Format: In-person with breakout rooms, lunch, etc./Virtual: Available
Join us for the 8th Annual Wild Blueberry Spring Conference! Register here!
This year’s agenda is focused on profitability and collaboration in the morning, followed by research talks in the afternoon.
8:20: Welcome, Dr. Lily Calderwood (UMaine)
8:30-9:00: State of the Industry, Eric Venturini (Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine)
9:00-9:30: Fresh Pack Profitability, Ron Howard (Brodis Blueberries), Aaron Hoshide (Financial Consultant)
9:30-10:00: Forced Air Cooling, Ron Howard, Dr. Lily Calderwood, and Chris Callahan (UVM)
10:00-10:15: Break
10:15-10:45: Organic Profitability, Cary Nash (Nash Farms Inc.) and TOPP Update (MOFGA)
10:45-11:30: Grower Meeting: Building the Future, Ron Howard (everyone welcome)
11:30-12:00: Lessons from the Lobster Industry, Curtis Brown (Ready Seafood)
12:00 -1:00: Lunch
There will be two rooms for concurrent afternoon research talks.
Session A
1:00-1:30: Irrigation and Drought Relief Program, Lori Wilson (Engineering Consultant), Ron Howard, and Tom Gordon (DACF)
1:30-2:00: Weed Mapping and Drone Use, Patrice Sison (UMaine)
2:00-2:45: Insect Pest Management, Dr. Phil Fanning (UMaine)
2:45- 3:00: Break
3:00-3:45: Disease Pest Management, Dr. Seanna Annis (UMaine)
Session B
1:00-1:30: Winter Hardiness in Wild Blueberry, Dr. Harrison Wright (Dalhousie)
1:30-2:00: Nitrogen and Calcium Fertilizer Results, Dr. Lily Calderwood
2:00-2:30: Mulching Wild Blueberry Fields, Dr. Lily Calderwood
2:45- 3:00: Break
3:00-3:45: Harvester Efficiency, Dr. Lily Calderwood and Engineering Partners (UMaine)