Wild Blueberry Newsletter, April 2019
April 2019
New App and Website for Weather Stations and Disease Forecast
Mummy berry forecasting season is approaching. There is a new map-based website available to provide up-to-date disease forecast data and information collected by Dr. Annis’ weather stations. It is available as a website: https://app.agrinet.us/ and as an App for a smartphone (Android or iOS). Please search for “AgriNET” made by Tuctronics in your app store.
LOGIN: BB
PASSWORD: Grower
Once you are logged in, click on “Map.” Weather stations showing a green band around the icons indicate a working station. The icons show you the current conditions for mummy berry and Botrytis at that weather station. Click on the weather station icons to show a graph of weather conditions (leaf wetness, air temperature, soil temperature and soil moisture) for the past 7 days and a table of current and past weather conditions. You can also download the past weather data using the “Export” link on the graph page.
Season updates and more information about the app will be available on the UMaine Wild Blueberry Website under Publications > Disease Blog (see link on map in app). Dr. Annis will still send disease reports as needed via email list, Disease Blog, and on the Blueberry hotline (800-897-0757) under disease option 3. If you wish to be added to the email list, please send her an email at sannis@maine.edu.
Pollinator Note from Dr. Jennifer Lund, State of Maine Bee Inspector and Apiarist
There is a proposed apiary rule change that may impact wild blueberry growers. The public comment period ends May 13th and public meetings are on April 29th (Falmouth) and May 2 (Bangor). Details and more information can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/apiary/
2019 Season Field Day Schedule
Safe Burning, Value-added and Food Safety
Date: April 24, 2019
Time: 9:00-11:00 am
Location: Lynch Hill Farm (1468 US Highway 1A, Harrington, ME)
Pollinator Identification/Behavior and Disease IPM
Date: May 22, 2019
Time: 4:30-6:00 pm
Location: Meet at Coastal Blueberry Services (60 Common Rd, Union, ME)
Pollinator Identification/Behavior and IPM
Date: June 3, 2019
Time: 4:30-6:00 pm
Location: Meet at Passamaquoddy Wild (20 Harrington Rd/Rt 1A, Columbia Falls, ME)
Sprayer Calibration and Whole Farm IPM
Date: June 13, 2019
Time: 5:00-7:00 pm
Location: Union Hammond Tractor (1987 Heald Hwy, Union ME)
Important for both organic and conventional growers of fruit and vegetables.
Sprayer Calibration and Disease IPM
Date: June 17, 2019
Time: 5:00-7:00 pm
Location: Blueberry Hill Farm (1643 US-1, Jonesboro, ME)
Important for both organic and conventional growers of fruit and vegetables.
Fresh Pack Storage and Insect IPM Field Walk
Date: June 26, 2019
Time: 2:00-4:00 pm
Location: Dan-a-Dew Farm (39 Stover Rd, Blue Hill, ME)
Organic Field Workshop (including food safety and processing)
Date: July 8, 2019
Time: 2:00-4:00 pm
Location: Fields Fields Blueberries (565 Blinn Hill Rd, Dresden ME)
Food Safety on the Farm + Value-added Products
Date: July 10, 2019
Time: 9:00-10:30 am
Location: Worcester’s Blueberries (356 Lyford Road, Ornville Township)
Annual Blueberry Hill Farm Field Day
Date: July 17, 2019
Time: 9:00 – 2:00
Location: Blueberry Hill Farm (1643 US-1, Jonesboro, ME)
Pesticide Charts and Guides can be picked up at the following locations as of April 15th:
Washington Cty Extension Office (28 Center Street, Machias, ME)
UMaine Blueberry Hill Farm (1643 US-1, Jonesboro, ME)
Hancock Cty Extension Office (63 Boggy Brook Rd, Ellsworth, ME)
Knox-Lincoln Cty Extension Office (377 Manktown Rd, Waldoboro, ME)
Job Opportunities
University of Maine Wild Blueberry Technician (Full Time + Benefits)
Contact Lily Calderwood for more information at lily.calderwood@maine.edu or 207-581-2321. Scientific background required.
Coastal Mountains Land Trust (Seasonal Full Time)
Position: Blueberry Farm/Stewardship Position
Application deadline: April 15, 2019
For more information: Coastal Mountains Land Trust Job Description
Sincerely,
Lily Calderwood, Ph.D.
Extension Wild Blueberry Specialist
Wild blueberry fact sheets, past newsletters, contacts, resource links, calendar of events, and more can be found on the Cooperative Extension’s Maine Wild Blueberries website.
Information in this publication is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.
© 2019
Call 800.287.0274 (in Maine), or 207.581.3188, for information on publications and program offerings from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, or visit extension.umaine.edu.
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