California Fruit and Vegetable

Tag: The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

  • New Appointments to US Highbush Blueberry Council

    Nine members and 10 alternate members have been appointed by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to serve on the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC). Eighteen appointees will serve a three-year term beginning from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027, and one alternate appointee will serve a one-year term ending Dec. 31, 2025.

    The council is composed of 21 members, including 12 growers (four regional representatives and eight representatives from the top eight highbush blueberry-producing states); four importers; four exporters; and one public member. In addition to each council member, an alternate member is also appointed. Council members and their alternates are appointed to three-year terms and can be reappointed for one additional three-year term.

    “The blueberry industry is at a crossroads,” shared USHBC president Kasey Cronquist. “Our newly appointed council members are joining at a critical time to help ensure that our united efforts continue.”
    The newly appointed USHBC members are:
    • Western Region Member: Nathan Sakuma, Washington
    • Midwest Region Member: Katelyn Craig, Michigan
    • Northeast Region Member: Brandon J. Raso, New Jersey
    • Southern Region Member: Jody A. McPherson, North Carolina
    • Public Member: William O. Cline, North Carolina
    • Importer Member: Gonzalo de Elizalde, California
    • Exporter Member: Juan Pablo Vogt, Chile
    • Exporter Member: Daniel J. Bustamante, Peru
    • Exporter Member: Miguel Méndez, Mexico

    Newly appointed alternates are:
    • Western Region Alternate: Anne Krahmer-Steinkamp, Oregon
    • Midwest Region Alternate: Kara Lynn-Hartmann Laraway, Michigan
    • Northeast Alternate: Alec Arena, New Jersey
    • Southern Alternate: Dan J. Register, Georgia
    • Public Alternate: Patricio R. Munoz, Ph.D., Florida
    • Importer Alternate: Bonnie Lundblad, New Jersey
    • Exporter Alternate: Ruy Barbosa, Chile
    • Exporter Alternate: José Antonio Castro, Peru
    • Exporter Alternate: Raul Gonzalez Chavez, Mexico

     Alternate member appointed to fill vacancy, with a term ending Dec. 31, 2025:
    • Alternate Member: Brandon Wade, Georgia

    Since 1966, Congress has authorized industry-funded research and promotion boards like USHBC to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight to 22 boards. The oversight ensures fiscal accountability, program integrity, and it’s paid for by industry assessments.

    To read USDA’s announcement of these appointments click here.
    About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council 

    The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is an agriculture research and promotion group that represents blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas, and supports the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. The blueberry industry is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at blueberrycouncil.org.

  • Blueberries Declared Official Fruit of Major League Pickleball

    The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) today announced its partnership with Major League Pickleball (MLP by Margaritaville) for their 2024 season, promoting blueberries as “the official fruit of MLP” among a rapidly growing base of pickleball fans. One in five adult Americans, or 48 million people, play or have tried pickleball – and its popularity is growing each year at a rate of 64%. By being the first-ever produce commodity to partner with the premier organization for professional coed team pickleball, USHBC aims to increase awareness of blueberries’ benefits among pickleball enthusiasts, encouraging them to eat more blueberries for a healthy and active lifestyle.

    “Pickleball is a hugely popular sport that inspires excitement and passion – in the same way we know many people are superfans of blueberries for their deliciousness and health benefits,” said Kasey Cronquist, president of U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. “There is tremendous opportunity to capture and grow this enthusiasm through our partnership with Major League Pickleball, which will come to life throughout the season and motivate consumers to grab a boost of blue, whether they’re a fan of playing pickleball, watching it, or both.”

    Blueberries’ partnership with MLP encompasses a comprehensive national marketing promotions program that spans 11 events in as many markets across the country, kicking off with the season’s first event, MLP Atlanta (May 9-12). USHBC advertising and messages encouraging consumers to Grab a Boost of Blue will appear in linear broadcast, streaming, courtside signage, and on MLP’s social media channels, website and newsletter. Additionally, MLP’s VIP and player tents will feature blueberries for hundreds of onsite attendees to enjoy at events throughout the season.

    To complement the sponsorship, USHBC will also work directly with pickleball influencers and players to create content that demonstrates how blueberries are a perfect partner to support nutrition for athletes and active lifestyles alike. Turnkey assets for retailers, including in-store merchandising and digital materials, will also be made available to amplify July promotions at point-of-sale, via social media, online and more.

    USHBC will also launch a National Blueberry Month campaign to further boost consumption and excitement around pickleball, including plans to host special activities during MLP’s mid-season tournament taking place July 10-14 in Grand Rapids, MI. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

    For more information about MLP’s 2024 season, visit majorleaguepickleball.net. For blueberry information and inspiration, visit blueberry.org.

    About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
    The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is an agriculture research and promotion group, representing blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. The blueberry industry is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at ushbc.blueberry.org.

    About Major League Pickleball (MLP by Margaritaville)

    MLP by Margaritaville (Major League Pickleball) is the preeminent team-based professional pickleball league, featuring nearly 100 of the best athletes across 22 teams, a unique coed format, easy to understand scoring, iconic team owners, and the most electric live events and fan experience in the sport. Founded in 2021, MLP named its first-ever title sponsor, Margaritaville, branding the league MLP by Margaritaville in December 2022. For more information on Major League Pickleball, visit the official website and follow MLP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

  • Blueberry Council Receives Foreign Registration in China

    The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) recently received approval from the Chinese government for its registration as a Foreign Nongovernmental Organization (FNGO).

    When USHBC initially launched its China program, we immediately began seeking this registration to comply with the “Law on Administration of Activities of Overseas Nongovernmental Organizations in the Mainland of China,” which was implemented by the Chinese government in 2017. USHBC’s registration approval comes after working with the U.S. State Department, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Washington, D.C., and the Shanghai Public Security Bureau for more than a year-and-a-half to authenticate and submit all necessary documentation.

    By completing its FNGO registration, USHBC is now officially approved to conduct marketing activities in China. This milestone is an important step in USHBC’s China program development, and will allow us to ramp up promotional activities in the country. USHBC is excited about this next step in its China program and seeing how the market continues to develop for the industry. — U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

  • Establishing Residue Decline Curves for Pesticides in Blueberries

    The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) has collaborated with Oregon State University, Michigan State University, Ag Metrics Group and Synergistic Pesticide Laboratory, LLC to establish residue decline curves for pesticides that have no established Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) and MRLs that are lower than U.S. tolerances.

    The objective was to investigate the residual level of multiple pesticides at different consequential timings after application on blueberry, thus understanding their degradation ratio and speed for better application/harvesting strategies. These findings would in turn allow for the development of low residue programs that meet the low MRL standards.

    Specifically, research entities have applied 18 insecticides and 15 fungicides on highbush blueberries for three years in five growing sites (to account for variation in climate, varietals, and pest and disease vulnerability). Research entities sent samples to Synergistic Pesticide Laboratory LLC for chemical residue extraction and analysis over the span of three years.

    As a result of this research study, several insecticides and fungicides can be applied to blueberries for export markets that could not have been used previously. Read the full report and in-depth findings on each pesticide here. — By the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

  • California Represented in First-Ever National Blueberry Industry Leadership Program

    The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) announced the first cohort of fellows accepted into its Blueberry Industry Leadership Program. The program, launched in March, is designed to elevate up-and-coming leaders in the blueberry industry by providing in-depth training, industry education and connection to other ag leaders for passionate blueberry professionals across the supply chain.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome this group of leaders as our inaugural class of fellows,” said Amanda Griffin, USHBC’s vice president of engagement and education. “These ag professionals will guide the blueberry industry into a bright future, and we can’t wait to be a part of their journey by helping to add to their knowledge, experience and level of connection.”

    Selected as inaugural fellows in the program are:
    • Christina Butler, Director of NW and NJ Business Units, MBG Marketing
    • Gonzalo de Elizalde, Blueberry Product Leadership Sr. Director, Driscoll’s
    • Ernesto Diaz, Director of Operations, Berry Brothers
    • Anna Jesse, Vice President, Forest Hills Farms Inc.
    • Karan Kohli, Account Manager, Mastronardi Produce
    • Scott Mainord, SE Regional Sales Manager, WECO
    • Luke McCreesh, N.A. Blueberry Operations Manager, California Giant Berry Farms 
    • Jennifer Pulcipher, Director of Food Safety & Compliance, North Bay Produce Inc.
    • Darren Sinn, Northwest Business Manager, Berry Fresh LLC
    • Micah Weiss, Sales and Grower Support, Fall Creek Farm & Nursery Inc.

    The Blueberry Industry Leadership Program is the first of its kind in the blueberry industry and will help fellows grow their leadership skill set, learn from decades-long industry leaders and develop their network of connections. Professional development within the industry is a priority as members of the blueberry industry work together to make blueberries the No. 1 berry in sales volume and premium value. Fellows in the new program will lead the industry into its next period of growth.

    The fellows will begin their training this summer and continue through next year, taking an interactive approach to leadership development through hands-on training, immersive learning experiences, engagement with key industry players and exposure to the many components of the produce supply chain.

    Fellows will participate both virtually and in person, traveling four times over the course of the curriculum through August 2023, with a graduation ceremony taking place at the 2023 USHBC fall meetings.

    The second group of fellows to enter the program will be selected in the fall of 2023.