How to Grow Blackberries in Your Own Backyard

Yearning for some blackberry cobbler?  Wondering how hard it would be to grow your own blackberries? Wishing you could pick blackberries without the thorns or chiggers?  If so, then this class is for YOU!

How to Grow Blackberries Class
Saturday, March 26, 2022, 10 – 11:30 am
Cost $35, includes all resources and two blackberry canes to transplant

Olin Funderburk has been successfully growing thornless blackberries for 12 years at Stoney Creek Farm.  He wants to share his knowledge and help you propagate succulent, hybrid blackberries in your own backyard.  He will show you just how easy it is to plant, cultivate and prune your own blackberry vines.  After the class, Olin will send you home with two blackberry vines from his proven stock.  Also attending will be Taylor Reeder our local Agriculture Extension Agent, who is very knowledgeable about growing any type of berries and ready to share her expertise with the community.

The class will cover the following topics:

• Best varieties to grow in Middle Tennessee
• Proper timing to transplant canes
• Soil testing and amendments
• Pruning for the best results

Olin Funderburk Bio

Olin earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Building Construction, Engineering & Technology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1982.   He has worked for over 30 years in all facets of the construction and residential development industry, but he never forgot his love of the land and farming.  He retired from the corporate world to expand income streams on Stoney Creek Farm, the farm he and his wife, Leigh, founded in 2005.  The farm has a Summer U-Pick Garden, garden rental plots, sustainable living classes, as well as other income streams.

The Funderburk’s farm won the 2014 TSU Small Farmer of the Year Award in the category of Innovative Marketing.  and they continue to pursue the farm mission of “teaching people how to grow their own healthy food”, as well as educating the public on sustainable living practices via the Stoney Creek Farm website and social media.  Stoney Creek Farm has been featured on television shows and news segments such as Volunteer Gardener, Live Green Tennessee, the Christian Broadcast Network, WZTV Fox17, and WKRN-TV News 2.  They have also been featured on Radio talk shows such as WTN’s Michael DelGiorno Show and Franklin’s WAKM 950.

In 2016, the Funderburk’ published a book on sustainable farm living called, “Dirt Rich” and distributed over 2,000 in print and e-book formats to date.

Taylor Reeder Bio:

Taylor Reeder is the UT/TSU – Williamson County Extension Horticulture Agent. She works with both commercial and residential clientele, providing programming and education in all areas of horticulture. Taylor received her B.S and M.S. in Horticulture from Auburn University. She worked with both the University of Florida & Auburn University Extension programs before her appointment in Tennessee. Taylor is an ISA Certified Arborist and lover of all things outdoors; a passion that she shares with her husband Drake and 2-year-old son, James.