The Business of Blueberries

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Secretary Ross discusses some of the challenges and opportunities facing California agriculture and, more generally, specialty crops. Secretary Ross has strengthened partnerships across government, academia and the nonprofit sector in a drive to maintain and improve environmental stewardship, and develop adaptation strategies for the impacts of climate change. She has also worked to provide greater access to farm fresh foods at school cafeterias through CDFA’s Farm to Fork Program, and has been a longtime champion of specialty crops and the California Grown program.“It was that connection of policy to something that,when I left the farm, I just took a different career path to be a part of agriculture and to be able to stand up for the values of our farming families. And to be able to help better connect rural and urban communities, which was one of the things that being president of California Wine and Grape Growers allowed me to do very, very well. There's nothing like inviting people to have some really good California grown food with a really good California wine to really create a conversation and find all those things that we have in common.” - Karen Ross“We've suffered a drought, we've done that kind of work. And then the intentional focus on climate and making sure that ag as a contributor of 8% of the greenhouse gas emissions in California, but agriculture and forestry can also be part of the solution. So funding healthy soils, and especially with our dairy families, being able to be part of the solution for methane reductions.” - Karen Ross“I think that investing in food security, climate-smart agriculture, the research that can be applied and scaled on a global basis, in addition to understanding the changes that are happening at agriculture and the importance of that research and education, to make sure we're focused on the workforce of the future, the jobs of the future, the training of the future. … We need to have that public investment for public trust in the research results. The advancements of science and technology are going to be key to that.” - Karen RossTopics covered include: Secretary Ross’ journey through agriculture, and the initiatives she continues to work on to collaborate with and help California producers.The scope and focus of the USDA, and its efforts on producers’ behalf.The mission of the CDFA and the many stakeholders Ross coordinates to protect and promote California agriculture.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. In this episode, you’ll hear from Rex Schultz in Michigan, Doug Krahmer in Oregon, Elizabeth Carranza in California and Nestor Vega in Mexico. This was recorded on July 13, 2022. Blueberry BoostThis week’s Blueberry Boost highlights The Blueberry Summit, Oct. 5-7 in Nashville. Check out the schedule and save your seat! If you register by July 31, the end of National Blueberry Month, you’ll be entered in to win a blueberry-themed cowboy hat.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), dives into the impact of two extreme weather patterns experienced over the past year in the Pacific Northwest. Between severe heat and flooding events, blueberry producers have been faced with significant obstacles and unknown outcomes. To provide more depth and insight into these severe weather events on the blueberry industry, we talk with Eric Gerbrandt, Ph.D., research director at the British Columbia Blueberry Council, and Lisa Wasko DeVetter, Ph.D., associate professor of small fruit horticulture at Washington State University. “One of the main differences with this particular heat event was the rate that it came on. There was no ability for plants to acclimate to the extremely high temperatures that we had, and then the level or the degree of temperatures that we achieved. … at that point, you start to get UV damage and heat damage to the tissues of both the fruit and then also the leaf tissues. ” - Lisa Wasko DeVetter, Ph.D. “The short term was to see a lot of the young wood on these new plantings and even mature plantings that were under water for 8 to 10 feet for up to three weeks, that those tissues died. But then the longer term question is, OK, how's the root system doing? Is it going to be able to recover given the fact that the soil’s structure has also been negatively impacted? … We tried to parse out what you could recommend for different levels of severity of flooding. … We've got a range of potential management options there just depending on how strong the planting was and how old it was.” - Eric Gerbrandt, Ph.D. Topics covered include: The impact of the heat dome and the extreme flooding experienced over the last year.Management options based on the effects and severity of weather events.Ongoing research and options for producers going forward to prevent further losses.Pro tip: Dive further into the impacts of these events by reading the  Severe Flooding of Blueberry Fields in Southwestern British Columbia and Northwestern Washington.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. In this episode, you’ll hear from Elizabeth Carranza in California, Mario Ramirez in Mexico, Matt Macrie in New Jersey and Rex Schultz in Michigan.  Blueberry BoostThis week’s Blueberry Boost provides an update on the very first Blueberry Industry Leadership Program. The program’s fellows kicked off their journey last week in Seattle. USHBC/NABC Vice President of Engagement and Education Amanda Griffin provides an update. 

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), dives into some exciting research regarding the cognitive benefits of incorporating blueberries into your daily diet. Cronquist is joined by NABC/USHBC Senior Director of Nutrition and Health Research Leslie Wada, Ph.D., and Robert Krikorian, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience and director of the Cognitive Aging Program at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center.“Now, with the broader scope of activities open to us as our Health Research Committee converts to a Health Research and Nutrition Committee, we are also evaluating nutrition programs and projects that can help us communicate the importance of blueberries as part of a healthy diet.” - Leslie Wada, Ph.D. “So I think one way to look at what we found was that from a cognitive point of view, we were able to reverse, or at least return to a less severe impairment level of the kind of executive control problems that these people would typically experience..” - Robert Krikorian, Ph.D.Topics covered include:An explanation of the scope, function and impact of the Health Research and Nutrition committee.A review of the ongoing research regarding the benefits of blueberries on cognitive function.A discussion of the media attention this latest study has received, and what this means for future research in this area.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. In this episode, you’ll hear from Brandon Wade in Georgia, Mario Ramirez in Mexico, Elizabeth Carranza in California and Matt Macrie in New Jersey. This was recorded on June 15, 2022.Blueberry BoostThis July, the USHBC will be hosting a nationwide 31-day challenge to encourage consumers to grab a boost of blue. Consumers will be treated to a bevy of activities to celebrate blueberries, engage with the blueberry lifestyle and encourage them to help us grow support for solving childhood hunger with USHBC's partnership with No Kid Hungry. Join the ranks of the great companies that are already working together to wave the flag that drives demand and makes blueberries the world's favorite fruit. Check it out and sign up here.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), turns our focus to Mexico. Jose Luis Bustamante, chair of Aneberries and general manager of Naturipe Berry Growers in Mexico, and Juan Jose Flores, executive director of Aneberries, discuss the country’s growth in the blueberry industry, the current challenges and opportunities they face, and what we can look forward to in the future.“Mexico is moving more toward production in January, February, March and April. That's been becoming the Mexico window. We are more efficient. We have more production that we can be in the market in better conditions right now. …Our main focus right now is in the domestic market. We believe that we can grow that market to be a year-round consumption.” - Juan Jose Flores“We have the most respect for American farmers. They do a wonderful job and we see us as complementary. We believe that having the presence of blueberries year-round with the same quality, with the same size and everything in common, that will increase consumption and that will make us all happy. We really appreciate the farmers and we appreciate our farmers. So we understand the things that you're going through and, believe us, that in Mexico we are going through the same thing.” - Jose Luis Bustamante Topics covered include: A far-reaching conversation with Jose Luis Bustamante and Juan Jose Flores.A review of the beginning and growth of the blueberry industry in Mexico.The value in partnering with Mexican producers to foster a strong global blueberry industry.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. In this episode, you’ll hear from Brandon Wade in Georgia, Neil Moore in North Carolina, Elizabeth Carranza in California, and Mario Ramirez in Mexico. This was recorded on June 8, 2022. Marketing BoostIn 1893, Elizabeth White saw the potential in blueberries on her family's farm. She partnered with USDA botanist Frederick Covillel, and together they found the right blueberry plants to cultivate. It’s no surprise that many years later, the blueberry industry is filled with women who are making an impact. That’s why USHBC is launching “Women in Blueberries,” with the goal of bringing together these amazing women. We’ll host our first virtual Women in Blueberries event on July 13 at 11 a.m. PT/2 p.m. ET. In this first two-part virtual session, we’ll examine the power of bringing other women along on your career journey, and how to be more mindful in supporting women who inspire you. More information is available here.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), shares a few highlights from the first 100 episodes of the podcast. These sound bites emphasize the importance of unity and collaboration to delight blueberry customers and consumers every single time. You’ll hear from industry leaders Denny Doyle, Shelly Hartmann and Tom Avinelis. “If you do nothing at all, that’s worse than doing something wrong. So (USHBC) really started with (us going out to) promote in traditional ways, and then - BANG - the health research started to hover and we embraced that.” - Denny Doyle“I think we really need to encourage grower participation. This is the growers’ program. They need to be involved and they need to be up to speed on the strategic plan and the direction that this organization is going. …I only see it getting better for growers and I’m so excited to be able to say that.” - Shelly Hartmann“We need to recognize what we, as farmers, what we’re nourishing and what we’re growing and what we’re so proud of is quality blueberries that are going to have to delight our customers consistently to be successful.” - Tom AvinelisTopics covered include: The history behind the formation of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.A vision for what’s ahead for the blueberry industry.What it takes to delight customers and consumers every time they experience blueberries.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. In this episode, you’ll hear from Mario Ramirez in Mexico, Brandon Wade in Georgia, Neil Moore in North Carolina, and Elizabeth Carranza in California. This was recorded on June 1, 2022. Blueberry BoostWhat we’ve been calling the “Marketing Boost” has become the “Blueberry Boost!” This change reflects an expanded direction for this segment, which will still include marketing information, with the addition of industry-related updates and resources. For the first Blueberry Boost, Amanda Griffin, USHBC vice president of engagement and education, shares details on The Blueberry Summit, Oct. 5-7 in Nashville. Learn more at register here!  

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Steve Mantle of Innov8 Ag. Cronquist and Mantle are also joined by USHBC/NABC vice president of engagement and education Amanda Griffin to discuss the new BerrySmart Field Project.“So the BerrySmart Field Project will bring together suppliers and solution providers … with the intent to improve blueberry production quality. …We get to test out really cool technologies that are going to advance the blueberry industry.” – Amanda Griffin“Our focus is establishing priorities on the initial technology … to templatize something that's repeatable into a validated smart farm network that enables growers and packers and sales, the technology community, as well as researchers to collaborate on how we best optimize farm operations with better and more predictable yield outcomes.” - Steve MantleTopics covered include: An overview of the BerrySmart Field Project and its key stakeholders. The importance of exploring technology and attracting tech providers to the blueberry industry.How the BerrySmart Field Project will ultimately impact growers and other blueberry value chain participants.How the project will be carried out to meet objectives.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout key growing areas. In this episode, you’ll hear from Elizabeth Carranza in California, Brandon Wade in Georgia, Neil Moore in North Carolina, Mario Ramirez in Mexico, and Ken Patterson in Florida. This was recorded on May 25, 2022. Marketing BoostNational Blueberry Month is coming up in July, and we have an exciting opportunity for growers to help tell the industry story! Submit a short video about your work by June 10 and we could use it at a media event later in the month. Listen to this week’s marketing boost for details about how your story can be included, then upload your video at USHBC.org/video. 

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), introduces Joe Vargas, the first-ever USHC/NABC director of business intelligence. Vargas and Cronquist are joined by Tom Barnes of Category Partners and Grant Prentice of Padilla FoodMinds to discuss the blueberry industry’s data and insights program. “I think that the gut feel and experience that got us through the 20th century just won't cut it in the 21st century. …What we're going to be trying to do is outline what benefits, what is going to be the reason for participation and what is that going to bring to the growers, the marketers, the shippers, the retailers, consumers – that whole pride and everything in between – of how can we be relevant and how can we take the data in a direction that's going to help us with that single voice.” - Joe Vargas“We were able to add Mintel and a pretty cool data set from their GNPD database. And what that does is it allows the industry, anybody with a username and password, into this analytics dashboard … to go in and look at the packaging all around the world. …And so it's a really powerful tool for those people that are looking to maybe redesign packaging or find out where their blueberries are ending up.” - Tom Barnes“It's not just about having (data) sitting somewhere where people can access it, but how do we take that information, the right slices or the right views of the day. … I think this type of data that we're talking about, and having more hands on deck, is just going to make all that stuff flow that much more. - Grant PrenticeTopics covered include: An introduction to Joe Vargas, newly appointed director of business intelligence for USHBC.A review of new data tools and a look at future prospects for the industry. The value of collecting data regarding produce categories, consumer trends and household habits, and the benefits of making that data available and transparent to producers.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. In this episode, you’ll hear from Ken Patterson in Florida, Brandon Wade in Georgia, Neil Moore in North Carolina, and Elizabeth Carranza in California. This was recorded on May 18, 2022. Marketing BoostThere are oh so many promotional opportunities coming up for USHBC, starting with National Blueberry Cheesecake Day on May 26! Be sure to download our cool GIF and use it to engage your social media audience. In June, we’ll celebrate Brain Health Month. Be sure to check out our toolkit for amazing resources and advice on promoting the health benefits of blueberries all month long.  

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Brooke Hill of Southern Hill Farms in Clermont, Florida. Hill was a panelist on the USHBC’s “Best Practices for U-Pick Blueberries” webinar presented in 2020. “We leaned heavily on (the community) and they were there for us. I mean, we were floored. It brought tears to my eyes how supportive people were. They wanted to do anything they could to support their local farm.” - Brooke Hill“Diversification for us was the best thing we ever did. However diversification looks for you, no matter what, you can’t go wrong with it as long as it’s done with intention, it’s well thought out and it makes sense for what your end goal is. …I think where the true value for us came in is it led the future of the farm in a completely different direction than where we thought we were headed.” – Brooke HillTopics covered include:Hill’s background and experience, and the story of Southern Hill Farms.How launching a U-pick operation can be a tool for blueberry farm diversification.The importance of developing a close connection to the local community.What to consider before you start a U-pick operation. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Elizabeth Carranza in California, Ken Patterson in Florida, Brandon Wade in Georgia, and Neil Moore in North Carolina. This was recorded on May 11, 2022.Marketing BoostGrab a Boost of Blue is the industry’s call to action to motivate consumers to make blueberries a part of their everyday lifestyles. Use this messaging to encourage your audience to Grab a Boost of Blue through content on your website, in social media captions, in newsletters and in other communications. You’ll find a wealth of resources at USHBC.org/boostofblue, and you can get licensed at USHBC.org/license.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Brian Bocock, vice president of product management at Naturipe Farms. You heard from him back in Episode 002 and Episode 046. Now back for his third appearance, Bocock provides his outlook on what’s ahead for blueberries.“If, as an industry, we can turn that grab a boost of blue into a consistent delivery, 52 weeks a year, when they consistently go in and grab their boost of blue and it delivers against their expectation for firmness and flavor – boom! Now we're cooking on all cylinders and it's everybody across the board. Cause we all will succeed if all of us are hitting the same way.” – Brian Bocock“When you get into these environments where you have reduced production due to weather events, and all of a sudden you pick up for two or three weeks … it can be pretty dynamic. And if you miss it by a week or two, it can mean whether a grower makes money or doesn't make money in this situation … so we're optimistic. Certainly, we have some pain for some of our producers out there that took some significant damage. But we are optimistic on where this marketplace is and is going to be over the next couple of three months.” – Brian BocockTopics covered include: Expectations for the 2022 Blueberry market.The value of different varieties, and the impact they may have on consumers’ buying habits.The nuances in the blueberry market, and how producers can take advantage of residual increased interest in blueberries brought on by the pandemic.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Ken Patterson in Florida, Brandon Wade in Georgia, Neil Moore in North Carolina and Todd Sanders in California. This was recorded on May 4, 2022. Marketing BoostFood is fuel for the brain and in honor of Brain Health Month, coming up in June, USHBC is inspiring consumers to get a brain boost with blueberries! Eating fresh or frozen blueberries each day within an overall healthy diet and lifestyle is a smart choice that can support brain health. As part of our national plan to promote the benefits of blueberries, USHBC is sharing a range of informative and enticing resources, including blueberry recipes, nutritional information and health research. And our Blue Crew is rolling out original content for blueberry-loving fans throughout the month.This group of credible third-party experts includes physicians, registered dietitians, fitness professionals, and wellness and lifestyle experts who are sharing social media content and custom recipes as part of the campaign. 

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Itai Kanot, COO and co-founder of BeeHero. Kanot is the son of the largest commercial beekeeper in Israel, and that background ultimately led him to co-founding BeeHero in 2017. He shares about bee health, pollination and how technology can help improve blueberry production. “We will go to a farmer and say, ‘OK, you're going to pay per acre not per hive. Because everything else that you're doing is per acre, right? You calculate the water per acre, you calculate your potassium that you put in the ground per acre and everything is per acre. So we're going to charge per acre. Now you choose how many frames of bees, not how many hives, because that doesn't mean anything. I can bring you boxes, but what's in the box? So how many frames of bees do you want per acre?’” - Itai Kanot“I know that in many places with blueberries, they are actually looking at how many brood frames are in there. And that's a pretty smart thing to do because … brood is the main reason for bees to want to bring proteins into the colony. Brood needs a lot of protein in order to develop. And protein comes from pollen. So when you have hives or colonies that are packed with brood, they have a bigger driver to go and get pollen. And so these are harder working colonies.” - Itai Kanot“It's important to be able to assess what you're getting, because pollination is such an important part of the food production process. You can do everything right, but if you got bad bees this year, your yields are going to be lower, and you'll have no idea what you've done wrong.” - Itai KanotTopics covered include:Kanot’s experience on his family’s bee operation in Israel and the journey he has taken to become the largest pollination provider in the U.S.The nuances of bee populations and pollination for blueberry producers.The unique BeeHero business model and how it impacts their clients and the technologies they have access to. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Ken Patterson in Florida, Brandon Wade in Georgia, and Neil Moore in North Carolina. This was recorded on April 27, 2022.Marketing BoostWe know it’s vital to meet our audiences where they are. Last week, USHBC took that literally as we celebrated Earth Day on campus at NC State University. This served two important audiences – foodservice and consumers – to drive awareness, interest and demand for blueberries for the foodservice audience. USHBC and regional growers presented blueberry bushes to NC State University’s Agroecology Education Farm, a teaching farm where students learn where their food comes from. And we talked about varieties, growing practices and sustainability with students and the farm staff.

Travel with us to the USHBC Spring Forward event in Tampa with “The Business of Blueberries” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC). In this episode, we hear highlights from the B2B Targets Panel with Adam Croissant of Chobani, Shane Schaibly of First Watch and moderator Amy Shipley of Sterling Rice Group (SRG). Topics include:The value of blueberries to food manufacturers and consumers.How the panelists are thinking about the health and flavor properties of blueberries.How the pandemic has affected Chobani and First Watch.What might impact the blueberry industry in the future.  Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Brandon Wade in Georgia and Ken Patterson in Florida. This was recorded on April 20, 2022.Marketing BoostAlthough it's only April, the USHBC promotions team has been working hard to develop a host of programs and activations to engage our consumer audience throughout the month of July. This includes planning a kickoff event for the media in New York City the last week of June to start national blueberry month off with a boost. We'll promote a 31-day challenge for consumers to grab a boost of blue, and post about their love for blueberries all throughout the month of July, which in turn helps raise funds to feed kids through our partnership with No Kid Hungry.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Tom Avinelis, founder and managing partner at Agriculture Capital, for a discussion about the growing organic industry and the evolving standards that guide this market.“(Organic) is an industry that’s grown from roughly $14 billion in total sales in 2005, up to this last year in 2021, it’s forecast to be about $63 billion.That’s been a rate at a 10% compounded growth annually for the last 15 years. No other industry, other than probably blueberries has seen that kind of growth over that time period. And even as we look forward to the next five to 10 years, we are still projecting a 9% year-over-year growth in the organic industry.” - Tom Avinelis Topics covered include:What attracted Avinelis to growing certified organic blueberries.The challenges of producing blueberries organically.Where the organic market is going in terms of demand and definition.What regenerative agriculture means and where it fits into the overall organic conversation.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Todd Sanders in California, Eric Stafne in Mississippi, Ken Patterson in Florida, and Brandon Wade in Georgia. This was recorded on April 13, 2022. Marketing BoostA picture is worth a thousand words! Studies show our brains not only process visuals faster, but retain and transmit much more information when it’s delivered visually. On this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses how the USHBC uses imagery to bring blueberry innovations to life.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Bernadine Strik, professor emeritus of horticulture and a berry crop specialist and researcher at Oregon State University, for a discussion about Bernadine’s storied career and where the blueberry industry is heading next.“If we look worldwide, our organic blueberry program is really the only one of its kind in the world.” - Bernadine Strik “From a marketing standpoint, we have our millennials and [generation z] very interested in anything that’s related to what’s better for the environment, and that includes carbon sequestration, the efficiency of fertilizer, and water use.” - Bernadine Strik Topics covered include:Bernadine’s beginning in the blueberry industries.The numerous accomplishments and discoveries during her career, including the development of organic blueberry cultivation and high-density farming.The future of the blueberry industry and blueberry research, including climate resiliency and environmental sustainability. Marketing opportunities that exist in the sustainability space.Resources:"The effects of long-term management on patterns of carbon storage in a northern highbush blueberry production system"Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Brandon Wade in Georgia. This was recorded on April 7, 2022.Marketing BoostJune is Brain Health Month! On this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses USHBC efforts during the month, including the newly launched Brain Health Month toolkit, available for free for blueberry industry members.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), shares some highlights from the flavor panel at Spring Forward, which featured Patricio Munoz, Ph.D., blueberry breeder at the University of Florida, and Gonzalo de Elizalde, senior director of product leadership at Driscoll’s. Topics include:●     The evolution of blueberries and what led to the focus on flavor.●     Current blueberry market dynamics between price and flavor.●     Why shifting toward a focus on flavor isn’t straightforward. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Brandon Wade in Georgia, Mario Ramírez in Mexico, and Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on March 30, 2022.Marketing BoostSpring is here and peak season is around the corner (or already here) for growers in North America! On this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks explains why peak season is the best time to give consumers an experience, like inviting them to the farm or sharing photos and videos of fresh blueberries on social media.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Gary Wishnatzki, owner of Wish Farms in Plant City, Florida, for a discussion about the farm’s history and successes. “Flavor, to me, is the most important thing, because getting the consumer to buy it once is one thing, getting them to buy it over and over again [is another]. How you achieve [brand loyalty] is by having good tasting fruit.” - Gary Wishnatzki“When [your company gets bigger], as we have, you really have to become an orchestra. When you’re an orchestra, you have to play from a sheet of music … process is a big part of what we’re doing.” - Gary Wishnatzki Topics covered include:The rich family history of Wish Farms, which was founded in 1922. The workplace culture of Wish Farms and how it plays into the company’s success. Building brand loyalty and recognition through genetics and flavor. Wish’s adoption of machine harvesting technology. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Ken Patterson in Florida, John Bennett in Georgia, Mario Ramírez in Mexico, and Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on March 23, 2022.Marketing BoostNational Blueberry Month is almost here, and the blueberry industry is looking to make an impact. On this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses how the month-long celebration will benefit the nonprofit No Kid Hungry. To pledge your product donation, visit ushbc.blueberry.org/donate and fill out the form by March 30.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Noel Sakuma, farm manager at Oregon Berry Packing, for a conversation about farm-level technology. “Right now, we’re at a very unique time where a lot of new varieties are coming through the pipeline and if you are having the same varieties in the ground - besides Duke - in the next five to ten years and you’re not upgrading, you’re going to be in a bad spot.” - Noel Sakuma“I’d encourage everyone to make sure we’re doing the right things on [machine harvesters], that we’re not picking when it’s too hot and I would really encourage as many people to try to [install] any kind of soft fresh kit on any machine because it really is a game-changer.” - Noel Sakuma Topics covered include:Noel’s lifelong background in the blueberry industry and with Oregon Berry Packing. Fostering bumblebee hive development in Oregon. How machine harvesting helped Oregon Berry Packing crews navigate the historic Pacific Northwest heatwave last summer. Adopting new varieties and how that plays into ag technology. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Ken Patterson in Florida, Andres Armstrong in Chile and Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on March 16, 2022.Marketing BoostMarch is National Nutrition Month! In this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses how blueberries fit into this month and how you can leverage it to your customers.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Soren Bjorn, president of Driscoll’s of the America’s, for a wide-ranging conversation about the blueberry industry. This episode is part two of a two-part interview. “Human beings are attracted to the best tasting fruits … so I think at this stage, the most important thing for the industry is to continue to push the consumer experience up. ” - Soren Bjorn“A consumer that gets a really good experience with blueberries, there are no marketing dollars that can offset that … those are the best marketing dollars.” - Soren BjornTopics covered include:Improving the sometimes “uneven” consumer experience of blueberries. Importance of improving blueberry genetics and the places where blueberries might grow in the future. The success of the Driscoll’s “Sweetest Batch” line, and how it creates an elevated experience for consumers. How accuracy of blueberry data can help the whole industry. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Ken Patterson in Florida and Mario Ramírez in Mexico. This was recorded on March 9, 2022.Marketing BoostLast week in Tampa, attendees who visited the Wish Farms packing center saw the Wish Farms logo right alongside USHBC’s Grab a Boost of Blue logo. In this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses strategic positioning, Grab a Boost of Blue, and how to use it.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Soren Bjorn, president of Driscoll’s of the Americas, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of the blueberry industry. This episode is part one of a two-part interview. “Blueberries, in general, have done really well during the pandemic … we have a lot of reasons to believe that [the recent success of blueberries] will stay with us as people have increasingly made berries a part of a healthier lifestyle … the momentum will keep carrying forward and increase the overall demand for berries.” - Soren Bjorn“Marketing is — a lot of the time — simply putting the idea into the consumer’s mind … successful marketing is anticipating what the consumer really wants but hasn’t thought about.” - Soren BjornTopics covered include:Lessons the blueberry industry can take away from the pandemic.Bjorn’s thoughts on the future of the industry and making blueberries the world’s favorite fruit. The current state of labor in agriculture, and Driscoll’s new documentary titled “The Last Harvest.”Driscoll’s recent investment in vertical farming.Marketing BoostMarch is a busy month for blueberries and USHBC! In this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses National Nutrition Month and Frozen Food Month, and how you can leverage both of these periods in your marketing mix.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), recaps USHBC’s presentation at last week’s Oregon Blueberry Conference in Salem, Oregon. Cronquist and USHBC and NABC Vice President of Global Business Development Alicia Adler presented together at the conference, giving an overview of what USHBC is doing on behalf of the industry to execute USHBC’s new five-year strategic plan. During this episode, you’ll hear clips from both Cronquist and Adler that were recorded live at the conference. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Mario Ramírez in Mexico, Luis Vegas in Peru, and Isabel Qurioz in Chile. This was recorded on February 23, 2022.Marketing BoostHow does a Blueberry Cornflake Chicken Waffle Cone sound? Or maybe you'd like a Blueberry Avocado Trifle? On this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses two dozen blueberry recipes tested and tasted at USHBC's Culinary Innovation Workshop held last week in Boulder, Colorado.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Vonnie Estes, vice president of innovation for the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), to discuss how Estes is helping the fresh produce industry harness technology.“I really try to bring technology to the produce industry and bring the produce industry to technology. ” - Vonnie Estes“How do we take the risk off the grower so we can get more innovation out there and get [growers] more willing to try?” - Vonnie EstesTopics covered include:Estes’ day-to-day role as the IFPA vice president of innovation. What’s driving innovation in agriculture and what areas still need technological improvements.The most tech-savvy sectors of agriculture. What the blueberry industry can be doing to foster more tech investment. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Mario Ramírez in Mexico. This was recorded on February 16, 2022.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Ellie Symes, CEO of The Bee Corp, and Luis De La Garza, general manager of Royal Oaks Farms, to discuss technology that helps beekeepers maximize pollination revenue per hive, and aids growers in reducing costs and optimizing pollination quality.“Our growers use [Verifli] to make sure they’re good to go for pollination and to make sure they’re getting what they paid for in the hives that they rent. …We’re also interested in helping growers to determine how many hives they need per acre and what is their optimum. How far can they decrease this cost and still get good strong berries? ” - Ellie Symes “This technology is not invasive, you can just scan the [beehive box] and get a very good idea of the health of the colony. ” - Luis De La Garza Topics covered include:How The Bee Corp was founded by Ellie Symes.The function of The Bee Corp’s proprietary software, Verifli, and how it helps improve pollination efficiencies.De La Garza’s experience with Verifli on his berry farms in Watsonville, California.Advice from Symes on how to best maximize the pollination window.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Andres Armstrong in Chile and Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on February 9, 2022. Marketing BoostPublic relations is a key component in USHBC’s marketing mix. On this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses the latest health research and how that was parlayed into a successful PR campaign.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), and co-host Alicia Adler, USHBC and NABC vice president of global business development, are joined by Mark Crowell, CEO and co-founder of CuliNex, to discuss last fall’s Blueberry Bootcamp episode, and the future of blueberries as a “clean label” ingredient.“At the beginning [of CuliNex] we called it organic and natural products. Today, we have a broader label that is accepted, which is ‘clean label’ product development, and blueberries fit in perfectly within that focus for us. ” - Mark Crowell“Blueberries make people happy. It’s the feel-good fruit.”  - Mark Crowell Topics covered include:Crowell’s background in the food ingredient space, including his time at Starbucks and founding CuliNex in 2005.Overview of the “clean label” initiative and CuliNex’s role in developing clean label products.Cowell’s takeaways from last fall’s Blueberry Bootcamp, and how USHBC’s new partnerships are fostering collaboration in the industry. The endless possibilities for blueberries as an ingredient. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Andres Armstrong in Chile, Luis Vegas in Peru, and Mario Ramírez in Mexico. This was recorded on February 2, 2022Marketing Boost“Grab a Boost of Blue” isn’t USHBC’s brand – it’s the industry’s call to action to motivate consumers to make blueberries part of their everyday lifestyle. On this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses the success of “Grab a Boost of Blue” and why that matters for the industry.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by USDA Under Secretary Jenny Moffitt to discuss USDA priorities and their relevance to blueberries. “I see the power and the value for producers in pooling our money together to promote our products and also to address critical needs [such as] research needs that are specific to what we’re growing and producing. ” - Jenny Moffitt“This is about getting healthy blueberries into schools and into food banks … I know as a walnut producer, we talk about all the antioxidant powers that I know blueberries have as well.”  - Jenny Moffitt Topics covered include:Moffitt’s background in the walnut industry and how she ended up as USDA Under Secretary.Current USDA initiatives, including increasing access to healthy food and creating efficiencies in the supply chain. Encouraging partnership between states, agricultural stakeholders and institutions.Organic practices and ensuring quality in the organic produce space. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Andres Armstrong in Chile, Luis Vegas in Peru, and Mario Ramírez in Mexico. This was recorded on January 26, 2022.Marketing BoostFebruary is Heart Health Month! USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses the importance of this month and how it can help promote blueberries as a heart-healthy snack for all. Visit ushbc.org/toolkits to find Heart Health Month resources. 

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Amanda Griffin, USHBC/NABC vice president of engagement and education, to discuss her new role with USHBC and her background in the produce industry.“A lot of [industry engagement] has to do with having your ears on the ground on what the folks you serve need most from you as an organization.” - Amanda Griffin“I always claimed when I was at United Fresh that my role wasn’t necessarily to be the expert on a certain topic; it’s more [about] how do you find those resources and deliver them back out to your membership and to your constituency.”  - Amanda GriffinTopics covered include:Griffin’s industry background and her previous role with the United Fresh Produce Association.The most important aspects of industry engagement. Importance of feedback and parlaying feedback into improved programs. Griffin’s role in developing the new USHBC Leadership Program. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Andres Armstrong in Chile, Luis Vegas in Peru, and Mario Ramírez in Mexico. This was recorded on January 19, 2022.Marketing BoostMark your calendars for January 28, because it’s National Blueberry Pancake Day! In this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses the importance of this day and USHBC’s National Blueberry Pancake Day activities.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Ashlee Sikorski, team development coach at Sway Leadership, to discuss leadership development in the blueberry industry. “If you have 10 people at your company putting in an extra 10%, then you have a whole, full employee that isn’t even coming out of your budget. I think people who show up and are satisfied with their work and they’re happy to be there, they’re doing a job that suits who they are.” - Ashlee Sikorski“Old leadership styles are top down … there’s no collaboration happening with the staff … if you want [culture to be more long lasting], you’re going to be bringing your staff into it and then having higher retention.”  - Ashlee Sikorski Topics covered include:Sikorski’s experience in professional development and how she ended up at Sway Leadership.The importance of empowering employees and developing self-leadership.Developing a culture and getting buy-in from staff. What an “enneagram” is and how it can help identify archetypes in the workplace. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Andres Armstrong in Chile, Luis Vegas in Peru, and Mario Ramírez in Mexico. This was recorded on January 12, 2022.Marketing BoostThis March, USHBC will kick off its first power period of 2022 by leveraging National Nutrition Month®, an annual nutrition education campaign created and developed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses the upcoming month and the USHBC’s Nutrition Month Toolkit.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Cort Brazelton, co-CEO of Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, to discuss the latest International Blueberry Organization (IBO) State of the Industry report and the future of global blueberry production. “If the IBO is going to create more value in the future, we need a strong partnership with the USHBC, because no organization in the world is carrying the weight like the U.S. council. It’s as simple as that.” - Cort Brazelton“To get more share of the stomach, we don’t just do it through fresh, we get our product into more foods people eat. But to do that, the market – the buying side – has to have confidence, availability, consistency in pricing and getting the type of product they want. ”  - Cort BrazeltonTopics covered include:Overview and function of the IBO State of the Industry report, now free to all. Importance of meeting in person and collaborating. IBO’s role in contextualizing the global blueberry business.How having reliable and easily accessible data can help growing and production decisions. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Andres Armstrong in Chile, Luis Vegas in Peru, and Mario Ramírez in Mexico. This was recorded on January 5, 2022.Marketing BoostBoth strategy and tactics play a key role in executing a program. In this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses the importance of proper planning as the New Year kicks off.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Ken Patterson, NABC chair and co-owner of Island Grove Ag Products, to offer some holiday greetings and preview the upcoming NABC/USHBC Spring Meetings in Tampa, Florida, in early March.“I wanted to be on the forefront of understanding where this industry was going to go and help however I can to push it in that direction.” - Ken Patterson“You develop relationships and that’s what this business is about … there’s nothing like shaking somebody’s hand, looking them in the eye and talking about blueberries.” - Ken PattersonTopics include:Patterson’s extensive experience in the blueberry industry and what has changed since he started.The role Florida has in kicking off the domestic blueberry growing season. Why and how Patterson got involved in NABC and his impact on NABC’s policy positions.  A preview of the upcoming Spring Meetings and what to expect if you’re attending in Tampa. The 2022 Spring Meetings will take place on March 1-4 in Tampa, Florida. Registration will open in early January. Marketing BoostSince launching Grab a Boost of Blue in early 2021, USHBC has centered its promotional programming around this motivating call to action and worked with many in our industry to use it in their marketing as a rallying cry for consumers to buy more blueberries. In this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks details the hard work and collaboration that has led to an exciting milestone to cap off year one of Grab a Boost of Blue: It’s now being featured on blueberry packaging!

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by three blueberry growers in the Pacific Northwest to discuss the unprecedented and catastrophic flooding in areas of British Columbia and Washington state.Growers interviewed include:Steve Phillips of Berryhill Foods in British Columbia, Canada.Jason Smith of Fraser Berry Farms, also in British Columbia.Bryan Sakuma of Sakuma Farms in Washington.Each details their experience with the floods and how it affected their growing operations and communities at large.Each grower details their experience with the floods and how it affected their growing operations and their communities at large.Check out our podcast page for all recent episodes. Know someone who’d be interested in this podcast? Please forward this email and encourage them to sign up to receive live updates when new episodes are released. 

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Gunnar Avinelis, CEO of AgriCare, to discuss the firm’s creative approach to employee engagement and what it could mean for the larger agriculture industry. “[By choosing an employee stock ownership plan structure], we would not only preserve a legacy, but build a new legacy, and build companies that last far beyond what our families can be and do. …We want what we’re doing to last for a long time and to grow with new ideas.” - Gunnar Avinelis“Never has hearing what’s important to our employees and creating a better work environment been more essential than it is now, and for many companies, we have to look at more than just paying people more, because that’s not always an option in lean times.”  - Gunnar AvinelisTopics covered include:Avinelis’ background in the blueberry industry.Overview of AgriCare’s function in the produce industry as a full-service management business. How AgriCare arrived at its employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) structure and how it helps alleviate labor challenges. Mechanics of an ESOP and how employees engage with the company as a result. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Luis Vegas in Peru and Mario Rameriez in Mexico. This was recorded on December 15, 2021.Marketing BoostUSHBC has launched the first-ever blueberry Alexa Skill! In this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses this amazing new feature and details how your consumers, community, and partners can grab a boost of blue with A Blueberry Boost! And don’t forget to check out our Alexa Skill: A Blueberry Boost Toolkit.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Dwight Ferguson, president and CEO of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, to discuss his thoughts on leadership, developing the next generation of leaders and his role in merging the Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh. “PMA has historically done certain things extremely well, just as [United Fresh] has, and it truly was, as we said several times during the process, an opportunity to create something better by pulling those two organizations together and truly aiding what’s now going to be a global trade association for fresh produce and floral.” - Dwight Ferguson“Where we can add the most value [for our program participants] is helping them evolve their leadership skills so hopefully they can become more influential and make that positive difference that ultimately benefits ag and California.”  - Dwight FergusonTopics covered include:Ferguson’s background in the cut flower and produce industries. Ferguson’s role in merging Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh into the International Fresh Produce Association.The mission and structure of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation.Building leaders in the blueberry industry and guiding big-picture thinking. Marketing BoostRecipes are a fantastic way to engage customers this holiday season, especially when those recipes are fun and unique. In this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks details USHBC’s Fall & Winter Holidays toolkit, which is filled with images, videos and downloadable recipe cards for the holiday season.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Andres Armstrong, executive director of the Chilean Blueberry Committee, to discuss expectations for the upcoming growing season in Chile and share about the dynamic changes taking place for blueberries on the ground in Chile.“We’ve been trying to look for new and better markets for fruit and I think [Chile] has been quite successful in that sense.” - Andres Armstrong“What is happening in the U.S. is happening in Europe and is happening in Asia ... fruit is going where the opportunities are and opportunities [for blueberries] are growing everywhere.” - Andres ArmstrongTopics covered include:The state of Chilean blueberry production and how Chile is responding to increased supply across the world. Armstrong’s perspective on global growth development and the opportunities to collaborate with the U.S. market.Current challenges with logistics and moving fruit around the world. Improving labor efficiency at Chile blueberry farms. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on December 1, 2021.Marketing BoostUSHBC makes it easy for your customers to get into the holiday spirit. In this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks details USHBC’s Fall & Winter Holidays toolkit, which is filled with recipes and content for the holiday season.

Paul Lyrene, Ph.D., has dedicated his career to the development of early-ripening, high-quality blueberry cultivars that are productive in Florida’s humid, subtropical climate. Due to his efforts, the Florida blueberry industry has grown and flourished, and opened the door to blueberry production in other warm climates across the country and the world. On this week’s podcast, host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Paul Lyrene, Ph.D., a world-renowned plant breeder, former University of Florida horticulture professor and member of the Florida Ag Hall of Fame.“Blueberries are a plant in which the varieties are clones. That is, if you find one good plant, you chop it into one hundred million pieces and each one becomes a plant identical to the original plant.” - Paul Lyrene, Ph.D. “The flavor of a blueberry depends on both the variety and where it’s grown and how it’s grown. There are probably 1,000 different chemicals in a blueberry that are natural compounds that all have some influence on the flavor. ” - Paul Lyrene, Ph.D. Topics covered include: The history of blueberry cultivation in Florida.What brought Lyrene to the blueberry industry.The development of taste in blueberries and what goes into a good-tasting blueberry.Future improvements to blueberry cultivars.Improving private breeding program.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Shelly Hartmann, owner of True Blue Farms and USHBC chair, to discuss the results of the recent referendum vote and where the USHBC goes from here.“We really need to encourage grower participation. This is a grower’s program. They need to be involved and they need to be up to speed on the strategic plan and the direction that this organization is going. ...I only see it getting better for growers and I’m so excited to be able to say that.” - Shelly Hartmann Topics covered include:An overview of the referendum results and how they were tabulated. A look at the blueberry industry’s next five years.How to get involved and keep the positive momentum going.  The importance of staying unified and respecting varying opinions in the industry. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on November 17, 2021.Marketing BoostWith Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s important to express gratitude to your customers. In this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks talks about how expressing gratitude can build brand loyalty.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), and co-host Alicia Adler, USHBC and NABC vice president of global business development, are joined by Jake Briere, corporate chef at Chobani and a member of the USHBC R&D Advisory Board. Adler and Cronquist bring Briere on to discuss where the food industry is innovating and what that means for blueberries as an ingredient in packaged food products. “Having the chance to talk to this group of individuals throughout the rest of the [R&D Advisory Board], while we all collectively work with [blueberries] in some format, really gives me the full picture of the entire process from farming to processing to when it finally goes on the shelf.” - Jake Briere“For us at Chobani...we often look at categories that we feel we can disrupt in some format and provide more healthy options for the consumer. If you give them great tasting food that’s also good for you, they’re bound to choose that option.” - Jake Briere Topics covered include:The establishment of the R&D Advisory Board and Jake’s experience with the blueberry industry so far.Jake’s role at Chobani and how he develops recipes for commercial and business-to-business use.  The evolution of innovation in the food industry, particularly in the dairy category. Consumer product formats that are ideal for blueberries. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Luis Vegas in Peru, Federico Bayá from Argentina, and making his 2021 debut on the USHBC Crop Report, Andres Armstrong from Chile. This was recorded on November 10, 2021.

 In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), recaps the Blueberry Innovation Bootcamp that took place recently in Seattle, Washington. Cronquist takes you through an audio version of the bootcamp that highlights the value and opportunities blueberries bring as an ingredient. In this episode, you’ll hear from:Dave Arena, owner of Frank Donio, Inc. Chef Dina Paz, managing culinary director of the Sterling-Rice Group.Leslie Wada, Ph.D., USHBC senior director of nutrition and health research.Dave Lundahl, founder and CEO of InsightsNow.Mark Crowell, CEO of CuliNex.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Luis Vegas in Peru and Federico Bayá from Argentina. This was recorded on November 3, 2021.Marketing BoostPublic relations and earned media help create awareness of blueberries in publications everywhere. In this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks details USHBC’s efforts in the earned media space and what it means for marketing blueberries. 

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), recaps the genetics panel that recently took place as a part of Innovate 2021. Cronquist takes you through an audio version of the panel that highlights technology and how it informs the consumer experience with blueberries.In this episode, you’ll hear from:Ridley Bell, owner of Mountain Blue Orchards in New South Wales, Australia, and a blueberry genetics pioneer.Patricio Munoz, assistant professor in the Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida.Adam Wagner, breeding manager at Oregon Blueberry Farms and Nursery.Paul Sandefur, breeding manager at Fall Creek Farm & Nursery. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Luis Vegas in Peru and Federico Bayá from Argentina. This was recorded on October 28, 2021.Marketing BoostStorytelling is critical in effectively marketing a product, service or company. It’s no longer about simply selling. In this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks details the importance of storytelling and how it can be used in your marketing plans.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), recaps the Tech Tour that took place recently as part of Innovate 2021. Cronquist takes you on an audio version of the Tech Tour that highlights forward-thinking field experiments happening today in the blueberry industry.In this episode, you’ll hear from:Josh Dietrich, farm manager at PanAmerican Berry Growers, talking about their cooling system that helped save their crop during the Pacific Northwest heat wave. Dr. Bernadine Strik, professor of horticulture and a berry crop specialist at Oregon State University, demonstrating research on mulch and fertilization in organic blueberries.Jim Hoffman of Hopville Farms speaking about the energy savings of Monarch Tractors. George Kaufman, an agronomist at Agricare, introducing a pollinator habitat project implemented at Halls Ferry Farm.Steve Erickson, president and CEO at PanAmerican Berry Growers, speaking about the value of collaboration to keep bringing new innovations to the table. To view the virtual Tech Tour videos from Innovate 2021, click the links below:OSU ExtensionPanamerican Berry GrowersMonarch/Hopville, Bee Better, Agricare, PeerboltCrop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Luis Vegas in Peru and Federico Bayá from Argentina. This was recorded on October 20, 2021.Marketing BoostHalloween is right around the corner and it provides marketers a creative way to promote blueberries! USHBC is capitalizing on these next few days with photography, social media posts and recipes, which are also free for industry members. Check out the Fall & Winter Holidays toolkit to see the latest.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), recaps the Tech Symposium that took place recently as part of Innovate 2021. Cronquist condenses nine hours of content into 30 minutes as he takes you through some of the highlights of this year’s symposium, with audio clips from some of the most popular sessions.  Highlights include:“Technology and the Consumer Experience” panel with Paul Sandefur of Fall Creek Farms. “Innovation in Pollination” session with Ian Collinson of Bee Vectoring Technology.“Robotics in the Field” with Andrew Herr from Littau Harvester.“Soil Carbon Sequestration” with Dr. Markus Kleber, professor at Oregon State University. “Improvements in Fruit Quality” with Jackson Kempker of AgroFresh. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Luis Vegas in Peru and Federico Bayá from Argentina. This was recorded on October 14, 2021.Marketing BoostWhen you can’t meet face to face with every prospective customer, what’s the best representation of your message? Your website. USHBC creates in-depth customized landing pages that capture the attention of target audiences. We invite you to check out blueberry.org to find recipes, food hacks, blueberry how-tos and all kinds of inspiration!

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), and co-host Alicia Adler, USHBC and NABC vice president of global business development, are joined by Kelly Ewen, partner at Rose Research. Adler and Cronquist bring Ewen on to discuss the overall intention and findings of the recent USHBC-funded global consumer research study. “Consumption is extremely strong and high [in Southeast Asia]. They’re familiar with blueberries, they eat them often, they buy them often, when they run out of blueberries they make a special trip the store to buy more ... that is different than what we see with a lot of other commodities we work with.” - Kelly Ewen“Country of origin is important when purchasing blueberries in general and rolling into that, the U.S. itself has a favorable perception in all of these countries.” - Kelly Ewen Topics covered include:The methods used to determine the study questions. Current perception of blueberries in Southeast Asia.Results of the study, and what Southeast Asian markets have in common.The favorable perception of U.S. blueberries in global markets.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Luis Vegas in Peru and, making his debut on the USHBC Crop Report, Federico Bayá from Argentina. This was recorded on October 6, 2021.Marketing BoostNovember is American Diabetes Month and it’s the perfect time to promote the health benefits of blueberries! In this week’s marketing boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks details how USHBC is helping marketers promote the month with the American Diabetes Month toolkit.

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 Jennifer Sparks, USHBC/NABC vice president of marketing and communications, and Christie Wood, group account director at the Sterling-Rice Group. Cronquist brings Sparks and Wood on to discuss the recent Flavor Experience conference held in Monterey, California, in early September and how it relates to USHBC’s foodservice programs. Click here to read the recent USHBC Patron Study. “The [foodservice] industry is recovering much faster than expected, which is great news for all of us. And, some of those alternative [foodservice] formats that were created over the last year-and-a half are probably here to stay.” - Christie WoodTopics covered include:Sparks and Cronquist’s reflections on their first visit to the experience. The importance of having face-to-face conversations in conference settings. The state of the foodservice industry and how the pandemic changed relationships with restaurants. The reactions to USHBC recipe development from Flavor Experience attendees.

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), and Rod Cook, industry veteran and the chair of the Blueberry Technology and Innovation Committee, sit down with Praveen Penmetsa, founder and CEO of Monarch Tractor. While the blueberry industry isn’t known for being tractor-centric, this tractor will be part of the Innovate 2021 Technology Symposium, and it is one of the companies that is looking for ways to improve efficiency, reduce costs and promote sustainability. This company is reimagining what a tractor can be as an electric autonomous machine able to match the performance of traditional options.“Our technology acts as a bridge between farm economics and sustainability. And to be honest, just the diesel savings is not a compelling value proposition for farmers. So that's where the diesel savings plus labor savings plays in. So our tractor is a solution for that, and we are hoping that our tractor will bridge that gap.” - Praveen Penmetsa“We believe that our tractor can play a role in allowing farmers to tell their stories directly to the consumer versus having all these people in between tell that story for them. So that's how we focused on the small tractor. That's why we are in fruits and vegetables. And that's why it's a 40 horsepower tractor.” - Praveen Penmetsa Topics covered include:Introducing the use of the electric autonomous tractor for blueberry production opportunities.How these tractors can benefit the producer, the process of their development and the strategy in implementing them.Looking at this new technology and its ability to complement current farm implements. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on September 22, 2021.Marketing BoostNational Pancake Day is Sunday, September 26! This is the perfect opportunity to promote adding a boost of blue to everybody’s favorite breakfast. In this week’s marketing boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks shares how to capitalize on opportunities like this to get people buzzing about blueberries. Fall Event RegistrationYou can still register to attend Innovate 2021: USHBC+NABC Tech Symposium and Fall Meetings, Sept. 27-Oct.1, virtually! The virtual attendance option includes the Tech Symposium, Tech Tours and a host of USHBC committee meetings. While the event is at capacity for in-person attendance, interested stakeholders can register to participate virtually via a la carte pricing listed here.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Daniel Bustamante, president of Proarándanos and chief commercial officer at Agricola Cerro Prieto S.A. (ACP); Luis Vegas, general manager at Proarándanos; and Ryan Lockman, vice president of sales and procurement at North Bay Produce, to talk about the start of the Peruvian blueberry season and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for growth in the country. “The growth that the Preruivan industry has experienced is very impressive … this growth started, basically, with the traditional varieties, and now it’s changing toward new genetics that make better [export] arrivals and that are more suitable for whatever the market is demanding.” - Daniel Bustamante“There are many different options in the produce aisle these days … to be relevant, we have to be [in grocery stores] 52 weeks a year with supply, price and product.” - Ryan LockmanTopics covered include: The backgrounds of Bustamante, Vegas and Lockman, and what they do for ACP, Proarándanos and North Bay Produce, respectively. The rapid growth of the blueberry industry in Peru, the arrival of better genetics and potential challenges of continued growth. Comparisons between the avocado industry and blueberry industry.The importance of having a year-round crop and creating habitual customers. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Jason Smith in British Columbia and Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on September 15, 2021.  Marketing BoostThe foodservice sector is critical to promoting blueberry consumption. In this week’s marketing boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks talks about how getting blueberries on restaurant menus drives volume and so much more!  Fall Event RegistrationThere’s still time to register to attend Innovate 2021: USHBC+NABC Tech Symposium and Fall Meetings, Sept. 27-Oct.1, virtually! The virtual attendance option includes the Tech Symposium, Tech Tours and a host of USHBC committee meetings. While the event is at capacity for in-person attendance, interested stakeholders can register to participate virtually via a la carte pricing, listed here.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Joe Barsi, president of California Giant Berry Farms, to discuss the inception of the United Blueberry Task Force (UBTF).“Growers are the most important part of the business at [California Giant Berry Farms], and that comes from the leaders down. Without high-quality growers, we don’t really have a business.” - Joe Barsi“I think if you’re a significant player in the blueberry industry, and you believe in the future of the industry...doing the right thing together as an industry will help continue to raise all boats, so to speak.” - Joe BarsiTopics covered include:● Barsi’s background in the berry industry, his role with California Giant Berry Farms, and the differences between berry industries.● How and why the UBTF was founded.● Importance of collaboration in the blueberry industry.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Doug Krahmer in Oregon, Jason Smith in British Columbia, Rex Schultz in Michigan and Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on September 8, 2021.Marketing BoostProviding a seamless shopping experience is vital to any online grocery retailer. In this week’s marketing boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks talks about “omnichannel” marketing and how it uses data to bring the consumer what they want.Fall Event RegistrationThere’s still time to register to attend Innovate 2021: USHBC+NABC Tech Symposium and Fall Meetings, Sept. 27-Oct.1, virtually! The virtual attendance option includes the Tech Symposium, Tech Tours and a host of USHBC committee meetings. Register at blueberry events.org by Sept. 15 to take advantage of early-bird pricing.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), and co-host Alicia Adler, USHBC and NABC vice president of global business development, are joined by Mario Flores, director of product management for blueberries at Naturipe Farms, and Matt Lantz, vice president for global access at Bryant Christie, to discuss how the blueberry industry navigates the regulatory environment when marketing blueberries internationally.“In the last year-and-a-half, we have been able to open the Vietnam market for U.S. blueberries, the Philippines market for U.S. blueberries, and the Chinese market for U.S. blueberries … that is a lightning pace for the type of work [Bryant Christie does].” - Matt Lantz“[Export market development] is a very important part of our overall marketing plan for our growers’ blueberries because we’re trying to find the best value that we can return back to the farm. And whether that is domestic or international sales, we’re going to try to find the market that can bring the most value back to the growers.” - Mario FloresTopics covered include: Flores and Lantz’s backgrounds and their roles and experience at their companies.The importance of developing export markets for Naturipe. Why different regions have different work plans and protocols for entering their market.Inside negotiations between governments. Managing maximum residue limits (MRLs). Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Doug Krahmer in Oregon, Bryan Sakuma in Washington and Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on September 1, 2021.  Marketing BoostUSHBC’s Fall & Winter Holidays Toolkit is now available for industry stakeholders! In this week’s marketing boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks talks about USHBC’s latest toolkit and how it can be useful for your marketing plan throughout the fall and winter holiday seasons.  Fall Event RegistrationWhile in-person attendance is at capacity, virtual registration is still available for Innovate 2021: USHBC+NABC Tech Symposium and Fall Meetings! You don’t want to miss the tech-focused learning, opportunities to network and critical information shared in the meetings. Register today at blueberryevents.org.

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), and Rod Cook, industry veteran and the chair of the Blueberry Technology and Innovation Committee, are joined by Gary Thompson, chief operating officer at GUSS Automation, to discuss the possibility of labor-saving spraying automation and how it might fit into a commercial blueberry operation. “We’re held to such a high threshold [by farmers], we’ve got to perform. That’s what we do … from day one we set out to make a very simple, robust design … it’s easy to work on, it’s easy to diagnose problems and it’s easy to operate.” - Gary Thompson“Let alone the autonomy, it is one of the best field sprayers you’ll ever look at.” - Gary ThompsonTopics covered include: How GUSS got started in the automation spraying business through the almond industry. GUSS automated sprayers and their role in saving labor costs on farming operations. The simplicity of GUSS sprayers and the high standards farmers have for autonomous equipment. Partnering with dealers and creating a service network. Potential applications on blueberry farms. Check out our full collection of technology episodes! Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Doug Krahmer in Oregon, Bryan Sakuma in Washington, Jason Smith in British Columbia and Rex Schultz in Michigan. This was recorded on August 25, 2021.  Marketing BoostUsing data is more important than ever to drive blueberry sales. In this week’s marketing boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks talks about the robust USHBC Data and Insights Center and how it can help your business’ marketing plan. Fall Event RegistrationThere’s still time to register for Innovate 2021: USHBC+NABC Tech Symposium and Fall Meetings! You don’t want to miss the tech-focused learning, opportunities to network and critical information shared in the meetings. The event takes place at The Grand Hotel in Salem, Oregon, September 27-October 1, or you can attend virtually. Register today at blueberryevents.org.

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), sits down with Daniel Jackson of Family Tree Farms and Raffaele Benedetti of UNITEC to discuss innovations in blueberry sorting and sizing, and the impacts these innovations will have on the future of blueberries.“We had 150 people sorting these blueberries every day, and now [since implementing UNITEC technology] we’ve been able to scale that back to … 12-13 people doing the same work 150 people did, which I think is a pretty big swing.” - Daniel Jackson“There is a possibility that the blueberry is never touched by a human hand until it reaches the consumer … that, in my opinion, is a revolution.” - Raffaele BenedettiTopics covered include: The backgrounds of Family Tree Farms and UNITEC, and what brought them to a partnership.UNITEC’s move into blueberries and how they have gone beyond the typical sorting.Potential labor savings from using UNITEC technology. The potential of the “touchless experience” UNITEC sorters offer. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Doug Krahmer in Oregon, and Bryan Sakuma in Washington. This was recorded on August 18, 2021.  Marketing BoostEducating your audience is always smart marketing. In this week’s marketing boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks shares why it’s important to continually share new ideas with your audience. Fall Event RegistrationWhether you’re already registered or are still considering attending Innovate 2021: USHBC+NABC Tech Symposium and Fall Meetings, be sure to check out our health and safety page for all the ways we’re keeping attendee, exhibitor and staff health front and center. The event takes place at The Grand Hotel in Salem, Oregon, September 27-October 1, or you can attend virtually. Register today at blueberryevents.org/.

Agronometrics is a platform that provides market performance analysis for the fresh produce industry. The firm helps clients make informed, data-driven decisions and identify marketing opportunities by leveraging data and analytics. Founder and CEO Colin Fain began his company “to help people not feel helpless” when studying data trends, and to offer a great tool for easier analysis and decision-making. In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), reports from Guadalajara, Mexico, where he was attending the annual meeting for Mexico’s berry trade association, the Aneberries Congress. While there, Fain shared how data is helping to grow the blueberry industry, provided insight into his event remarks and explained where he sees the blueberry category going in the future.“The place to start off with building any kind of data system is looking at the value that you want to drive with said data system. … As an industry starts to grow, uncertainty becomes a more and more expensive thing to deal with. Supply shocks, overstocking and not having enough inventory to move through the system becomes harder and harder to manage, and really a cost at the end of the day to the entire industry. So where you're able to consolidate the information from all the different players involved and reduce that level of uncertainty, that is a value added.” - Colin Fain“From where I’m standing … there is still hunger for this growth. And I think there is a good organization and structure to improve upon these factors and drive the consumption of blueberries.That's going to increase demand … so I'm incredibly optimistic for blueberries.” - Colin Fain Topics covered include:Fain’s background in market analysis and the value of Agronometrics for the produce industry.The development of the Mexican blueberry industry and its effects on the American market.The benefits and insights in the new report Agronometrics is creating, and how it can help blueberry producers make critical decisions.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Rex Schultz in Michigan, Doug Krahmer in Oregon, Bryan Sakuma in Washington, and Jason Smith in British Columbia. This was recorded on August 11, 2021. Fall Event RegistrationHave you registered yet for Innovate 2021: USHBC+NABC Tech Symposium and Fall Meetings? The action takes place at The Grand Hotel in Salem, Oregon, September 27-October 1, with a virtual attendance option also available. Register today at blueberryevents.org.

After years of hard work and bilateral negotiation, consumers in China can finally enjoy fresh blueberries from the United States — the birthplace of modern blueberry cultivation. This summer, the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) teamed up with Pagoda, a leading fruit retailer in China, to hold a ceremony celebrating the arrival of fresh U.S. blueberries to mainland China, the first-ever promotion of USA fresh blueberries in China.In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), and co-host Alicia Adler, USHBC and NABC vice president of global business development, talk about the significance of China being open to U.S. blueberries and the opportunities this could open for domestic blueberry growers and marketers. Joining Kasey and Alicia are Shelby Sackett and Sarah Gelpi Hooker of Bryant Christie International who talk about the foundation being created for opportunities in China.“[Establishing an office in the country] really is going to be making what you’re doing in China official, and we’re hoping that means getting blueberries over to China and opening up more doors for the industry.” - Sarah Gelpi Hooker“I already see our program being put to use. I think with Sarah and Shelby’s help, we’ve retained an in-country market representative, not only to help us through this process, but to help us develop the market and establish a program.” - Alicia AdlerTopics covered include:● The impact of gaining access for U.S. blueberries in a country of over 1 billion people.● What’s involved in opening global markets, and the USHBC’s work to do so.● Importance of global market development to the blueberry industry.● The successful arrival of fresh U.S. blueberries to China in 2021.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Rex Schultz in Michigan, Doug Krahmer in Oregon, and Bryan Sakuma in Washington. This was recorded on August 4, 2021.Marketing BoostLast week, as the crowning touch to National Blueberry Month, USHBC announced the winners of America’s Best Blueberry Pie Contest. USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks shares more about the contest that netted over 200 blueberry pie recipes from across the country.Fall Event RegistrationHave you registered yet for Innovate 2021: USHBC+NABC Tech Symposium and Fall Meetings? The action takes place at The Grand Hotel in Salem, Oregon, September 27-October 1, with a virtual attendance option also available. Register today at blueberryevents.org/.

True leadership means leaving things better than how you found them, and that’s certainly been the case with Chris Barnhill serving as chair of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC). Chris recently stepped down from this role, handing the reins over to Michigan blueberry grower Shelly Hartmann, who previously served as the organization’s vice chair. Both are longtime industry leaders who have worked selflessly over the years to serve and improve the blueberry industry. In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), speaks with Chris and Shelly about their leadership roles, the importance of unity and collaboration in the blueberry industry, and ways we can continue to work together to improve and strengthen the industry. “I think the unity of the industry and the willingness to help each other is awesome in this industry. If we lose that, then we’ve lost the game.” - Chris Barnhill“Blueberries are our livelihood, and farming is our way of life. And part of that proud tradition of being a farmer is the stewardship of the land, but it’s also the cultivation of the relationships and the respect and the care that we have for one another. That’s what this organization is about.” - Shelly HartmannTopics covered include: The impact and legacy of two longtime industry leaders.Importance of engagement and opportunities for involvement in the blueberry industry.Perspective from two industry leaders about what’s ahead for blueberries.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Matt Macrie in New Jersey, Rex Schultz in Michigan, Doug Krahmer in Oregon, Bryan Sakuma in Washington, and Jason Smith in British Columbia. This was recorded on July 28, 2021.  Marketing BoostDid you know that 73% of restaurant patrons believe blueberries make a dish more appealing, or that 64% believe they make a dish taste better? And, important for foodservice operators, that 70% indicate a willingness to pay more for dishes that include blueberries? In this week’s marketing boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks shares more about the recently completed 2021 Patron Demand Study, which provides all of this insight and more. Fall Event RegistrationHave you registered yet for Innovate 2021: USHBC+NABC Tech Symposium and Fall Meetings? The action takes place at The Grand Hotel in Salem, Oregon, September 27-October 1, with a virtual attendance option also available. But super-early-bird pricing ends July 31, so don’t delay! Register today at blueberryevents.org/.

As the next generation of blueberry growers gets more involved in the industry, the ambition, future-focused thinking, hard work and innovation they apply to their operations is a source of inspiration. This episode features one young grower who was recently named one of The Packer’s “Women in Produce,” and offers hope for the future for all involved in the blueberry business. In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), speaks with New Jersey grower and emerging industry leader Chelsea Consalo. In a wide-ranging conversation, Chelsea shares her motivations for staying involved in the family blueberry business, ways her farm has innovated and improved in recent years, and words of advice and encouragement for other young blueberry growers.  “For me, because my family has such a long history, that really motivates me. When we’re in the season, and we’re tired and we’re working really hard, I really think about what my family has built here, and I want to keep that going. I see this beautiful crop that we’ve brought to fruition and we’re getting to consumers, and that makes me really proud.” - Chelsea Consalo“I encourage other people my age to get involved [in industry leadership programs]. I feel like that’s the most important thing, to get out there and meet people because that’s how you get more involved, and you meet friends, and you meet older mentors. I think networking is how you grow the industry, and getting younger people involved is the next step.” - Chelsea ConsaloTopics covered include: Insight about New Jersey’s 2021 blueberry season.History of Consalo Family Farms, a fourth-generation blueberry operation. Innovations the operation has implemented to improve efficiencies.Perspective from an emerging leader about the importance of industry engagement and involvement early on. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Doug Krahmer in Oregon, Bryan Sakuma, Matt Macrie in New Jersey, Pat Goin in Indiana, and Jason Smith in British Columbia. This was recorded on July 21, 2021.  Fall Event RegistrationAs opportunities to gather again in person open up, the USHBC and NABC are pleased to announce that registration for Innovate 2021: USHBC+NABC Tech Symposium and Fall Meetings is now open! The action takes place at The Grand Hotel in Salem, Oregon, September 27-October 1, with a virtual attendance option also available. Don’t delay – super-early-bird pricing ends July 31! Register today at blueberryevents.org/.