PIKETON, Ohio -- The popularity of brambles, coupled with their versatile food uses and health benefits, make for ideal niche crops for both large and small farms. Ohio State University Extension is offering a workshop to help interested individuals get started in bramble production.
Establishing a New Bramble Planting will take place June 19 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at OSU South Centers at Piketon in Piketon, Ohio. The workshop is part of OSU South Centers' Third Thursday Horticulture Business Training series. Cost of the workshop is $5 per person.
The workshop will cover the basics of establishing blackberry and raspberry plants and how to properly maintain production. Maurus Brown, OSU Extension horticulturist, will walk participants through selecting varieties, extending the season and increasing profitability, tipping techniques and successfully winterizing plants.
For more information, contact Julie Strawser at (740) 289-2071, ext. 223, or e-mail strawser.35@osu.edu.
Bramble production is increasing in popularity in Ohio. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture 2002 Census, blackberry acreage increased 34 percent since 1997, and raspberry acreage increased 61 percent.