The 2011 Missouri Blueberry School

Why should you consider attending the 2011 Missouri Blueberry School? Are you a commercial blueberry grower, with specific production issues? Are you considering blueberry production for the first time, with basic questions concerning growing and marketing blueberries? Are you a home blueberry grower, with a desire to build your blueberry knowledge? All of these topics, plus more, will be part of the 2011 Missouri Blueberry School.

The Missouri Blueberry School will be held Oct 7-8, 2011 at the MSU Darr Agricultural Center, 2401 S. Kansas Expressway, Springfield, MO 65807 along with tours to two area blueberry farms.

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

• Selecting adapted blueberry cultivars
• Establishing blueberry plantings
• The economics of blueberry production
• Constructing and maintaining blueberry irrigation systems
• Blueberry fertility management
• Experiences of Missouri blueberry producers
• On-farm tours of innovative blueberry producers

Agenda

Friday, Oct 7 - Blueberry Educational Sessions
8:30 - Registration
9:00 - 9:45 - The Missouri Blueberry Industry, Ben Fuqua, Missouri State University and Patrick Byers, University of Missouri Extension
9:45 - 10:00 - Break
10:00 - 11:00 - Blueberry Planting Establishment, Bernadine Strik, Oregon State University
11:00 - 12:00 - Blueberry Cultivars, Martin Kaps, Missouri State University
12:00 - 1:00 - lunch
1:00 - 2:00 - Cash Flow Realities with Blueberries, Ed Browning, University of Missouri Extension
2:00 - 2:45 - Blueberry Nutrition Management, Bernadine Strik, Oregon State University
2:45 - 3:00 - Break
3:00 - 4:00 - Blueberry Irrigation, David Bryla, ARS at Oregon State University
4:00 - 5:00 - Missouri Experiences Grower panel
5:00 - 7:00 - supper (on own)
7:00 - 9:00 - Reception, round table discussions, Blueberry Council meeting

Saturday, Oct 8 - Blueberry Farm Bus Tour
8:00 - Tour bus departs from Darr Agricultural Center
8:30-10:30 - Sunshine Valley Farm tour with demonstration of blueberry irrigation design
10:30-12:00 - Travel time
12:00-1:00 - lunch
1:00-3:00 - Persimmon Hill Berry Farm tour with discussion of blueberry disease issues
3:00-4:30 - Return to Darr Agricultural Center

Workshop Registration: Please contact Sabrina Brown at 417-881-8909 or BrownSabr@missouri.edu for more information on the Missouri Blueberry School.

Friday, October 7, 2011 Blueberry Educational Sessions

The October 7 Blueberry Educational Sessions will take place at the Bond Learning Center, located at the MSU Darr Agricultural Center, 2401 S. Kansas Expressway, in Springfield. The Friday program includes presentations on a wide range of blueberry topics, by national experts and local blueberry specialists. In addition, the Missouri Blueberry Council will meet Friday evening, following the reception, with an educational program as a part of the meeting.

Registration for the educational sessions is per family or farm, with the first registration from a family or farm at $50.00. This registration is for one person per family or farm, and includes lunch, refreshments, educational resources, complimentary evening reception, and a complimentary copy of Highbush Blueberry Production Guide (a $48 value, one per family or farm). In order to make the Blueberry School as affordable as possible, additional registrations from the same family or farm are at the reduced rate of $35.00 each, this includes lunch, re-freshments, and the evening reception. Please fill out the enclosed registration form, and return with payment to register. Please include an email, as we will send registration confirmation and updates by email.

Saturday, October 8, 2011 Blueberry Farm Bus Tour

The Missouri Blueberry School bus tour will visit two premier blueberry farms, interact with the growers, and provide plenty of time to ask questions. Learn how to get started in blueberries, how to address the challenges related to blueberry production, and how to market the blueberry crop. In addition, two special on-farm presentations will be delivered. The first presentation will focus on design and use of drip irrigation systems, and the second presentation will give an up-to-date picture of the blueberry disease situation in Missouri. Registration for the blueberry farm bus tour is $50.00 per person, and includes the bus trip, lunch, refreshments, and educational resources.