Workshop on growing cold-hardy berries set for internet broadcast

Anyone interested in learning more about how to grow cold-hardy berries in Montana can tune in to a four-part series of web broadcasts by the Montana State University Western Agriculture Research Center and Ravalli County Extension Office over the next four Fridays.

The information was to be presented at the Montana Berry Growers Association spring conference, but the event was postponed due to social distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic. The video broadcasts can be accessed on https://zoom.us which is a free service, but viewers need to sign up on Zoom prior to the broadcasts. Each broadcast has a specific web address for accessing the video.

Featured speakers, from around North America, will be discussing how to grow berries in Montana climates.

Friday at 10 a.m., Bob Bors of the University of Saskatchewan will be speaking on “Growing haskap berries, and other cold-hardy berries in northern climates.” The web address is https://zoom.us/j/719861678 .

Friday, April 24, 10 a.m., Kathy Wiederholt of North Dakota State University will be speaking on “Results and observations of long-term berry cultivar trials at NDSU.” The web address is https://zoom.us/j/275269900 .

Friday, May 1, 10 a.m., Bernis Ingvaldson of Honeyberry USA will be speaking about “Harvesting and processing cold-hardy berries. Observations on plant cultivars and managing a commercial nursery.” The web address is https://zoom.us/j/354434293 .

Friday, May 8, 10 a.m., Zack Miller and Rachel Leisso of MSU Western Ag Research Center will be speaking on “Fresh berry cold storage trials, research in berry quality measurements, labor management and highlights of data from MSU trials.” The web address is https://zoom.us/j/460436211 .

Anyone interested in the broadcasts who needs information or help prior to the broadcasts can contact Patrick Mangan, MSU Ravalli County Extension agent, at 406-375-6607 or [email protected] .