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.