Arkansas blackberry research to take the stage at June 10 field tour
By Sarah Cato
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
May 23, 2025
Fast facts
- Division of Agriculture, Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association to host June 10 field tour.
- Event will be at Fruit Research Station in Clarksville, 1749 State Hwy 818.
- Register online.
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(NEWSROOMS: download photos from last year’s field tour.)
LITTLE ROCK — From robotic harvesters to more than 43 developed varieties, blackberry research is big in Arkansas, and it will all be on display at a June 10 field tour at the Fruit Research Station in Clarksville.
The annual Blackberry Field Tour, co-hosted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association, will kick off at 1 p.m. with a blackberry taste test and a blackberry disorder demonstration, followed by presentations and a tour of the blackberry research being conducted at the Fruit Research Station operated by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.
“We host this field day in partnership with the Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association every year so we can give growers, industry professionals and researchers an up-close look at our ongoing research trials and the current developments of the breeding program,” said Amanda McWhirt, extension horticulture production specialist for the Division of Agriculture. “We appreciate the opportunity to bring together growers from across the state to network, share ideas and taste blackberries developed in Arkansas.”
Cost for the field tour is $20, with dinner provided. Those interested can register online.
Agenda:
- 1 p.m. Registration Open, Blackberry tasting, Blackberry fruit disorder demonstration
- 1:30 p.m. Welcome and Announcements
- 2 p.m. Promotional Activities for June and Membership Update, Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association
- 2:45 p.m. What Makes a Great Blackberry? Demonstration of Fruit Quality Evaluations, Carmen Johns and Rhys Brock, both Division of Agriculture
3 p.m.-4:45 p.m. Field Tour
- Updates on Robotic Harvesting, Anthony Gunderman, University of Arkansas, and Renee Threlfall, Division of Agriculture
- Herbicide Injury ID, Hannah Wright Smith, Division of Agriculture
- Disease Management Considerations, Sara Villani, North Carolina State University
- In-Season Blackberry Nutrient Management, Amanda McWhirt, Division of Agriculture
- Insect Management Reminders, Aaron Cato, Division of Agriculture
- Tour of Advanced Blackberry Selections, Margaret Worthington, Division of Agriculture
5 p.m. Dinner
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact amcwhirt@uada.edu as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact: Sarah Cato
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
870-815-9035