Inside, you'll find:

• News and Updates
• Upcoming Events
• Research Spotlight: Northeast Dry Bean Pathogen Survey Results
• Weather Data
• Outcroppings Blog
• Photos

News and Updates

Want to learn how hemp goes from field to fiber?

This video series follows hemp trials at Borderview Research Farm from August 2024 to the final harvest date in April 2025. Laura Sullivan answers questions about field and winter retting, fiber processing strategies, and potential uses for hemp fiber.

Upcoming Events

Research Spotlight

2025 Seedborne Pathogen Survey of Organic Dry Beans in the Northeastern U.S.

In spring 2025, UVM Extension’s Northwest Crops and Soils Program (NWCS) invited organic dry bean growers across the Northeast to submit seed samples for evaluation of seed health and seedborne pathogens. Many growers report challenges with accessing quality seed and managing pests, making seed health a critical issue for the region.

Most dry bean growers in the Northeast are certified organic, with farmers often saving seed from year to year due to limited availability of heirloom and specialty varieties. While this helps preserve preferred types, it also increases the risk of seedborne pathogen buildup. Because organic systems have fewer disease management tools, planting clean seed is one of the most effective ways to prevent yield losses.

The UVM NWCS Team and the UVM Plant Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) teamed up to assess germination and find out what major seedborne pathogens are targeting organic dry bean production in this region. The results from the 2025 Seedborne Pathogen Survey Summarized Report can be found here.

Seed Health Results

In addition to assessing the presence of pathogens, the teams also assessed germination and seed vigor. Germination was assessed using 200 seeds per sample. The germination ranged from 0 to 98% among the 25 samples, with an average germination of 66%. The seed vigor test evaluated 100 seeds per sample, measuring the total growth from the seed in centimeters after a 7-day incubation period. Having a higher seed vigor index value indicates quicker development and emergence, leading to a more uniform stand. The Seed Vigor Index ranged from 0 to 528 among the 25 samples submitted, with an average Seed Vigor Index of 166. 

Each submitted sample showed fungal or bacterial pathogens in the seed lots. The most common diseases present in this survey were common bacterial blight (80%) and halo blight (60%). Although fungal pathogens were not observed in high numbers compared to the bacterial pathogens, they can still pose a threat. Fields should be regularly scouted to monitor the various diseases associated with these pathogens. 

More resources:

• Growers Guide to Seedborne Diseases of Dry Beans
• NWCS Dry Bean Reports
• Northern Grain Growers Collaborative

Weather Data

This “percent of normal” August precipitation map highlights the record dry conditions in Vermont and across the Northeast. Many regions of Vermont received less than 25% of their normal precipitation, and Lake Champlain reached its lowest level since 1934. If you need support with drought management strategies, please reach out to your local UVM Extension agronomist.

Heather Darby, (802) 782-6054 or Heather.Darby@uvm.edu

Shawn Lucas, (802) 656-7546 or Shawn.Lucas@uvm.edu

This resource from the Northeast Regional Climate Center represents weather and climate data collected by the Applied Climate Information System (ACIS).

This is the 2025 season outlook of Growing Degree Days (GDDs) in Alburgh, Vermont, the location of our program's research farm. As of September 13, this area has accumulated 2,146 GDDs. Increased water demand caused by high temperatures, combined with dry conditions in July and August, may have caused crop damage. As we head into the remainder of the season, make sure to monitor crops for heat stress.

This graph was created by the Climate Smart Farming Growing Degree Day Calculator. 

© Cornell University, 2016. Credits: Tool Developed by Art DeGaetano, Rick Moore, Brian Belcher & Ben Eck.

Outcroppings Blog

Photos

Seeds, seeds, seeds!

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.