UADA to host June 9 blackberry field tour

June 2, 2026 

By Ryan McGeeney
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture 

Fast Facts

  • Annual event provides updates on regional developments in blackberry production
  • $20 registration fee covers attendance, cost of meal
  • Register online, pay in person

(424 words)

Download file photo

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Blackberry growers and fruit enthusiasts across Arkansas are invited to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s annual blackberry field tour, scheduled for June 9 at the Fruit Research Station in Clarksville, Arkansas.

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IN FULL BLOOM — The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is hosting a blackberry field tour at the Fruit Research Station in Clarksville, Arkansas on June 9. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

The event will feature research updates from Division of Agriculture researchers as well as members of the Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association.

Amanda McWhirt, extension fruit horticulture specialist for the Division of Agriculture, said this year’s field day will feature the return of many popular components of previous field days.

“We are excited to co-host the annual blackberry field day again this year in conjunction with the Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association,” McWhirt said. “This year we have several out-of-town guests who are national experts and will share updates on blackberry production from around the region. As always, we will host a blackberry taste test, hold several hands-on demonstrations and get to tour upcoming releases from the blackberry breeding program.”

This year’s agenda:

1:00 p.m.        Registration and Demonstrations, including blackberry tasting, blackberry fruit disorders, blackberry leaf tissue nutrient sampling, insect and mite identification

1:30 p.m.        Welcome and Announcements

  • Jackie Lee, director, Fruit Research Station (UADA)
  • Les Dozier, president of the Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association
  • Jean-François Meullenet, senior associate vice president for agriculture-research and director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, UADA
  • John Anderson, senior associate vice president for agriculture-extension and director of the Cooperative Extension Service, UADA
  • Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Blackberry Month Proclamation

1:45 p.m.        Promotional Activities for June and Membership Update, Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association and Lesley Carr, extension program associate, UADA

2:00 p.m.       Blackberries in the Southeast and Around the World (highlights from invited guests)

  • Thrips and Mite Pests in North Carolina Blackberries, Lorena Lopez, North Carolina State University, and Aaron Cato, extension integrated pest management specialist, UADA
  • Key Blackberry Research Updates from Georgia, Zilfina Rubio Ames, University of Georgia
  • Status of Blackberries in South Carolina and Upcoming Research, Melissa Muñoz, Clemson University
  • Blackberry Production in Florida: Industry Overview and Research Advances, Muhammad Adnan Shahid, University of Florida

3:15 p.m.        Break and Leave for the Field 

3:45 p.m.        Field Tour

  • Long-Cane Blackberry Research Updates, Ryan Dickson, associate professor of horticulture, UADA
  • Updates on Robotic Harvesting, Anthony Gunderman, assistant professor of engineering, University of Arkansas, and Renee Threlfall, assistant professor of food science, UADA
  • Tour of Advanced Blackberry Selections, Margaret Worthington, associate professor of horticulture, UADA

5:00 p.m.        Dinner

Online registration is required. The event is $20 to attend, which covers the cost of participation and dinner, to be paid by cash or check in person at the event.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu. 

 

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas 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 22 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.  

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact Amanda McWhirt at 501-671-2229 as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

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Media Contact:
Ryan McGeeney
rmcgeeney@uada.edu 
501-671-2120