Reeves blueberry field day final
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Abstract Public Interest in blueberries continues to increase due to the health benefits of the fruit. An ongoing blueberry variety trial at the North Alabama Horticulture Research Center in Cullman, Alabama is generating valuable information as to what varieties are best adapted to the north Alabama area. The "Red, White and Blueberry” Field Day was held on July 7th, 2011, at the Research Center, with a goal of educating commercial producers and homeowners about blueberry varieties and their culture and to showcase the blueberry research done on the Center. Master Gardeners provided a taste evaluation of all blueberry varieties harvested from the planting at the Research Center. Forty-nine of the 150 participants, who attended the event, indicated they are now planning on growing blueberries. Ninety-eight percent said they gained more knowledge about blueberries by attending the event. The best tasting variety according the taste-test was ‘Yadkin’ followed by ‘Alapaha’ and ‘Climax’. Blueberry Varieties Highlighted at “Red, White and Blueberry” Field Day Taste Testing On-going harvest from the blueberry research planting allowed participants to taste fresh fruit of each variety. Cullman County Master Gardener Volunteers conducted a taste evaluation of all of the blueberry varieties. Mr. Mike Reeves, Regional Extension Agent, Alabama Cooperative Extension System Mr. Arnold Caylor, Director, North Alabama Horticulture Research Center Dr. Elina Coneva, Fruit Specialist, Auburn University Mr. Tony Glover, Cullman County Coordinator, Alabama Cooperative Extension System The best tasting variety was ‘Yadkin’, followed by ‘Alapaha’ and ‘Climax’. 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Percentage of “Blueberry Knowledge” Test Questions Answered Correctly Pre-test Post-test 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 Taste Test Comparison Scale Photo by Mike Reeves Dr. Elina Coneva, Extension Fruit Specialist Presenters and Topics Mr. Arnold Caylor – Establishment and Pruning Mr. Robert Boozer – Fertilization and Irrigation Dr. Elina Coneva – Variety Evaluation Results Mr. Arnold Caylor, NAHRC Director Mr. Robert Boozer, Extension Horticulturist Eight pre-test/post –test questions and an evaluation indicated significant learning. Photo by Michael Henshaw
Transcript of Reeves blueberry field day final
Abstract
Public Interest in blueberries continues toincrease due to the health benefits of thefruit. An ongoing blueberry variety trial atthe North Alabama Horticulture ResearchCenter in Cullman, Alabama is generatingvaluable information as to what varieties arebest adapted to the north Alabama area. The"Red, White and Blueberry” Field Day washeld on July 7th, 2011, at the ResearchCenter, with a goal of educating commercialproducers and homeowners about blueberryvarieties and their culture and to showcasethe blueberry research done on the Center.Master Gardeners provided a taste evaluationof all blueberry varieties harvested from theplanting at the Research Center. Forty-nineof the 150 participants, who attended theevent, indicated they are now planning ongrowing blueberries. Ninety-eight percentsaid they gained more knowledge aboutblueberries by attending the event. The besttasting variety according the taste-test was‘Yadkin’ followed by ‘Alapaha’ and ‘Climax’.
Blueberry Varieties Highlighted at “Red, White and Blueberry” Field Day
Taste Testing
On-going harvest from the blueberryresearch planting allowed participants totaste fresh fruit of each variety. CullmanCounty Master Gardener Volunteersconducted a taste evaluation of all of theblueberry varieties.
Mr. Mike Reeves, Regional Extension Agent, Alabama Cooperative Extension System Mr. Arnold Caylor, Director, North Alabama Horticulture Research Center
Dr. Elina Coneva, Fruit Specialist, Auburn UniversityMr. Tony Glover, Cullman County Coordinator, Alabama Cooperative Extension System
The best tasting variety was ‘Yadkin’, followed by ‘Alapaha’ and ‘Climax’.
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Percentage of “Blueberry Knowledge” Test Questions Answered Correctly
Pre-testPost-test
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200 Taste Test Comparison Scale
Photo by Mike Reeves
Dr. Elina Coneva,Extension Fruit Specialist
Presenters and Topics
Mr. Arnold Caylor – Establishment and PruningMr. Robert Boozer – Fertilization and IrrigationDr. Elina Coneva – Variety Evaluation Results
Mr. Arnold Caylor, NAHRC Director
Mr. Robert Boozer,Extension Horticulturist
Eight pre-test/post –test questions and an evaluation indicated significant learning.
Photo byMichael Henshaw
