Haskap Day - July 8 And 9, 2011

This year Haskap Day will be held over two days...the first at the U of SK Horticulture Field Lab, and the second at a commercial production site.

Day 1 - University of Saskatchewan

When? Friday July 8th, 2011 from 10 AM – 3PM
Registration? Starts at 9:30 at the Horticulture Field Lab, 2909 14th Street, Saskatoon, SK
Fee? $35 goes towards the University of Saskatchewan Fruit Breeding Program

Coffee will be provided by Prairie Plant Systems (http://www.prairieplant.com/haskap-blue-honeysuckle.html)

Events include:

- Discussion of the university breeding program with Dr. Bob Bors, Rick Sawatsky, James Dawson, Tyler Kaban and Peter Riemer, along with the most current haskap research being done.
- Guided touring of research plots and the opportunity to taste test various seedlings.
- There will be a harvesting demonstration.
- Industry presentations will cover growing and planting haskap commercially.
- A marketing synopsis will be presented by Haskap Canada.
- The opportunity to talk to propagators, growers and processors regarding the current and future haskap industry.
- Make sure to sign up for Day 2...

The timetable for presentations:

9:30 a.m. - Registration and Open Discussion
10:00 a.m. - Introduction and Tour
New Plantings
Wild Canadian Plants
Russian Seedlings
2010 - Water Damage
Breeding Fields and Cultivars
Japenese Seedlings
Trials of Nursery Stock
Fruit Tasting
Johanna Harvester
12:30 p.m. - Lunch/Networking
1:30 p.m. - Neutraceutical Components
Haskap Planter
Haskap Canada Update, Q & A
3:30 p.m. End of Day

There is much is see this year at the U of Sk research plots. Three new breeding fields are coming into production which are mostly hybrids. Also there are hundreds of wild Canadian blue honeysuckles that are producing fruit for the same time. We now have a ‘Johanna 3 Berry Harvester’ which we will demonstrate on some plants provided the field is dry enough. If the fields are too wet we will at least see the harvester. Although the season was delayed by a cool May, we anticipate that the early varieties and seedlings will have optimum flavour and later types will probably look good but not be quite ready for flavour. --- Dr.Bob Bors


Day 2 - FruitFul Adventure (Marty and Claire Elder), Outlook, SK

When? Saturday July 10th, 2011, 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Registration? Must Pre-register at Friday’s event
Fee? No Charge

Marty and Claire Elder's farm - FruitFul Adventure (http://www.fruitfuladventure.ca/) - is 45 minutes south of Saskatoon (see directions below). This is an organic farm that uses over the row pivot irrigation. They grow cherries that are close to full production, and Haskap that are just starting to bear fruit. The Elder’s own a brand new processing facility capable of IQF (individual quick freezing). Come and tour a 1,500 Haskap and 7,000 cherry tree orchard. Learn about their organic practices. Watch an over-the-row harvesting demonstration. Tour a CFIA approved processing facility. A free barbecue is provided. Marty is a director on the board of Haskap Canada.

Directions from Saskatoon to Fruitful Adventure

1. Head South on Lorne Avenue till you are outside the city limits. This road becomes Highway 219.
2. Continue travelling South approximately 35 miles to the Hanley Grid #764. This grid will be marked.
3. Turn West (right) at Grid 764 and travel approximately 5 miles to where this road will curve South.
4. At the curve, turn right and continue travelling West on the correction road until you reach the river (approximately 5 miles).
5. A farm with evergreen trees will be on the right. Turn South (left) and travel to the first farm on the West side of the road, about ½ mile.
6. At the deer fence, turn West (right) on the lane...this leads to the Elder's yard.
7. To open/close gate, press Up or Down buttons on post beside the lane on either side of the gate.

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For on-line links go to: http://www.fruit.usask.ca/, http://www.haskap.ca/, and http://www.fruitfuladventure.ca/

Directions to the U of SK Horticulture Field lab are in this blog's sidebar

See you there!