Jan 12, 2016

Michigan blueberry interests ponder commission, funding arm

Michigan is expected to remain among the nation’s top blueberry production states, with projections for a 72 million pound yield in 2015, according to the North American Blueberry Council.

Some growers want to assure the strong harvest numbers continue through increased promotion and research efforts, according to Creela Hamlin, president of the Michigan Blueberry Advisory Committee (MBBAC), who spoke at the recent Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

In order to aid that process, MBBAC is leading an effort to create an organization to boost Michigan’s blueberry industry by taking advantage of Michigan Public Act 232, legislation that passed in 1965.

PA 232 provides a structure to develop a commodity group to support research, promotion and education. Growers have petitioned the Michigan Department
of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the first step in the process
to develop the commodity group. A Michigan blueberry industry referendum and acceptance of the proposal will be the final step, which organizers hope to bring to fruition early in 2016.

Organizers are awaiting MDARD’s validation of a petition drive before a committee is to be appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder. The committee would develop the particulars of the program, including setting fees – usually based on per pound of production – to be assessed to industry participants.

According to Hamlin, MBBAC is working to create a Michigan Blueberry Commission. MBBAC will not be the commission, but the new board will represent the Michigan blueberry industry, collecting funds to promote the state’s blueberries and to fund research. “It’s the best way to fund Michigan blueberry research,” Hamlin said. “Many states have blueberry commissions that fund research for specific needs for their industries. This allows these states to fund research on problems that are not national problems. Currently, Michigan blueberry research is not funded locally but depends on grants from outside the state.”

Hamlin said Michigan blueberries face intense competition from other production regions, many of which already have established state blueberry commissions to support local-focused research and promotion.

“Michigan’s ability to compete and be profitable will depend on continuing research to support the Michigan blueberry industry,” she said.

Adding to the current funding challenges, Hamlin said, is a more than 50 percent reduction in research and Extension funding over the last decade.

“There are already more than 10 different commodity organizations
in Michigan,” Hamlin said. “These organizations fund research and Extension focused on their commodities. Blueberries is a major crop in Michigan, but does not have a commission to support it.”

It was noted that national Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) resources are now the major source of funds. These funds are awarded to large groups to research specific crop issues. Hamlin said heavy weight is given to groups that have matching funds for groups that would benefit from the research.

No blueberry SCRI grants have been funded, Hamlin said.

“A major grant to research blueberry replant problems and stem cankers across the nation has not received funding
for three funding cycles,” she said. “If blueberry research is funded, it is likely that the research will be done in states that contributed funds to the research.”

Speaking during another EXPO presentation regarding blueberry replant issues, West Olive grower Dave Reenders made a point about the harmful spread of the stem gall wasp in west Michigan blueberry fields. Unlike the spotted wing drosophila, which is receiving attention from national and regional funding sources, the gall wasp is a particular challenge to Michigan crops at this time.

“It’s increasing damage to plants and fruit,” he said. “It’s not a national problem. Research needs to be supported by Michigan growers.”

He also said federal Waters of the U.S. decrees offer unique challenges to Michigan, with state Department of Environmental Quality standards being held up by EPA.

“While Farm Bureau has been working on the state law presently, we need an organization such as a blueberry industry commission that PA 232 would create to help with these problems,” Reenders said.

The PA 232 petition process has involved the collection of signatures from more than 25 percent of Michigan highbush blueberry growers. In 2011 there were 600 blueberry growers, and more than 150 signatures were required for the petition process to move forward. Each farm producing more than 2,000 pounds was entitled to one signature. MBBAC collected more than 200 signatures.

Hamlin said once the petition is validated by MDARD, the industry would submit names to serve on a working committee. The MDARD director would review the names and appoint the working committee. The committee would develop details of the program, including assessment rates.

The MDARD director and assistant attorney general would then review the proposal from the working committee and set a date for public hearings. Verbal and written comments from producers would be taken at the hearings. A seven-day public comment period would follow the public meetings.

It’s anticipated that MDARD’s director would then issue a decision within 45 days to proceed or not proceed with
 the referendum. Once the referendum is scheduled, it would be conducted by MDARD. To pass, the referendum requires approval from more than 50 percent of
the growers and more than 50 percent of acreage must be represented. Ballots would come from MDARD, and will be returned to that agency.

The referendum process usually consists of a two-week voting period. MDARD would then announce the results, and if 
it’s affirmative, applications to serve on the committee would be reviewed by MDARD. Nominations would then be forwarded to the governor, who would appoint the members.

Hamlin said additional benefits of a PA 232 for Michigan blueberries include:

• Maintaining a viable industry for future generations
• Greater ability to guide research projects
• More locally relevant knowledge on which to base farming decisions
• More involvement in Project GREEEN competitive funding decisions
• Supporting MSU researchers in being competitive for state and federal funds

Attempts to form a PA 232 for the state’s blueberry industry have been tried previously, Hamlin said, but it has been many years since the last unsuccessful process was initiated.

“For Michigan blueberry growers
to compete against other blueberry production regions, it is important that we have the most accurate information,” Hamlin said.