetable
Specialist Shuresh Ghimire at
an on-farm trial testing a soilbiodegradable
plastic mulch
on tomato production. Photo
courtesy of UConn Extension.
benefits. BDM are tilled into the soil
after harvest, eliminating the need
for removal and disposal.
Quezada focuses on production
practices maximizing plant yield
and quality while minimizing the
detrimental effects of abiotic
stressors. The session will
address three key points regarding

December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2024

Editor’s Letter
Talking Tech
Investing in your plant health
Watermelon tests
From farm to can
Cucumber powerhouse
Maximizing crop yield, sustainability at the Great Lakes EXPO
Introducing the 40 Under 40 Class of 2024
2025 VGN Buyers Guide
Veg Connections
Farm Market & Agritourism
Ag Labor Review
Business
Industry News
Events
Classifieds
Ad Index
December 2024 - 1
December 2024 - 2
December 2024 - 3
December 2024 - Editor’s Letter
December 2024 - 5
December 2024 - Talking Tech
December 2024 - 7
December 2024 - Investing in your plant health
December 2024 - 9
December 2024 - Watermelon tests
December 2024 - 11
December 2024 - 12
December 2024 - 13
December 2024 - From farm to can
December 2024 - 15
December 2024 - 16
December 2024 - 17
December 2024 - Cucumber powerhouse
December 2024 - 19
December 2024 - 20
December 2024 - 21
December 2024 - 22
December 2024 - 23
December 2024 - Maximizing crop yield, sustainability at the Great Lakes EXPO
December 2024 - 25
December 2024 - 26
December 2024 - Introducing the 40 Under 40 Class of 2024
December 2024 - 28
December 2024 - 29
December 2024 - 30
December 2024 - 31
December 2024 - 32
December 2024 - 33
December 2024 - 34
December 2024 - 2025 VGN Buyers Guide
December 2024 - 36
December 2024 - 37
December 2024 - 38
December 2024 - 39
December 2024 - 40
December 2024 - 41
December 2024 - 42
December 2024 - 43
December 2024 - 44
December 2024 - 45
December 2024 - 46
December 2024 - 47
December 2024 - 48
December 2024 - 49
December 2024 - 50
December 2024 - 51
December 2024 - 52
December 2024 - 53
December 2024 - Veg Connections
December 2024 - 55
December 2024 - Farm Market & Agritourism
December 2024 - 57
December 2024 - Ag Labor Review
December 2024 - 59
December 2024 - Business
December 2024 - 61
December 2024 - Industry News
December 2024 - Events
December 2024 - Classifieds
December 2024 - 65
December 2024 - Ad Index
December 2024 - 67
December 2024 - 68
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