This year's Spring Field Day will be approximately two hours.
We are excited to still offer the same content that is critical to our growers, ranging from growing and horticultural practices, pest and diseases, as well as pollination and industry updates.
Event Speakers
Dr Lorena Lopez
Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida
Presentation Topic: | Efficacy of newly registered miticides against past mites |
Dr. Liburd is a fruit and vegetable entomologist who has over 25 years working on blueberry pest management. He has worked in blueberries in the northeastern, midwestern and southern states and has published over 120 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 14 book chapters and a host of extension articles. Dr. Liburd has received numerous awards including the 2020 Recognition Award from the Entomological Society of America, and 2016 Bright Idea Award from the Southern Region IPM Center. Dr. Liburd also served as president of the southeastern branch, Entomological Society of America (2018 -2019) and has been an IFAS-Term Professor for two consecutive terms (2017 – 2023).
Kyle Straughn
Presentation Topic: | Tips for obtaining and handling honeybee hives |
As an owner and full time manager of Straughn Farms, Kyle Straughn spends most of his time on one of his three main blueberry farms; he also manages cattle, honey bees, and sharecrops watermelons. Born and raised in Alachua County just west of Gainesville Florida, he graduated from the University of Florida with a BS in Food and Resource Economics. He continues to live in his hometown with his wife Kimberly and six year old son Ethan. He enjoys doing activities outdoors such as hunting, fishing, taking long walks in nature, and spending time with close friends and family.
Patricio Munoz
Assistant Professor, Blueberry Breeding and Genomics, University of Florida
Presentation Topic: | An update from the University of Florida Blueberry Breeding Program |
Patricio Munoz is the Assistant Professor of Blueberry Breeding and Genomics in the Horticultural Science Department at the University of Florida. Dr. Muñoz research focuses on two areas. First, the improvement of cultivars for Florida and the Southern US with focus on Highbush blueberries since 2017 and Forage species from 2013-2017. And second, on the development of models, techniques, and strategies to accelerate the development of improved varieties using traditional breeding, quantitative genetics, genomic, and molecular methods.
Philip Harmon
Professor, Plant Pathology Department, University of Florida
Presentation Topic: | TBD |
Philip F. Harmon is a professor of plant pathology and extension specialist. He received his undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Purdue University. His research interests include diseases of warm season turfgrass species and disease management for southern highbush blueberry. In addition to providing efficient and effective disease management strategies for clientele, additional research goals include selection for turfgrass and blueberry disease resistance in collaboration with plant breeding programs.
His extension efforts have focused on providing rapid and accurate diagnostic services to the turfgrass, small fruits, and ornamental plant industries. Recommendations given as part of diagnostic services include practical, research based, disease management solutions. He has served as an assigning editor for Plant Disease Management Reports and as an associate editor of Applied Turfgrass Science.
Jeff Williamson
Professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida
Presentation Topic: | An Update on blueberry production research at the PSREU |
The primary emphasis of Jeff's research is to increase efficiencies and profitability of cropping systems for early-season blueberry in sub-tropical and tropical climates. Recent areas of research interest include plant growth regulators, rootstock evaluation, fertilization/soil management, crop water requirements, pruning, and mechanical harvest for fresh fruit production. He serves as state Extension specialist for blueberry and co-editor for the Blueberry News and board member for the Florida Blueberry Growers’ Association.
Doug Phillips
Blueberry Extension Coordinator, University of Florida
Presentation Topic: | 2020 End of Season Survey Summary |
Responsibilities include acting as the primary point of contact for commercial blueberry growers throughout Florida, and as a liaison between growers and University of Florida researchers; assisting with the resolution of production, disease, and pest issues; providing feedback to UF researchers on grower issues; assisting with the evaluation of trial selections at central and south-central Florida breeding program trial sites; and authoring publications related to blueberry production issues.
Patricio Munoz
Assistant Professor, Blueberry Breeding and Genomics, University of Florida
Presentation Topic: | New Southern Highbush Cultivar Release and Breeding Program Update |
Patricio Munoz is the Assistant Professor of Blueberry Breeding and Genomics in the Horticultural Science Department at the University of Florida. Dr. Muñoz research focuses on two areas. First, the improvement of cultivars for Florida and the Southern US with focus on Highbush blueberries since 2017 and Forage species from 2013-2017. And second, on the development of models, techniques, and strategies to accelerate the development of improved varieties using traditional breeding, quantitative genetics, genomic, and molecular methods.
Yang Fang
PhD Student, Blueberry Breeding and Genomics, University of Florida
Presentation Topic: | Southern Highbush Blueberry Container Production |
Yang Fang - Yang is a PhD student in the blueberry breeding program. Her research is focused on southern highbush blueberry container-based evergreen production and root system architecture screening.
Mike Joyner
President, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association
Presentation Topic: | Legislative Update |
Mike Joyner’s experience in agricultural and environmental issues runs deep. He previously served as assistant commissioner of agriculture and chief of staff for Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, helping to lead the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for almost eight years. Before that, Joyner represented clients throughout Florida and the United States before the Florida Legislature and state regulatory agencies. He also served in public affairs and environmental affairs positions for The St. Joe Company and Progress Energy (now Duke Energy) and worked as chief of staff for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
James Meszaros
Executive Vice President, International, Weber Shandwick
Presentation Topic: | A Review of the Pending 201 Investigation |
James Meszaros is Executive Vice President at Powell Tate in Washington. For more than two decades, he has advised clients in 30+ countries worldwide, including sovereign governments, multinational corporations, industry coalitions, multilateral organizations, foundations and civil society organizations. His public affairs work has been undertaken in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific regions. His specialties include providing geopolitical counsel, public policy analysis, messaging and speechwriting, stakeholder relations and political and economic forecasting. He has issue expertise in geopolitics, trade, cross-border investment, intellectual property rights, global development, agriculture and food security, sustainability, climate, human rights and globalization. Prior to joining Weber Shandwick, Jim was a self-employed international consultant. He is a graduate of Marquette University and has been to more than 75 countries for business and person travel.
Peter Dittmar
Associate Professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida
Presentation Topic: | Improving control of problematic weeds in blueberry |
Dr. Peter Dittmar’s research and Extension program focuses on weed management in fruit and vegetable crops. His interests include the inclusion of herbicides into integrated weed management programs. He is also works with the IR4 Project registering pesticides in specialty crops.
Philip Harmon
Professor, Plant Pathology Department, University of Florida
Presentation Topic: | Blueberry Disease Update |
Philip F. Harmon is a professor of plant pathology and extension specialist. He received his undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Purdue University. His research interests include diseases of warm season turfgrass species and disease management for southern highbush blueberry. In addition to providing efficient and effective disease management strategies for clientele, additional research goals include selection for turfgrass and blueberry disease resistance in collaboration with plant breeding programs.
His extension efforts have focused on providing rapid and accurate diagnostic services to the turfgrass, small fruits, and ornamental plant industries. Recommendations given as part of diagnostic services include practical, research based, disease management solutions. He has served as an assigning editor for Plant Disease Management Reports and as an associate editor of Applied Turfgrass Science.
Jeff Williamson
Professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida
Presentation Topic: | Research update on the use of hydrogen cyanamide in Florida blueberries |
The primary emphasis of Jeff's research is to increase efficiencies and profitability of cropping systems for early-season blueberry in sub-tropical and tropical climates. Recent areas of research interest include plant growth regulators, rootstock evaluation, fertilization/soil management, crop water requirements, pruning, and mechanical harvest for fresh fruit production. He serves as state Extension specialist for blueberry and co-editor for the Blueberry News and board member for the Florida Blueberry Growers’ Association.
Gerardo Nunez
Assistant Professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida
Presentation Topic: | Seasonal Root Growth Patterns in Southern Highbush Blueberry |
The Nunez Lab at the University of Florida is a creative space where students develop research, cultivation, and communication skills while performing rigorous scientific research in horticultural plant physiology and nutrition. We employ a combination of agricultural, biochemical, and ‘omics’ approaches to answer agriculturally-relevant questions about berry crops.
Rachel Mallinger
Assistant Professor, Pollinator Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida
Presentation Topic: | Blueberry Pollination Research Update |
Dr. Rachel Mallinger is a pollinator ecologist focusing primarily on native wild bees. She is interested in the basic biology of native wild bees, their response to anthropogenic disturbance, and their role in the pollination of both crop and wild plants. A major focus of her research program is to integrate approaches from landscape ecology and community ecology to better understand pollinator community dynamics and plant-pollinator interactions at multiple spatial scales. She conducts research in a variety of ecosystems, including natural, agricultural and urban, with the overarching goal of informing pollinator conservation and improving pollination services.
Oscar Liburd
Professor and Program Leader, Fruit and Vegetable Entomology, University of Florida
Presentation Topic: | Management of Key Insect Pests in Blueberries |
Dr. Liburd is a fruit and vegetable entomologist who has over 25 years working on blueberry pest management. He has worked in blueberries in the northeastern, midwestern and southern states and has published over 120 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 14 book chapters and a host of extension articles. Dr. Liburd has received numerous awards including the 2020 Recognition Award from the Entomological Society of America, and 2016 Bright Idea Award from the Southern Region IPM Center. Dr. Liburd also served as president of the southeastern branch, Entomological Society of America (2018 -2019) and has been an IFAS-Term Professor for two consecutive terms (2017 – 2023).
ATTENDANCE IS FREE - REGISTER TODAY
Monday, March 8th, 2021
9:00 AM (Eastern)
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