Wild Blueberry Newsletter January 2023

Wild Blueberry Newsletter header graphic, text and a photo of blueberries and leaves


January 2023


Dear Growers, Processors, and Stakeholders,

Below you will find this year’s in-person UMaine Wild Blueberry Conference agenda! We are excited to have a larger space this year to share research-based knowledge with you. We have specifically created more time for social networking at this year’s conference as well. Please join us in Bangor at the Cross Insurance Center on February 25th (snow date is 2/26)!

On February 15th Helena (Steve London) will be holding a Wild Blueberry Grower Meeting at Big Cats in Trenton. Please see details below.

UMaine Wild Blueberry Conference Agenda

3 Pesticide Credits are Available for Full-Day Attendance.
Location:
Cross Insurance Center, Bangor ME
Date: February 25th (snow date is 2/26) 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

If you need help with registration, please call Mary Michaud at 207.581.3175.

Room 1 (Ballroom)
Climate Change
8:00-8:15 a.m. — Welcome Remarks, Get Your Coffee!
8:15-8:45 a.m. — Mulch, Dr. Lily Calderwood (UMaine Extension)
8:45-9:15 a.m. — Biochar, Dr. Yongjiang Zhang (UMaine)
9:15-9:45 a.m. — Pest Observations, Dr. Phil Fanning and Dr. Seanna Annis (UMaine)
9:45-10:00 a.m. — BREAK
10:00-10:30 a.m. — Wyman’s Center Updates, Dr. Rachel Schattman (UMaine)
10:30-11:00 a.m. — Precipitation Scenarios, Ali Bello (Grad Student, UMaine)
11:00-11:45 a.m. — Irrigation Feasibility, Adam Cattrell (NRCS)
11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. — LUNCH

Afternoon Talks
1:00-1:45 p.m. — Solar and Wild Blueberry, Dr. Lily Calderwood and Farmers
2:00-3:00 p.m. — Food Safety Updates, Dr. Rob Machado and Dr. Jen Perry (UMaine)

Room 2 (Break Out Room)
Harvesting and Processing
8:15-9:00 a.m. — Harvester Innovations, Dr. Travis Esau (Dalhousie), via Zoom
9:00-9:30 a.m. — Revised Wild Blueberry Rake, Courtney Hammond and Ike Hubbard
9:30-9:45 a.m. — UMaine Extension’s New Ag Engineer: Dr. Sumon Datta (UMaine Extension)
9:45-10:00 a.m. — BREAK
10:00-10:45 a.m. — Van Dyk’s by Nature, Peter Van Dyk (Nova Scotia Value-Added Producer)
10:45-11:15 a.m. — Nova Scotia Fresh Pack Fund, Nancy Tregunno (WPANS) via Zoom
11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. — LUNCH

Afternoon: Pests and Pollinators
1:00-1:30 p.m. — Insect Pest Management, Dr. Phil Fanning (UMaine)
1:30-2:00 p.m. — Pollinators, Jennifer Lund (DACF)
2:00-2:30 p.m. — Disease Management, Dr. Seanna Annis (UMaine)
2:30-3:00 p.m. — Fine Leaf Sheep Fescue Management, Dr. Scott White (Dalhousie), via Zoom
3:00-3:30 p.m. — Organic Weed Management, Dr. Lily Calderwood (UMaine)

Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine Social Evening!
4:00-5:00 p.m. — Happy Hour Bar with Wild Blueberry and Other Beverages
5:00-5:30 p.m. — Keynote Speaker TBD
5:30-7:00 p.m. — Dinner

Helena Wild Blueberry Grower Meeting

3 Pesticide Credits are Available.
Date:
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Time: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Location: Big Cats Catering at 163 Bar Harbor Rd, Trenton, ME
RSVP: Call Steve London at 207.538.6250

We’re all looking forward to seeing you at these great events!