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 Estes

Topics 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 Report

The 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.