Mid-Atlantic Regional Blueberry/Asparagus School
(AM Session devoted to Blueberries)



(Contact Charlie O'Dell (804) 292-5331 for information)

Where: A.H. Smith Agricultural Research and Extension Center near Winchester, VA
Why: Commercial fresh-picked locally-grown asparagus and blueberries in many of our areas are in short supply. Newer production information offers improved profit potentials, but most consumers in this region still have few to no local sources of fresh asparagus and blueberries for either pick-your-own or for purchase fresh-picked. Find out how to produce these flavor-packed enterprises that are potential companion crops to strawberries in your market area. Find out how others are doing it and how to give your customers a choice of good eating versus road-weary alternatives from distant areas.
Directions: The Virginia Tech Center is located approximately 7 miles southwest of Winchester, VA in Frederick County. From interstate 81 take the Stephen City exit on the south of Winchester. Go west into Stephen City (200 yards off I-81) and proceed straight through the traffic light onto Route 631 and continue west on 631 approximately 3.5 miles. Turn right north at the T on Route 628 going north. Go 1.5 miles north on Route 628. Then turn left (west) on Route 629. Go 0.8 miles to AREC on left.

Registration Form Please return by March 19, 1999

Number and names of attendees:

Your address:


Cost $17 for first person in family, $10 each additional member/spouse (includes catered lunch at Center and all reference hand-out educational materials).

You may pay in advance or at registration desk on March 25, but please provide head count by March 19. Return this portion to:

Mr. Gary Deoms
Frederick County
Va. Cooperative Extension Office
107 N. Kent Street
Winchester, VA 22601-4716
(e-mail gdeoms@vt.edu)


Registration

Blueberry school begins, welcome, introductions Gary Deoms (northern Va. area Commercial Hort. Extension Agent). Session Chairman Rick Heflebower (Area Extension Hort. Agent, Western MD), presiding

Blueberry nutrition/fertilization Gary Pavlis, Area Hort. Agent, Blueberries, Atlantic County, NJ

Break with refreshments

Pruning northern highbush blueberries, managing the mature plantings Gary Pavlis, NJ

Successful growers' experiences with blueberries in northern Virginia and Maryland Chris Nelson and Robert Black, VA & MD

Blueberry research at Southern Piedmont AREC Dr. Herb Stiles, Research/Extension Horticulturist, SPAREC, Blackstone, VA

Discussion and questions

Lunch catered to the conference room

(Afternoon session on asparagus)