UMaine Extension hosts Field Day at Blueberry Hill Farm in Jonesboro

Jonesboro, Maine — University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host the annual Blueberry Hill Farm Field Day on Wednesday, June 26, 2025, at Blueberry Hill Farm, 1643 US-1 in Jonesboro. This free event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is open to all wild blueberry growers, agricultural professionals and community members interested in the latest innovations and the basics of wild blueberry production.

This year’s event showcases cutting-edge research and practical strategies shaping the future of Maine’s wild blueberry industry. Attendees will hear updates and participate in demonstrations led by University of Maine researchers, Extension specialists and collaborating partners.

Morning sessions will cover seasonal observations, harvester hygiene and innovation, nitrogen budgets, sprayer calibration as well as an update from the Wild Blueberry Commission. In the afternoon participants will rotate through insect, weed, and disease identification and smart phone app training stations.

Presenters include UMaine Extension Wild Blueberry Specialist Lily Calderwood, UMaine Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology Phil Fanning, UMaine Plant Pathology Specialist Seanna Annis, Chris Callahan from the University of Vermont, Eric Venturini of the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, as well as Jordan Parks and Alison King from UMaine. This interactive event emphasizes community engagement and collaborative problem-solving in wild blueberry farming. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, share insights, and explore the tools and techniques advancing the industry.

A catered lunch, including wild blueberry ice cream, will be provided. For more information and to register, visit the event webpage. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Mary Michaud at mary.j.michaud@maine.edu or 207-581-2923.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension

As a trusted resource for over 100 years, Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and grow the food-based economy, focusing on aspects from production and processing to nutrition, food safety and food security. Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H, which offers hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture, and civic engagement and creates a positive environment where participants are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.