NEVBGA Winter Meetings
Winter Meetings Information
The NEV&BGA hosts a series of winter grower meetings each year as an opportunity for growers to learn about ongoing research projects, variety trials, new equipment, growing techniques, and business topics to strengthen their businesses.
Each wither NEV&BGA hosts a series of winter meetings for growers of all sizes and specialties. Meetings include a variety of topics including improved growing techniques, production equipment, food safety, variety trials, and marketing and business topics.
The meetings allow for members to exchange ideas, meet new people, and learn something new. Commercial members are invited to set up a table top display at each meeting.
Each meeting will allow for Continuing Education Units or CEU’s for those with pesticide licenses
610th Meeting
New England Vegetable and Berry Growers’ Association
and New England Cooperative Extension present an all-day meeting
DATE: Friday, January 3rd, 2025 LOCATION: Blue Bonnet Diner North Hampton MA
There is a $20 registration fee, which is waived for members of NEV&BGA. Lunch buffet is an additional $25.
To register, please RSVP to 978-423-6694 or secretary@nevbga.org by December 30th!
9:00 Registration
9:30 Biomass allocation and decomposition pattern of roots and shoots of three summer cover crops
Dr. Masoud Hashemi, Extension Professor Stockbridge School of Agriculture
Cover cropping is an effective strategy to rebuild soil quality through decreased erosion, recycling soil nutrients, and building soil organic matter. However, the root of cover crops is often overlooked. A two-year study was conducted in 2022 and 2023 to investigate the allocation of biomass between roots and shoots, and the nutrient release from root and shoot of three common summer crops, including buckwheat, peas, and oats.
10:15 Sweet Corn & Pumpkin Variety Trial Results
Dr. Mark Hutton Associate Professor of Vegetable Crops and Extension Vegetable Specialist UMaine
UMaine strives to identify crops and varieties that growers in the region can rely on for yield, quality, pest resistance, and consumer preferences that will lead to the overall profitability of their operations. The result of the trials will yield a core roster of varieties proven to withstand pests and diseases in the seasonal New England weather extremes.
11:00 Nourse Farm- The Future of Berry Plant Business
Amanda Emond Sales Manager Nourse Farm Whately MA
Nourse Farm has been a longtime supporter of the NEV&BGA. The leading source of berry plants in the region has undergone some major changes in the past few years in leadership, acquisitions, and technology to expand their offerings of high-quality berry plants for the future.
Noon LUNCH & Commercial Member introductions, extension updates, NEVBGA updates
1:15 Ag Water and Traceability Rules – Lisa McKeag, UMass Extension.
The FSMA Ag Water and Traceability Rules are finally final—learn about conducting an ag water assessment for pre-harvest water and how to get started with the Food Traceability Rule if you hold or pack any foods on the traceability list.
1:45 Herbicide Update- Dr. Maria Gannett, UMass Extension Production Agriculture Extension Educator
Dr. Gannett will discuss product and label updates from the New England Vegetable Management Guide that will affect vegetable and berry growers.
2:30 Avoiding Landfills— a look at plastic use in agriculture and the avenues for disposal.
John Gove is a freelance photographer, filmmaker, writer and farmer from Leominster Mass. John has written for the Boston Globe, PBS, and other regional and national publications. John received funding from NEV&BGA to undertake a project chronicling the use of agricultural plastics on his farm that was published in Atlantic Magazine.
3:15 Adjourn
** 1 Pesticide recertification credits has been approved for this meeting **
Commercial members are welcome to put up table-top displays please contact Secretary-