Western Colorado Horticultural Society, WCHS

2010 WCHS 67th Annual Convention

Download registration form and send to WCHS postmarked by December 20th for membership discount!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010 Tour Schedule, download printable version of tour schedule.

Tour Chairman, John Murray
9:00 am: Bus departs Two Rivers Convention Center
10:15 am: Triple M Orchards, John Murray, 1 mi. W. of Olathe, CO on Hwy 348 to 5800 Rd, turn left.
[peach pruning demo, biofix and timing for peach twig borer]
11:15 am: Depart orchard for Cedaredge
11:40 am: Williams Orchards, Packing shed, N. Side of Apple Shed, 250 S. Grand Mesa Dr., Cedaredge.
[tour peach packing facility]
12:00 noon: Lunch, Apple Shed, 250 S. Grand Mesa Dr., Cedaredge
1:00 pm: Depart for Grand Junction
2:00 pm: CSU Western Colorado Research Center, Orchard Mesa, 3168 B ½ Rd., Grand Junction, CO.
[peach and apple rootstock study plantings, edible berry plantings (blueberry, goji, honeysuckle)]
2:45 pm: Depart for the Peach Fork (orchard & vineyard) on Orchard Mesa
2:50 pm: The Peach Fork, Phil & Susan Patton, 281 33 Rd., Palisade, CO
[vineyard tour]
3:45 pm: Depart for Convention Center
4:00 pm: Return to Two Rivers Convention Center

Wednesday, January 20, 2010, download printable program schedule.

Chair, Bryan Noland
8:45 am: Welcome, Bryan Noland
9.00 am: Private Pesticide Applicator Requirements, Brian Koontz, Program Specialist, Colo. Dept. of Agric.
9.45 am: Fertilization of Peaches with Emphasis on Zinc Nitrogen and Calcium, Dr. Scott Johnson, Extension Pomologist, Univ. of Calif., Davis, Kearney
10.30 am: Break
11.00 am: Integrating New Insecticides into Orchard Insect Management Programs, Dr. Peter McGhee, Tree Fruit Entomologist, Michigan St. Univ.
12.00 am: Lunch

Chair, Mike Fuller
1.00 pm: Value-Added and Grants Products, Patty Snidow, USDA Area Director
1.45 pm: Codling Moth and Oriental Fruit Moth Management Using Mating Disruption, Dr. Peter McGhee, Tree Fruit Entomologist, Michigan St. Univ.
2.45 pm: Break
3.15 pm: New Updates on Fruit Virus Diseases in Western Colorado, Dr. Ramesh Pokharel, Colo State University, WCRC
4.00-7:00 pm: Meet the Speakers in the Exhibit Hall

Thursday, January 21, 2010, download printable program schedule.

Chair, Trent Cunningham
9:00 am: Performance of Cool Climate Grape Varieties in Delta County, Horst Caspari, Professor/Viticulturist, Colo. St. Univ., WCRC
9:45 am: New Approaches to Stone Fruit Thinning, Dr. Scott Johnson, Extension Pomologist, Univ. of Calif., Davis, Kearney
10:30 am: Break
11:00 am: Management Strategies and Control Tactics for Secondary Pests, Dr. Peter McGhee, Tree Fruit Entomologist, Michigan St. Univ.
12:00 noon: Lunch

Chair, Neil Guard
1:00 pm: WCHS Business Meeting
1:10 pm: Peach & Apple Production in Organic vs. Conventional Management Systems, Dr. Ramesh Pokharel, Colo State University, WCRC
1:45 pm: Peachtree Borer Management is Anything but Boring, Dr. Peter McGhee, Tree Fruit Entomologist, Michigan St. Univ.
2:30 pm: Break
3:00 pm: Soil Fertility, Dr.Ron Godin, Colo. St. Univ., WCRC
3:30 p.m: Rootstocks and Training Systems for Peaches, Dr. Scott Johnson, Extension Pomologist, Univ. of Calif., Davis, Kearney
4:00 pm: Cherry Fruitworm, European Grapevine Moth, and Spotted Wing Drosophila, Bob Hammon, Colo. St. Univ., Tri River Area Extension, Grand Junction

Banquet Speaker: Paul Friday — What Do You Get When You Cross a Goat With a Spider? $2.00 bills and Life After Honey Crisp

Paul is a humorous, motivational speaker. He has been a fruit grower and farm marketer for 50 years and likes sharing a lot of crazy ideas that have worked for him. Paul is a peach breeder and developed the Flamin’ Fury series of peaches. He is past president of the National Peach Council.

Obtain a CD of previous annual convention presentations and photos

CD includes 2009-2002 (but not 2005) convention powerpoint presentations converted to pdf files viewable with Adobe Reader. Cost of CD is $10. Contact Harold Larsen with your request for further details. Below is a summary of our past conventions.

2009 WCHS 66th Annual Convention

Download the 2009 Convention brochure.
January 13, 2009— Tour
Hulteen Orchards
Swartz’s Market
Lunch @ Zack’s Barbecue
Mesa County Compost
Talbott Farms Dried Fruit
Orchard Mesa Irrigation District
 
January 14, 2009
Two Rivers Convention Center
Grand Junction, Colorado
Registration, Exhibitors and Trade Show
Program
  • DVD movie, "Broken Limbs"
  • New Food Economy, Dr. John Ikerd
  • The "How" of Composting, Dr. Jessica Davis
  • The "Why" of Composting: Salt & Alkalinity Problems, Dr. Jessica Davis
  • Water Outlook for Farmers, Eric Kuhn
  • Labor / Immigration Issues, Dr. Richard Baca, Ph.D.
  • Panel Discussion: PR for Farmers, Lee Whitney, Ryan/Whitney LLC; Leigh Fortson, CSU Extension; Nancy Lofholm, Media; Charlie Talbott, Farmer; Leif Johnson, moderator
Evening Event — Meet the Speakers
 
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Two Rivers Convention Center
Grand Junction, CO
Registration, Exhibitors and Trade Show
Program
  • Tamarisk Biocontrol, Dan Bean
  • Surviving Farm Financials, Dr. John Ikerd
  • Fertility of Newly Bearing Fruit Trees, Dr. Ron Godin
  • Soil Health Issues, Dr. Ramesh Pokharel
  • WCHS Business Meeting / RMAVV Business Meeting
  • Split Pit / Soft Suture Study Report, Dr. Harold Larsen, Dr. Matt Rogoyski
  • Cytospora Canker: Research Update, Dr. Ramesh Pokharel
  • Sustainable Future, Dr. John Ikerd
  • Solar, Wind, and Hydro Power, Jim Heneghan, DMEA
  • Farmer & Wildlife Interactions, Frank McGee, Colorado Department of Wildlife
Attitude Adjustment Hour!
WCHS Banquet

2009 WCHS CONVENTION SPEAKERS

John Ikerd Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Agriculture Economics, University of Missouri, Columbia
Jessica Davis Ph.D., Professor, Department of Soil & Crop Sciences, Colorado State University
Eric Kuhn, General Manager of the Colorado River Water Conservation District
Richard Baca, Ph.D., Regional Director for Rep. John Salazar, Colorado 3rd Congressional District
Dan Bean, Director of Biological Pest Control, Colorado Department of Agriculture and Manager of the Palisade Insectary
Lee Whitney, Co-founder and partner of Ryan, Whitney & Company in Grand Junction, a marketing, advertising, and communications firm
Harold Larsen Ph. D., Colorado State University, Western Colorado Research Center. Interim Manager
Ramesh Pokharel, Ph. D., Colorado State University, Western Colorado Research Center
Leigh Fortson, Regional Communications Coordinator for Colorado State University
Nancy Lofholm, Local Media Representative (reporter, The Denver Post)
Leif Johnson, Palisade Chamber of Commerce
Ron Godin, Ph.D., Colorado State University, Rogers Mesa Research Station
Matt Rogoyski, Ph.D., Colorado State University, Western Colorado Research Station
Jim Heneghan, Renewable Energy Engineer, Delta Montrose Electrical Association
Frank McGee, District Wildlife Manager, Colorado Division of Wildlife
2008 WCHS 65th Annual Convention
January 15, 2008 — Tour
Silver Spruce Orchards
Red Mountain Ranches
Lunch @ Pioneer Town
Noland Orchards
Alida's Fruits

 
January 16, 2008
Two Rivers Convention Center
Grand Junction, Colorado
Registration, Exhibitors and Trade Show
Program
  • Understanding Peach Fruit Growth and Development, Dr. Ted DeJong
  • Growing Blueberries on Upland Soil: Can and should it be done? Dr. Brent Black
  • When Wholesale Aspects of Fruit Marketing Becomes Difficult, Jerry Mills
  • Japanese Beetle Update, Bob Hammon
  • Taking the "Art" Out of Pruning, Part 1, Dr. Ted DeJong
  • Responding to Letters from the Social Security Administration,
    Betty Bechtel
  • Establishing a Made From Scratch Bakery, Jerry Mills
  • Taking the "Art" Out of Pruning, Part 2, Dr. Ted DeJong
  • Orchard Irrigation Principles, Dr. Brent Black
Evening Event — Meet the Speakers
 
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Two Rivers Convention Center
Grand Junction, CO
Registration, Exhibitors and Trade Show
Program
  • The Major Effects of Spring Temperatures, Dr. Ted DeJong
  • WCRC Update, Dr. Harold Larsen
  • Stone Fruit Diseases — Any New Answers? Dr. Ramesh Pokharel
  • Scratch Baking In Volume, Jerry Mills
  • WCHS General Membership Meeting
  • Establishing A Roadside Market — Things to Think About, Jerry Mills
  • Season Extension Technologies for the Intermountain West,
    Dr. Brent Black
  • Improving Orchards Grower Panel Discussion
Attitude Adjustment Hour!
WCHS Banquet

2008 WCHS CONVENTION SPEAKERS

Ted DeJong, Ph.D., Pomology Specialist, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Jerry Mills, Owner/Operator, Mills Apple Farm, Marine, IL
Brent Black, Ph.D., Extension Fruit Specialist, Utah State University
Ramesh Pokharel, Ph.D., Plant Pathologist/Nematologist, Colorado State University, Western Colorado Research Center
Harold Larsen, Ph.D., Interim Manager, Colorado State University, Western Colorado Research Center
Bob Hammon, Area Extension Agent, (Entomology/Agronomy), Colorado State University, Tri River Area Extension
Betty Bechtel, Attorney, Specializing in Employment Law Services, Bechtel & Santo LLP

2007 WCHS 64th Annual Convention
January 16, 2007— Tour
First Fruits Organic Farms
Lunch @ Bill Heddles Recreational Center
Dominguez Canyon Fruits
Mesa Shadow's Orchard
Peach Street Distillery

Evening Event — Meet the Speakers
 
January 17, 2007
Two Rivers Convention Center
Grand Junction, Colorado
Registration, Exhibitors and Trade Show
Program
  • Overview of Stone and Pome Fruit Research at University of Idaho, Essie Fallahi
  • Are Thrips Scarring Your Fruitgrowing Future? Walt Bentley
  • Alternative Fruit Crops Including Table Grapes, Essie Fallahi
  • Japanese Beetle in Our Own Backyard? Jude Sirota
  • WCHS Business Meeting
  • Labor issues on the Federal Level, Greg Walcher
  • Colorado's New Labor Laws and Their Effects on You, Betty Bechtel
  • Private Pesticide Applicator Changes for 2007, John Scott
  • Experience Colorado — Innovations in Marketing, Theresa High
  • Discoveries in Bioregulators.   Can we finally spray thin peaches? Essie Fallahi
 
January 18, 2007
Two Rivers Convention Center
Grand Junction, CO
Program
  • Choosing the Right Cherry Variety, Lyn Long
  • Is Twig Borer Eating Into Your Profits? Walt Bentley
  • Continuation of the Colorado Apple Administrative Committee. Yes or No? Jonathan Allen, Chairman, Colorado Apple Administrative Committee
  • Think Brown Rot is No Problem on the Western Slope? Think Again, Harold Larsen
  • WCHS General Membership Meeting
  • Managing Cherry Crop Load on Size Controlling Rootstock,
    Lyn Long
  • Grape Mealy Bug, Walt Bentley
  • Cherry Production Around the World from the Travels of Lyn Long
Attitude Adjustment Hour!
WCHS Banquet

2007 WCHS CONVENTION SPEAKERS

Jonathan Allen, Chairman, Colorado Apple Administrative Committee
Dr. Walt Bentley, Kearny Agriculture Center, Fresno CA. Entomologist
Dr. Essie Fallahi, Professor and Research Director, Pomology Program University of Idaho
Theresa High, Chairperson-Experience Colorado
Dr. Harold Larsen, Colorado State University, Plant Pathologist, Orchard Mesa Research Center
Lyn Long, Extension Horticulturist Oregon State University
Jude Sirota, Mesa County   Pest Control District
John Scott, Colorado Department of Agriculture, Pesticide Applicator Licensing
Betty Bechtell,Attorney, Bechtell and Santo LLP, Grand Junction, CO
Greg Walcher, President of Natural Resources Group, Washington, D.C.

2006 WCHS 63th Annual Convention
January 12, 2006 — Tour
Meet the Speakers: Beverage and hors d'Oeuvres in the exhibit hall
 
January 13, 2006
Two Rivers Convention Center
Grand Junction, Colorado
Registration, Exhibitors and Trade Show
Program
  • Improving Spray Application:  Technology and Common Sense, Dr. Andrew Landers
  • To Replant or What to Replant, That is the Question, Clark Seavert
  • Earwigs & Wasps, Rick Zimmerman
  • Competitive Orchard Systems 2015 — A Proposed National Initiative, Clark Seavert
  • Yellow Trees, Practical Experiences of Area Growers Panel Discussion
  • Better Coverage Less Drift:  Spray Techniques for Improved Fruit Quality, Dr. Andrew Landers
  • Looking for Alternatives To Methyl Bromide for Orchard Renovation and Soil Fumigation, Dr Harold Larsen
 
January 14, 2006
Two Rivers Convention Center
Grand Junction, CO
Program
  • WCHS General Membership Meeting
  • How to Work the System:  Contracting for Seasonal Labor, David Donaldson
  • Improving Deposition & Reducing Drift in the Vineyard, Dr. Andrew Landers
  • Targeted Fruit, If it Packs, It Pays!
Attitude Adjustment Hour!
WCHS Banquet

2006 Banquet
2004 WCHS 61th Annual Convention
January 20, 2004 — Tour
Meet the Speakers
 
January 21—22, 2004
Two Rivers Convention Center
Grand Junction, Colorado
Program
  • Charlene Jewell on California Stone Fruit Post-Harvest Technologies and Practices
  • Dr. David Carlson "Agricultural Preservation and Development Associations"
  • Japanese Beetle in Western  Colorado.
  • Additional speakers
  • Annual Banquet
Attitude Adjustment Hour!
WCHS Banquet

2004 WCHS CONVENTION SPEAKERS

Anita Azarenko, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Paul Friday, breeder and Marketer of Flamin' Fury peaches
John Caldwell, Viticulturist, Caldwell Vineyards, Napa, CA
2003 WCHS 60th Annual Convention
January 15, 2003 — Tour

WCRC Orchard Mesa
Lee Bradley’s Farm Market and Orchards
Canyon Wind Winery
Meet the Speakers at St. Kathryn Cellars
 
January 16, 2003
Two Rivers Convention Center
Grand Junction, Colorado
Registration, Exhibitors and Trade Show
Program
  • Peach Mineral Nutrition Management, Wes Asai
  • So You Want To Grow Cherries? George Ing
  • If Customers Aren't Buyin', You Aren't Survivin', Dr. Jerry Moorman
  • WCHS Business Meeting
  • Biodiversity of Apple Antioxidants:  Nature's Well-Kept Secret, Dr. Cecil Stushnoff
  • Yellow Peach Trees-Reversing the Syndrome Organic Research Update, Dr. Ron Godin
  • Common Problems Growing Peaches in California, Wes Asai
  • Stone Fruit Variety Test Results, George Ing
  • Organic Fruit Marketing Research Project, Jonathan Allen
  • Colorado Apple Administrative Committee Update
  • Colorado Apple Administrative Committee meeting
 
January 17, 2003
Two Rivers Convention Center
Grand Junction, Colorado
Program
  • Canopy Management to Increase Quality, Dr. Keith Patterson
  • Grapeleaf Skeletonizer & Japanese Beetle in Western Colorado, Bob Hammon
  • Cherries-Variety and Rootstock Options — Spreading the Season, George Ing
  • Impacts of the National Organic Program on the Fruit Industry, Thomas Cameron
  • The Impact of Green Manures and Weed Mat on Soil Micro-organisms, Dr. Rick Zimmerman
  • Irrigation Practices to Maximize Quality, Dr. Keith Patterson
  • Partial Root Zone Drying of Apples — an Update, Dr. Horst Caspari
  • Stone Fruit Flavor:  A Progress Report — Eric Gaarde
  • Frost Protection Strategies and Options — Dr. Harold Larsen
Attitude Adjustment Hour!
WCHS Banquet

2002 WCHS 59th Annual Convention
January 15, 2002 — Tour

Noland Orchard
WCRC Orchard Mesa & Lunch
Sunshine Mesa Vineyard
Kropp Brothers’ Orchard

Meet the Speakers at St. Kathryn Cellars
 
January 16, 2002
Two Rivers Convention Center
Grand Junction, Colorado
Registration, Exhibitors and Trade Show
Program
  • Keynote: Common ground for fruit and wine, Doug Caskey
  • Are we better off with less water? Dr. Horst Caspari
  • Powdery Mildew Risk Assessment Model, Dr. Doug Gubler
  • Scouting & assessment of pests and beneficials, Andy Kahn & Naná Simone
  • Making an impact: Organic research for Colorado, Steve Ela
  • Grapevine Declines, Dr. Doug Gubler
  • Making the best use of chemicals for weed control, Dr. Eugene Hogue
  • Bio-rational Herbicides, Megan Gross
  • Panel discussion: Exploring new applications of oils.
    Dr. Gubler, Dr. Larsen, A. Kahn and N. Simone.  Moderator:  Larry Traubel
 
January 17, 2003
Two Rivers Convention Center
Grand Junction, Colorado
Registration, Exhibitors and Trade Show
Program
  • Public attitudes about Ag in Colorado, Jim Rubingh
  • Bloom Delay 2001, Dr. Harold Larsen
  • Organic Certification in Colorado, NOPe! Don Gallegos
  • Alternative weed control effects on tree vigor, yield and soil quality, Dr. Eugene Hogue
  • Int'l Peach Conference, Dr. Matt Rogoyski
  • WCHS Business Meeting
  • Backyard fruit tree buyout, Jude Sirota
  • Plum Curculio approaches, Dr. Rick Zimmerman
  • Quarantine to manage pests, Mitch Yergert
  • Yellow Peach Tree Syndrome: The Soil & Water Angle, Dr. Ron Godin
  • Soft response to population booms, Andy Kahn & Naná Simone
Attitude Adjustment Hour!
WCHS Banquet

2002 WCHS CONVENTION SPEAKERS

Doug Caskey, Colorado Wine Industry Development Board
Dr. Horst Caspari, Viticulturist, Western Colorado Research Center at Orchard Mesa, Grand Jct., CO
Steve Ela, Colorado Organic Crop Management Association
Don Gallegos, CO Dept. of Agriculture, Lakewood, CO
Dr. Doug Gubler, Pathologist, University of California at Davis , CA
Dr. Ron Godin, Soil Scientist, Western Colorado Research Center at Rogers Mesa , Hotchkiss , CO
Megan Gross, Eagle County Cooperative Extension
Dr. Eugene Hogue, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Summerland , BC
Andy Kahn, Field Entomologist, Wenatchee , WA
Dr. Harold Larsen, Fruit Pathologist, Western Colorado Research Center at Orchard Mesa, Grand Jct., CO
Dr. Matt Rogoyski, Horticulturalist, Western Colorado Research Center at Orchard Mesa, Grand Jct., CO
Jim Rubingh, CO Dept.of Agriculture, Lakewood, CO
Naná Simone, Field Entomologist, Outlook, WA
Mitch Yergert, CO Dept.of Agriculture, Lakewood, CO
Dr. Rick Zimmerman, Entomologist, Western Colorado Research Center at Rogers Mesa , Hotchkiss , CO

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