Blueberries

Marketers share winning sales ideas

In 2007, Giff and Mae Burnap, who run Butternut Farm in Farmington, N.H., tried something new: They gave out free u-pick apple bags at a local elementary school. The half-peck bags were given to the... more »

SWD management viewed for Southeast berry crops

The impact of spotted wing drosophila is being seen throughout the United States. It’s a primary target for those involved with the management of insect pests in berry crops. Hannah Burrack, associate professor and Extension... more »

Inflatable dancers scare off birds

If there’s one thing that can get under the skin of any farmer, it’s a flock of birds swooping down to damage crops. According to the latest statistics, bird damage is responsible for hundreds of... more »

Apple pollination driven by honeybee management

Operating a flourishing family farm near Shelburne, Mass., keeps owner Tim Smith on a busy schedule. Among the important tasks is overseeing Apex Orchards’ apple pollination and honeybee management. Smith spoke about the topic on... more »

Committee reaches farm bill agreement

Top House and Senate agriculture committee leaders announced Jan. 27 a bipartisan agreement on a five-year farm bill that among other things would eliminate direct payments, revise commodity supports, enhance crop insurance, and streamline conservation... more »

Judge vindicates Oregon farms in ‘hot goods’ case

A federal judge has vacated consent judgments that were signed by two Oregon blueberry farms at the behest of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in 2012. The judge’s decision was a victory for the... more »

China could be big market for blueberries

Speaking to a farm group in December, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said he learned from a recent trade mission to Asia that the Chinese people “love Michigan blueberries. That’s an example of the opportunities we... more »

Members appointed to blueberry council

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed nine members and their alternates to serve on the national U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. Each representative will serve a three-year term of office beginning Jan.1.Members appointed include producers... more »