The 2011 ASHS Annual Conference

We have developed an eXtension Community of Practice (CoP) focused on blueberry production and consumption. The “All about Blueberries” Community of Practice is adapting the best existing extension publications and developing new research-based extension recommendations related to blueberry production and consumption.  Our primary goal is to increase blueberry productivity and consumption of blueberries, initially in the southeast and now nationwide.  Our CoP is using a variety of educational approaches including video, audio podcasts, photo galleries, interactive-training modules (Moodle), and social networking tools (i.e. Facebook, twitter, and blogs) to educate our audience.  Our Community of Interest is broadly defined as producers (commercial and backyard), distributors, and consumers of blueberries (youth and adult).  We are working cooperatively to develop content in the following topic areas: “The Blueberry”, “Consumers”, and “4-H/Youth”.  The experts that are members of our CoP are located in the southeastern United States (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina), where both southern highbush and rabbit-eye blueberries are grown. Additional experts from other blueberry producing regions have also joined our team. Southern states with relatively small blueberry industries and insufficient funds to support active land-grant research and extension programs (Louisiana and Alabama) are benefiting from cooperation with Mississippi State University and North Carolina State University, which have well-developed, robust research/extension programs that support the blueberry industry.  Our multi-disciplinary team members specialize in blueberry production and management, horticulture, pest management, disease management, human nutrition, economics, marketing, extension program evaluation, computer design, communications, and graphic design. Working across disciplines has allowed us to reach a broader audience enhancing the impact of our website.