Program
Simultaneous translation will be provided for all sessions.
The NB Hort Congress is proud to serve a wide range of NB products for all breaks, lunches and the social mixer.
December 2, 2025
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Plenary: Steering Through Headwinds: Trade, Policy, and Volatility in Modern Agriculture
Pointe Sainte-Anne C&D
Shaun Haney – Founder of RealAgriculture and RealAg Radio show host
Shaun Haney energizes the audience to find clarity by connecting the variable and issues impacting their businesses in this turbulent time for agriculture. With his experience of talking to North American farmers through RealAg Radio, Agritalk, RFDTV and US Farm Report, Shaun possesses a unique perspective on the issues impacting agriculture in Canada and the US.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Break – Trade Show
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Pollination and Wild Blueberry
PSA CD
10:30 AM
Optimizing wild blueberry pollination: Predictive models for a Climate-Smart Agriculture solution
ATTT
11:00 AM
Trends in Early Season Pests of Concern and Biology and Management of Spotted-Wing Drosophila in Wild Blueberry
University of Maine
11:30 AM
Controlled Environment Agriculture
Marysville
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
UPDATED PROGRAM:
The Pareto principle and tunnel strawberries: the 20% that will make you succeed.
Les Entreprises Pitre
The Root of the Matter: Top 5 Produce Safety Best Practices for Controlled Environment and Hydroponics
University of Vermont
11:30 AM
Floriculture
Nashwaaksis
10:30 AM
Diversify your Revenue and Build on your Strengths (virtual)
Two Birds One Stone Farm
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
Small Fruit
Barker’s Point
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
UPDATED PROGRAM:
Between drought and excess: managing water efficiently for high-quality berries
MAPAQ
MAPAQ
Picking Your Battles: Berry Handling and Storage After Harvest for Top Quality
University of Vermont
12:00 PM 1:30 PM
Lunch – Trade Show
1:30 PM 3:00 PM
Pollination and Wild Blueberry
PSA CD
1:30 PM
2:00 PM
Management Methods to Optimize Commercial Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens) Colonies’ Performance During the Low Bush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) Pollination
Laval University
2:30 PM
Agroeconomic Analysis of Pollinator Use and Lowbush Blueberry Yield in Quebec (2015–2021)
Laval University
Controlled Environment Agriculture
Marysville
1:30 PM
Succeeding With Winter Greenhouse Crops: Techniques Used at la Ferme Chapeau Melon
Ferme Chapeau Melon
2:00 PM
Optimizing Microgreens Profitability through Seed Density, Substrate, Fertilizer, Temperature and Light
Cornell University
2:30 PM
Fertility Management in Covered Spaces: From Amendment Selection to Split Application (Virtual)
Perennia
Cover Crops
Nashwaaksis
1:30 PM
2:00 PM
2:30 PM
How Different Cover Crops Fit in New Brunswick’s Growing Season: Summer Cover Crop Variety Demo
Andrea Versloot and Amy McFadgen
NBSCIA & DAAF
Small Fruit
Barker’s Point
1:30 PM
2:00 PM
UPDATED PROGRAM:
Pesky Weeds in Strawberries: From Scouting to Site Preparation and Survey Findings
DAAF
2:30 PM
3:00 PM 3:30 PM
Break – Trade Show
3:30 PM 4:30 PM
Plenary: Farming for Mental Health
Pointe Sainte-Anne C&D
John Fletcher, John B. Fletcher-Counselling and Consulting – Counselling therapist, educator, and small-scale farmer
Farmer, educator and Counselling Therapist, John B. Fletcher, uses farming as a metaphor to understand mental health from an ecological perspective. In this session, participants will learn about the six universal pillars of mental health: Food, Attachments, Rest, Mother Nature, Exercise & Resistance. John reviews the science supporting each pillar blended with stories and anecdotes from his personal and professional life. Most importantly, participants will learn proven strategies they can use as part of their own mental health journey. Join John, as he takes you Farming For Mental Health.
5:30 PM 7:30 PM
Social Mixer with Local Flavours
Join us for a casual evening of networking and relaxation after a full day of conferences and workshops. This mixer is the perfect opportunity to connect with colleagues from the horticultural industry, exchange ideas, and celebrate our shared passion for horticulture.
Welcome from the Honourable Pat Finnigan, Minister, DAAF
December 3, 2025
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Plenary
Pointe Sainte-Anne C&D
Peter Chapman, SKUfood – Retail Marketer, Author, Speaker & Consultant
A lot has changed in a short period of time. Producers are operating in an environment with many uncertainties and challenges. Canada’s largest trading partner has decided to take a more protectionist approach to trade. This has caused upheaval but also opportunities. Consumers and retailers are looking for Canadian products. The route to the shelf has changed, but producers and others must be prepared and able to maximize the opportunity when they get on the shelf
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Break
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Vegetables
PSA CD
10:30 AM
Cutworms in Vegetable Production: Enhancing Understanding for Better Management
IRDA
11:00 AM
Soil Moisture Comfort Zone: Definition and Explanation
Caroline Letendre
Hortau
11:30 AM
Panel: Growing Smarter: Integrating Culture in Weed Management
Moderator: Vanessa Deveau DAAF
Panelists: Kent Coates
Nature’s Route Farm
Strawberry Hill Farm
Industry Development
Marysville
10:30 AM
UPDATED PROGRAM Presentation extended (1 hour instead of 30 min)
Spraying by Drone: Accuracy, Efficacy and Productivity
OMAFA
–
11:30 AM
Cranberry
Nashwaaksis
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
Heat Stress in Cranberry: Plant Responses and Implications for Fruit Rot Disease
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Apple
Barkers Point
10:30 AM
Exploring Factors Favouring Bitter Pit Development in New Brunswick Apple Orchards
DAAF
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
Apple Tree Decline: Potential Causes Compromising Orchard Health in Apple Orchards
Penn State University
12:00 PM 1:30 PM
Lunch
1:30 PM 3:00 PM
Vegetables
PSA CD
1:30 PM
UPDATED PROGRAM:
Establishing Cover Crops in Sweet Corn: Before, During, or After the Crop, it Works!
Groupe Pleine Terre
Hotels not Hospitals: Planning for Flow and Quality in Wash/Pack Spaces on Mixed Vegetable Farms
University of Vermont
2:00 PM
2:30 PM
Environment and Climate Change
Marysville
1:30 PM
Funding Opportunities for Climate Change
Jennifer McDonald, DAAF, Cora Hornbrook DAAF and Ray Carmichael, NBSCIA
2:00 PM
2:30 PM
Technology Advancement and Integration Into Farming for Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices: Atlantic Canadian Perspective
University of Prince Edward Island
Cranberry
Nashwaaksis
1:30 PM
A Season of Pollination: Challenges and Issues Facing the Honeybee in Ensuring Effective Pollination
INAB
2:00 PM
Between Cranberries and Wildlife: The Impacts of Biodiversity-Friendly Land Management
CETAB
2:30 PM
Apple
Barkers Point
1:30 PM
Optimizing Strategies for Mitigating Fire Blight: Before, During, and After Bloom
Penn State University
2:00 PM
2:30 PM
3:00 PM 3:30 PM
Break
3:30 PM 4:30 PM
Panel: A Bright Future for New Brunswick Agriculture
Pointe Sainte-Anne C&D
Moderated by Peter Chapman
Panelists: Charlotte Flores, Manager of Agriculture in the Classroom, Gabrielle Schenkels, President of the New Brunswick Young Farmers Forum, Tom Trueman, Owner of Trueman Blueberry Farms and Stephane Sirois, Feed NB