North American Blueberry Council

Harvesting Change: Women Leading the Way in Blueberries ?? ?? In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Amanda Griffin, CMP, IOM, vice president of engagement and education for the USHBC, celebrates International Women’s Day by featuring three women leaders from the blueberry industry. Ellie Norris is the owner/manager of Norris Blueberry Farms; Anna K. Jesse is the vice president of Forest Hills Farm; and Shelly Hartmann is the owner of True Blue Farms and the immediate past chair of the USHBC. Together, they discuss future U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and North American Blueberry Council initiatives to support women and various ways women can take more active roles in the blueberry industry. “?I have to say I'm proud of my industry. When I started becoming more active on my state level and the national level, there were already strong females in roles of leadership that I could look up to and follow in their footsteps. And in the 10 years that I have been active and become more active, I just see this younger generation coming up behind me and also being active.” – Ellie Norris Listen Here: https://lnkd.in/gSGE5m6f #GoBlueberries #InspiringPossibilities #USHBC #BlueberryIndustry #TheBusinessofBlueberriesPodcast #Blueberries #Agriculture #Passion #Farming #WIB #WomeninBlueberries #HarvestingChange #WomenLeaders #Education #Engagement #TrueBlueFarms #NorrisBlueberryFarms #ForestHillsFarms #SupportWomen #Leadership #YoungerGeneration

The Impact of Genetics on Blueberry Quality With Greg Willems ?? ???? ?? In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Greg Willems, the President of G & M Farms Inc. and President of the California Blueberry Nursery. Willems established his production as a self-starting, vertically integrated farming operation over twenty years ago. He shares the priorities he places on the genetics his nursery is developing as well as efforts he’s making towards future blueberry market expansion. “ I think one thing that really helps me when I evaluate varieties is understanding what it looks like in the field, how it comes off the plant – does the plant grow well, and does it perform in the way we need it to to make a mechanical high quality berry? Because obviously everybody knows the bar has been set pretty high for blueberry quality.” - Greg Willems Listen Here: https://lnkd.in/gcBHsVXP #GoBlueberries #InspiringPossibilities #USHBC #BlueberryIndustry #TheBusinessofBlueberriesPodcast #Blueberries #Agriculture #Passion #Varieties #Farming #HighQualityBerry #MarketExpansion #CaliforniaBlueberryNursery #G&MFarms #FarmingOperation

USDA Extends Response Deadline for the 2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has extended the deadline to submit the 2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties to April 18, 2025. This survey, conducted once every five years, is the only source of detailed production and sales data for specialty crops. Submissions can be completed online at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail. Alyssa Houtby

Happy 2nd Work Anniversary Alyssa Houtby! We appreciate your hard work, devotion, and advocacy for the blueberry industry. ???? ??

Preserving the Shelf Life of Blueberries With George Lobisser ?? ???? ?? In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by George Lobisser, CEO & Co-Founder of RipeLocker, Inc. RipeLocker, Inc. is a science-based, data-driven company that has been testing the efficacy of its containers to extend the post-harvest life of perishables. “?I didn't start RipeLocker, Inc. to be focused on tangible benefits, and tangible is simply I can put a dollar sign against it. I started RipeLocker because of my passion for healthy eating and quality. … If you slow senescence, the fruit’s going to be more nutritious.” – George Lobisser Listen Here: https://lnkd.in/gneUBF3N #GoBlueberries #InspiringPossibilities #USHBC #BlueberryIndustry #TheBusinessofBlueberriesPodcast #Blueberries #Agriculture #RipeLocker #GeorgeLobisser #ScienceBased #DataDriven #Efficacy #Containers #ExtendPostHarvestLife #Healthy #Quality #Eating #Passion

Happy 11th Work Anniversary Julia V. Fogarty, IOM! Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the blueberry industry. ???? ??

Happy Valentine's Day from the fruit you love – that’s also heart-healthy! ?? ?? #GoBlueberries #InspiringPossibilities #StrongerTogether #NABC

Learn How to Maximize Crop Yields With Modern Pollination Strategies ?? ???? Don’t miss a FREE strategy-packed webinar with pollination expert Angelita De la Luz PhD, a leading global pollination expert, and Matias Viel, Beeflow founder and CEO, on Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET. You’ll discover: -How pollination influences blueberry yields and quality. -Innovative techniques to attract and sustain pollinators on your farm. -Cutting-edge technologies transforming pollination management globally. -Practical strategies to maximize pollination and boost crop potential in the 2025 season and beyond. Want to join this exclusive NABC member event? Email Mandy Boarman, CEM Boarman at [email protected]. #NABC #NABCMember #Supplier #BeeFlow #GoBlueberries #InspiringPossibilities

USHBC President Kasey Cronquist and Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications Kevin Hamilton were in Berlin this week to represent the United States during the International Blueberry Organization’s (IBO) meetings. The IBO holds its meetings in conjunction with the Fruit Logistica show. The week also provided many opportunities for Cronquist and Hamilton to meet with our industry stakeholders to discuss the future of the industry, the efforts underway by USHBC to grow global demand, and how we can work together to realize our industry’s vision to make blueberries the world’s favorite fruit! #GoBlueberries #InspiringPossibilities #USHBC #Blueberries #IBO #FruitLogistica #Agriculture #BlueberryIndustry Doug LaCroix Jorge Andrés Varela Steve McVickers Felipe Silva Stefan Spanjaard David Jackson

Learn How to Maximize Crop Yields With Modern Pollination Strategies ?? ???? Don’t miss a FREE strategy-packed webinar with pollination expert Angelita De la Luz PhD, a leading global pollination expert, and Matias Viel, Beeflow founder and CEO, on Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET. You’ll discover: -How pollination influences blueberry yields and quality. -Innovative techniques to attract and sustain pollinators on your farm. -Cutting-edge technologies transforming pollination management globally. -Practical strategies to maximize pollination and boost crop potential in the 2025 season and beyond. Want to join this exclusive NABC member event? Email Mandy Boarman, CEM Boarman at [email protected]. #NABC #NABCMember #Supplier #BeeFlow #GoBlueberries #InspiringPossibilities