This course is being organized by some of the leading caneberry educators from around the country, It is oriented towards novice growers, potential growers, or anyone who wants a short refresher on the basics of raspberry and blackberry production.
Sessions will be 7:00-9:00 pm Eastern Time Mondays and Wednesdays starting February 1. The last session, on February 22, is earlier in the day, at 4:00-6:00 pm to avoid overlap with the conference opening reception. Each session will be a combination of presentations by research/extension experts, a grower perspective, 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)
- Monday, Feb. 1: Overview of Caneberry Production and Variety Recommendations by Region – Laura McDermott, Cornell
- Wednesday, Feb. 3: Pre-plant, Soil Management and Fertility, Weed Control – Marvin Pritts, Cornell and Lisa DeVetter, Washington State University
- Monday, Feb. 8: Mulching, Pruning, and Trellising – Marvin Pritts, Cornell and Lisa DeVetter, Washington State University
- Wednesday, Feb. 10: 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. 15: Integrated Pest Management (Weed, Disease and Insect Management) – Aaron Cato, University of Arkansas, Laura McDermott, Cornell
- Wednesday, Feb. 17: New Technologies – Tunnels, Substrate Production, and More – Kathy Demchak, Penn State University; Ryan Dickson, University of Arkansas; Amanda McWhirt, University of Arkansas
- Monday, Feb. 22: 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 $95/NARBA members, $125 non-members, and $80 for students and county-level ag extension agents. You may register just for this short course or in combination with a registration for the North American Raspberry & Blackberry Conference. Registration for this course closes on January 28.
