WALDOBORO — University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer Wild Blueberry Regional Grower Meetings at three locations in December.

Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 3 to 6 p.m., at the Knox and Lincoln Counties Extension Office, 377 Manktown Road, in Waldoboro; as well as  Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Hancock County Extension Office, 63 Boggy Brook Road, in Ellsworth; and Monday, Dec. 7, at the University of Maine at Machias Science Building Auditorium, Room 102, 31 University Drive, in Machias.

The workshops are designed to help wild blueberry growers assess farm finances, understand irrigation costs and benefits and interpret pesticide labels.

Extension wild blueberry specialist and associate professor of horticulture Lily Calderwood will lead a hands-on enterprise budgeting session with Leala Machesney, wild blueberry Extension and research professional. University of Maine associate professors Rachel Schattman and Jonathan Malacarne will discuss irrigation economics, and Calderwood and research technician Jordan Parks will lead an interactive pesticide label education session offering one pesticide credit. 

Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop or tablet for the budgeting activity. There will be 5 laptops available to borrow on a first come, first serve basis at each location.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Registration is required by 5 p.m., Dec. 1. Each workshop is limited to 30 participants.

Cost for the workshop is on a sliding scale, with a suggested donation of $30 per adult participant. 

For more information and to register, visit the individual event webpages: Ellsworth, Machias, and Waldoboro. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Mary Michaud at 207.581.3175 or mary.j.michaud@maine.edu by Dec. 1, 2026.

About University of Maine Cooperative Extension:

As a trusted resource for over 100 years, Extension has supported UMaine's land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and grow the food-based economy, focusing on aspects from production and processing to nutrition, food safety and food security. Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H which offers hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement and creates a positive environment where participants are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.