News Release 

Date: Mar. 14, 2008

Contact: Rebecca Schuelke, communication specialist
Telephone: (315) 453-3823 extension 103
Cell phone: (315) 427-2714
Email: rschuelke@nyfvi.org


Berry Brush-Up Course offers weed and nutrition management for berries, brambles

Do you grow blueberries, strawberries or raspberries but are looking for a little refresher on nutrition and weed management issues?

A class, Berry Brush-Up, is set 9 a.m.-noon April 9 at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County, 840 Upper Front St., Binghamton.

Presenters will be Dr. Marvin Pritts, Laura McDermott, and Cathy Heidenreich of the Cornell University Berry Team, and Molly Shaw from Cooperative Extension’s South Central New York Ag Program team.

Topics to be covered include nutrition and weed management for all types of berries and brambles. There will also be an opportunity for growers to share questions and concerns with other growers.

The course is part of a two-year initiative by the New York Farm Viability Institute to increase outreach education for commercial berry growers as they work to increase farm profits. The New York Farm Viability Institute is a farmer-led nonprofit group that funds projects identified and prioritized by New York farmers as opportunities and barriers to successful farming in the state.

Workshop cost is $10 per farm. To register, call (607) 584-9966.

Other program sponsors include the Cornell Cooperative Extension offices in Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Chemung, Schuyler, Tompkins, and Tioga counties.




New York Farm Viability Institute is an independent, farmer-led nonprofit organization that directs and funds farm-level research to increase profits, reduce costs and other barriers, create jobs and encourage practical innovation on the farm. The Institute receives funds from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Visit www.nyfvi.org.