This course has been organized by some of the leading caneberry educators from around the country. It is oriented towards novice growers, potential growers, and anyone who wants a refresher on the basics of raspberry and blackberry production. It reprises — and hopefully improves — the successful short course we offered for our 2021 virtual conference.
Sessions will be 7:00-9:00 pm Eastern Time Mondays and Wednesdays starting January 31. This schedule may change, as the final session on Monday, Feb 21, overlaps our in-person conference.
Each session will be a combination of presentations by research/extension experts, plus some grower perspectives, and live Q and A. Participants will be able to review recordings of each session if they miss them at the scheduled time.
Schedule of Sessions and Main Topics Not all presenters are listed; presenters, schedule, and topics are subject to change.
- Monday, Jan. 31: Overview of Caneberry Production and Variety Recommendations by Region – Laura McDermott, Cornell
- Wednesday, Feb. 2: Pre-plant, Soil Management and Fertility, Weed Control – Marvin Pritts, Cornell and Lisa DeVetter, Washington State University
- Monday, Feb. 7: Mulching, Pruning, and Trellising – Marvin Pritts, Cornell and Lisa DeVetter, Washington State University
- Wednesday, Feb. 9: Irrigation and Water Management – Dave Bryla, USDA-ARS. Corvallis, OR; Amanda McWhirt, University of Arkansas. Plus Q&A panel of experienced growers Chris Eckert, M;O; Ben Butler, MD: and Dean Henry, IA
- Monday, Feb. 14: Integrated Pest Management (Weed, Disease and Insect Management) – Aaron Cato, University of Arkansas and Laura McDermott, Cornell
- Wednesday, Feb. 16: New Technologies – Tunnels, Substrate Production, and More – Kathy Demchak, Penn State University; Ryan Dickson, University of Arkansas; Amanda McWhirt, University of Arkansas
- Monday, Feb. 21: Marketing, Budgeting, and Food Safety – Penny Perkins-Veazie, NC State University; Ron Rainey, University of Arkansas; Connie Fisk Produce Safety Alliance, Cornell; Patrick Byers, University of Missouri
Course fee is $75/NARBA members, $125 non-members, and $75 for students and county-level ag extension agents. You may register just for this short course or in combination with a registration for the 2022 North American Raspberry & Blackberry Conference (either in-person or virtual).
