The Southern Fruitcast is hosted by Aaron Cato and Amanda McWhirt, extension IPM and production specialists for fruits and vegetables at the University of Arkansas. This podcast currently has 15 episodes that cover the people, technology and latest developments in small fruit production in the Southeast. Episodes can be found at www.uaex.edu/southernfruitcast.
This purpose of this podcast is to be an easily accessible source of information about small fruits for growers and extension agents. Below we categorized each episode by the main topic and the small fruit crop they are most relevant to. This should allow you to find the episodes and information provided by this podcast that is most relevant for your operation and listen at your convenience while you work on the farm.
| Topic | Ep. # | Subject | Guest | Role |
| General information about Small Fruits | 5 | Farm-to-School Marketing | Randy Arnold | Grower |
| 8 | Substrate Production | Ryan Dickson | University | |
| 9 | Marketing Small Fruits | Ekko Barnhill | Grower | |
| 10 | Louisiana Small Fruit Production | Mary Helen Ferguson and Kiki Fontenot | Agent + University | |
| 11 | Fungicide Resistance Testing | Emran Ali | University | |
| Blackberry and Raspberry | 1 | Blackberry Cultivars | John Clark | University |
| 4 | Fresh Market Blackberry Production | Ervin Lineberger | Grower | |
| 7 | White Druplet Disorder | Eric Stafne | University | |
| 12 | Spotted Wing Drosophila | Hannah Burrack | University | |
| Grape and Muscadine | 2 | Grape Disease Management | Phil Brannen | University |
| 4 | Fresh Market Blackberry Production | Ervin Lineberger | Grower | |
| 14 | Arkansas Quality Wine | Renee Threlfall and Amanda Fleming | University | |
| 15 | Mating Disruption and Spotted Lanternfly | Doug Pfeiffer | University | |
| Strawberry | 3 | Strawberry Cultivar Options | Gina Fernandez | University |
| 6 | Strawberry Disease Management | Guido Schnabel | University | |
| 13 | Fertility and Disease Management | Jayesh Samtani | University |
General Information about Small Fruits
Episode 5 –Farm-to-school Marketing and Strawberries with Randy Arnold
In episode 5 we are joined by Randy Arnold, owner of Arnold Farms in Alma, AR. Randy shares with us his experience with marketing to local schools in farm-to-school programs, as well his yearly on-farm festival called “fun on the farm” that hosts 1,000 students from area schools who visit the farm and learn about agriculture.
Episode 8 –Substrate Production of Small Fruits with Dr. Ryan Dickson
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Ryan Dickson, a Horticulture professor specializing in greenhouse production at the University of Arkansas. Ryan gives us an excellent explanation of substrate production, as well as pros and cons of this type of production system vs. production in field soil. We also cover the feasibility of soil-less substrate production systems for small fruit crops in the Southeast and why Southeastern growers would look to adopt such a system.
Episode 9 –Marketing Small Fruits with Ekko Barnhill
We are joined by Ekko Barnhill from Barnhill Orchards in Lonoke, AR, a diversified farm that sales products all 12 months of the year to farmers markets, restaurants and through their farm store. We discussed considerations for marketing small fruit, how small fruit can help boost the sales of other commodities, and unique ways to bring products into the marketplace.
Episode 10 – Small Fruit Production in Louisiana with Mary Helen Ferguson and Kiki Fontenot
In this episode we are joined by Mary Helen Ferguson, Associate Extension Agent for Horticulture at LSU, and Kiki Fontenot, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist at LSU. They provided excellent insight into Louisiana’s production practices, how they may differ from other growing regions in the Southeast and talked about many of the challenges that Louisiana’s’ producers face.
Episode 11 – Fungicide Resistance Testing with Dr. Emran Ali
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Emran Ali, plant pathologist and director of the Plant Molecular Diagnostic Lab at UGA. Emran discussed the basics of pesticide resistance, fungicide resistance testing that the Plant Molecular Diagnostic lab offers and how to send in samples to assure you get good results.
Blackberry and Raspberry
Episode 1 –Inaugural Southern Fruitcast featuring Dr. John Clark
This episode features an interview with Dr. John Clark, University of Arkansas fruit breeder and distinguished professor. He discussed commercial blackberry production and breeding efforts in the Southeast.
Episode 4 –Muscadine and Blackberry Production with Ervin Lineberger
Ervin Lineberger, owner of Kildeer Farms in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, joins us for episode 4. Ervin shares with us his experience with blackberries and muscadines, provides insight into the future of muscadines as a commodity, and offers advice for growers who are looking to tap into the small fruit market.
Episode 7 –Blueberry Planting Rejuvenation and White Drupelet Disorder of Blackberry with Dr. Eric Stafne
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Eric Stafne, extension and research professor in fruit crops at Mississippi State University. The main topics of this episode revolve around Eric’s work in blueberry planting rejuvenation and white drupelet disorder in blackberry, where Eric provided excellent insight into his most recent findings and offered some recommendations for Southeastern growers.
Episode 12 –Spotted Wing Drosophila with Dr. Hannah Burrack
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Hannah Burrack, Professor of Entomology and Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University. Hannah provided wonderful insight into the last 10 years of spotted wing drosophila research and did an excellent job telling us what that research means for people trying to manage this pest in Blackberry and other crops.
Blueberry
Episode 7 – Blueberry Planting Rejuvenation and White Drupelet Disorder of Blackberry with Dr. Eric Stafne
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Eric Stafne, extension and research professor in fruit crops at Mississippi State University. The main topics of this episode revolve around Eric’s work in blueberry planting rejuvenation and white drupelet disorder in blackberry, where Eric provided excellent insight into his most recent findings and offered some recommendations for Southeastern growers.
Episode 12 – Spotted Wing Drosophila with Dr. Hannah Burrack
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Hannah Burrack, Professor of Entomology and Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University. Hannah provided wonderful insight into the last 10 years of spotted wing drosophila research and did an excellent job telling us what that research means for people trying to manage this pest in Blueberry and other crops.
Grape and Muscadines
Episode 2 – Southeast Grape Disease Management with Phil Brannen
Dr. Phillip Brannen, extension fruit disease specialist at the University of Georgia, joins us to discuss factors influencing disease management in Southeast vineyards. Phil provides excellent insight into problems plaguing Southeast grape and muscadine production, and discusses a variety of solutions that Southeast growers can take advantage of to maximize their success and profitability.
Episode 4 – Muscadine and Blackberry Production with Ervin Lineberger
Ervin Lineberger, owner of Kildeer Farms in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, joins us for episode 4. Ervin shares with us his experience with blackberries and muscadines, provides insight into the future of muscadines as a commodity, and offers advice for growers who are looking to tap into the small fruit market.
Episode 14 – Arkansas Quality Wine with Dr. Renee Threlfall and Amanda Fleming
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Renee Threlfall and Amanda Fleming from the University of Arkansas. Renee and Amanda provide excellent insight into commercial wine production in Arkansas and discuss their newly launched program, the Arkansas Quality Wine Program.
Episode 15 – Mating Disruption and other Chlorpyrifos Alternatives with Dr. Doug Pfeiffer
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Doug Pfeiffer, Professor and Fruit Entomologist from the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech. This episode includes a breakdown of everything involved with mating disruption and is a must-listen for growers or agents looking for ways to sustainably manage grape root borer or peachtree borer. We also discussed other alternatives to chlorpyrifos and even delved into spotted lanternfly and its potential to harm Southeastern vineyards.
Strawberry
Episode 3 – Strawberry Cultivar Selection and NC State Small Fruit Breeding with Gina Fernandez
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Gina Fernandez, Professor of Horticulture and strawberry, blackberry, and raspberry breeder at North Carolina State University. Gina came on the podcast to discuss how her new strawberry releases, Rocco and Liz, fit in with the current popular southeastern commercial cultivars. She also discussed many of her other breeding efforts such as her work with anthracnose resistance in strawberry.
Episode 6 – Southeast Strawberry Disease Management with Guido Schnabel
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Guido Schnabel, a plant pathologist at Clemson University. Topics discussed include fungicide selection, common resistance issues, dip applications before planting, when to use soil applied fungicides, options for fumigation, and much more.
Episode 13 – Strawberry Fertility and Disease Management with Dr. Jayesh Samtani
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Jayesh Samtani, Assistant Professor and Small Fruit Extension Specialist in the school of Plant and Environmental Sciences, at Virginia Tech. Topics covered in this episode include pre-plant nitrogen rates, using the SAS fungicide scheduling system in a new growing region, alternatives to fumigants for strawberry producers, and an ongoing survey relating to fertility practices in blackberry.