Mark Sweeney This is Me

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1. 1. .:: Blueberries Resources ::.

   www.blueberry.org/contenidos.p - [Cached]

   Published on: 3/28/2008   Last Visited: 5/20/2008

   2/28/08 - Mark Sweeney, Berry Crops Specialist with the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture received the Duke Galletta Award in recognition of his outstanding service and contributions to the blueberry industry on February 28, 2008.The Award was made at the North American Blueberry Council (NABC) meeting in Vancouver.....

2. 2. BCNG Portals Page

   www.peacearchnews.com/portals- - [Cached]

   Published on: 8/25/2006   Last Visited: 8/25/2006

   Mark Sweeney, a berry industry specialist with the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, said the virus was first detected in 2000, but it was likely here previously and undiagnosed.
   
   Its origin is unclear - whether it occurs naturally and crossed over to domestic blueberries or was imported from the U.S. - but it is now well-established and widespread in the Fraser Valley.
   
   "It's always going to be here, and we just have to manage it in a way to minimize the losses," said Sweeney, noting the plant virus causes no harm to humans.
   
   Once the virus invades a plant, symptoms appear within two years.Since the range of symptoms is severe to subtle, the virus is difficult to diagnose, but the impact to a farmer's income has the potential of being severe.In some fields, Sweeney has seen a plant infection rate of 70 per cent. Infected plants never regain normal productivity.
   
   "It's not a huge economic loss at this point.The concern is the potential loss if it's not managed," he said.
   
   The ministry continues to research the disease and encourages growers to follow a four-step plan: look for suspicious plants, submit samples for tests, manage the aphids that spread the virus and destroy infected plants.
   
   The challenge for the industry is that the disease isn't regulated, meaning officials can't force growers to remove infected plants, which might still produce some fruit.
   
   "We're trying to encourage growers to do what's right for their own business and also for the larger picture - and sometimes there's a tradeoff there," said Sweeney.
   
   Sweeney said he's confident the virus is manageable if growers ensure new stock is clean and they continue to examine their plants for the virus.

3. 3. City Farmer History 1981

   www.cityfarmer.org/CF1981.html - [Cached]

   Published on: 6/5/1999   Last Visited: 6/16/2006

   Mark Sweeney, P.Ag., Horticulturist, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford