Thank you to our wonderful hosts Peggy and John at Wild Hill Organics! And thank you to everyone who showed up and contributed to the conversation- farmers, UVM Extension, NRCS, and Vermont Center for Ecostudies to the on-farm workshop on May 19th 2026 in Fairlee, VT.
Please take a few minutes to complete a workshop evaluation at the following link, https://qualtrics.uvm.edu/jfe/form/SV_0jKs4hjCCgLTuHc
Here are a few resources on the topics we discussed:
Pollinators
- Know your 5 blueberry pollinators gives you photos and info on some pollinators we talked about.
- Webinar of UVM Extension and VT Center for Ecostudies on the current project looking at wild bees on different types of farms- Wild Hill Organics if one of their sites.
Management, Diseases and Pests
- Information Resources for High Bush Blueberry Growers in Vermont highlights many of the management topics discussed at the workshop (mulch, nutrients, pruning). Portable pH meter demoed in the field was the GroLine from Hanna.
- Small Fruit Leaf Analysis Fact Sheet–Dairy One and Penn State offer tissue testing. Blueberry samples should be leaves taken during the first week of harvest, from July 15 to August 15.
- Ann did a great listserv post with info on blueberry diseases and links to more info.
- The New England Small Fruit Management Guide for more details on pests we discussed and control measures (e.g. spotted wing drosophila, blueberry maggot, cranberry fruit worm).
Funding
NRCS or other funding can help with pollinator or other practices on blueberry farms. Fact sheets on getting started with NRCS and funding opportunities for Veg and Fruit Farms
Thank you again!
– Laura Johnson, UVM Extension