KENNEDY - Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County will offer a small fruit workshop and farm tour on Thursday for growers of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and other small fruits.
The workshop will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at Abers Acres located at 884 Route 394, Kennedy.
Topics to be discussed include: organic production and pest and disease control of fruit crops; a new invasive insect confirmed in New York state, the spotted wing drosophila; and the use of high tunnels in fruit crops. All current or prospective small fruit growers in Western New York are welcome to attend.
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Abers Acres, owned by John, Susan, and Adam Abers, grows certified organic fruits and vegetables on more than 100 acres in Kennedy. The Abers are growing and marketing their strawberries, red and black raspberries, blueberries, currants, elderberries, and gooseberries through a home farm stand, a stand in Warren, Pa., and farmers markets. Their pick-your-own crops have grown over the years to include most of these fruit crops as well as peas, beans, and cut flowers. They use high tunnels with their red raspberry crops with success.
Cathy Heidenreich, berry extension support specialist focusing on small fruit production, small fruit pest management and applied berry crop research, will facilitate discussion about production-related questions during the tour.
Small fruit growers are asked to call Ginny Carlberg today at 664-9502, ext. 202, to register. The tour is free for all Cornell Cooperative Extension-enrolled farms and $10 per farm for all non-enrolled.