Media Advisory

Researchers to show results of high tunnel raspberry production

What:
Two, free, on-farm field days featuring high tunnel raspberry production

Who:
Ron Branch and Steve Poppe, participants in the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program. The field day in Morris will also feature Dallas Flynn, a farmer from Frazee, Minnesota, who is growing crops in a solar-powered high tunnel.

When/Where:
Wednesday,July 13, 2011
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Berry Ridge Farm
1301 Firemans Lodge Road SW Alexandria, MN

AND

Thursday, July 28, 2011
5:00 – 8:00 p.m. (Dinner is available)
UofM West Central Research and Outreach Center
46352 State Hwy. 329, Morris, MN

Background:
This three-year Sustainable Agriculture Grant project focused on minimizing the use of fungicides and pesticides and extending the growing season of raspberries by growing them in a high tunnel. Results of the research will be demonstrated at the field days and will help increase growers’ knowledge about potential markets for locally produced fruit crops.

Contacts:
Steve Poppe, UofM Morris, 1-320-589-1711
Ron Branch, Berry Ridge Farm, 1-320-763-6893
Jeanne Ciborowski, MDA Sustainable Agriculture Program, 1-651-201-6217

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