The Asparagus Gardener Goes 18 Wheel'N To The BlackRaspberry Workshop in California
Grab a cup of coffee or a nice cold soda and come on along with me as I jump on board this "Big Rig" that is headed for California. I am going to ride out to California on this "Big Rig" and hopefully will get there in time for the California Black Raspberry/Blackberry Work Shop. This work shop is a 4 day event that has a lot of hands on work and learning for everyone.
Traffic. . . Like No Other
Traffic. . . Like No Other
Get Ready Set Go!!!
As we head out the traffic is heavy but still moving. Finally after several hours we are through Tennesse . . . Arkansas. . . . and Oklhoma
Groom, Texas -- Outside Visit
This is Groom, Texas and this is the outside Stations of The Cross. Gotta make a pit stop here and ask the Lord to carry us safely to California. Never know when might be leaving this world. If you are every down this way please stop and visit everyone is welcome. After about 1 hr we load back up in the truck and roll on.
We pass through New Mexico and stop to admire the sunset. . . .
Some 30 hours later we arrive in Salinas, California. This is Driscols and I am just-in-time for the workshop. I thank the driver and ask him not to forget to come back in 4 days and get me. . . . I am like a kid in a candy store.
Going this workshops is hard work but it is ever so rewarding. We will work in groups of 4 and each person in the group is responsible for making a presentation on our research for the day. We learn to do many soils test, share ideas on picking, packing, and fields test for on irrgation planning and so on. The Small Fruit Growers are always trying to imporve on the growing and harvest systems already in place.
Endless Field of Black Raspberrys and Blackberry's
There are miles and miles of tunnels in every direction. The tunnels in this picture are made of steel hoops. The hoops hold up the commercial grade white plastic. The reason for the plastic is to sheild the berries from the sun. The shielding slows the growing process. The end result. . . .huge berry fruit. I saw berries bigger than my thumb.
Rows and Rows of Black Raspberrys
Most of the fruit that grows here will be consumer by the people in the United States.
There is a lot that is exported to but more as a processed food than a fresh fruit. Some countries do not have the climate suitable for growing Black Raspberrys and Blackberries so to satify their palate the berries are exported.
Workshops A Time For Work. . .Research. . .Learning and Meeting With Other Small Fruit Growers From Around the
United States.
I have been going to workshops for over 8 yrs now. Each and every workshop has great value to my on going development of my own Small Fruit Farming that I do. We are happy to say that we will have another field plowed down and planted with Black Raspberrys and Blackberries in the Spring. Just can't get enough of those round plumb sweet berry fruits.
Can You Hear It . . . . .Rum. . . . Rum. . . . .Hook. . . .Hook. . . . .
I can hear the roar of the Big Rig pulling into the parking lot.
I quick wave to all my friends and new acquaintances and I scramble to get my bags and run to meet the "Big Rig" that is waiting to run me back to Tennessee.
Thank you for coming a long with me . . .hope you have enjoyed the ride too.
