Annual Conference
2024 MTBGA Annual Conference
Delta Hotels by Marriott™ Helena Colonial
Friday - Saturday March 1-2, 2024
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Fri 1-4 PM, 4-5 PM Bee Happy Hour
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Sat 9 AM - 4 PM with lunch provided
The third annual Montana Berry Growers Association conference is coming to Helena in March and if you are or want to be a berry grower, this is an event you do not want to miss. There will be many knowledgeable speakers and presentations representing all aspects of berry growing whether you are a small individual grower, a large commercial producer, or a newbie wanting to learn about Montana berries. Come be a part of one of Montana’s fastest growing and unique agricultural families – berry growers.
Get your conference tickets today!
ACCOMMODATIONS
DISCOUNTED ROOM RATES WERE AVAILABLE UNTIL FEB 16, 2024 — Call the Delta Hotels by Marriott Helena Colonial directly at 406-443-2100 and mention that you are part of the Montana Berry Growers Association Conference. The room rates were $129 for single King and $139 for double Queen. Deadline to receive our discount was 02/16/2024.
AGENDA DAY 1
FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2024
Helena Delta Colonial Hotel
12:30 PM
REGISTRATION opens at Natatorium Conference Space
1:00PM
Conference begins. Welcome, introductions
1:30- 2:00 PM
”Made in Montana” Presentation from program staff
2:00-2:15 PM
Christie Walsh- Township Road Farm Update from educational trip to Great Lakes Fruit and Berry Expo
2:15- 2:30 PM
BREAK
2:30- 3:30 PM
KEYNOTE Address: Dr. Bob Bors, University of Saskatchewan “History of Haskap and breeding programs”
3:30- 4:30 PM
Abi Saeed- MSU Extension ”Creating native pollinator habitat in your orchard and backyard berry space”
4:30- 6:30 PM
“Bee Social” happy hour and native Bee Hotel building activity
6:00 PM
END OF DAY
AGENDA DAY 2
SATURDAY MARCH 2, 2024
Helena Delta Colonial Hotel
7:30 AM
Morning coffee and light breakfast
8:00- 9:15 AM
Western Agriculture Research Center — Dr. Zach Miller, Dr. Andrej Syvantek, Dr. Zhouyu Wang, Bridgid Jarret. WARC Montana Berry Research Roundup
9:15-9:30 AM
BREAK
9:30- 10:30 AM
KEYNOTE Address: Dr. Bob Bors, University of Saskatchewan “Considerations for designing a berry orchard”
10:30- 11:30 AM
Brad Holliday, NRCS “Community Agriculture programs and funding opportunities”
11:30AM-1:00 PM
LUNCH PROVIDED
1:00- 2:00 PM
Austin Buchholtz “Marketing tools, templates, website, and next steps in development for you”
2:00- 2:30 PM
Nina Heinzinger “Considerations for food handling and processing”
2:30- 3:30 PM
Roundtable discussion with presenters and attendees. “Opportunities to go deeper”
3:30 PM
END OF CONFERENCE
2024 Conference Sponsors
Montana Department of Agriculture Here at the Montana Department of Agriculture, we are honored to support the state’s #1 industry. agr.mt.gov
We Provide Orchard Services to Producers around Flathead Lake and Western Montana If you are a backyard grower, hobby grower, a new orchard owner, or a 5th generation cherry grower, MTOS can help you. mtorchardservices.com
Revolutionize Your Farm with Our Expertise Get the latest and most advanced fertilizer & equipment from UPI Custom Ag. upicustomag.com
THANK YOU SPONSORS