June 9 workshop will cover blackberry production
By Fred Miller
U of A Division of Agriculture
May 6, 2016
Fast Facts:
- Blackberry Workshop and Field Day June 9 at the Fruit Research Station near Clarksville
- Workshop will cover blackberry production and consumer preferences
- Field Tour will feature University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture blackberry breeding program
(285 words)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Mouths water on six continents for fresh Arkansas blackberries.
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture blackberry varieties are grown on every major landmass but one. (It’s a bit too cold on Antarctica where the penguins simply don’t know what they’re missing.)
In the meantime, everything you need to know about blackberry production will be revealed in a Blackberry Workshop and Field Day June 9 at the Division of Agriculture’s Fruit Research Station near Clarksville.
Registration for the event begins at 2 p.m. and the workshop opens with a welcome at 2:45 p.m.
John Clark, Division of Agriculture fruit breeder, will describe the Arkansas blackberry breeding program. Clark directs the program that was begun in 1964 by his mentor, James N. Moore, and that today is internationally regarded as one of the top public blackberry breeding programs in the world.
Arkansas Extension fruit and vegetable specialist Amanda McWhirt will discuss how to establish a blackberry planting and division scientist Renee Threlfall will talk about what research has shown consumers want in fresh market blackberries.
Also on the agenda, Fumiomi Takeda of the USDA Agricultural Research Service will discuss rotating cross-arm trellis technology and Daniela Segantini, a visiting scientist at the University of Arkansas, will talk about post-harvest storage of fresh market blackberries.
Bill and Paula Jacobs, owners of Owasso Tree and Berry Farm in Oklahoma, will give a grower’s perspective on blackberry production.
The workshop will conclude with a field tour of Division of Agriculture’s blackberry breeding program at the Fruit Research Station.
Registration deadline is June 1. The cost is $20 and includes dinner.
For information or to register, visit the workshop website: http://horticulture.uark.edu/news/upcomingevents.php, or contact Renee Threlfall at 479-575-4677 or email rthrelf@uark.edu.
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The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
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