Growing Berries: A Free Workshop for Small and Mid-Size Farmers and Home Gardeners

The Eastern Shore Resource Conservation & Development Council And the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Hampton Roads AREC Present Growing Berries: American Treasure

A Free Workshop for Small and Mid-Size Farmers and Home Gardeners
Melfa, Virginia – Berries and berry plants have been treasured by Americans for centuries. Both blackberry and strawberry plants are native to North America and counted among the many treasures early explorers took back to Europe.The Eastern Shore RC&D and Virginia Cooperative Extension, Hampton Roads AREC will present a free workshop on best practices for growing strawberries and blackberries on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Small, mid-sized, and beginning farmers and backyard gardeners are all invited to attend this free workshop to learn proven techniques for success.

When: Friday, Dec. 2, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: Barrier Islands Center, Machipongo, VA

Dr. Jayesh Samtani is an Assistant Professor and Small Fruit Extension Specialist at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He is based at the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center in the City of Virginia Beach. His current work is focused on evaluating strawberry and blackberry varieties. Dr. Samtani has done his post-doctoral work on strawberries at University of California, Davis, and his graduate degrees are from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Topics Will Include:

High-tunnel strawberry production * Open-field strawberry production

Strawberry and Blackberry varieties to consider

Establishing the Plantings/Avoiding Stress * Pruning and Training

Soil Management * Pest Management

Incorporating Berries in a Home Garden

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Additional Bonus Presentations:

* Pollinator Habitat Basics * FMSA Update: How Will It Effect Small Farmers?
* USDA-NRCS Conservation Programs for Small Farms

· Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Update by Ursula Tankard Deitch, ANR Agent – Northampton County

· Pollinator Habitat Basics for Small Farmers and Home Gardeners by Bob Glennon, a private lands biologist with Virginia Tech whose work entails habitat for quail, rabbits, songbirds, bees, and butterflies.

· USDA-NRCS Conservation Programs for Small Farms by Jenny Templeton, Soil Conservationist who assists local landowners and producers with technical and financial assistance programs available to them through USDA.

BARRI­­ER ISLANDS CENTER: 7295 Young St, Machipongo, VA, 23405
REGISTER: esrcdc.projectsdirector@gmail.com
OR BY PHONE AT: 757-710-726