June 5 and 6, 2024 Biological Control Conference

Location: Carroll Community College

June 5th - Building M, Room 157
June 6th - Building K, Room 100

Space is Limited: Registration is on a first come, first served basis. There will be a Carroll Community College attendance form to fill out for their records.

Lunch not guaranteed after May 22, 2024. No refunds after June 1, 2024. Eventbrite fees will not be refunded.

If you want to pay by check, make check payable to University of Maryland and send to 2024 Biocontrol Conference, 11975 Homewood Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042. Include attendee name, company, address, phone number, and email.

June 5, 2024 (Building M, Room 157): Lab

IMPORTANT: The same lab program is offered in the morning and afternoon. Sign up for ONLY ONE of the sessions. Each session is limited to 30 people.

Session 1: 8:00 – 12:30 (includes lunch)

Session 2: 12:00 – 4:00 (includes lunch)

Lunch for both morning and afternoon sessions is 12:00 to 12:45

Lab Program:

Purpose: to give growers hands on experience with evaluating viability and efficacy of biological control organisms and how to evaluate bio-fungicides for efficacy.

Lab Leaders:

John Sanderson, Cornell University, Michael Brownbridge, BioWorks, Inc., Eric Clifton, BioWorks, Inc., Stefan jaronkski (retired), Matt Krause, Lallemand Specialist Company, Karly Regan, Certis

University of Maryland Extension: Plant Pathologists - Karen Rane (retired) and David Clement; Extension Specialist in IPM and Entomology - Stanton Gill

1.) Examine beneficial nematode and make aliquots for evaluating if they are alive. How to apply through trickle irrigation systems

2.) Aphid parasites

3.) Thrips predators and parasites

4.) Mite predators

5.) Caterpillar parasites

6.) Root rot biofungicides

7.) Foliage biofungicides

8.) Entompathogens

June 6, 2024 (Building K, Room 100): Lectures and Drone Demo

7:30 – 8:15 Check-in

8:15 – 8:30 Program Introduction
Speakers: Stanton Gill, Extension Specialist in Entomology and IPM and David Clement, Extension Specialist in Pathology, University of Maryland Extension, and Brian Kunkel, IPM and Entomology Specialist, University of Delaware Extension

8:30 -9:20 Micro-Insecticides 101- Advancements in Bioinsecticides
Location, Location, Location
Speaker: Dr. Stefan Jaronski, USDA, Retired, Insect Pathologist and Adjunct Professor in Entomology, Virginia Tech University

9:20 – 10:10 Biopesticides for Plant Disease Management: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Speaker: Dr.Michael Brownbridge, BioWorks Company

10:10 – 10:30 BREAK

10:30 –11: 20 Biological Control in the Greenhouse
Speaker: John Sanderson, Cornell University

11:20 – 12:00 Compatibility of Bioinsecticides and Natural Enemies in the Greenhouse.
As new biocontrol solutions come to market, greenhouse growers need trusted advice on how they can integrate new products into their business. This talk will include a general overview on the compatibility of greenhouse inputs, as well as a focus on mycoinsecticides, tank-mixing, and how to use these products alongside biocontrol agents.
Speaker: Eric Clifton, BioWorks

12:00 – 12:45 Catered lunch

1:00 – 1:50 A Greenhouse Grower Who Actually Uses Biological Control Successfully Speaker: Steve Hershfeld, Hillcrest Nursery
Real life experiences with biological control in greenhouses growing herbs. Steve will cover his experience with what works and does not in a working greenhouse based on 20 years of experience.

1:50 – 2:50 Group Presentations – 20-minute talks

Beauveria bassiana for Spotted Lanternfly
Speaker: Paula Shrewsbury, University of Mryland

Spotted Lanternfly Control: Using Metarhizium and Drones
Speaker: Stanton Gill, University of Maryland Extension, and Brian Kunkel, University of Delaware Extension

Registered vs Unregistered Microbial Products Such as B. bassiana and Metarhizium
Speaker: Michael Brownbridge, BioWorks

2:40 – 3:20 Real World Examples of Biofungicides Working on Nursery and Greenhouse Crops
Speaker: Matt Krause, Lallemand Specialist Company

3:20 – 4:00 Demo Loading and Applying Biologicals in Dispensers Using Drones
Speakers: Kirk Floyd, KDrone Services, and BioWorks representative

University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Suzanne Klick at sklick@umd.edu on or before May 20, 2024.