{"id":1410,"date":"2022-01-10T14:59:35","date_gmt":"2022-01-10T18:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/?page_id=1410"},"modified":"2026-04-16T14:16:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T18:16:42","slug":"horticulture-and-fruits-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/horticulture-and-fruits-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Horticulture and Fruits Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\n.rounded-style img{\n  border-radius: 15%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\" style=\"min-height:272px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"235\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-8100 size-large\" alt=\"Strawberries in pots\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2026\/04\/horticulture-TGD_4214-1024x235.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\"\/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-10 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#5c603b\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-527c3ba22ff616fef0b34e8a71911aab wp-block-paragraph\">Horticulture and Fruits Program<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Horticulture and Fruits Program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Extension works toward increasing food security in Maryland, throughout the region and nation through training opportunities and resources that can improve production, reduce resource waste and help apply modern agricultural techniques for small-scale farmers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The program grows multiple varieties of strawberries, raspberries and Asian vegetables, as well as soybean and dahlias, for research, teaching and outreach.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The UMES orchard, established in 2017, is maintained by the Horticulture and Fruits Program, with varieties of apples, pears, peaches, plums, nectarines and grapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:2px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How UMES Extension Can Help<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image rounded-style\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"702\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2026\/04\/UMES-Veterans-Ag-Conference-TD-091225-7104-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Naveen Kumar Dixit talks to veterans at the UMES Veterans Ag Conference.\" class=\"wp-image-8116\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2026\/04\/UMES-Veterans-Ag-Conference-TD-091225-7104-scaled-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2026\/04\/UMES-Veterans-Ag-Conference-TD-091225-7104-scaled-1-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2026\/04\/UMES-Veterans-Ag-Conference-TD-091225-7104-scaled-1-768x527.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dr. Naveen Kumar Dixit talks to veterans at the UMES Veterans Ag Conference: From Service to Sustainability on Sept. 13, 2025 on the campus of UMES. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our program offers in-person and online workshops, hands-on learning opportunities, practical demonstrations and training sessions. Topics include grant writing; crop cultivation; pruning techniques; irrigation; pest, disease and nutrition management; and fertilization.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With a goal of \u201crejuvenating the lost fruit industry on the Eastern Shore of Maryland,\u201d Dr. Naveen Kumar Dixit, UMES Extension horticulture specialist and UMES associate professor, promotes fruit and vegetable cultivation for each backyard in Maryland for a healthy lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A signature event is the two-day UMES Veterans Ag Conference, supported by the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NE-SARE) Professional Development Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Dixit serves as coordinator of NE-SARE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:2px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our Research<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image rounded-style\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"702\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2026\/04\/TGD_Dxixit_6394.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Naveen Kumar Dixit prunes a dahlia plant.\" class=\"wp-image-8107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2026\/04\/TGD_Dxixit_6394.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2026\/04\/TGD_Dxixit_6394-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2026\/04\/TGD_Dxixit_6394-768x527.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dr. Naveen Kumar Dixit prunes a dahlia plant at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dixit\u2019s research works to develop postharvest technology, abiotic and biotic stress management, and mineral nutrient management for fruit and vegetable crops; conduct fruit variety testing and evaluation; recommend conventional and organic production systems; and develop nano-technological management and control techniques for soil and foliar-borne pest, diseases, and weeds in fruit, vegetables and row crops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Strawberries:&nbsp;<\/strong>Our research works to better farmer knowledge to improve nutrient management, ultimately, enhancing strawberry production efficiency, minimize nutrient loss and environmental impact, and reduce yield loss.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Raspberries:<\/strong>&nbsp;Improving irrigation and pest management, and increasing farmer knowledge of grant opportunities are the goals of our research on raspberries in high tunnels and open beds. This increases farm productivity and longevity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Saltwater-tolerant soybean varieties, value-addition opportunities in dahlias, and industrial hemp cultivation collaborations round out our research.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In the News<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/connections\/military-veterans-explore-agricultural-opportunities-at-umes-conference\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/connections\/military-veterans-explore-agricultural-opportunities-at-umes-conference\/\">Military veterans explore agricultural opportunities at UMES conference<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/connections\/farmers-find-cut-flower-opportunity-in-dahlias\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/connections\/farmers-find-cut-flower-opportunity-in-dahlias\/\">Farmers find cut flower opportunity in dahlias<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/americanfarm.com\/articles\/delmarvafarmer\/dahlias-good-cut-flower-option-for-local-growers\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/americanfarm.com\/articles\/delmarvafarmer\/dahlias-good-cut-flower-option-for-local-growers\/\">Dahlias good cut flower option for local growers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lancasterfarming.com\/farming-news\/field-crops\/soybean-research-harnesses-plant-s-natural-drought-protection\/article_502c1436-ee97-4832-837c-377d4c34896e.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.lancasterfarming.com\/farming-news\/field-crops\/soybean-research-harnesses-plant-s-natural-drought-protection\/article_502c1436-ee97-4832-837c-377d4c34896e.html\">Soybean Research Harnesses Plant\u2019s Natural Drought Protection<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/americanfarm.com\/articles\/delmarvafarmer\/researcher-looks-to-fight-drought\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/americanfarm.com\/articles\/delmarvafarmer\/researcher-looks-to-fight-drought\/\">Soybean researcher looks to fight drought<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.growingproduce.com\/vegetables\/how-about-something-alternative-asian-vegetables-in-high-demand\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.growingproduce.com\/vegetables\/how-about-something-alternative-asian-vegetables-in-high-demand\/\">Want To Grow Something Alternative? Asian Vegetables Are in High Demand<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/m.farmshow.com\/a_article.php?aid=40908\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/m.farmshow.com\/a_article.php?aid=40908\">University Studies Cut Flowers As An Alternate Crop<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.delmarvanow.com\/story\/news\/local\/maryland\/2023\/07\/31\/farmers-facing-climate-change-look-to-resilient-crops-new-strategies\/70486892007\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.delmarvanow.com\/story\/news\/local\/maryland\/2023\/07\/31\/farmers-facing-climate-change-look-to-resilient-crops-new-strategies\/70486892007\/\">Farmers battle climate change, sea level rise with new assist from UMES research<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact Us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/naveen-kumar-dixit\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/naveen-kumar-dixit\/\">Dr. Naveen Kumar Dixit<\/a><br>Extension Specialist and Associate Professor, Horticulture<br>Phone: 410-651-3650<br>Email:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:fnaveenkumar@umes.edu\">fnaveenkumar@umes.edu<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Horticulture and Fruits Program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Extension works toward increasing food security in Maryland, throughout the region and nation through training opportunities and resources that can improve production, reduce resource waste and help apply modern agricultural techniques for small-scale farmers.&nbsp; The program grows multiple varieties of strawberries, raspberries&#8230;<span class=\"cpschool-read-more-link-holder\"><a class=\"btn btn-basic cpschool-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/horticulture-and-fruits-program\/\">Read more <span class=\"sr-only\">Horticulture and Fruits Program<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"folder":[30],"class_list":["post-1410","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1410"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1410\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/folder?post=1410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}