| | The plants may be inactive for the winter, but Alberta’s berry producers do not take time off. Producers were busy in November attending the first (annual) Fruit Wine and Mead workshop and the marketing workshop in conjunction with the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers annual meeting.
“There are several functions and events that berry producers will want to mark on their calendars,” says Lloyd Hausher, provincial fruit industry development specialist with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Brooks.
- January 11, 2007 – Direct Marketing Workshop – established and prospective berry growers can expand their direct marketing knowledge at the second annual workshop. The workshop is being held in Edmonton at the Best Western Cedar Park Inn. For more information call toll-free 1-800-661-2642
- February 12 to 17, 2007 – Grow West Alberta 2007, the North American Farm Direct Marketing Association Conference – 600 to 800 direct farm marketers from all over North America are expected to attend this conference which also includes a number of tours and workshops. The conference is being held in Calgary at the Hyatt. For more information, call (413) 529-0386
- March 9 and 10, 2007 – Annual Berry School – a popular event that has been in existence for 20 years. There will be opportunity to attend both production and marketing tract presentations. The school will be held in Nisku at the Executive Royal Inn. For more information, call toll-free 1-800-661-2642.
Strawberry producers are also busy during early winter planning for next year’s plantings. The Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association (AFFPA) pulls together a bulk strawberry plant order for berry producers each year. Most plants are ordered before the end of December from strawberry plant nurseries in Nova Scotia and California. Producers who want more information can call the association toll-free at 1-800-661-2642.
“The berry industry continues to actively grow in rural Alberta,” says Hausher. “Anyone interested in more information, or those considering joining this expanding industry are welcome to contact me at Alberta Agriculture’s Crop Diversification Centre South, or call the AFFPA.”
The publication, Commercial Strawberry Production on the Prairies (Agdex #232/20-1) provides information about starting and maintaining a commercial strawberry planting, what cultivars are available, what equipment is needed and what food safety guidelines have to be implemented. This priced publication ($20 plus GST) can be ordered on-line at Alberta Agriculture’s website or by calling toll-free in Alberta 1-800-292-5697.
Alberta Agriculture also has several factsheets on berry and small fruit production. To access these factsheets, visit Alberta Agriculture’s website and scroll down to Free Publications and click on Horticulture Publications.
Contact:
Lloyd Hausher (403) 362-1309
AFFPA 1-800-661-2642 |
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