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Vo l u m e 29, Is s u e 3 Th e BRAMBLE Wi n t e r 2014-2015 Th e Ne w s l e tt e r o f t h e No r t h Am e r i c an Ra s p b e r r y & Bl a c k b e r r y As s o c i at i o n , In c . Meet Our Members The Bramble has included occasional Register NOW for the North American profiles of NARBA members for years. This time, rather than carefully picking a farm, Raspberry & Conference! I thought it would be interesting to feature February 24-27, Fayetteville, Arkansas an almost random cross-section of NARBA members. So I sent queries just before Detailed schedule information and a registration form are Thanksgiving to approximately every 19th on pages 13-15 of this newsletter. Online registration is also and 20th name on the membership list, now open – find the link at www.raspberryblackberry.com. skipping research members and those that Take advantage of lower earlybird rates through January 24 had been profiled in the newsletter, been on the Executive Committee, or presented - and note that tours and workshop may fill up early. at a conference. Here are the ones that It’s going to be a great conference– we hope to see you there! responded or that I reached on the phone. I hope you find it as interesting as I did to agritainment side of the business has been learn about these members! I’m hoping growing rapidly in the last few years. that we can also begin to post some short We soon hope to have black raspberry, profiles of members on our website. blackberry, and red raspberry festivals to —Debby Wechsler, NARBA Exec. Sec. bring our customers to the farm to cel- Ben Butler, Butler’s Orchard, Ger- ebrate the wonderful flavors and health mantown, MD: I am member of the third benefits of these berries. We are also generation at Butler’s Orchard, and we’ve planning to plant brambles in our high been members for as long as I know [since tunnel this coming spring. (Any sugges- 2008]. We joined to be a part of the bram- tions on varieties?) We have 14 acres of ble growers community. There are not a lot brambles, divided among red raspberries, Ron Lipina of bramble growers, so it has been a great black raspberries, and blackberries. We on shift trellises. We raise Chester black- network to be a part of. We like being also grow strawberries, peas, tart cherries, berries and sell to the Missouri wineries. members because of the access to good in- blueberries, apples, pumpkins, Christmas I enjoy the newsletter and all the informa- formation. We are able to access informa- trees, and a variety of vegetables. We sell tion. Every article is interesting and I am tion, other growers, researchers and really 95% of our through pick-your-own. looking forward to attending the confer- anyone in the industry that could help us Ron Lipina, Eagle Pointe Farm, St. ence. be better growers. Louis, MO: We joined two years ago We are located 30 miles north of Catherine Greene, Wild Thing Farm, when I started the blackberry business. Washington, D.C. in Germantown, MD. Pocola, OK: I joined NARBA two years I was visiting a Missouri winery and got We are a family owned and operated pick- ago prior to attending the meeting in talking to the owner and he mentioned your-own farm with three members of the Oregon. I hoped that I would gain much that he wished he could buy Missouri- third generation eager to help the busi- needed advice/information from those grown blackberries. I was wanting to start ness grow. While we love farming, our with experience to enhance my limited a business and decided to give it a try. I knowledge. I enjoy the newsletter and researched on the internet for two years continued on page 5 trying to learn how to get started grow- ing blackberries. During this research I saw information about NARBA and New NARBA mailing address decided to join. The winery owner sug- The mailing address for the NARBA of- gested that I look into shift trellises and I fice is now197 Spring Creek Rd. (still also researched that. I used to be a welder Pittsboro, NC 27312). Please make a note by profession so I could custom make the of this new address. I haven’t moved; our shift trellises myself. I am employed as a county named our driveway as a road now firefighter/EMT and decided this would that a third home is being built on it, to be a perfect side job. It does take a lot of make it easier for emergency responders. Ben’s parents, Angela and Wade Butler – hours but I enjoy working outdoors. Debby Wechsler, Executive Secreary part of the farm’s second generation. I have around an acre of blackberries Briefly Speaking... Each year we have the opportunity to meet with our fellow berry growers from all parts of North America. This year we are in Arkansas. Any time we can be in the presence of John Clark and especially where he does his work is like climbing the mountain and coming into the presence of the “Dalai Lama”. We are honored to come to Fayetteville where there are many projects on different facets of growing berries. We will get to see some of those and hear from the dedicated people doing them. This year’s conference features blackberries and that is only natural, because of where we are meeting. Several of the highlights this year for me will be: blackberry va- rieties and John’s breeding program, Spotted Wing Drosophila, food safety in the berry industry, winter damage, and weed control. John Clark has been instrumental in developing most of the newer blackberry variet- ies named in America. He is always interesting to listen to and has a real passion for the blackberry. The BRAMBLE is a quarterly publica- Spotted Wing Drosophila has become a major pest in all caneberries. We will learn tion of the North American Raspberry more about the life cycle and wintering habits of this pest. There are some folks around & Blackberry Association (NARBA), the country using some innovative methods of control that could be classified as “organ- formerly the North American Bramble ic”. We will discuss that along with other means of control and management of SWD. Growers Association (NABGA), and is a The new Food Safety Modernization Act will become finalized in 2015. You may benefit of membership in the association. not have to comply for several years, depending on the phase-in of your size farming For membership information, a sample operation. But as more of the details become known and finalized, it is advisable to be- copy, reprint permision, and advertising gin the process of doing those things that eventually you will need to do to comply with rates, contact NARBA the rule. I have found that when you start and make small adjustments or improvements 197 Spring Creek Rd. each year, the compliance requirements are not that difficult. Betsy Bihn is one of the Pittsboro, NC 27312 USA foremost food safety advocates in the country and is easy to listen to. She brings a fresh Phone: 919-542-4037 approach to a sometimes mundane subject. Fax: 866-511-6660 (toll-free) The swing arm trellis has been a major benefit to northern berry growers and their E-mail: [email protected] desire to grow the more cold-sensitive as our southern friends. We discovered Web: www.raspberryblackberry.com this year that this system did protect the plants and crop from severe freeze damage in The Bramble © NARBA 2014 most areas of the country but not all. We will have a panel discussion of where and how it worked and where it didn’t. Weeds are a major pest to many of us in the berry patch. Doug Doohan is one of the E V E N T S foremost weed scientists in the country and has worked extensively with different mate- rials and weeds in the berry fields. Visit www.raspberryblackberry.com for our most complete and up-to-date list of There should be something for everyone at this conference. Check the program for events. other topics. As we do frequently, we will have an intensive workshop that appeals to January 8-11– Southeast Regional Fruit novice growers. & Vegetable Conference, Savannah, GA. I hope to see many of you in Fayetteville in February. Caneberry sessions organized by NARBA. Fred Finney, Moreland Fruit Farm, Wooster, OH (See page 3) More info and online regis- NARBA Vice President and Conference Committee Chair tration at www.seregionalconference.com.

January 29-31 – Horticulture Growers information on pages 13-15; online registra- U.S. for more than us and ub Ri l R be at the Pacific Agriculture tion at www.raspberryblackberry.com. na s Short Course 30 years. It occurs o S ti y a m Show,Tradex, Abbotsford, BC.See www. March 23-25, 2015 – Global Berry Con- every four years n p r o e t s agricultureshow.net/ i gress In Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Coor- and the last ones n u I

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February 3-6, 2015 – Strawberry Sym- dinated by Eurofruit. For more information, were in Serbia and X posium and NASGA Conference. At the email [email protected]. Chile. Sign on now to become a Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ventura, CA See June 18-25, 2015 – 11th International N o 5 sponsor – NARBA rth 01 www.nasga.org. & Ribes Symposium, with precon- Carolina 2 February 24-27, 2015 – North Ameri- ference tours to farms and research sites is already one. can Raspberry & Blackberry Associa- June 18-20 and the main Symposium in Registration is now open. For more info tion Annual Conference, Fayetteville, Asheville, NC, June 21-25. This is the first about the Symposium, visit www.rubus- Arkansas. Includes tour of U Arkansas time this International Society for Horticul- ribes2015.com or contact gina_fernan- blackberry breeding research. Registration tural Science meeting has been held in the [email protected].

2 Th e Bramble: n e w s l e tt e r o f t h e No r t h Am e r i c a n Ra s p b e r r y & Bl a c k b e r r y As s o c i at i o n , Wi n t e r 2014-2015 Please Renew Your Caneberries in Savannah, January 8-9, 2015 NARBA Membership NARBA has organized the the caneberry • Where and When Do I Need to Manage Now for 2015! sesssions at the Southeast Regional Fruit SWD? Your membership gives you this newslet- and Vegetable Conference in Savan- • Caneberry Disease Update ter, supports research, connects you with nah, GA. This is an excellent conference • Effects of in-row herbicide strip width others in the caneberry industry, provides which also includes a large trade show on established blackberry growth, yield, special member discounts, and more. and sessions on blueberries, peaches, berry quality, and winter hardiness Please use the conference registra- vegetables, and many other topics. Here • Grower Spotlight: Marvin Williams, tion form on page 15 to renew, even if are caneberry sessions in brief: Williams Farm, Enigma, GA you aren’t going to the conference. Or Thursday, Jan. 8 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm • Bringing Global Perspectives and Re- simply call the NARBA office at 919-542- • Understanding the Annual Growth search to the Southeast 4037 and renew by phone. It saves NAR- Cycle of the Blackberry • Perspectives on the Status and Future BA considerably in both time and expense • Assessing and Managing Cold Damage of the SE Blackberry Industry: Panel when the office does not have to send out • Trellising Systems for Caneberries: discussion of growers, marketers, and multiple renewal reminders. By renewing Options & economics buyers now you help free NARBA resources for • Using Shade Cloth on Blackberries more productive projects... so thank you! • New Initiatives from NARBA NARBA’s membership year is on a cal- • Pruning & Trellis Innovations at Hays Find full schedule and hotel information endar-year basis. If you joined mid-year, Berry Farm and a link to online registration at you may ask to have your 2015 member- Friday, January 9 8:30 am – 4:00 pm www.seregionalconference.com. Be ship pro-rated; if you joined in the last few • Breeding Innovations on Fruit Firm- sure to get your hotel reservations as months, your membership is good through ness in the Arkansas Blackberry Breed- soon as possible, host hotels fill up 2015 already. ing Program quickly.

An NC Blackberry Field Day The NC Commercial Blackberry & Raspberry Growers Association sponsored a Field Day on October 10 at Ervin Lineberger’s Kildeer Farm in Kings Mountain, NC. Ervin is a past president of NARBA and was winner of our 2010 Distinguished Service award. More than 50 people attended. Besides seeing and learning about disease management, weeds, and on-farm research on herbicides and SWD, attendees toured the farm and packing building and got to taste some of the farm’s muscadine grapes – including trial plantings of new seedless muscadine grapes. It’s a beautiful and well managed farm. At right: Ervin Lineberger discusses his favorite varieties; behind him is a young planting of Osage, a variety he likes a lot. Lower left: NCSU PhD student Katie Swoboda-Bhattarai explains an insect collection tent used to monitor SWD movement into and out of the berry field. Lower right: Viewing herbicide trials – both in the field and on-paper summaries.

Th e Bramble: Ne w s l e tt e r o f t h e No r t h Am e r i c a n Ra s p b e r r y & Bl a c k b e r r y As s o c i at i o n , Wi n t e r 2014-2015 3 q Prune out the spent floricanes Winter q Tie canes to wires so they are spread out NARBA Seeks Board Bramble Chores q Cut any lateral branches back to 6” and Award Nominees q Thin canes to 6–8 / hill (3’ spacing) or Several seats for Regional Represen- This list was developed by 3-4 canes per linear ft. of row tatives on the NARBA Executive Coun- Dr. Gina Fernandez, Small Fruit Special- Erect blackberry types cil, NARBA’s board of directors, are ist at NC State University and reviewed q Prune out the spent floricanes open for election this year at NARBA’s by Dr. Marvin Pritts at Cornell. Chores annual meeting in February. If you and timing may be somewhat different in q Tie canes to wires in a fan shape would like to nominate someone – in- your area or for your cropping system. For q Cut lateral branches back to 8-12” cluding volunteering yourself – please recommendations for the Pacific North- q Thin canes to 6-8 canes/hill (4’ spacing) contact the NARBA office or NARBA west, we encourage you to subscribe to the Trailing blackberry types President Fred Koenigshof. See details email “Small Fruit Update” by emailing q Prune out spent floricanes of each region and current representa- [email protected]. q Tie or weave canes to wire so that they tives on the back page of this newslet- Plant growth and development do not overlap ter. Open seats will be: q Plant is “dormant” and accumulating q Prune side laterals to 12-18” Region 2 (New England) chilling hours. q Thin canes to 6-8/ hill (6-8’ spacing Region 6 (Midwest) q Some differentiation may be occurring Weed control Region 3 (MI, NJ, NY, PA) in the flower buds. q Many summer weed problems can best At Large (anywhere) Pruning and trellising be managed in the fall and winter using Annual Award: For the last few years, preemergent herbicides. Determine what q Pruning should occur in late winter or NARBA has been awarding a Distin- early spring. Ice storms can do tre- weeds have been or could be a problem guished Service award, and the Execu- mendous damage to plants and trellis in your area. Check with local extension tive Committee invites nominations. systems. If you produce blackberries agent for cultural or chemical means to The award can go to a grower, re- in areas where ice storms are common, control these weeds. searcher, extension, marketer, or other pruning can take place early winter to q Establishing new blackberry or black help avoid severe damage. Wait until raspberry plants into rows of black plas- whose work in caneberries and service early spring to prune floricane rasp- tic or landscape cloth can reduce weed to the industry has been outstanding. berries so winter injured wood can be problems significantly. For red raspber- Contact the NARBA office with your removed. ries, straw mulch works best since new nominations. q Make trellis repairs after plants have de- canes will emerge within the row, and foliated but before pruning and training. must be able to push through the mulch. (check pumps, lines, etc). Primocane fruiting raspberries Insect and disease scouting q Plants generally do not need supple- q Prune (mow) primocane fruiting types q Scout fields for insect and disease dam- mental water in winter unless they are to the ground age and remove those canes. being grown in a tunnel. Floricane-fruiting raspberries q If possible, remove any wild brambles High tunnel management by the roots that are within 600 ft of your q Make sure tunnels are ventilated to planting during the winter, or treat them ensure that temperatures do not get too with glyphosphate in autumn. Jones Family Farms high on sunny days q Apply liquid lime sulfur to dormant Marketing and miscellaneous canes, just prior to bud break, for disease control. q Order containers for next season. q Make contacts for selling fruit next Planting season. q Growers in warmer areas can plant q Plan on attending state/regional grower in December. In northern areas, set meetings (see page 3 for one in the dormant plants in spring when the soil Southeast) and the North American thaws. Raspberry & Blackberry Conference in Micropropagated q Take soil tests to determine fertility Fayettevill, AR. (see pages 13-15). Certified/Virus-Indexed needs one year before planting. Amend Blackberry Plants the soil in the fall prior to spring planting. Congratulations to NARBA The berry best plants you can get! q Prepare list of cultivars for next year’s member and University of California Farm Greenhouse Grown Only!!! new plantings. A commercial small fruit Advisor Mark Bolda, whose Strawberry Jones Family Farms Barbara 252-399-9844 nursery list can be found at www.fruit. and Caneberry blog just surpassed 1 mil- 7094 Honeysuckle lane Home 252-235-3248 cornell.edu/berry/nurseries/. lion visits in October of 2014. See more at Bailey, NC 27807 Fax 252-235-0155 Water management http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail. Email: [email protected] q Make repairs to irrigation system cfm?postnum=15586. Subscribe at http:// Web Site: www.jonesfarmsnc.com ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/subscribe.cfm

4 Th e Bramble: n e w s l e tt e r o f t h e No r t h Am e r i c a n Ra s p b e r r y & Bl a c k b e r r y As s o c i at i o n , Wi n t e r 2014-2015 Meet Our Members members is for information and dialogue with others. Through NARBA, I can learn, Continued from page 1 I can see what other people have done, and if I have a question, I notice it tends to show up in the discussion. We have two acres of black raspberries, Jewel and MacBlack, and four acres of raspberries, plus a hoop house with red raspberries. I had an engineering firm for 20 years, and my wife is a teacher. We also raise sheep and sell lambs and lamb meat.

Jim Pike and his wife, Jennifer. half-acre of brambles is a lot in terms of the time and attention they require. Jim has been a member since 2006. Steve Upson, The Noble Founda- Cathy Greene and her husband. tion, Ardmore, OK: I’m a horticultural find the Facebook Group /posts help- consultant, and try to keep up with as ful. We are a small farm located on the many producer groups as I can. The Noble eastern border of Oklahoma. We offer a Foundation is a private foundation started wide variety of produce beginning with in 1945, with a focus on agriculture. I am asparagus and strawberries in the spring, kind of a jack-of-all trades for fruit and though we also grow and sell a variety of vegetable crops. I work with a lot of our greens throughout the winter. All of the local growers in southern Oklahoma and we grow (strawberries, blueberries, northern Texas, and we also have demon- blackberries, and raspberries) are sold on Jim Faix and his longtime friend, Joy. strations here on the grounds. Blackberries the farm either as pick your own or in our Jim Faix, Fresh Produce Ltd, Othello, are one of the fruit crops we encourage farm store. Vegetables are sold only as pre- WA: I’m a full-time farmer, long-time folks to start out with. They grow well, picked. A CSA is also offered. Field trips berry grower, and farmer market seller. and don’t take as much time or capital from schools and daycares, birthday par- I farm in the irrigated desert in eastern to establish as something like fruit trees. ties, and scouts are given the opportunity Washington. We have maybe one and a Steve has been a member for almost 20 to pick fruit as they tour the farm. The fall half acres of caneberries; I also raise veg- years. is our busiest season. A pumpkin patch, etables and grapes. One thing we do that corn maze and other activities are avail- is unusual is raise Southern peas: black able to keep a whole family busy for a few eyed peas, crowder peas. I furnish all the hours. Our family enjoys seeing the visi- Southerners in our area – they come to the tors and watching kids grow up and return market and fight over them. This year we with their families. had trouble getting pickers for the ber- ries. I was in competition with the apple John and Cindy Albert, Ruffwing growers and all of a sudden I was out in Farms, Lancaster, OH: We joined 4-5 the open without any help, watching ber- years ago. I joined because NARBA mem- ries fall on the ground and worrying about ber Tom Althauser, who lives near me, got SWD. So far, we haven’t had trouble with me started. Our number one reason to be SWD, though—knock on wood. I like the information I receive through NARBA. Jim has been a member for more than 20 years. Jim Pike, Pike Farms, Sagaponack, NY: I joined initially because I felt I Steve Upson should support the organization – black- Jack and Diana Jacobs, Jacobs Fam- berries and raspberries don’t get a lot ily Berry Farm, Gardnerville, NV: We of research funding. We are primarily joined in 2010 to attend the conference in vegetable growers, with about 50 acres Monterey. We enjoy learning from other in vegetables, and raise less than an acre members about growing berries. We have John and Cindy ALbert of raspberries and blackberries. For us, a continued on next page

Th e Bramble: Ne w s l e tt e r o f t h e No r t h Am e r i c a n Ra s p b e r r y & Bl a c k b e r r y As s o c i at i o n , Wi n t e r 2014-2015 5 Meet Our Members reunions, weddings, corporate events and filming, etc). Continued from previous page Jack is looking forward to coming to a small historic (1870s) farm, growing and the conference in Fayetteville, where he selling berries and berry products on site. will be a presenter in one of the sessions. We are growing nearly 1000 raspberry and Introduce yourself, your farm, and blackberry plants, 16 varieties with red why you are a member of NARBA for a raspberries, black raspberries, and black- future set of member profiles via email to berries). While we have other fruits and the NARBA office. vegetables we have limited our sales to the berries so far. We also make jams, syrups Americans Are Eating a (we call this “essence” since we have intense flavors and little sugar) and are ex- Lot More Berries perimenting with dehydrated berries. We According to a recent article in the New sell direct from our property as our cus- York Times, per capita consumption of tomers enjoy visiting and learning about fresh raspberries grew 475 percent from our berries. We conduct berry tasting with Jack and Diana Jacobs 2000 to 2012, blueberry by 411 percent, our customers to allow them to learn about often be rewarded with an extra box or two and strawberries by 60 percent. Fresh fruit the different flavors of our wide range in during the peak of the season when har- consumption has not increased-- instead varieties of berries. We sell a small amount vest is greatest (mid-August). We freeze consumption of apples, bananas, and or- to restaurants who believe in promot- any berries that are not purchased fresh in anges has declined. The article attributes ing “local” and the small farmer. We also a few days and use those for making berry the increase for berries to better taste and have started a “subscription” program products during the off-season or to sell as greater availability through the year, due where customers commit to a season of frozen berries in the off-season. We have to more imported fruit and longer growing berries…typically a weekly pickup of 2-4 incorporated sharing our old property with seasons. See the article at www.nytimes. boxes with the varieties changing over the our customers, explaining what we do here com/2014/12/02/upshot/americans-are- season. This lasts throughout the harvest, and using our property for events (family eating-a-lot-more-berries-heres-why.html about 14 weeks. These subscribers will

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6 Th e Bramble: n e w s l e tt e r o f t h e No r t h Am e r i c a n Ra s p b e r r y & Bl a c k b e r r y As s o c i at i o n , Wi n t e r 2014-2015 Osage Blackberry – What consider Osage, and it is available from a number of propagators licensed by the Growers Are Saying University of Arkansas. t John R. Clark, University of Arkansas John Clark will be a keynote speaker Osage blackberry is the newest floricane- at the NARBA conference in Arkansas; his fruiting blackberry from the University of breeding program is featured on the con- Arkansas. It was released in the summer ference tour. of 2012, and hit the market in a limited amount in the spring of 2013. In 2014, the Welcome to Our Recent first berries were produced by growers. I New Members! recently heard several growers comment You may wish to clip this and fasten it to on Osage, and I want to share a few first- your printed copy of the directory. The crop impressions. most up-to-date membership directory Grower Ervin Lineberger of Kildeer may also always be found in the Members Farm, Kings Mountain, NC shared that his Only section of www.raspberryblackberry. Osage plants were very healthy and estab- com. lished well – he said that his primocane growth at the end of the 2014 season was Norman & Pat Asher the best he has seen on any blackberry on Osage blackberries Meadow Blackberry Farm his farm. He harvested a good crop of ber- Ouachita or better. His second-year plants 3200 Westgreen Way tended to overcrop to some extent and this Saulpa, OK 74066 ries in 2014 and was very impressed with 918-227-1987 farm 918-630-1987 cell the flavor and quality. He further stated reduced berry size in 2014 compared to [email protected] that this berry was very easy to pack, par- the first crop in 2013, however. ticularly in smaller clamshells. Many of Osage sold about 100,000 plants in Robert Brass, you have heard me say that Osage is one 2014, which reflects it is getting a good Stillman Valley Nursery, Inc. start commercially. The first indications 9979 N. Kishwaukee Rd of my favorites for flavor, and this was a Stillman Valley, IL 51084 key reason this was released – it is good to are that this variety is shaping up to be one 815-645-8113 815-980-3589 cell hear positive comments on flavor for this to consider as new blackberry plantings [email protected] new blackberry option. are established. David Childers with Lewis Nursery For those not familiar with Osage, it Lanny Copeland was released primarily as a very good-fla- Gobblers Knob of KY and Farms in Rocky Point, NC commented 9205 Selkirk Court that Osage performed very well in their vored variety to complement Ouachita. In Brentwood, TN 37027 eastern North Carolina location in its first Arkansas, it ripens between Natchez and 615-727-4079 fruiting year. It had a good yield, high Ouachita, but can fruit quite a long time [email protected] quality berries, and was a good comple- through the Ouachita season. Berry size is www.gobblersknobky.com on average about a half a gram less than ment to Ouachita, ripening about 7 days Tim & Charleen Hartter earlier. Primocane growth on this variety Ouachita, a characteristic that concerned Berry Hill Farm was particularly good in 2014 so the 2015 me when I was considering its release. 2587 US Hwy 75 crop potential is great. I have noticed very However, growers have not had major Sabetha, KS 66534 good plant health year after year in my concerns with size, partly due to the ease 785-284-2844 785-285-1397 cell [email protected] evaluations of Osage, and it is exciting to of packaging this berry – it is not too large hear this report in a grower planting. and its round shape allows quick place- Gary D. & Verda L. Pense Growers Paul and Peter Willems in ment in the clamshell. It is consistently Boston Mountain Nurseries Kingsburg, CA were very pleased with productive, equal to higher than Ouachita PO Box 308, 20189 N. Hwy 71 their first crop of Osage. They were most in Arkansas trials. I have always liked the Mountainburg, AR 72946 plant health of Osage also, and it has very 479-369-2007 impressed with the flavor, productivity of [email protected] the plants, ease of packing particularly in good vigor in all locations I have observed www.alcasoft.com/bostonmountain smaller clamshells, and the window when it. But, flavor is really what got my atten- it ripened – just after Natchez. Primocane tion with Osage. As I have said in various growth after harvest in summer of 2014 presentations, I found it to taste good on ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? has been exceptional, setting the stage for “bad flavor days” in my years of evalu- Do you know someone who might a great crop in 2015. ations of many, many blackberry selec- be interested in joining NARBA or tions in the breeding program. Some days Steve McMillan in Enigma, GA shared coming to our conference? We’d be that Osage produced firm berries, and in blackberries just are not as good as others the southern Georgia heat the berries held – due to either the berries or me – and this glad to send them a sample news- up well, particularly in firmness and main- one seems to get good comments time and letter and/or conference brochure. taining black color; Osage overall per- time again. It is one I will take home! If Contact the NARBA office. formed in packing and handling as well as you are planting blackberries this winter,

Th e Bramble: Ne w s l e tt e r o f t h e No r t h Am e r i c a n Ra s p b e r r y & Bl a c k b e r r y As s o c i at i o n , Wi n t e r 2014-2015 7 The clamshell R E S E A R C H R E P O R T on the left was stored in a MAP Innovative Packaging bag with a thyme oil sachet. The Technologies To En- clamshell on the hance the Safety and right is the con- trol. The white The Quality of Fresh area below the Raspberry raspberries is By Thomas J. Gianfagna, Jeanne S. sachet (without Peters and Kit L. Yam, Rutgers –The State thymol in the University of New Jersey control). The goal of this project is to develop in- novative packaging systems for fresh raspberry and other fruit to enhance qual- (EO) from common herbs such as thyme cyclodextrin (CD), which stabilizes them, ity and safety, and to extend shelf-life for and oregano have been known for centu- and then we wrap these capsules into a the small grower. We are developing a ries to have anti-microbial activity, and are TyvekTM sachet, which can be placed in- science-based approach to extend the shelf generally regarded as safe (GRAS). The side the packaging. CRP can prolong shelf life of fresh raspberry, and other small problem with using them is that they are life without overloading the fruit with ad- fruit using packaging as a delivery system volatile and difficult to handle. We solved ditives and can continually replenish the to minimize microbial contamination this problem by incorporating the EO’s active compounds from the packaging to through the controlled release of natural into controlled release packaging (CRP) maintain freshness of the fruit. When the antimicrobials, and to extend shelf life us- that releases the active compounds at dif- fruit release water vapor naturally inside ing modified atmosphere packages (MAP). ferentiable rates suitable for short-term or the package, the water vapor displaces the The major postharvest pathogen of intermediate-term inhibition of microor- EO from the sachet, attached to the bottom raspberry is Botrytis cinerea, the causal ganisms in fresh fruits. For our delivery of the package, into the package and the agent of gray mold disease. Essential oils system, we encapsulated the EO’s into fruit, so the EO can inhibit the growth of

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8 Th e Bramble: n e w s l e tt e r o f t h e No r t h Am e r i c a n Ra s p b e r r y & Bl a c k b e r r y As s o c i at i o n , Wi n t e r 2014-2015 microorganisms. Table 1. Effects of thyme oil (TO) sachets and MAP bags on raspberry fruit quality In Table 1 are our results from last after 5 d storage at 1°Ca summer’s raspberry experiment. We Treatment Disease Change in wt Firmness TSS Antho-cyanin picked fresh raspberries from a commer- Incidence (%) (% initial wt) (N/cm2) (° Brix) (mg/100 g) cial farm in Milford, NJ, and cooled the –TO +MAP 13.8 a 99.8 a 1.7 b 10.6 a 57 a fruit to 5ºC when we got back to the lab. +TO +MAP 3.9 b 99.2 a 2.8 b 11.2 a 65.7 a Fruit were placed in 6-oz clamshell pack- –TO –MAP 10.5 a 97.7 b 5.4 a 10.2 b 63.3 a ages with sachets that contained either +TO –MAP 16.5 a 97.8 b 3.7 b 11.1 a 57.7 a food grade thyme (Thymus vulgaris) es- Initial 3.9 b 11.9 a 59.6 a sential oil encapsulated in cyclodextrin, or a Means in the same column with the same letter are not significantly different (Ρ£0.05). cyclodextrin alone as a control. We used 12 clamshells/treatment. Each of the above Table 2. Effects of thyme oil (TO) sachets and MAP bags on raspberry fruit quality treatments were either packaged in a com- after 5 d storage at 1°C and 2 days at 10ºCa mercially available MAP bag designed Treatment Disease Change in wt Firmness TSS Anthocyanin to maintain a low oxygen, high carbon Incidence (%) (% initial wt) (N/cm2) (° Brix) (mg/100 g) dioxide atmosphere inside the package, to –TO +MAP 27.8 a 97.9 a 3.8 a 10.8 a 59.1 a lower the respiration rate of the fruit and +TO +MAP 15.5 b 97.3 b 3.5 a 11.3 a 52 a inhibit the growth of microbial organisms, –TO –MAP 22.6 ab 96.0 c 0.8 b 11.2 a 41.6 b or the clamshells were simply placed in +TO –MAP 26.8 a 95.9 c 1.3 b 10.5 b 44.4 a open cardboard shipping boxes. The rasp- Initial 3.9 a 11.9 a 59.6 a berries were stored at 1ºC for 5 days, fol- a lowed by one day at 10ºC to simulate stor- Means in the same column with the same letter are not significantly different (Ρ£0.05). age on a supermarket shelve. We evaluated weight loss of fruit, disease incidence, ness of thyme oil sachets when combined This article reports research funded soluble solid (TSS), anthocyanin and fruit with MAP to reduce disease incidence by our North American Bramble firmness, before and after cold and super- and maintain the fresh quality of raspber- Growers Research Foundation in market shelf storage (Table 2). ries during storage and initial placement 2014. The results demonstrate the effective- on supermarket shelves. t

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Th e Bramble: Ne w s l e tt e r o f t h e No r t h Am e r i c a n Ra s p b e r r y & Bl a c k b e r r y As s o c i at i o n , Wi n t e r 2014-2015 9 10 Th e Bramble: n e w s l e tt e r o f t h e No r t h Am e r i c a n Ra s p b e r r y & Bl a c k b e r r y As s o c i at i o n , Wi n t e r 2014-2015 R E S E A R C H R E P O R T Evaluation of algicides for management of orange felt and fungicides for control of cane blight diseases of blackberry Principle investigator: Phillip M. Bran- nen, University of Georgia. Cooperators Orange Felt (orange cane blotch). Yellow to orange velvet-like colonies formed by C. virescens were UGA Extension agents,Jeremy Tay- on a thornless blackberry cane and lusters of Cephaleuros virecens sporangiophores. When ac- lor, Lanier County, and Justin Shealey, tively sporulating, the zoosporangia are borne on stalks which give the “orange felt” appearance Echols County. associated with the disease. Spots start to form on the base of the canes in the late spring or early The objectives of this project were to com- summer and become more pronounced each fall. pare algicides for management of orange can actually swim to a new spot on a cane, caused by Leptosphaeria coniothyrium, a felt of blackberries and determine fungi- but spread from floricane to primocane common fungus which also causes stem cidal efficacy for cane blight management is likely through splashing water from canker on and other ornamentals in commercial blackberries. Cane diseases summer rains. The disease cycle can be (Fig 2). The fungus produces two types of are among the limiting factors to black- continuous for 8-9 months under favorable fruiting structures (pseudothecia and pyc- berry production. environmental conditions. nidia), both of which are largely buried in Orange Felt Copper sprays have been traditionally the dead bark tissue. Likewise, the fungus utilized to suppress this disease; though produces two respective spore types (as- Orange felt (also known as orange cane many copper products are registered for cospores or conidia). blotch) disease of blackberry, is caused by control of blackberry diseases, the labeled the parasitic alga Cephaleuros virescens continued on next page use times for most copper materials may (Fig 1). Orange felt is especially prevalent not be sufficient to cover all infection on blackberries grown in very hot, wet, periods. Also, copper injury can occur and humid environments, such as those with prolonged use or under certain en- encountered in much of the Coastal Plain vironmental conditions, such as very hot areas of the Southeast. Where colony or prolonged moist periods (poor drying formation (i.e. the degree of coverage of conditions). Mid-summer copper applica- the cane) is limited, it has been stated that tions are not generally allowed under most this alga does not limit blackberry produc- current labels, and once again, plant tissue tion. Where ideal environmental condi- damage may possibly occur under hot con- tions occur, this alga may girdle canes or ditions. Likewise, Bordeaux mixture has exacerbate other cane diseases, causing been utilized for control of algal pathogens subsequent decline and death. Since stem on other commodities, but it may be phy- cracking accompanies infection, this may totoxic, and other formulations of coppers also account for death of blackberry canes, have generally replaced Bordeaux as the due to secondary attack by opportunistic product of choice. Additional materials are fungi such as Botryosphaeria species and needed for management of orange felt, and cane blight. efficacy data will be required to determine The C. virescens colonies form where which algicides and/or fungicides (some zoospores (mobile swimming spores) set- impact algae as well) will be of value for tled the prior summer. In the case of black- management of this disease. berries, spread has to occur from floricane to primocane in each year of continued Cane blight colony production. Algal filaments spread Cane blight can also be a major disease of to form a colony. As the colonies develop blackberry in the Southeast, resulting in Cane blight. Following infection, dead and and mature in early to mid-summer, they severe losses – sometimes resulting in the dying floricanes are observed in the spring form hair-like stalks (sporangiophores), complete destruction of fruiting canes in and summer. Dead canes may have a silvery to which subsequently produce multiple any given year. As with orange felt, wet, gray appearance. Damage is generally associ- zoosporangia. Under wet conditions, the humid conditions observed in Georgia and ated with pruning cuts, especially large ones. zoosporangia in turn release multiple zoo- other southeastern states allow for sig- With a hand lens, small, black, pepper-like specks can be seen on the surface of the dead spores (swimming spores), each of which nificant losses following pruning or other tissue. These are the fruiting structures for the is capable of forming a new colony. Spores injuries to the primocane. Cane blight is fungus.

Th e Bramble: Ne w s l e tt e r o f t h e No r t h Am e r i c a n Ra s p b e r r y & Bl a c k b e r r y As s o c i at i o n , Wi n t e r 2014-2015 11 Evaluation of algicides for were conducted, and each Evaluation of orange cane blotch (felt) treatments replication consisted of a Orange cane blotch management of orange felt single plant. Fungicide ap- Treatment and rate/A (felt) severity (%)x plications were made with and fungicides for control 1. Non-treated control 48.0 ab a backpack sprayer to run- of cane blight off at multiple application 2. Potassium benzoate 10% a.i.w 66.0 a Continued from previous page dates. A minimum of one 3. Potassium sorbate 10% a.i. 40.0 b The fungus overwinters on dead tissue plant was skipped between 4. Oxidate 64 fl oz 42.5 b of old floricanes (fruiting canes). If not re- spray plants to minimize 5. Bravo Weather Stik 4 pt 52.0 ab moved, dead canes or cane tissue can serve plot-to-plot spray drift. as a ready source of inoculum. Spores are Variables measured were 6. Kocide 3000 1.75 lbs 43.0 b produced from the spring through the fall, severity of both diseases. 7. Lime sulfur 6 gal 50.0 ab and spores infect injured primocane tissue. Results 8. Prophyt 4 pt 9.5 c Therefore, the risk of cane blight is greatly Orange felt. Rainfall was increased when primocanes are injured 9. Sulforix 1qt 42.5 b more than adequate for or improperly pruned. Though pruning 10. Dithane 4.8 qt 38.5 b disease development. Cop- cuts provide a major infection site, insect per application has been 11. Junction 3.5 lbs 50.0 ab damage, herbicide damage, freeze injury, generally recommended for 12. Omega 500 1.25 pt 48.0 ab or injury from farm machinery or other suppression of Cephaleuros mechanical operations will likewise pro- virescens diseases of fruit Evaluation of cane blight treatments vide sites for infection to occur. If rainfall plants in the Southeast, but immediately follows any injury, this fur- Cane blight it was not effective in this thers the likelihood of pathogen infection Treatment and rate/A severity (%) trial. Possibly due to its sys- and establishment in the . Untreated control 56.0 a temic activity, Prophyt was Once primocane infection has occurred, the only efficacious treat- Pristine 23 oz/A 48.2 ab the pathogen continues to invade plant ment, providing substantial Rally 2.5 oz. 32.0 b tissue during the fall and winter, resulting suppression of orange cane in floricane bud failure and cane dieback Topsin M 70WSB 1.5 oz + Captan 55.2 a blotch. Phytotoxic effects in the following spring, completing the were present in both the Switch 14 oz 45.8 ab disease cycle. Prophyt and potassium phyt) was found to be active on the algal In the summer, fall, and winter fol- sorbate treatments, each causing marginal lowing the initial wound-site infection, disease, orange felt. Likewise, another burn. Potassium benzoate caused fungicide (Rally) was determined to cane blight lesions may develop on the severe phytotoxic damage to the plant, as primocanes; these lesions are generally provide suppression of cane blight. Both indicated by a more general leaf burn. dark red to purple with irregular purple of these findings are new, so based on this borders – similar in appearance to those Cane blight. Rainfall was sufficient for research, blackberry producers now have of Botryosphaeria cane canker. In some cane blight establishment as well. Though two registered materials that can help with cases, lesions may extend for only a few Pristine has shown efficacy in previous these diseases. Additional research needs inches, but canes can also be girdled by trials, the only fungicide that provided to be conducted to optimize timing of both larger lesions or cankers, resulting in their significant control of cane blight was the fungicides for disease control. In addition, death and complete loss of production the DMI fungicide Rally. Cane blight is main- more fungicides from diverse classes are following year. Floricane lesions become ly a disease that follows pruning, so timing needed to prevent resistance development brittle in the spring and summer, and of Rally applications to pruning should in these algal and fungal diseases. For now, released spore masses dry on the canes, reduce the development of disease, espe- overall cane health should be increased by often resulting in a silvery to gray surface cially when chemical control is combined incorporation of both Prophyt and Rally appearance on dead tissue. With a hand with good cultural management recom- into IPM programs for management of lens, the fruiting structures will appear as mendations. It is surprising that the broad- these and other diseases. t small, black, pimple-like bumps which are spectrum, dual-component treatments such as Pristine, Switch, and Topsin M + Cap- This project was funded by a grant largely buried in the blackberry tissue. tan were not more efficacious. Additional from the North American Bramble Numerous fungicides could be brought fungicides are needed, as Rally alone will Growers Research Foundation in to bear on cane blight, but efficacy data likely develop resistance over time without 2014. The full report, including refer- for management of cane blight is lacking good alternation partners. With this said, ences, will be posted in the “Research as well. Efficacy trials are greatly needed other DMI fungicides should be tested in Foundation” section of www.raspber- to help us address both cane blight and the future, as some may be even more ef- ryblackberry.com. The Foundation’s orange felt. ficacious than Rally. funds come from nursery contributions, Methodology: Treatments were ap- individual donations, and a percentage plied to a randomized complete block Conclusions of NARBA grower member dues. design. Five replications of each treatment Fortunately, an efficacious fungicide (Pro-

12 Th e Bramble: n e w s l e tt e r o f t h e No r t h Am e r i c a n Ra s p b e r r y & Bl a c k b e r r y As s o c i at i o n , Wi n t e r 2014-2015 You are invited to the ARBA N 2015 North American

Raspberry & Blackberry conference

february 24-27, 2015 The chancellor Hotel – fayetteville, Arkansas North American products like berries for market testing, learn REGISTRATION Raspberry&Blackberry Association how sensory aspects in food perception and Register on paper (mail, fax, or email in the acceptance are researched, and see labs that can form) or online (see the link at www.raspber- identify bioactive compounds and determine NARBA is pleased to bring its an- ryblackberry.com). Registration fees are per/ health benefits. On the farm, see high-tunnel person, with lower rates for NARBA members nual conference to Arkansas, the strawberry and organic blackberry research in and registrations received/postmarked by Janu- home of Dr. John Clark’s renowned three different kinds of high tunnels. 15 minutes ary 24, 2015. Contact NARBA to inquire about blackberry breeding program, drive. reduced fees for children. You may join NARBA which we will visit during the con- Crystal Bridges Museum of American with your registration to receive the member ference tour. This meeting is being Art - This celebrated new museum is widely rates. Refunds: Full refund minus a $20 process- warmly welcomed by the University recognized for its collection, its architecture (by ing fee for refunds requested by Feb. 10. After Feb. of Arkansas berry community and leading architect Moshe Safdie), and its parklike 10. partial refunds may be available on request. the city of Fayetteville. Join other grounds. Take a guided tour or wander on your own. In Bentonville, 35-40 min. drive. AccOmmOdATIONS caneberry growers, researchers, The Chancellor Hotel in downtown Fayette- extension, marketers, and suppliers WORkSHOP: BlAckBERRy & RASP- ville is the site of our conference. This recently to learn, network, and celebrate. BERRy PROducTION 101 renovated hotel is within walking distance of cONfERENcE TOuR For beginning growers and those in their first the University of Arkansas, and is surrounded This tour will be a highlight of the meeting! few years of production. It takes place over by a lively district of restaurants, shops, and several time slots of the conference, so that Boston Mountain Nursery has been in opera- entertainment. There is free on-site parking for tion since 1973, raising and selling blackberry, participants have the opportunity to take in attendees and free wireless access throughout raspberry, grape, and other fruit plants. some other sessions as well. Includes a USB flash the hotel. drive of resources. Registration is limited. Led by in Clarksville is To make hotel reservations call 855-285-6162 The Fruit Research Station Elena Garcia, University of Arkansas and Patrick the site of Dr. John Clark’s breeding work with (toll free) or 479-442-5555. Be sure to mention Byers, University of Missouri, with additional blackberries, blueberries, grapes, peaches, and “NARBA” when you call. For a link to online res- presenters. Cost: $15/person. Number of partici- nectarines. Navajo, Natchez, Ouachita, PrimeArk ervations go to www.raspberryblackberry.com. pants limited; must preregister. 45... they all started here! Cut-off date: February 1, 2015 Post Familie Vineyards has been in continu- POSTERS Conference rate: $109/night. Also available Researchers, extension, and growers are invited ous family operation since 1880 and is the larg- for several nights on either side of the confer- to submit posters for display. See www.raspber- est winery in the state. We will tour, taste, and ence. Be especially sure to make reservations ryblackberry.com for details. talk with the owners about the wine business. early if you plan to stay over February 27 into Travel will be by bus; space on the tour is limited PROcEEdINGS the weekend. Proceedings of the Conference will be published by seats available. Lunch and the wine tasting are TRAvEl online at the NARBA website after the confer- included in the fee. Plan to dress appropriately for By air: The NW Arkansas Regional Airport ence. A CD version will also be available. weather and walking. (XNA) is the closest airport, about a half hour PRE/POST cONfERENcE TOuRS away near Bentonville. For transport to/from These tours are free but must be preregistered. the airport, Green Cab Co (479-966-4111) will On-site registration will be permitted if space coordinate carpooling for conference attendees is available. Transport is by van, carpool, or on and has energy-efficient hybrid cars (be sure to your own. Please indicate transportation needs mention NARBA when you call). Other airports when you register. See schedule for times of in the region, such as Tulsa, OK (TUL), about two tours. Find more details at our website. hours away, may have more direct flights and less U of Arkansas NanoScience Building - The expensive fares, and may be worth considering, very small offers amazing structures, appear- especially if you plan to rent a car or there are ances, properties, and applications. Visit the several people in your group. world of electron microscopes, spectroscopes, By car: Fayetteville is located on Interstate materials science, and more. On campus,15 min. I-540, close to I-412. The hotel is a block from walk from the hotel. the historic square in this small city, and easy visit www.raspberryblackberry.com to find. Street address is 70 N. East Avenue, U of Arkansas Food Science Labs and for the most up-to-date and detailed See a pilot plant product Fayetteville, AR 72701 (between Center and Research Farm - conference information. development facility that can be used to process Meadow Sts). Th e Bramble: Ne w s l e tt e r o f t h e No r t h Am e r i c a n Ra s p b e r r y & Bl a c k b e r r y As s o c i at i o n , Wi n t e r 2014-2015 13 ConferenCe SChedule TuESdAy, fEBRuARy 24 8:00 Hospitality Room Informal discussion & refreshments. 2:00-8:00 pm Registration, Chancellor Hotel 8:00-Roundtable Discussion: Grant seeking/writing – funding new Pre-conference Tours (by preregistration) farm enterprises • 2:30-3:30 U of Arkansas NanoScience Building fRIdAy, fEBRuARy 27 • 2:00-4:30 U of Arkansas Research Farm & Food Science Labs 7:00-8:45 am Registration, continental breakfast. 2:00-4:00 NABG Research Foundation Meeting Exhibit area open all morning. 4:00-6:00 NARBA Executive Council Meeting 8:45-10:15 General Session 7:00-9:30 Opening Reception “Arkansas Fruits – John Clark and • Grower Spotlight - Robert Hays, Hays Berry Farm, Dumus, MS Curt Rom” – John Clark, Curt Rom, University of Arkansas Dept.of • FSMA Update for Produce Growers - Betsy Bihn, Cornell University Horticulture • Filling the Retail Shelves: The U.S. Caneberry Supply - Mike Thomsen, WEdNESdAy, fEBRuARy 25 University of Arkansas, Ag Economics 7:00-7:45 am Registration, Chancellor Hotel 10:30-12:00 Concurrent Sessions 8:00am-5:00 pm Conference Tour (buses load at 7:45) Visits Boston Weed Control for Practical Tools for Meet- Roundtable Discus- Mountain Nursery, Mountainburg, AR; Fruit Research Station, Clarks- Caneberries ing FSMA requirements sion: On-Farm Inno- ville, AR; Post Familie Vineyard, Altus, AR & Market Demand for vations and Decision 6:00 pm– Dinner on your own Produce Safety Making 8:00 – Hospitality Room Informal discussion & refreshments. Mites in Raspberries Crisis Management Blackberry & and Blackberries for Your Farm & the Raspberry Production THuRSdAy, fEBRuARy 26 Caneberry Industry 101 Wrap-up 7:30-9:00 am Registration, continental breakfast. 12:00-12:30 Closing General Session (presenters TBA) Exhibit area open all day. Post-Conference Tours (by preregistration) 8:00-9:00 Raspberry & Blackberry Production 101 starts. (continues • 2:00-4:30 U of Arkansas Research Farm & Food Science Labs in several time blocks) Must pre-register for this. • 2:00-5:00 Crystal Bridges Art Museum (Bentonville) 9:00-11:00 General Session • 2:30-3:30 U of Arkansas NanoScience Building • Grower Spotlight - Chris Eckert, Eckert Farm, Belleville, IL • Growing for Health: How berries protect against the radicals that OuR PRESENTERS plague our bodies daily - Ron Prior, USDA Arkansas Children’s There isn’t room on this schedule to list all presenters in their concurrent Nutrition Center (ret.)/U of Arkansas sessions; a detailed schedule will be posted at www.raspberryblackberry. • Focus on SWD: Panel of presenters com. Below is a list of confirmed presenters as of Dec. 5, 2014. 11:10-12:00 Concurrent Sessions Growers Chris Eckert, Belleville, IL – Bob Hayes, Dumus, MS – Bill Jacobs, Owasso, OK – Jack Jacobs, Gardnerville, NV A Closer Look Getting Consumers, Pro- Live & Learn: Experi- at SWD: Panel cessors, Chefs, Food Writ- ences with High Tunnel Universities/Extension/USDA: Robert Agunga, The Ohio State Univer- Discussion ers, & Foodies to Choose Organic Berry Produc- sity – Mark Bolda, U California Cooperative Extension – Jill Bushakra, Our Berries tion USDA-ARS Corvallis, OR – Patrick Byers, University of Missouri – Doug 12:00-1:45 Lunch and NARBA Annual Meeting. Doohan, The Ohio State University – Gina Fernandez, NC State Univer- sity – Chad Finn, USDA-ARS Corvallis, OR – Bob Martin, USDA-ARS 1:45-5:00 Concurrent Sessions Corvallis, OR – Fumiomi Takeda, USDA-ARS Kearneysville, WV – Inga Experiences with Safeguarding the Caneberry Blackberry Zasada, USDA-ARS Corvallis, OR. From the University of Arkan- Rotating Cross-Arm Industry from Virus Diseases: A & Raspberry sas: John R. Clark (Berry Breeding) – Curt Rom (Horticulture) – Elena Trellis – Panel Dis- Systems-based Approach Production Garcia (Horticulture) – Olivia Hines (Horticulture) – Luke Howard (Food cussion New Developments with Rubus 101 continues Science) – Jenny Popp (Ag Economics) – Donn Johnson (Entomology) Viruses on the West Coast – Ron Prior (berry health research) – Alejandra Salgado (Horticulture) – Winter-injury How Nematodes and Soil-borne Rene Threlfall (Horticulture) – Mike Thomsen (Ag Economics) – Ioannis Experiences and Diseases Work Together to Tzanetakis (Virology) Research Wreak Havoc on Caneberries Organizations: Margo Hale, ATTRA – Cat McKenzie, Oregon Raspberry Arkansas Blackberry Developing the Genomic Infra- Follow the Breeding Program: structure for Black Raspberry Money: New & Blackberry Commission Investigating the Breeding Improvement: An Interactive Physical, Composi- Update Raspberry & Thank you to Naturipe Farms, tion, and Sensory Challenges Black Raspberry Blackberry our Host Sponsor! Attributes of Black- Growers Face Budgets For a list of all conference sponsors and berries information on becoming a sponsor, 3:40-4:10 Poster Session and Break visit www.raspberryblackberry.com or 5:00 Dinner on your own call 919-542-4037. 14 Th e Bramble: n e w s l e tt e r o f t h e No r t h Am e r i c a n Ra s p b e r r y & Bl a c k b e r r y As s o c i at i o n , Wi n t e r 2014-2015 norTh AMerICAn rASPBerrY & BlACKBerrY ConferenCe Fayetteville, Arkansas • February 24-27, 2015 REGISTRATION fORm for online registration, visit www.raspberryblackberry.com Register by January 24, 2015 for best rates. Name (primary registrant)* ______Farm/Company/institution* ______Additional farm/company members on this registration*______Mailing address ______City* ______State/Province* ______Zip/Postal code______Country______Phone ______E-mail ______* This information will be used on nametags. Please indicate if name or company/location should differ for any registrant or our database.

NARBA mEmBERSHIP duES REGISTRATION fEES # per- $ amount Membership is per family, farm, or company (at one All registrations are per-person. sons address). 25% of grower dues goes directly to the full cONfERENcE PAckAGE NABG Research Foundation. Feb 24 reception, Feb 25 tour & lunch, Feb 26-27 sessions; Growers qNew $50 qRenewing $85 ______lunch Feb 26, all breaks, Proceedings plus Acreage charge ______Members- Earlybird: $175 After Jan 24: $195 ($5/acre planted in caneberries; maximum $100) Nonmembers- Earlybird: $225 After Jan 24: $245 Industry $150 ______By THE dAy REGISTRATIONS (suppliers, processors, marketers,etc) Tour only Feb 25 (includes lunch) Research, extension, students $40 ______Members- Earlybird: $50 After Feb 1: $60 I prefer newsletters q by mail q by email (pdf) Non Members- $80 feb 26 & 27 only (no tour) PRE- ANd POST-cONfERENcE TOuRS Members- Earlybird: $125 After Jan 24: $145 Free tours but must # per- Need transport Non Members- Earlybird: $175 After Jan 24: $195 preregister sons Yes No WORkSHOP: Raspberry & Blackberry Production 101: $ 1 5 Tuesday, feb. 24 TOTAl REGISTRATION fEES NanoScience Center mEmBERSHIP fEES (from box at left) Food Science Labs/ Research Farm TOTAl duE friday, feb 27 Special dietary or accessibility needs, other comments, or questions: Crystal Bridges Museum ______NanoScience Center ______Food Science Labs/ Research Farm ______

PAymENT  Mastercard  VIsa  Check (make out to “NARBA” – U.S. Funds only) Check Number ______Card number ______Expiration date ______Name on card ______Signature______

SENd REGISTRATIONS TO: NARBA, 197 Spring Creek Rd., Pittsboro, NC 27312 USA Fax: 866-511-6660 Email: [email protected]

Hotel Reservations: To make your reservations at the Chancellor Hotel, call 479-442-5555 or 855-285-6162 (toll free). Be sure to identify yourself as part of the block “NARBA” and make your reservation by february 1. Room rate: $109/night. Questions? [email protected], 919-542-4037

Th e Bramble: Ne w s l e tt e r o f t h e No r t h Am e r i c a n Ra s p b e r r y & Bl a c k b e r r y As s o c i at i o n , Wi n t e r 2014-2015 15 No r t h Am e r i c an Ra s p b e r r y & Bl a c k b e r r y As s o c i a t i o n (NARBA) 197 Sp r i n g Cr e e k Rd. Pi t t s b o r o , NC 27312

WINTER,t 2014-2015

NARBA 2014 Officers Region 2 (represents CT, NH, MA, ME, RI & VT) Open. For a Christmas Gift and Executive Council Region 3 (Represents MI, NJ, NY, PA & President - Fred Koenigshof, K and K Europe) Fred Koenigshof, K and K Farms, of Knowledge, Farms, 4050 Kerlikowske Rd., Coloma, 4050 Kerlikowske Rd., Coloma, MI 49038, MI 49038, 269-208-6783, kandkfarms@ 269-208-6783, [email protected]. sbcglobal.net. Give a Book Region 4 (represents DE, MD, OH & WV) These books are available from NARBA. Vice President - Fred Finney, Moreland Fred Finney, Moreland Fruit Farm,1558 Contact the NARBA office. We ship Fruit Farm,1558 W Moreland Rd, Wooster, W Moreland Rd, Wooster, OH 44691, 330- quickly! (Additional charges for expedited OH 44691, 330-264-8735, fred@moreland- 264-8735, [email protected]. fruitfarm.com. shipping or non-U.S. destinations.) Region 5 (represents AL, GA, FL, LA, MS & Treasurer - Rudy Heeman, Heeman TX). Marvin Williams, Williams Farm, 2127 Raspberry and Blackberry Production Strawberry Farm, 20453 Nissouri­ Rd. RR2, Sapp Lake Rd., Enigma, GA 31749, 229-392- Guide for the Northeast, Midwest, and Thorndale, ON N0M 2P0 Canada,­ 519- 5253, [email protected]. Eastern Canada Though for the NE, 461-0181, [email protected]. growers in other areas also find it useful. Region 6 (represents AR, IA, IN, IL, KS, 134 color photos, 36 line drawings, 30 Executive Secretary - Debby Wechsler, MN, MO, ND, OK, SD, NE & WI) Blake 1138 Rock Rest Rd. Pittsboro, NC 27312, Smith, Two Farmers Produce, 4335 260th tables, 70+ descriptions, sample 919-542-4037, fax 866-511-6660, info@ Ave, Greenville, IA 51343, 712-835-2211, calculations. Lists for $37 plus shipping; raspberryblackberry.com. [email protected]. NARBA members: $35 includes ship- ping). Research Committee Co-Chairs - Region 7 (represents DC, KY, NC, SC, TN Jeff Chandler, MCREC, 455 Research & VA) Pierson Geyer, AgriBerry, 10186 Fresh Market Caneberry Production ­Drive, Mills River, NC 28759, 828-684- Cabin Court, Mechanicsville, VA 23116 Manual pub. by U of CA Agriculture and 3562, [email protected], and Gina 804-514-5955, [email protected]. Natural Resources. Learn the techniques Fernandez, NCSU Box 7609, Raleigh, NC Region 8 (represents AK, AZ, CA, CO, ID, of the leading U.S. production region. 74 27695, 919-513-7416, gina_fernandez@ HA, MT, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY, ­Mexico & pages, 90+ color photos, tables, and il- ncsu.edu. Central/South America) Julie Schedeen, lustrations. Lists for $25 plus shipping; Past President - Nathan Milburn, Mil- Schedeen’s Farm, P.O. Box 172, Boring OR NARBA members: $24, includes shipping. burn Orchards, 1495 Appleton Rd., Elkton, 97009, 503-658-4730, schedeens@msn. Raspberries edited by NARBA member MD 21921, 443-309-2077, nathan@mil- com. Richard Funt and Harvey Hall, with many burnorchards.com. At Large: Richard Barnes, Tanglewood distinguished contributors. 300 pp, 98 Regional Representatives: Berry Farm/Trellis Growing Systems, color photos and 32 b&w photos. NARBA Region 1 (all of Canada) Rudy Heeman, 2427 S. Hadley Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46804 members: $69.00, or $79.00 for a book Heeman Strawberry Farm, 20453 ­Nissouri 260-241-3128, rcbarnes@trellisgrowing- autographed by editors Funt and Hall, plus Rd. RR2, Thorndale, ON N0M 2P0 systems.com. $10 shipping/handling. ­Canada, 519-461-0181, [email protected].