Cooperative Extension: Maine Wild Blueberries

Meet at Passamaquoddy Wild. We will hear about the Passamaquoddy’s approach to pollination in their wild blueberry fields. Frank Drummond (UMaine) will help the group identify the pollinator species present and the amount of pollination occurring. Jeremy Markuson (NRCS/Xerces) will explain their new NRCS IPM practice and Lily Calderwood (UMaine) will share tactics to reduce pesticide risk to bees through weed and habitat management. Seanna Annis will talk about mummy berry disease and its connection to pollination. Pesticide credits: 1

Important for both organic and conventional growers of fruit and vegetables. Expertise: Lily Calderwood, Mark Hutchinson, Caragh Fitzgerald UMaine Extension and Hammond Tractor staff including Caragh Fitzgerald, Lily Calderwood and Mark Hutchinson will walk the group through proper sprayer calibration and demonstration. Then Lily Calderwood will talk about Whole Farm IPM as time allows. This workshop is applicable to both organic and conventional growers of fruit and vegetables. Pesticide credits: 2

Important for both organic and conventional growers of fruit and vegetables. Expertise: Lily Calderwood, Caragh Fitzgerald, Josh Stubbs, Seanna Annis UMaine Extension and Blueberry Hill Farm staff including Caragh Fitzgerald, Lily Calderwood and Josh Stubbs will walk the group through proper sprayer calibration and demonstration. Then Seanna Annis will talk about Disease IPM as time allows. This workshop is applicable to both organic and conventional growers of fruit and vegetables. Pesticide credits: 2

Presenters: Danner Curtis, Lily Calderwood, Frank Drummond We will hear from the farmer, Danner Curtis, about his process for harvesting and processing fresh pack wild blueberries. This will be followed by a field walk with Frank Drummond and Lily Calderwood where June insect pests are pointed out and management is discussed. Pesticide credits: 1

Expertise: Seanna Annis, Frank Drummond, Lily Calderwood, Chris Howard Ashley and Jesse Fields will introduce their farm. Then we will do a field walk stopping to discuss wild blueberry insect pests (Frank Drummond), weeds (Lily Calderwood), and diseases (Seanna Annis). Then we will hear about the Fields' commercial kitchen and an update on food safety regulations from UMaine Extension and DCAF staff (Robson Machado and Leah Cook). Pesticide credits: 1

Expertise: Lee and Everett Worcester, Lily Calderwood, Chris Howard, Dept. of Ag staff Lee and Everett Worcester will explain their process for harvesting and storing wild blueberries before distribution, their experiences with GAP certification, and value-added product production. UMaine Extension and DACF staff including Lily Calderwood, Chris Howard and Leah Cook will be there to share information about the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.