source: Farm and Food Report
The Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association (SFGA) Summer Tour and Field Day is always a big hit among participating members and fresh fruit fans.
This year’s edition, which will take place on June 25, promises to be true to form, according to SFGA Secretary-Treasurer Charon Blakley.
“The day’s program includes a tour of the Loon Creek Saskatoon Orchard at Cupar which has an eight year-old saskatoon berry orchard consisting of Smokey, Northline, Honeywood, Martin and Theissen cultivars.”
The orchard also has 75 Carmen Jewel cherries; 25 University of Saskatchewan cherries, 700 sea buckthorn and 600 raspberries. As well, there will be an opportunity to look at the cultivator, the rodweeder, the weed badger, and the sprayer that is used in the operation.
“Our lunch will be catered by Loon Creek Saskatoons. It’ll include bison burgers and smokies, as well as hot dogs, coleslaw, buns, coffee, saskatoon juice and saskatoon strudel with ice cream. So it will be a Saskatchewan-flavoured menu.”
In the afternoon, the group will move to the Last Mountain Berry Farm in Southey. Guests will have a chance to explore the 15-acre saskatoon berry orchard there, says Blakley.
“One on the highlights certainly will be a visit at the fruit processing plant on location. People will also have a chance to familiarize themselves with the local mechanical harvester, the berry cleaning system that is used in the operations, as well as the sprayer and the weed badger.”
For SFGA members like Marilynn Lazorko, a field day like this one is extremely valuable.
“I like to see how other people proceed in their operation. We learn something everywhere we go. There will often be fruit experts with us in the group who will share their knowledge. Plus, as fruit growers, this gives us an opportunity to network, to talk about the challenges we are facing in the industry, like marketing, and how to solve these challenges.”
Field day participants include established growers like Marilynn Lazorko, but also aspiring growers, according to Blakley.
“Growing fruits fits right in with the current shift toward agricultural diversification, and the attendance numbers at our Field Day in the past confirm that growing fruits is increasingly popular. Last year, we had 73 registered participants.”
Although the SFGA is not in the habit of turning people away, it will try to limit the number of participants to 60 this year. Early registration is recommended.
The tour starts at 10:00 a.m. at the Loon Creek Saskatoon Orchard near Cupar. For more information or to register, call (306) 743-5333 or visit: http://www.saskfruit.com
For more information, contact:
Charon Blakley
Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association
(306) 743-5333
http://www.saskfruit.com
The Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association (SFGA) Summer Tour and Field Day is always a big hit among participating members and fresh fruit fans.
This year’s edition, which will take place on June 25, promises to be true to form, according to SFGA Secretary-Treasurer Charon Blakley.
“The day’s program includes a tour of the Loon Creek Saskatoon Orchard at Cupar which has an eight year-old saskatoon berry orchard consisting of Smokey, Northline, Honeywood, Martin and Theissen cultivars.”
The orchard also has 75 Carmen Jewel cherries; 25 University of Saskatchewan cherries, 700 sea buckthorn and 600 raspberries. As well, there will be an opportunity to look at the cultivator, the rodweeder, the weed badger, and the sprayer that is used in the operation.
“Our lunch will be catered by Loon Creek Saskatoons. It’ll include bison burgers and smokies, as well as hot dogs, coleslaw, buns, coffee, saskatoon juice and saskatoon strudel with ice cream. So it will be a Saskatchewan-flavoured menu.”
In the afternoon, the group will move to the Last Mountain Berry Farm in Southey. Guests will have a chance to explore the 15-acre saskatoon berry orchard there, says Blakley.
“One on the highlights certainly will be a visit at the fruit processing plant on location. People will also have a chance to familiarize themselves with the local mechanical harvester, the berry cleaning system that is used in the operations, as well as the sprayer and the weed badger.”
For SFGA members like Marilynn Lazorko, a field day like this one is extremely valuable.
“I like to see how other people proceed in their operation. We learn something everywhere we go. There will often be fruit experts with us in the group who will share their knowledge. Plus, as fruit growers, this gives us an opportunity to network, to talk about the challenges we are facing in the industry, like marketing, and how to solve these challenges.”
Field day participants include established growers like Marilynn Lazorko, but also aspiring growers, according to Blakley.
“Growing fruits fits right in with the current shift toward agricultural diversification, and the attendance numbers at our Field Day in the past confirm that growing fruits is increasingly popular. Last year, we had 73 registered participants.”
Although the SFGA is not in the habit of turning people away, it will try to limit the number of participants to 60 this year. Early registration is recommended.
The tour starts at 10:00 a.m. at the Loon Creek Saskatoon Orchard near Cupar. For more information or to register, call (306) 743-5333 or visit: http://www.saskfruit.com
For more information, contact:
Charon Blakley
Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association
(306) 743-5333
http://www.saskfruit.com
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