Conference Covid-19 Policies
See our Covid-19 & Seasonal Flu policies for the conference here. In-person registrants will be required to sign our Acknowledgement of COVID-19 Risk and Release of Liability as part of the online registration process. Those registering on paper should send in paper forms. At-the-door registrants will fill out the form on arrival.
Networking and Socializing Opportunities
Virtual Opening Reception Monday, Feb. 21, 5:00 pm E.T.
Opening Reception at the DoubleTree Gaithersburg Monday, Feb. 21, 6:30 pm The reception will include a talk on Farmland Preservation in Montgomery County, where our conference is located; it has been a leader in farmland preservation since the 1960s. Registrants are welcome to bring non-registered family members to the reception. No need to dress up.
Virtual Reception Tuesday, Feb. 22 5:00 pm E.T.
Hospitality Room at the DoubleTree Tuesday, Feb 22 and Wednesday Feb. 23, 8:00-11:00 pm, with food, drink, and conversation. You are invited to bring food or beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) from your farm or region to share. The Hospitality Room may be extended to Feb. 24, depending how many people are staying that night.
Poster Session Reception Wednesday, Feb. 23, 5:30-6:30 pm. Talk with poster authors (and everyone else). Cash bar.
Young Growers Gathering Wednesday, Feb. 23, 6:30 pm. Convene at the hotel Wednesday evening and move to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Young researchers, extension, etc. are also invited.
Sharing Sessions
Grower Innovations session Thursday, Feb. 24. Whether you are an in-person attendee or a virtual registrant, share your innovations in equipment, harvesting, trellising, etc. Actual show-and-tell, pictures, or description of processes are all welcome. Please contact Karen Blaedow, karen_blaedow@ncsu.edu, who is organizing the session.
Small group discussions: Propose a discussion or roundtable at the conference. We will find you a room and put it in the schedule. Contact NARBA or give your idea when you register (there’s a space to do that). The Whova app also facilitates discussion boards and impromptu meet-ups, both virtual and in-person.
Posters
Posters are always an important educational feature of this conference and of great interest to participants. They may be submitted for display at the in-person conference and/or for virtual display. Posters should be caneberry-focused and can be submitted by students, researchers, extension agents, industry, and growers. See details and a submission form here. Submissions are due by February 1, 2022.
Graduate Student Scholarships
The North American Bramble Growers Research Foundation (NABRGF) and the North American Raspberry & Blackberry Association (NARBA) are offering three graduate student travel scholarships to the conference. Each scholarship covers travel and hotel expenses of up to $1000 and registration for the main conference February 23-24. Additional scholarships (registration only) to the virtual conference may be awarded if funds are available. Applications are due by January 15. Learn more here.
