Growing Wisconsin Conference - Member public profile

January 18-20, 2026 | Wisconsin Dells, WI

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Penn State University

Member profile details

First name

Kari

Last name

Peterson

Company / Farm

Penn State University

Title

PhD, Associate Research Professor, Tree Fruit Pathology

Profile Picture

About Me

Areas of interest
Diseases of stone and pome fruit, especially bacterial diseases and postharvest apple rots; educational programming for integrated management for pre- and postharvest tree fruit diseases and fungicide resistance

The Tree Fruit Pathology Program at Penn State
Growing tree fruit is a huge industry in the Mid-Atlantic region, with Pennsylvania the fourth largest producer of apples in the United States. The Tree Fruit Pathology Program at Penn State serves tree fruit growers in Pennsylvania and Maryland through the Mid-Atlantic Fruit Consortium, a collaboration enabling Penn State University, the University of Maryland, and West Virginia University to share resources and expertise.

My Extension Program focuses on educating growers about effective, sustainable disease management strategies for important diseases problematic in the region. This includes regular participation in winter and spring/summer meetings and timely articles and disease updates in the online periodical Fruit Times. In addition, since we're located in the heart of the apple country, we regularly answer questions from "walk-ins", phone calls, and emails from growers, crop consultants, Extension educators, journalists, and anyone with a burning question about tree fruit diseases.

My philosophy for addressing Pennsylvania's and Maryland's tree fruit industry research needs is to follow a holistic approach: all pest management systems (organic to conventional) and full circle (pre- and postharvest diseases). My research program includes developing better management strategies for controlling bacterial diseases, specifically fire blight and bacterial spot, and apple fruit rot diseases occurring during storage; identifying possible emerging pre- and postharvest apple fruit rots; and developing tools to quickly identify fungicide resistance for problematic fungal diseases so to assist growers with disease management decisions within season. In addition, I work closely with several companies evaluating chemistries and products for suitability in controlling tree fruit diseases in Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Website

https://extension.psu.edu/kari-peter

The Growing Wisconsin Conference is run by the Wisconsin Apple Growers Association. For more information please contact us. Thank you for your interest in the Growing Wisconsin Conference!

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Burlington WI 53105