Putting Knowledge to Work for the People of Maine.
 

Wild Blueberry Newsletterblueberry cluster

June 2007

Wild Blueberry Field Day

The annual summer field day for wild blueberry growers will be held on Wednesday, July 18 at Blueberry Hill Farm on Route 1 in Jonesboro.  There will be a meeting at 10:30 a.m. of blueberry growers, processors, University and government employees, affiliated with the blueberry industry, to discuss this year's wild blueberry crop.  The program for the meeting is listed below. Researchers will be on hand to explain current research projects at Blueberry Hill Farm and with cooperative growers, and will be available to hear your concerns and answer your questions.  There will be two pesticide credits offered to certified pesticide applicators for participating in the program.  I hope to see you there!

2007 Wild Blueberry Summer Field Day Agenda
Blueberry Hill Farm

10:30 – 10:50 A.M.

Crop Discussion (Light Blue Metal Building)

11:00 – 12:00 P.M.

Sunrise County Wild Blueberry Association Directors Awards

Wild Blueberry Rake Modification, Blanca Santiago and Barbara Ginley, Maine Migrant Health Program

Census of Agriculture, Gary Keough, New England Field Office, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Lowbush Blueberry Crop Insurance, Samuel Coburn, Risk Management Specialist, RMA Raleigh Regional Office
 

12:00 - 1:00 P.M.

Cookout

1:00 – 3:30 P.M.

 

Research Demonstrations:

Mummy Berry Blight Forecasting Project,  Seanna Annis, UMaine

Allegheny Mound Ant As A Potential Biological Control Agent, Beth Choate, UMaine

Pollination With Bumble Bees, 10 Yrs After and Blueberry Maggot Fly Movement, Frank Drummond, UMaine

Early Spring Insect Insecticide Efficacy Tests, Judy Collins, UMaine

Irrigation Research Update, Gordon Starr, USDA ARS

Weed Management Research, Dave Yarborough

Demonstration Of AMS Tractor Calibration System, Gary Nedeau , Theriault Equipment

Two recertification credits


Organic Blueberry Meeting

MOFGA is sponsoring an organic blueberry meeting on Tuesday July 10 from 1 to 4:30 PM. It will begin at Highland Blueberry Farm owned by Theresa and Tom Gaffney and is located on the Old County Road in Stockton Springs, Maine.  The farm is on the road just over the Stockton Springs town line, approximately one half mile up the Old County Road from RT. 1A, and the entrance is on the left side of the road.  Researchers from the Organic Transitions research project and other organic growers will be present to discuss the challenges of growing wild blueberries organically. The meeting will progress up the road to the Staples Homestead operated by Basil Staples for the remainder of the meeting.

USDA to Forecast 2006 Maine Wild Blueberry Crop

The New England National Agricultural Statistics Service will be conducting its yearly survey of the wild blueberry crop. Enclosed in the newsletter is their notice with the details. 

Sincerely,

Dave.

David E. Yarborough
Extension Blueberry Specialist

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