by Tim Baker, Northwest Region Horticulture Specialist
Blueberries are a potentially good crop for bringing in additional income to the farm. They do have a few specific requirements that must be met, such as a low soil pH. But in general, they don’t have a lot of disease problems, compared to other fruits.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
Find out how to advertise here - Email us! [email protected]
At the same time, there are some challenges. Birds, for example, can devastate a crop quickly. Growers must also manage fertility properly, and irrigation is a must if adequate precipitation does not come.
University of Missouri Extension will be holding a Blueberry School in Springfield, on Oct 7-8. Attendees will learn the latest on blueberry production, including selecting adapted blueberry cultivars, establishing blueberry planting, the economics of blueberry production, blueberry irrigation, and blueberry fertility management.
There will also be an opportunity to hear from established blueberry growers about their experiences.
On the second day, there will be tours of two farms that produce blueberries.
Sunshine Valley Farm is located east of Springfield in Greene County. Owned and managed by Jan and Mike Wooten, the farm produces blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, apples, peaches, plums, pears, and asparagus. In addition to fruits and vegetables, the farm includes a café and bakery. A high tunnel for berry production was added in 2011. Sunshine Valley Farm was established in 1990.
The second stop will be at Persimmon Hill Farm, which is owned and managed by Earnie and Martha Bohner. Though regionally known for blueberries, Persimmon Hill also produces blackberries and shitake mushrooms. Earnie and Martha also specialize in value added products such as fruit based BBQ sauces, jams, and juices. The farm includes a bakery that produces the famous "blueberry thunder muffins" as well as a range of baked goods. The first blueberries at Persimmon Hill were planted in 1984.
Why should you consider attending the 2011 Missouri Blueberry School? Are you a commercial blueberry grower, with specific production issues? Are you considering blueberry production for the first time, with basic questions concerning growing and marketing blueberries? Are you a home blueberry grower, with a desire to build your blueberry knowledge? All of these topics, plus more, will be part of the 2011 Missouri Blueberry School.
For complete information, including a registration form, please contact Sabrina Brown at 417-881-8909.