Blueberries

Nominees sought for blueberry council

USDA is seeking nominations for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.The council is composed of 16 members and 16 alternates. Selected nominees would replace three members (one handler and two importers) and their respective alternates whose... more »

Michigan hort society hands out awards

The Michigan State Horticultural Society handed out two Distinguished Service Awards during the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO in December. The awards went to Al and Joe Dietrich and Earl Peterson.Al, Joe... more »

New invasive fruit fly discovered in Pennsylvania

Zaprionus indianus Gupta, commonly known in Brazil as the African fig fly (AFF), is an invasive species that was recently found in Pennsylvania for the first time, according to Penn State University.First discovered by the... more »

Michigan hort society selects blueberry grower as 2013 president

Steve Hunt will be the next president of the Michigan State Horticultural Society (MSHS). When he starts next year, Hunt, a blueberry grower from South Haven, Mich., said he intends to support the goals the... more »

SWD doing significant damage to berries

Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) hit Michigan hard in 2012. Worst off were fall red raspberry growers, who had to deal with wormy berries and customer complaints. Some decided to stop growing raspberries altogether, said Rufus... more »

New varieties diversify blueberry offerings

Anyone who grows backyard blueberries knows that some of the berries may turn pink before they finally ripen to a familiar dusty blue. When a Pink Lemonade blueberry is ripe and ready to eat, however,... more »

Hortifrut, VBM to merge

Hortifrut S.A., one of the partner/owners of Naturipe Farms LLC and the leading berry grower/exporter in Chile and South America, and Vital Berry Marketing (VBM) S.A., the second largest berry grower/exporter, have announced a merger... more »

Vilsack appoints USHBC members

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently appointed seven members and their alternates to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. Appointees will serve a three-year term of office beginning Jan. 1.Members include producers Mark D. Hurst of Sheridan,... more »