Getting Started in Raspberry & Blackberries
A seven-session virtual short course. Sessions will be 7:00-9:00 pm Eastern Time Mondays and Wednesdays starting January 31. Course fee is $75/NARBA members, $125 non-members, and $75 for students and county-level ag extension agents
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.
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. See a detailed schedule here.
Fundamentals of Caneberry Production
In-Person Workshop, Monday Feb. 21 1:00-5:00 pm. For novice growers, potential growers, and anyone who needs a refresher on the basics. The workshop covers topics that will allow you to successfully establish and maintain plantings, including site and variety selection, fertilization and pruning, diagnosis and management of pest problems, and marketing. Participants will receive a USB-drive of resources. Led by Marvin Pritts, Cornell and Kathy Demchak, Penn State, with others. Limited registration. Fee is $70 for NARBA members, extension, and students, $90 all others.
Conference Tour
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm. Stops include:
-
Butlers Orchard – a multi-generation, consumer-focused farm, raising berries, pumpkins, and other crops, with a fine farm market. Ben Butler serves on NARBA’s board.
- Larriland Farms – A family-run pick-your-own farming operation since 1973. They raise caneberries, small and tree fruit, pumpkins and other crops and offer agritainment activities and a farm market.
- Doc Waters Cidery – Unwind, imbibe, and network at the end of the tour at this cidery owned and operated by members of the Butler family.
- Additional stops are being considered.
Tour registration is limited and on a first-come basis. Fee is $95, and includes transportation via charter coach and lunch.
Montgomery County Tastemaker Trail Tour
This tour will visit a winery, brewery, and farm-to-table restaurant Thursday afternoon Feb. 24 (post-conference). Limited to 10-24 participants. Indicate at registration if you are interested. We will finalize the tour and its cost if there is sufficient interest.
