Join Us for the 2026 Wild Blueberry Resilience Summit!
We are happy to invite farmers, conservationists, scientists, and neighbors to the 2026 Wild Blueberry Resilience Summit on Friday, September 18, 2026.
Hosted by the Hancock County Soil & Water Conservation District in partnership with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), this full-day field event is dedicated to supporting Maine's wild blueberry growers and the land they steward.
Whether you are looking to optimize your soil, navigate new funding opportunities, or transition your barrens to organic, this summit brings together local experts to help your operation thrive in a changing climate.
Event Details
When: Friday, September 18, 2026 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Blue Ridge Farms (1284 Waltham Road, Waltham, Maine)
Cost: Free and open to all! A catered lunch, dessert, and door prizes are included.
Presenters for the event include:
Dr. Lily Calderwood (Wild Blueberry Specialist, UMaine Extension) – Soil Conditions, Pests & Weed Control
Erik Venturini (Executive Director, Wild Blueberry Commission) – Strategy, Policy & Funding Update
Charles Penney (District Conservationist, NRCS) – Rock Removal / Mulching
Ashley Burke (County Executive Director, Farm Service Agency) – Low Bush Blueberry Programs
Tom Gordon (Soil & Water Conservation Coordinator, DACF) – Farmers Drought Resilience Program
Candace Gilpatric (Agricultural Engineer) – Water Management Plans
Tom Welton (Certification and Quality Specialist, MOFGA) – Transitioning to Organic
Steve MacDonald (District Forester) – Forest Stewardship Programs for Blueberry Growers
Tom Horton (Co-Founder, Standard Biocarbon) - Research on Biochar as Mulch
(Speaker Pending) – Pollination Research on Bumblebees