This purpose of this podcast is to be an easily accessible source of information about
small fruits for growers and extension agents. Below we categorized each episode by
the main topic and the small fruit crop they are most relevant to. This should allow
you to find the episodes and information provided by this podcast that is most relevant
for your operation and listen at your convenience while you work on the farm.
Topic
Ep. #
Subject
Guest
Role
General information about Small Fruits
5
Farm-to-School Marketing
Randy Arnold
Grower
8
Substrate Production
Ryan Dickson
University
9
Marketing Small Fruits
Ekko Barnhill
Grower
10
Louisiana Small Fruit Production
Mary Helen Ferguson and Kiki Fontenot
Agent + University
11
Fungicide Resistance Testing
Emran Ali
University
Blackberry and Raspberry
1
Blackberry Cultivars
John Clark
University
4
Fresh Market Blackberry Production
Ervin Lineberger
Grower
7
White Drupelet disorder
Eric Stafne
University
12
Spotted Wing Drosophila
Hannah Burrack
University
Blueberry
7
Blueberry Planting Rejuvenation
Eric Stafne
University
12
Spotted Wing Drosophila
Hannah Burrack
University
Grape and Muscadine
2
Grape Disease Management
Phil Brannen
University
4
Fresh Market Muscadine Production
Ervin Lineberger
Grower
14
Arkansas Quality Wine
Renee Threlfall and Amanda Fleming
University
15
Mating Disruption and Spotted Lanternfly
Doug Pfeiffer
University
Strawberry
3
Strawberry Cultivar Options
Gina Fernandez
University
6
Strawberry Disease Management
Guido Schnabel
University
13
Fertility and Disease Management
Jayesh Samtani
University
General information about Small Fruits
Episode 5 – Farm-to-School Marketing and Strawberries with Randy Arnold
In episode 5 we are joined by Randy Arnold, owner of Arnold Farms in Alma, AR. Randy
shares with us his experience with marketing to local schools in farm-to-school programs,
as well his yearly on-farm festival called “fun on the farm” that hosts 1,000 students
from area schools who visit the farm and learn about agriculture.
Episode 8 – Substrate Production of Small Fruits with Dr. Ryan Dickson
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Ryan Dickson, a Horticulture professor specializing
in greenhouse production at the University of Arkansas. Ryan gives us an excellent
explanation of substrate production, as well as pros and cons of this type of production
system vs. production in field soil. We also cover the feasibility of soil-less substrate
production systems for small fruit crops in the Southeast and why Southeastern growers
would look to adopt such a system.
Episode 9 – Marketing Small Fruits with Ekko Barnhill
We are joined by Ekko Barnhill from Barnhill Orchards in Lonoke, AR, a diversified
farm that sales products all 12 months of the year to farmers markets, restaurants
and through their farm store. We discussed considerations for marketing small fruit,
how small fruit can help boost the sales of other commodities, and unique ways to
bring products into the marketplace.
Episode 10 – Small Fruit Production in Louisiana with Mary Helen Ferguson and Kiki Fontenot
In this episode we are joined by Mary Helen Ferguson, Associate Extension Agent for
Horticulture at LSU, and Kiki Fontenot, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
at LSU. They provided excellent insight into Louisiana’s production practices, how
they may differ from other growing regions in the Southeast and talked about many
of the challenges that Louisiana’s’ producers face.
Episode 11 – Fungicide Resistance Testing with Dr. Emran Ali
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Emran Ali, plant pathologist and director of
the Plant Molecular Diagnostic Lab at UGA. Emran discussed the basics of pesticide
resistance, fungicide resistance testing that the Plant Molecular Diagnostic lab offers
and how to send in samples to assure you get good results.
Blackberry and Raspberry
Episode 1 – Inaugural Southern Fruitcast featuring Dr. John Clark
This episode features an interview with Dr. John Clark, University of Arkansas fruit
breeder and distinguished professor. He discussed commercial blackberry production
and breeding efforts in the Southeast.
Episode 4 – Muscadine and Blackberry Production with Ervin Lineberger
Ervin Lineberger, owner of Kildeer Farms in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, joins
us for episode 4. Ervin shares with us his experience with blackberries and muscadines,
provides insight into the future of muscadines as a commodity, and offers advice for
growers who are looking to tap into the small fruit market.
Episode 7 – Blueberry Planting Rejuvenation and White Drupelet Disorder of Blackberry with Dr.
Eric Stafne
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Eric Stafne, extension and research professor
in fruit crops at Mississippi State University. The main topics of this episode revolve
around Eric’s work in blueberry planting rejuvenation and white drupelet disorder
in blackberry, where Eric provided excellent insight into his most recent findings
and offered some recommendations for Southeastern growers.
Episode 12 – Spotted Wing Drosophila with Dr. Hannah Burrack
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Hannah Burrack, Professor of Entomology and Extension
Specialist at North Carolina State University. Hannah provided wonderful insight into
the last 10 years of spotted wing drosophila research and did an excellent job telling
us what that research means for people trying to manage this pest in Blackberry and
other crops.
Blueberry
Episode 7 – Blueberry Planting Rejuvenation and White Drupelet Disorder of Blackberry with Dr.
Eric Stafne
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Eric Stafne, extension and research professor
in fruit crops at Mississippi State University. The main topics of this episode revolve
around Eric’s work in blueberry planting rejuvenation and white drupelet disorder
in blackberry, where Eric provided excellent insight into his most recent findings
and offered some recommendations for Southeastern growers.
Episode 12 – Spotted Wing Drosophila with Dr. Hannah Burrack
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Hannah Burrack, Professor of Entomology and Extension
Specialist at North Carolina State University. Hannah provided wonderful insight into
the last 10 years of spotted wing drosophila research and did an excellent job telling
us what that research means for people trying to manage this pest in Blueberry and
other crops.
Grape and Muscadines
Episode 2 – Southeast Grape Disease Management with Phil Brannen
Dr. Phillip Brannen, extension fruit disease specialist at the University of Georgia,
joins us to discuss factors influencing disease management in Southeast vineyards.
Phil provides excellent insight into problems plaguing Southeast grape and muscadine
production, and discusses a variety of solutions that Southeast growers can take advantage
of to maximize their success and profitability.
Episode 4 – Muscadine and Blackberry Production with Ervin Lineberger
Ervin Lineberger, owner of Kildeer Farms in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, joins
us for episode 4. Ervin shares with us his experience with blackberries and muscadines,
provides insight into the future of muscadines as a commodity, and offers advice for
growers who are looking to tap into the small fruit market.
Episode 14 – Arkansas Quality Wine with Dr. Renee Threlfall and Amanda Fleming
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Renee Threlfall and Amanda Fleming from the University
of Arkansas. Renee and Amanda provide excellent insight into commercial wine production
in Arkansas and discuss their newly launched program, the Arkansas Quality Wine Program.
Episode 15 – Mating Disruption and other Chlorpyrifos Alternatives with Dr. Doug Pfeiffer
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Doug Pfeiffer, Professor and Fruit Entomologist
from the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech. This episode includes a breakdown
of everything involved with mating disruption and is a must-listen for growers or
agents looking for ways to sustainably manage grape root borer or peachtree borer.
We also discussed other alternatives to chlorpyrifos and even delved into spotted
lanternfly and its potential to harm Southeastern vineyards.
Strawberry
Episode 3 – Strawberry Cultivar Selection and NC State Small Fruit Breeding with Gina Fernandez
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Gina Fernandez, Professor of Horticulture and
strawberry, blackberry, and raspberry breeder at North Carolina State University.
Gina came on the podcast to discuss how her new strawberry releases, Rocco and Liz,
fit in with the current popular southeastern commercial cultivars. She also discussed
many of her other breeding efforts such as her work with anthracnose resistance in
strawberry.
Episode 6 – Southeast Strawberry Disease Management with Guido Schnabel
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Guido Schnabel, a plant pathologist at Clemson
University. Topics discussed include fungicide selection, common resistance issues,
dip applications before planting, when to use soil applied fungicides, options for
fumigation, and much more.
Episode 13 – Strawberry Fertility and Disease Management with Dr. Jayesh Samtani
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Jayesh Samtani, Assistant Professor and Small
Fruit Extension Specialist in the school of Plant and Environmental Sciences, at Virginia
Tech. Topics covered in this episode include pre-plant nitrogen rates, using the SAS
fungicide scheduling system in a new growing region, alternatives to fumigants for
strawberry producers, and an ongoing survey relating to fertility practices in blackberry.