Upcoming Event: Strawberry School
Thursday, January 17, 2019 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Maine Agricultural Trades Show
Fort Western Room, Augusta Civic Center
76 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330
Preregistration is strongly encouraged. Please register by January 11, 2019.
Are you interested in growing strawberries as a commercial crop? Would this crop work well on your land? Would strawberries give a bump to your bottom line?
This school is designed to help people who are interested in strawberry production as a commercial enterprise. Interest in commercial strawberry production in Maine is expanding due to the high crop value and increased consumer demand. Basic site requirements, site preparation, plant selection, care of young plants, nutrient management, pest management and business management will be discussed with Dr. David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
The school will be held in the Fort Western Room at the Augusta Civic Center during the 2019 Maine Agricultural Trades Show, which runs January 15-17; so, participants will have an opportunity to come early and spend some time looking at the supplies, equipment and services on exhibit that are available to help them with strawberry or other agricultural enterprises. Admission to the Trades Show is free.
A registration fee of $25 will be charged for participation in the Strawberry School and space is limited, so preregistration is strongly advised. Please register by January 11, 2019. Participants will also have the opportunity to purchase the Strawberry Production Guide for the Northeast, Midwest and Eastern Canada at the school for an excellent reference companion to the workshop. Cost for the book is $45. Cash and checks will be accepted at the registration table; checks should be made out to “University of Maine Cooperative Extension”.
We anticipate that there will be Pesticide Applicator recertification credits available for participants who attend the entire school.
Register online or contact Pam St. Peter at pamela.stpeter@maine.edu or 207.933.2100 to preregister before January 11, 2019.
Any person with a disability who needs accommodations to participate in this program should contact Pam St. Peter at 207.933.2100. Receiving requests for accommodations at least 10 days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request; however, all request will be considered.
Strawberry School Agenda
10:00 AM – The Strawberry Plant: What You Should Know
10:30 AM – Varieties
11:00 AM – Pre-plant Considerations and Preparation
11:30 AM – Irrigation Options
12:00 PM – LUNCH BREAK (on your own)
1:00 PM – Matted Row Perennial Production
2:00 PM – Plasticulture Production: June-bearing Plants
2:45 PM – Plasticulture Production: Day-neutral Plants for Off-season Harvest
3:15 PM – Pest Identification and Management
3:45 PM – Post-harvest Handling and Marketing Options
4:00 PM – Questions and Discussion
The University of Maine is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.