The full day of 2022 Berry Sessions, detailed below, are now available ...virtually... on YouTube. All 4 of the 2022 Empire Producers EXPO Berry Sessions are now available to watch. Click here to see the playlist.
Due to the surge in Covid-19 cases, the Empire EXPO moved to a virtual format. Now you can enjoy these great talks on berries from the comfort of your home!
EMPIRE EXPO— Berry Sessions —January 12, 2022
Session I – 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Berry Production in Containers – 1.0 NYS DEC credit
- 8:45 AM Attendees log in early for DEC credits. We must have your DEC number at time of registration and please have your card with you.
- 9:00 AM Welcome and Sponsor Information
- 9:05 AM Trends in North American greenhouse strawberry production and possible applications for northeastern farms – Neil Mattson, Cornell, will discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of protected and containerized production.
- 9:30 AM Ongoing work in container production of strawberry and caneberries – Kathy Demchak, Pennsylvania State University, will discuss in more specifics what growers will need to consider when starting to grow in containers.
- 10:00 AM Our experience growing berries in containers – Mark MacDonald, Bee Tree Berry Farm, Bellafonte, PA. Mark is a grower with 7 years of containerized and protected culture experience. His perspective on managing pests and marketing a crop will be helpful to new growers.
- 10:15 AM Adjourn
Session II – 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Focus on Blueberries – 0.5 NYS DEC credit
- 10:45 AM Attendees log in early for DEC credits. We must have your DEC number at time of registration and please have your card with you.
- 11:00 AM Welcome and Sponsor Information
- 11:05 AM Blueberry breeding efforts at USDA – Mark Ehlenfeldt, USDA-ARS, Chatsworth, NJ, will outline what the focus for breeders is and how growers can take advantage of new varieties attributes.
- 11:25 AM Best approaches to weed management in blueberries – Thierry Bescanon, Rutgers. Dr. Bescanon will discuss weed management strategies that will include herbicides and cultural approaches.
- 11:55 PM Managing pH in blueberry irrigation water pH - Elizabeth Machoff, Empire Drip Supply, Williamson, NY and Laura McDermott, CCE ENYCHP. Proper pH in soil AND in irrigation water is key to excellent growth – it will also impact how well plants respond to attacks from pests. Learn how to make sure irrigation water is perfectly matched to your plants needs.
- 12:15 PM New York State Berry Growers Association Annual Meeting – Liz Machoff, President
- 12:30 PM Adjourn
Session III - 2:15 PM – 2:20 PM
Berry Crop Sustainability – 0.5 NYS DEC credits
- 2:00 PM Attendees log in early for DEC credits. We must have your DEC number at time of registration and please have your card with you.
- 2:15 PM Welcome and Sponsor Information
- 2:20 PM From berries to wine: value-added products for berry growers – Dave Duda, Duda’s Blues, Machias, NY. Learn how Duda’s Blues has turned a perishable product into a delicious and profitable fruit wine.
- 2:40 PM Berry pricing survey - Kris Park, Cornell. Results of 2021 Berry Pricing Survey reveal lots of room for improved profitability.
- 3:00 PM Managing flowering plants, weeds, and pollinators for strawberry production - Heather Grab, Cornell. Manage pests and weeds while preserving pollinator health and numbers. This important topic will help growers preserve their natural pollinators.
- 3:20 PM Adjourn
Session IV - 3:45 PM – 5:00 PM
Unusual Fruits and Nuts – No DEC credits for this session
- 3:45 PM Welcome and Sponsor Information
- 3:50 PM Nuts for the Northeast – Samantha Bosco, Cornell. Nut crops may offer berry growers another valuable cash crop while using land that is less than perfect for berry crops.
- 4:10 PM Commercial production of Kiwifruit – Iago Hale, University of New Hampshire. Hardy kiwifruit offers growers a late season, long storing delicious fruit crop.
- 4:30 PM Introduction to juneberry production - Mike Davis, Cornell. Juneberries are earlier than many other fruit and have delicious flavor.
- 4:45 PM Growing honeyberries in northern NY – Duane Smith, Seaway Cold Hardy Grapes, Evans Mills, NY. Hascap or honeyberry are very hardy and could offer an early cash crop.
- 5:00 PM Adjourn