Berry Crops Production Systems Program

Sweet Opportunity 

Oregon’s world-renowned berry industry adds over $140M to local economies, and there are more job openings in berry production than graduates to fill them. 
 

Online learning modules: Pruning and Training of Berries, Kiwifruit, and Grapes. These courses feature videos and lectures on year-round management of the major berry crops grown in Oregon.

Recently revised extension publications for growing berries in the home garden: blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, kiwifruit

 

Learn about outcomes and recommendations for growers after 14 years of research in organic blueberry production systems: Click here for a recent free eOrganic webinar!

Leaf nutrient sufficiency standards for blueberry have been revised this year based on several research trials. Click here to see the new standards and how they changed.

Oregon agricultural enterprise budgets for Conventional and Organic blueberry production in the Willamette Valley: Revised for 2020!

Have you experienced flooding in your berry fields? Click here for information on potential impacts to your farm and what to expect in the coming year, provided by experts in the Pacific Northwest

Research

We search for ways to diversify crops, products, markets, and value-added enterprises to keep profits on the farm and in rural communities. Collaborative partnerships and interdisciplinary research with industry leaders, the USDA Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research (NCSFR), and the OSU- USDA Cooperative Berry Crop Breeding Program have benefited industries in the Pacific Northwest, the U.S., and the world.

Click on Our Research to find out more about our current and past projects.

Click on Resources for Extension Publications, Economics, and other information for growers

Click on People to see who we collaborate with and the broad scope of resesarch being done in berry crops

 

 

Credit Courses

Students learn berry production within the context of plant biology and genetics, soils, ecology, and economics with applications in plant nutrition, pest management, business, and marketing. Learning to manage real- world dilemmas with case studies, field trips, and internships encourages students to interact with growers, managers, field reps, and consultants. Student-run clubs provide opportunities for leadership and extracurricular activities.

HORT 251 Temperate Tree Fruit, Berries, Grapes, and Nuts

HORT 456 Physiology and Production of Berry Crops (Ecampus)

HORT 556 Physiology and Production of Berry Crops (Ecampus)

 

 

 

 

Non-Credit Courses

The last Online Blueberry Physiology, Production Systems & Management course led by Dr. Strik was offered in fall 2021. With Dr. Strik's retirement on December 31, 2021, the course is no longer available.

We are continuing to offer a series of courses covering a variety of pruning methods and techniques for blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, kiwifruit and grapes through Oregon State University's Professional and Continuing Education (PACE). You can take any of these courses individually or take them all to become a pruning master!

Pruning and Training of Berries, Kiwifruit, and Grapes

 

 

Extension

Our research is used to create and update extension publications available at the OSU Extension Catalog. To access the berry crop publications, click on "Agriculture", then "Berries and Grapes."

We host 3 field days each year at the North Willamette Research & Extension Center in Aurora, OR to highlight our research and the work being done by others in the region, as well as to see and taste the latest advanced selections from the breeding program. 2023 field days will be announced in Spring!

 

 

 

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