2015 Missouri Blueberry School

The 2015 Missouri Blueberry School will be held March 13-14, 2015 at the MSU Darr Agricultural Center, 2401 S. Kansas Expressway, Springfield, MO 65807 and will include farm tours to 3 area blueberry sites.

Blueberries offer huge potential for Missouri farmers. Though a challenging crop to produce, blueberries are in high demand for many markets. The Missouri Blueberry School will offer educational sessions and a tour of innovative blueberry farms. Join local and nationally known blueberry specialists to gain expertise on a wide range of blueberry issues, including:

* Establishing new blueberry plantings

* Blueberry weed management, including recent advances

* Update on blueberry insect issues, including spot-ted wing drosophila and brown marmorated stink bug

* Creative marketing strategies for blueberries

* Blueberry production practices

* Blueberry growers profile

* On-farm tours of innovative blueberry producers

Registration is $60 for first member of farm and $45 for additional members of a farm.  Fee includes Friday educational sessions, Saturday bus tour and Saturday lunch and educational materials. The Blueberry School website is www.extension.missouri.edu/blueberry

For any questions: Call Patrick Byers at 417-881-8909 or Kelly McGowan.  Make check payable to Greene County Extension, mail to or drop by: Greene County Extension Center, 2400 S. Scenic Avenue, Springfield, MO 65807

The Missouri Blueberry School Agenda

Friday, March 13, 2015 Blueberry Educational Sessions

8:30 – Registration

9:00 – Welcome, Anson Elliott

9:15-10:15 – Establishing blueberries – avoiding costly mistakes, Mark Longstroth

10:15-10:30 – Break

10:30-11:00 – Blueberry cultivar trial update, Martin Kaps

11:00-12:00 – Marketing blueberries in local markets, Timothy Woods

12:15-1:30 – Lunch on your own

1:30-2:15 – Blueberry weed management, Mark Longstroth

2:15-3:00 – Managerial Economics 101 for blueberry growers, Timothy Woods

3:00-3:15 – Break

3:15-4:15 – Blueberry grower profile: Amy and Gabe Craighead

4:15-5:00 – Blueberry insect issues Anastasia Becker, Jacob Wilson

5:00-5:15 – Updates in the Small Fruit and Grape Spray Guide, Patrick Byers

5:15 – Missouri Blueberry Council meeting

Saturday, March 14, 2015 Blueberry Tour

8:30 – Board buses and depart from Pinegar Arena, Darr Agriculture Center

9:30-10:30 Weaver Blueberry Farm tour, Stott City

A discussion of pruning practices and pest management will take place during this tour stop.

11:00-1:00 – MU Southwest Research Center tour, lunch

Learn about alternative fruit crops (pawpaw, persimmon, elderberry) and nuts.

2:00-3:00 – Rausch’s Blueberry Farm tour, Monett

A discussion of cultural practices and marketing strategies will highlight this stop.

4:00 – Tour concludes, buses return to Darr Agricultural Center

Tour Stops

Weaver Blueberry Farm, Stott City, MO

Jonas and Lisa Weaver operate a berry farm near Stott City. The farm includes three cultivars, and the fruit is sold PYO and prepicked.

MU Southwest Center, Mount Vernon, MO

The University of Missouri Southwest Research and Education Cen-ter was established in 1959. Horticulture research at the Center provides information on viable production practices for both commercial and home producers of vegetables and fruits. Crops of interest include elderberry, pawpaw, persimmon, nuts, grapes, and several vegetables.

Rausch’s Blueberry Farm, Monett, MO

George and Annmarie Rausch established their blueberry farm in 1987 north of Monett, MO. The 3 acre farm includes 7 cultivars, and plans are underway to expand production. Customers arrive from across Missouri and from neighboring states to enjoy the harvest, which is sold primarily at the farm, as both PYO and prepicked fruit.

Farmer’s Market Workshop (new date due to cancellation of winter weather)

A Farmers’ Market Workshop will be held Wednesday March 25, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Registration is from 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.  The workshop will be held at North College Center at
Mineral Area College in Park Hills, MO.

This is a great opportunity to introduce your area Farmers’ Market & Welcome New Vendors.  It is also a great way to meet other vendors & share information about growing, produce and markets.

Come Hear Topics About:
• Greenhouse Options for the Market Gardener
• Beekeeping Basics
• Diseases
• Growing Cut Flowers for Market
• Marketing

Topics are tentative and subject to change.
Also Starting at 8:30 a.m.
• Scale Certification and Re-Certification

The registration fee is $15 with a deadline of March 20, 2015 which will ensure a meal. Please mail registration to: Ste. Genevieve Extension Center, 255 Market St, Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670

This Workshop is sponsored by the University of Missouri Extension. If you have questions, please call 573-883-3548.

Meet the Buyers Event for Local Farmers - March 3rd

Farmers throughout Missouri and Illinois are invited to attend a Meet the Buyers event to meet local and regional food buyers. The event will take place March 3, 2015, at the St. Louis University campus in the Il Monastero Building, 3050 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis, Mo., from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.

The event is a unique opportunity for farmers to meet with buyers one-on-one and learn what it takes to do business with the grocery and food service industries in the area. Extension representatives will present introductory information about two programs, MarketReady and Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs). Market Ready is a program designed to teach best commercial business practices between growers and various retail markets. GAPs are a set of recommendations that can help improve the quality and safety of the produce grown.

Representatives from a foodservice distributor, grocery retailer and school foodservice management company also will be on hand to share information on how those specific industries work and how farmers can tap into them. Rusty Lee, owner, Lee Farms, LLC, will demonstrate to farmers how to sort, grade and pack a produce box and how to distribute on a small scale.

Registration for the event is $15 and includes all event materials, a buffet lunch featuring several local and regional foods, and breaks. Due to limited seating, registration is first come, first served. Registration must be completed by Feb. 25, 2015. To register online, visit http://www.ilfb.org/ifb-news-and-events/conferences-events/meet-the-farmers,-meet-the-buyers.aspx. If registrants encounter problems paying online, please contact Charlene Blary at CBlary@ilfb.org to make special arrangements.

A limited number of AgriMissouri scholarships are available for AgriMissouri members to attend this event. Contact Catherine Bohnert at (573) 522-9213 or catherine.bohnert@mda.mo.gov for details. Registrations must be confirmed by February 25th to be eligible.

The following organizations are partnering to support the one-day event: Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Department of Agriculture, University of Missouri Extension, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Specialty Growers Association, Illinois Department of Agriculture and University of Illinois Extension.

Controlling Squash Bugs with Trap Crops and Chickens in Missouri

Squash bugs are major pests among cucurbit, squash, and pumpkin growers. For organic or all-natural vegetable producers like Gary Wenig in Rayville, MO, controlling the squash bugs on his farm without the use of commercially available pesticides has been a challenge.  Rocky Creek Valley Farm is a 40-acre farm owned and operated by Elizabeth and Gary Wenig. They produce and sell a large variety of heirloom vegetables, free range eggs, and herbs. They needed to get a handle on the squash bug problem on their farm, but they didn't want to rely on synthetic chemicals to achieve their goal.

Across the country, producers like the Wenigs are altering their pest management practices to move toward whole-farm strategies based on ecological principles. Clearly embracing what early advocates of integrated pest management (IPM) believed, farmers are acknowledging the benefits of system-wide strategies to control pests.  The Wenigs learned that trap crops could be grown as a control measure to lure pests away from a cash crop. Since the pests are concentrated in high levels in trap crops, they can be treated in a localized area instead of treating the entire field.

“Trap crops have been proven to lure pests away from cash crops, but then the issue is how to kill the insects once they are on the trap crop plants,” said Gary Wenig. “More traditional IPM methods use chemicals to kill pests once they are on the trap crops. That strategy reduces the use of chemicals and associated costs, but does not eliminate the use of chemicals.”

Rather than using synthetic chemicals, the Wenigs wanted to use chickens to eliminate the pests in their trap crop. In 2013, the Wenigs applied to the NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher Grant Program and were awarded $6,462 to explore an insect pest control management strategy using a combination of trap crops, beneficial insect crops, and chickens in moveable pens. They hoped that the chickens would kill the squash bugs in the trap crop, thus reducing the number of squash bugs in their cash crop without using chemicals. They also wanted to integrate cover crops as a soil management strategy for pest management.

For their experiment, the Wenigs set up four trap crop plantings around a 2.5-acre vegetable garden. Based on research presented by Jaime Piñero, Assistant Professor and State IPM Specialist at Lincoln University, the Wenigs selected a trap crop mix of blue hubbard and red kuri squash.

Wening’s mobile chicken pen design accommodates 2 to 4 chickens and a trap crop bed. It is 8 feet wide, 12 feet long, and 24 inches tall.

They constructed two 8x12 ft. mobile pens (sometimes referred to as chicken tractors), which were designed to roll over the trap crop plants.

The pens were placed so that the pens enclosed the trap crop plots, and then they placed between two and four chickens in each mobile pen. By confining the chickens in pens with the trap crop plants, they kept the chickens away from the cash crop and avoided damage and contamination issues. To make their pest management program even more effective, the Wenigs incorporated several cover crops to provide other soil and pest management related benefits.

They observed that the blue hubbard was a more effective trap crop than the red kuri squash, and were thrilled when they observed the chickens devouring the squash bugs in the blue hubbard trap crop.

“Bottom line - it was a great success,” said Wenig. “After a number of issues including the weather and a steep learning curve, we saw that chickens, in combination with a blue hubbard trap crop, can be used to control squash bugs in a vegetable produce business.”

For more information on the Wenigs’ trap crop, cover crop, and mobile chicken pen pest management strategy, visit the Rocky Creek’s website at www.RockyCreekValley.com, or the SARE project reporting website.  Simply search by the project number, FNC13-9, at www.mysare.sare.org, or contact the NCR-SARE office.

Take Care to Get Quality Soil Samples from Farm Fields

Obtaining a quality soil sample is vital for receiving accurate nutrient recommendations for a field.

"In a 20 acre field, there is about 40 million pounds of soil. Of those 40 million pounds, you send one pound to the lab for results, so make sure that one pound represents the field," said Jill Scheidt, agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

Soil samples need to be taken every three to four years. The average soil test assesses nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, organic matter, neutralizable acidity, cation exchange capacity and pH levels.

Micro nutrients are not tested for unless the producer requests it at an additional charge.

"Different soil types and soil needs are in the same pasture or field. Several samples bags need to be collected if the land is uneven," said Scheidt.

For example, if a pasture was once two pastures, separate samples should be taken on either side of the old fence line.

Likewise, if there is high animal traffic in a pasture, that area should be sampled separately. Hillsides and waterways should be sampled differently. If a pasture has been converted to a crop field, separate samples need to be taken if a pond or tree line has been removed.

"Soil nutrient properties can fluctuate throughout the year depending on the season. When soil sampling it is important to take samples at the same time of year, each year samples are taken to provide consistency," said Scheidt.

The best time to take a sample for forages and spring-seeded crops is when the field is idle; usually after harvest in the fall or winter.

For fields with winter wheat and fall-seeded crops, sampling during the idle time in the summer is best. Pre-plant or pre-side-dress nitrogen samples for corn should be taken in the spring as close to planned nitrogen application as possible.

"It is best to wait at least three months after application of phosphorus fertilizer, lime or manure before taking a soil sample," said Scheidt.

Sample cores need to be at least six to eight inches deep since too shallow of a sample can cause an overestimate of soil fertility levels.

"Every core should be the same depth and quantity to provide uniformity. A zigzag pattern of random soil sampling across the field works well in most situations," said Scheidt.

If using a shovel instead of a soil probe, dig a hole and slice off one side. Collect 10-20 cores in a bucket, crumble and mix them. Then remove sticks, rocks and grass and place about one pint of soil into a plastic bag or soil sample box.

"Always label the bag in reference to where the sample was taken in order to identify it when the results are received. The number of cores collected should reflect the variation of the land and land history; more samples if the land is varied, less if it is more uniform, it is better to take too many samples as opposed to too little," said Scheidt.

According to Scheidt, grid soil sampling, which is sampling the field in 2.5 acres per sample, is economical when used in high yielding fields; especially when significant variations in soil tests are anticipated. "It can also be useful in a field where the history is unknown. Grid soil sampling provides the most accurate results when paired with a variable rate spreader," said Scheidt.

Interpreting soil tests are the most difficult part of the process but specialists from University of Missouri Extension always add recommendations that make it easier.

After collecting the soil take it to the nearest University of Missouri Extension county office. The staff there can help with the paperwork and get your results in seven to 10 days for a modest fee.

Check out the Soil Testing and Plant Diagnostic Labs.

Pineberry: A Reintroduced Strawberry

For those who like novelty plants, pineberry (Fragaria chiloensis x virginiana) is a hybrid strawberry that produces small, white, highly aromatic fruit with red achenes (seeds) (Figure 1). While it is marketed as a berry with pineapple-like flavor, not all may perceive this flavor. Pineberries are slightly larger than a dime and are soft. In The Netherlands, they are grown in greenhouses. In Chile, white-fruited berries are grown in tunnels with ultraviolet-filtering plastic to maintain this characteristic.  Plants require full sun, but the fruit tends to turn pink to blueish-pink with exposure to sunlight.  Some nursery sources recommend cross-pollinating pineberry plants with a typical red-fruited strawberry, while others do not.  Those who have grown pineberry report that the fruit softens early, but berries are not ready for harvest until the achenes turn from green to red in May. Compared to typical red-fruited strawberry cultivars, pineberry plants are considered sparse-bearers. Pineberry cultivars available from online sources in the United States include White Albino, White Carolina, White Pine, White D and Wonderful. To maintain the white-fruit character of the berries, only plants (not seed) should be purchased.

White-fruited strawberries of Fragaria chiloensis (Chilean strawberry) have been traced back to Chile where the native peoples, the Picunche and the Mapuche, cultivated them more than 1000 years ago. Although uncommon, native white strawberries can still be found in southern Chile today. Although early explorers documented these strawberries, they were not introduced into Europe until 1712 when Lt. Colonel Amedee Frézier brought F. chiloensis plants to France.  Thereafter, the Chilean strawberry was naturally pollinated by Fragaria virginiana (red-fruited type known as scarlets). More recently, Hans De Jongh, a grower in Etten-Leur, the Netherlands obtained a diseased pineberry plant from a strawberry plant collector in France, who believed it was from the original cross from the 18th century. After selecting plants over a six year period, De Johgh released his pineberry cultivar in 2009.

Pineberries should not be confused with the albino fruit disorder of commonly-grown red-fruited strawberries. In California, warm weather followed by cloudy and foggy skies can cause albino fruit with poor flavor. Albinism has also been associated with excessive nitrogen applications in of red-fruited strawberry cultivars including, Diamante, Chandler, Sweet Charlie, and Etna.

(by Michelle Warmund, MU Horticulture)

The Power of Flowers

February brings with it Valentine’s Day and the prospect of millions upon millions of flowers being sent to those who hold a special place in the hearts of the people who send them.  Indeed, it is estimated that nearly 200 million roses alone will find their way into the lives of “significant others” throughout the United States this year.  Flowers are remarkable in many ways, not the least of which is their influence or power over those around them.

The fact that flowers hold a special place in the lives of humans should come as no surprise.  Flowers have been used by people since ancient times to express their feelings, enhance their surroundings, and commemorate important occasions.  For example, in Israel an ancient burial pit dating back 14,000 years was found to contain impressions of stem and flowers from plants such as mint.  Later, Egyptians were known to have placed flowers in vases and bowls whereas Greeks and Romans mainly wore flowers in the form of garlands and wreaths. 

By the time of the Renaissance, flower use had become much more elaborate and commonplace.  Flowers were used not only for special occasions such as pageants or feasts, but also for everyday use in homes.  Each succeeding era (e.g. Victorian) brought with it changes in flower design and usage.  Today, flowers are an integral part of our everyday lives and are used to express various feelings from deep sympathy to abundant joy.

Until recently, the unique need that humans seem to have for flowers in their lives had not been investigated in a scientific manner.  That changed several years ago when the Society of American Florists funded research to study the effect flowers have on people.  The research was conducted at various universities across the United States.

One study on the effect of flowers was conducted at Rutgers University by a team lead by Dr. Jeannette Haviland-Jones from the Department of Psychology.  This study focused its attention on the ability of flowers to relieve stress and improve emotional health.  The findings were interesting and came as little surprise to many.  The Rutgers University research demonstrated that:

1. Flowers have an immediate impact on happiness.  Research participants expressed "true" or "excited" smiles upon receiving flowers, demonstrating extraordinary delight and gratitude.
2. Flowers have a lasting positive effect on moods. Those who participated in the study reported feeling less depressed, anxious or agitated after receiving flowers.  Additionally, they exhibited a greater sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction.
3. Flowers tended to make intimate connections between people.  The presence of flowers in the surroundings of individuals led to increased contact with family and friends.

In a follow-up study on senior citizens, the same research team found that flowers have a significant impact on the elderly.  Over 100 seniors participated in the study.  Some received flowers while other did not.  Their research demonstrated that flowers can help reduce depression, promote social networking and help refresh memory as people age.

An overwhelming 81 percent of seniors who received flowers reported a decrease in depression follow their arrival.  A widening of social contacts was reported by 40 percent of the flower recipients.  And, finally, 72 percent who received flowers scored very high on memory tests when compared with test results of seniors who did not receive flowers.  The team concluded that a small dose of nature (such as flowers) can do wonder for our well-being as we grow older.

Another study on the effect of flowers on people was conducted at Harvard University by Dr. Nancy Etcoff of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.  Called the “Home Ecology of Flowers Study”, researchers drew three main conclusions from their results:

1. Flowers evoke feelings of compassion.  Study participants who had fresh-cut flowers in their home environment felt an increase in feelings of compassion and kindness for others.  This true even when the flowers were in the home for a relatively short time.
2. Flowers relieve “the blues”.  Simply put, study participants felt less negative after being around flowers at home.  Flowers placed in rooms frequented in the morning after arising can help to dissipate the “morning blahs”, they concluded. 
3. Flowers give people a physical and psychological “lift”.  Increases in energy, happiness and enthusiasm at work were reported by those who had flowers in their home environment.

Trying to maintain a “competitive edge” in business is important for success.  According to experts, maintaining a happy, productive workforce is critical.  A recent study conducted at Texas A&M University revealed that Mother Nature just might be the key to a successful business.  Research subjects were asked to perform a variety of common office tasks in various workplace environments.  Some of the environments included flowers and plants; others did not.

Idea generation, creative performance and problem solving skills improve significantly when the workplace environment included flowers and plants, according to their findings.  In the study, men generated 15% more ideas than women.  However, women developed solutions to problems that were more creative and flexible.

Finally, flowers can be very powerful simply because they usually are gifts.  In her books, award-winning author M.J. Ryan relates to her readers how acts of gratitude and generosity can result in feelings of increased happiness, health and the sense of being more closely connected with others.

According to Ryan, “Gift recipients experience compelling connections with givers, and the positive link is particularly evident in the exchange of flowers.”  She went on to say, “I can think of no other item besides flowers that evokes such positive feelings and perceptions for both the giver and the recipient.”

In closing, a late colleague once observed how paradoxical it is that flowers are used both to express joy and to offer sympathy.  In both cases flowers help to make an intimate connection between two people that often transcends words.  The fact that flowers have an immediate impact on happiness and long-term positive effect on mood helps to explain why the advertisement “say it with flowers” is a timeless truism.

(by Dave Trinklein, MU Horticulture)

Sheep Shearing School

Lincoln University Cooperative Extension is offering a Sheep Shearing School on Friday, March 6, 2015 at George Washington Carver Farm, 3804 Bald Hill Road, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 

Sheep Shearing School Agenda

8:00 a.m. – Welcome and Introductions, Charlotte Clifford-Rathert, State Extension Specialist-Small Ruminants, Lincoln University Cooperative Extension and Guy Frazier, Shearing Instructor, Hallsville, Missouri

I: Care of equipment:

A) Learn to care for and assemble sheep shearing equipment.

B) Learn comparisons and parts of the equipment.

C) Learn how to properly sharpen parts of equipment.

D) Learn the importance of oiling shears, types of oil and frequency of oiling for quality shearing.

II: Care of animals and how to set up properly for faster shearing:

A) Pair up with a partner and select an animal.

B) Learn how to properly set up a sheep for shearing.

C) Learn the pattern that is most efficient in shearing.

D) Learn where to begin and end when shearing a sheep.

E) Learn to separate the fleece prior to bagging.

F) Learn how to set up the bags to fill with fleeces.

G) Learn how to position the animal during shearing for the most efficient shearing.

12 p.m. – WORKING LUNCH (Lunch is provided)

III: Wool Grading:

A) Learn to grade wool in the three categories.

B) Learn how to separate belly, leg and britch wool.

C) Learn how to bag fleece and tag for increased value.

1:00 p.m. – Guy Frazier, Shearing Instructor, Hallsville, Missouri

Continue to shear sheep, take care of equipment and market the wool.

4:00 p.m. – Clean up and adjourn

Overview of the shearing school

                        If you have your own shearing equipment, please bring it from home.

                        Wear comfortable clothes for shearing, and good shoes.

                        Some equipment will be furnished.

               

FEE: $50.00

Make check payable to: Lincoln University Cooperative Extension and mail to Charlotte Clifford-Rathert, Lincoln University Cooperative Extension, P.O. Box 29, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0029.  For more information contact: Charlotte Clifford-Rathert at (573) 681-5312.

                         

Meet the Buyers

Farmers throughout Missouri and Illinois are invited to attend a Meet the Buyers event to meet local and regional food buyers. The event will take place March 3, 2015, at the St. Louis University campus in the Il Monastero Building, 3050 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis, Mo., from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.

The event is a unique opportunity for farmers to meet with buyers one-on-one and learn what it takes to do business with the grocery and food service industries in the area.

Extension representatives will present introductory information about two programs, MarketReady and Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs). Market Ready is a program designed to teach best commercial business practices between growers and various retail markets. GAPs are a set of recommendations that can help improve the quality and safety of the produce grown.

Representatives from a foodservice distributor, grocery retailer and school foodservice management company also will be on hand to share information on how those specific industries work and how farmers can tap into them. Rusty Lee, owner, Lee Farms, LLC, will demonstrate to farmers how to sort, grade and pack a produce box and how to distribute on a small scale.

Registration for the event is $15 and includes all event materials, a buffet lunch featuring several local and regional foods, and breaks. Due to limited seating registration is first come, first served. Registration must be completed by Feb. 25, 2015. To register online, visit http://www.ilfb.org/ifb-news-and-events/conferences-events/meet-the-farmers,-meet-the-buyers.aspx. If registrants encounter problems paying online, they’re instructed to contact Charlene Blary at CBlary@ilfb.org to make special arrangements.

A limited number of AgriMissouri scholarships are available for AgriMissouri members to attend this event. Contact Catherine Bohnert at (573) 522-9213 or catherine.bohnert@mda.mo.gov for details. Registrations must be confirmed by February 25th to be eligible.

The following organizations are partnering to support the one-day event: Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Department of Agriculture, University of Missouri Extension, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Specialty Growers Association, Illinois Department of Agriculture and University of Illinois Extension.