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Berry Production Training Farm Project

Extension Education

Patrick Byers
Commercial Horticulture Field Specialist
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION
Marshfield

Abstract

Berry production offers huge potential for farmers who are focused on local markets.  Discussions with farmers market managers in southwest Missouri reveal a shortage of berries at all markets. Previous outreach efforts demonstrate the value of hands-on experiential training for farmers, especially for minority and socially disadvantaged farmers, and the value of peer-to-peer learning.  The Berry Production Training Farm Project team included University of Missouri Extension, Webb City Farmers Market, Lincoln University Extension, and Hmong farmer Lykou Lee of Newton County.  The project team obtained Missouri Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant funding to establish an on-farm berry production demonstration site.  The demonstration site, established in 2022, included plantings of 4 berry crops (strawberry, blackberry, elderberry and blueberry) utilizing advanced production technology (recently developed berry cultivars; RCA trellis for blackberry; high tunnel production for strawberry; drip irrigation, fertigation, and weed barrier fabric for all crops; a CoolBot® cold storage room; and a harvest/postharvest handling area using produce food safety guidelines).  Farmer Lykou Lee managed plantings, directed activities targeting Hmong farmers and provided Hmong translation.  The project included 16 hands-on workshops on all aspects of successful berry production.  A fruit production tour visited two area commercial berry production farms.  Four production and food safety videos were produced, including Hmong-language videos.  Two displays at area farmers markets promoted local berry production.  220 direct contacts with farmers (including minority and socially disadvantaged farmers), youth, and home gardeners were made at project activities.  The workshop demographic surveys revealed diverse audience participation.  Workshop attendees consistently reported 90% or greater satisfaction with workshop experience and content.  85% or more workshop attendees reported a knowledge gain of a moderate to great amount, with Likert ratings (1-4 scale) revealed knowledge gain of workshop topics ranging from 1.00 to 2.47 (remarkably high).  Documented planting of 2 acres of berries and a strawberry high tunnel resulted from the project.  Mr. Lee has also taken initiative to contact Hmong farmers (both in Missouri and elsewhere) to continue the impact of the project beyond the conclusion of the project in September 2024. 

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted only for display at AM/PIC. Poster is not to be judged, but the abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Patrick Byers, Angela Brattin, Lykou Lee, Eileen NIchols, Lesa Queen
  1. Byers, P. Commercial Horticulture Field Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 65706
  2. Brattin, A. Consultant, Rafter B Farms, Missouri, 64842
  3. Lee, L. Farmer, Lee Family Farm, Missouri, 64850
  4. NIchols, E. Consultant, Webb City Farmers Market, Colorado, 80007
  5. Queen, L. Innovative Small Farm Outreach Specialist, Lincoln University Extension, Missouri, 65682