This document was compiled by Stephanie Compton based on results from industry consulations throughout 2013.  The document includes recommendations for the Organic Fruit and Berry Network, and includes a detailed appendix with plant files for viable fruit and berry crops for the Atlantic region.  Each crop identified (including pome fruit, stone fruit, vitris fruit, fragaria fruit, rubus fruit, vaccinium fruits, ribes fruits, as well as  other new and unique fruit crops) have plant files that include information about strengths and opportunities, challenges for organic production, and where applicable, varietal information.

Many farmers worldwide rely on using pesticides and fungicides to protect their crops, which can be harmful and unsustainable. Professor Peter G Kevan, Dr Les Shipp and Professor Vernon G Thomas are exploring the potential of using pollinators as biovectors as a viable alternative.

Key words:  bee vectoring; pollination; grey mould; blight on strawberries and raspberries; fungus that causes mummy berry can obliterate blueberry crops; and greenhouse tomatoes and sweet peppers can be affected by tarnished plant bug (TPB), western flower thrips, whiteflies and green peach aphids.

Bob Bors (University of Saskatchewan) presents at the 2014 ACORN Conference

Bob Bors (University of Saskatchewan) presents at the 2014 ACORN Conference

Bob Bors (University of Saskatchewan) presents at the 2014 ACORN Conference

Claude Dubois (AEF Global) presents at the 2014 ACORN Conference.

View Claude Dubois's slideshow here.

Presented by Andrew Mefferd at the 2015 ACORN Conference

View slideshow presentation here

Presented by Andrew Mefferd at the 2015 ACORN Conference

View slideshow presentation here

Presented by Andrew Mefferd, Editor, Growing for Market Magazine at the 2015 ACORN Conference

View slideshow presentation here

Presented by Bernadette Goguen, Ferme Marcel Goguen Farm at the 2015 ACORN Conference PEI

View slideshow here

Presented by Michael Lightfoot, Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards at the 2015 ACORN Conference PEI

View slideshow here

This workshop by Sandy and Paul Arnold of Pleasant Hill Farm, NY at the 2013 ACORN Conference in Moncton offers detailed instructions on how to grow strawberries from tips, the Arnold's new preferred method. It discusses the advantages of the annual bed system using tips as opposed to plugs, and draws comparisons with other methods such the matted system, which the Arnolds have also tried.

In this workshop from the 2013 ACORN Conference in Moncton, Claude Gélineau explores the potential for table grapes as an emerging fruit crop in eastern Canada. It discusses various table grape varieties and their particular characteristics, ideal growing conditions, cultivation techniques, and market potential.

This workshop from the 2013 ACORN Conference in Moncton discusses on-going research on the Spotted Wing Drosophila – a fairly recent invasive pest in the Atlantic Region. Early detection and identification, damage mitigation and prevention, and organic treatment options are the main points of discussion.

In this session from the 2013 ACORN Conference in Moncton, Jean-Pierre Prive discussed season extension techniques using various protected structures including high and low tunnels, row covers and rain covers, as well as cultural practices and cultivar selection for raspberries. He compared the Maritimes to BC, which traditionally produces an abundance of this crop. Through his talk he frequently reminded the audience to cultivate the scientific mindset and to always experiment, test, and adjust growing techniques and practices, as well as varieties selected.

In this session from the 2013 ACORN Conference in Moncton, Julia Reekie provides an overview of her experimental Honey Crisp apple orchard planted at Kentville in 2006, detailing research projects exploring effective pest, disease, and weed management strategies for organic production.

The Tree Fruit Symposium at the 2013 ACORN Conference in Moncton consisted of a three-part presentation from Ken Taylor of Green Barn Farm. Taylor’s talk was broken into three sections (Transitioning to a Diverse Orchard, Designing/Planting the Orchard, and Orchard Interventions) with the strongest emphasis being placed on orchard diversification and reducing inputs and interventions in orchard crop production.

­Food forest gardening does not mean gardening in a forest, but like a forest. It is an imitation of a woodland ecosystem, focusing medicinal and edible plants that thrive together. Unlike dedicated gardens, they are low maintenance while still offering an abundance of food and medicine. At the 2016 Homesteading Symposium in Dieppe, Estelle Drisdelle shares her insight and years of experience on maintaining food forests and guilds.

Robert St-Arnaud presents at the 2016 ACORN Conference.

View the accompanying slideshow presentation here

Wayne Edgar presents at the 2016 ACORN Conference.

View the accompanying slideshow presentation here

Andy Hammermeister presents at the 2016 ACORN Conference.

View the accompanying slideshow presentation here.

Beth Fowler and Clay Bartlett present at the 2016 Conference.

View the accompanying slideshow presentation here.

These articles first appeared in the special Summer 2012 research edition of The Canadian Organic Grower, produced in collaboration between OACC and COG. This special issue is brought to you with the support of the Organic Science Cluster. The Organic Science Cluster projects described in this article are funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and industry partners.

Canada's Organic Science Cluster (OSC) is part of the Canadian Agri-Science Cluster Initiative of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Growing Forward Policy Framework. Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The OSC is led by the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada and the lead industry applicant, the Organic Federation of Canada.