UACES Facebook First Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association winter meeting set for February
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First Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association winter meeting set for February

By Fred Miller
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Jan. 18, 2019

Fast facts:

  • First winter conference for blackberry growers set Feb. 16
  • Meeting kicks off formation of Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association
  • Program includes state blackberry experts, farmers and tradeshow 

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The first Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association Winter Conference is scheduled for Feb. 16 at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s State Cooperative Extension Office.

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The meeting inaugurates the association for commercial blackberry growers, said Amanda McWhirt, extension specialist for horticulture crops production.

"Overall we hope that the conference will help kick off the formation of the Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association and that longterm the association will help build grower networks and grow the Arkansas blackberry industry."

Cost and deadlines

  • Registration for the meeting costs $25 and includes lunch, two coffee breaks and handout materials.
  • The deadline to register is Feb. 11.

Location

The State Cooperative Extension Office is located at 2301 South University Ave. in Little Rock.

Register online

More information, including a schedule and registration, for the meeting can be found online: https://uada.formstack.com/forms/blackberry_conference

McWhirt said a steering committee has been working for a year to guage interest in forming the Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association, holding informational meetings and identifying commercial growers as well as those who are interested in starting a blackberry farm. The meetings also helped identify leaders among blackberry growers who are interested in guiding the formation and growth of an association.

“The association steering committee would like to establish two meetings a year,” McWhirt said. “They’d like the winter meeting to be focused on educational programs.”

Meeting agenda

The Feb. 16 meeting will feature a range of state blackberry experts, a tradeshow and talks by Arkansas blackberry farmers, McWhirt said.

The program includes presentations on the history of blackberry production in Arkansas, the current industry and opportunities, disease and pest control, trellis systems, marketing opportunities and practices and much more, McWhirt said.

The program will also highlight successful blackberry operations and offer information on food safety issues, crop insurance and other important topics.

"We are looking forward to hosting several national company representatives from the blackberry industry, including Wish Farms and Agristarts,” McWhirt said. “The association is grateful for the sponsorship support from these companies and is looking forward to the opportunity for our growers to meet and interact with these industry personnel."

To learn about blackberry production in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @AR_Extension and @ArkAgResearch.

 

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses. 

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons 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.

 

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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu

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