2021 State Berry School Rescheduled

Hello, everyone, Because of the inclement weather today, the state berry school I posted a few days ago, has been rescheduled. The new dates for the Virginia Berry School are Thursday, March 4th through Friday, March 5th. If you are registered already, you do not need to change anything, the link sent by VSU is still valid to log in. If you cannot attend on those days, the sessions will be available online after the event is over for viewing. If you know of anyone who still wants to register, we have reopened registration (https://www.ext.vsu.edu/events/2021/02/18/berry-school). If you need a refund because you no longer wish to attend, please contact Jessica Harris (jharris@vsu.edu) and you will receive a full refund. We hope to see you there! Doug P.

Southeastern Strawberry School Webinar Series

Hello, everyone, The Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium, in which Virginia Tech is a member, has organized the Southeastern Strawberry School Webinar Series. These webinars will take place throughout 2021. This series is hosted by the University of Arkansas in collaboration with university specialists from across the southeastern region. This webinar series is sponsored by the Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium and is open *free* to county agents, and growers. Follow this link for more details, and information on how to sign up. Doug P.

2021 State Berry School

Hello, everyone, A two-day, on-line berry school is scheduled for Feb 18-19, organized by our extension partners at Virginia State University. Follow this link to register for the 2021 Virginia Berry School, https://www.ext.vsu.edu/events/2021/02/18/berry-school. This two day event will provide information about the production potential, and health benefits of berry crops, including blueberry and blackberry. Please share this information with interested individuals. See you online! Doug Pfeiffer

2021 Orchard Fruit School next week

Hello, everyone, In most years, our orchard fruit schools span a full week, with separate schools held in our main orchard regions, from Patrick-Carroll on Monday through Winchester on Friday. Because of covid-19, this is not practical this year. A single state-wide commercial tree fruit school for Virginia (and surrounding states) growers and industry will be offered in 2021. It will be delivered as daily on-line virtual meetings beginning at 11:30am and lasting for approximately 90 minutes Monday-Thursday, February 15th-18th. The zoom link is at the bottom of this message. There is no registration or fee to attend. There will be no recertification offered through this program for your private pesticide applicator license issued by Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. If you need recertification, please reach out to your local Extension Agent for other offerings and opportunities. For PDF version of this announcement, click here. Proposed Agenda: Monday, February 15, 2021 at 11:30am Spray Bulletin Update: Dr. Chris Bergh, Dr. Sherif Sherif, Dr. Keith Yoder New AREC Pathologist at Your Service: Dr. Tony Wolf Lessons Learned in COVID – Packing House: Grower Panel Glaize Apple – Philip Glaize III; Crown Orchard – Sarah Chiles; Timber Ridge Fruit Farm – Kim Watt; VT Food Science - Dr. Laura Strawn; Turkey Knob Growers – Jamie Williams Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 11:30am 17-Year Periodical Cicada Brood X: The “Great Eastern Brood” in 2021: Dr. Chris Bergh Orchard and Environmental Factors Affecting Fruit Size in Apple and Peach: Dr. Sherif Sherif Lessons Learned in COVID – Retail Markets: Grower Panel West Oaks Farm Market – Levi Snapp; Woodbine Farm Market – Greta Liskey; Saunders Brothers – Marshall Saunders; Hill’s Orchard – Bethany Schaepler; Graves Mountain Lodge – Lynn Graves; Spring Valley Orchard - Eli Cook Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 11:30am Going Into 2021: Refresher on Strategy for Tree Fruit Disease Mgt.: Dr. Srdjan Acimovic The Horticultural Program at the AHS Jr. AREC: Current & Future Projects: Dr. Sherif Sherif Lessons Learned in COVID – Worker Housing: Grower Panel Fruit Hill/Frederick County Fruit Growers Assoc – Diane Kearns; Woodbine Farms – Greta Liskey; MAS Labor – Kerry Scott; Silver Creek Orchards - Ruth Saunders; Turkey Knob Growers – Jamie Williams Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 11:30am Leafhoppers: Different Species, Different Impacts: Dr. Doug Pfeiffer Spotted Lanternfly Update: Dr. Doug Pfeiffer Industry Updates: Industry Reps, Grower Organization Members, Government Agency Staff Lessons Learned in COVID – Pick Your Own & Agritourism: Grower Panel Marker-Miller Orchard – John Marker; Graves Mountain Lodge – Lynn Graves; Green Truck Farm – Brian Green If you wish to suggest questions for the Grower Panels – Lessons Learned in COVID, please email those to mark.sutphin@vt.edu. If you are an industry representative, grower organization leader, or government agency staff person who wishes to offer an update in the allotted time on Thursday, February 18th, please contact mark.sutphin@vt.edu. We look forward to seeing you virtually the week of February 15th. Please use the following Zoom meeting information to join each day (same login info): Join Zoom Meeting https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/86323250715 Meeting ID: 863 2325 0715