Mummy Berry Workshop

Mummy Berry Workshop. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

Blueberry farmers are always concerned about something called mummy berry. Jennifer Miller, Sustainable Agriculture Associate with the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, explains at the problem.

MILLER: It’s a fungal disease on blueberries and it’s a particular disease of concern for those farmers who are using organic practices.

She talks about an upcoming workshop.

MILLER: We are holding a workshop on Tuesday, February 21 in Eugene, Oregon. We’ve learned from a lot of farmers in that area that they have a growing concern about how to manage this with alternative practices. So we have three farmers who are successfully doing that and they’re going to share their information on management which really focuses a lot on sanitation practices to prevent the spread and infection of this fungus.

Registration is required by Wednesday, February 15. The cost is $9 and includes lunch. Register on-line at www.pesticide.org

MILLER: We are responding to farmers concerns because in some cases it can have a tremendous impact. In those really unusual years when conditions are just right for the the disease to spread we’ve heard farmers having problems of 50% of their crop or more being lost. So it’s a very severe concern. And it’s one of those problems that if farmers can recognize it early on and put their management practices in place, that special emphasis on sanitation, it can make a difference.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.