February 15, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Moore Community Center, 125 State Street, Ellsworth (Google Maps)
Pay what you can: $10, $20, $50, $100.
Suggested donation of $20. All proceeds go directly towards the Extension Wild Blueberry Programming.
Join us for the 7th Annual UMaine Wild Blueberry Spring Conference! This year’s topics will cover fresh pack and harvesting innovations, the latest pest management tools, nutrient management knowledge to date, burning farmer panels, and more! Three pesticide credits are available for full-day attendance. We know you come for the FOOD! There will be coffee and breakfast items in the morning, followed by soups and sandwiches for lunch made by Angie’s Comfort Kitchen. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.
If you choose to attend virtually, the Zoom link will be emailed the day before the event.
Three Pesticide Credits are available for in-person full-day attendance.
2025 Conference Agenda
AM Technology
Theatre (upstairs)
9:00-9:45 a.m. – Harvester Innovations
MTI Project Team (UMaine)
9:45-10:15 a.m. – Food Safety Research
Dr. Jen Perry (UMaine)
10:15-10:30 a.m. – Break
10:30-11:00 a.m. – Fresh Pack Line Discussion
Shaun Harcourt (WeCo)
11:00-11:45 a.m. – Irrigation Funding and Equipment
Eric Venturini (WBC)
Chris Phinney (NRCS)
12:00-1:00 p.m. – Lunch in Lobby
AM Crop Management
Gym (downstairs)
9:00-9:30 a.m. – Deer Management
Nathan Bieber (IF&W)
9:30-10:15 a.m. – Nutrients, Weeds, and Mulch
Calderwood Team (UMaine)
10:15-10:30 a.m. – Break
10:30-11:00 a.m. – Climate Change Studies at the Wyman’s Center
Dr. Rachel Schattman (UMaine)
11:00-11:45 a.m. – Organic Transition Farmer Panel
Dr. Lily Calderwood (UMaine)
Farmers, and MOFGA
11:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Networking Visit Exhibitors, Research Posters
12:00-1:00 p.m. – Lunch in Lobby
PM Integrated Pest Management
Theatre (upstairs)
1:00-1:30 p.m. – Irrigation Water Testing
Lindsey Warner (DACF)
1:30-2:15 p.m. – Drone Spot Spraying
Patrice Sison (UMaine)
2:15-3:00 p.m. – Insect Pest Management
Dr. Phil Fanning (UMaine)
3:00-3:30 p.m. – Avian Control using Lasers
Dr. Rebecca Brown (URI)
3:30-4:00 p.m. – Disease Management
Dr. Seanna Annis (UMaine)
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Mary Michaud at mary.j.michaud@maine.edu or 207.581.3175 to discuss your needs. Receiving requests for accommodations at least 10 days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, however, all requests will be considered.
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).