In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Steve Mantle of Innov8 Ag. Cronquist and Mantle are also joined by USHBC/NABC vice president of engagement and education Amanda Griffin to discuss the new BerrySmart Field Project.

“So the BerrySmart Field Project will bring together suppliers and solution providers … with the intent to improve blueberry production quality. …We get to test out really cool technologies that are going to advance the blueberry industry.” – Amanda Griffin

“Our focus is establishing priorities on the initial technology … to templatize something that's repeatable into a validated smart farm network that enables growers and packers and sales, the technology community, as well as researchers to collaborate on how we best optimize farm operations with better and more predictable yield outcomes.” - Steve Mantle

Topics covered include: 

• An overview of the BerrySmart Field Project and its key stakeholders. 
• The importance of exploring technology and attracting tech providers to the blueberry industry.
• How the BerrySmart Field Project will ultimately impact growers and other blueberry value chain participants.
• How the project will be carried out to meet objectives.

Crop Report

The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout key growing areas. In this episode, you’ll hear from Elizabeth Carranza in California, Brandon Wade in Georgia, Neil Moore in North Carolina, Mario Ramirez in Mexico, and Ken Patterson in Florida. This was recorded on May 25, 2022.

Marketing Boost

National Blueberry Month is coming up in July, and we have an exciting opportunity for growers to help tell the industry story! Submit a short video about your work by June 10 and we could use it at a media event later in the month. Listen to this week’s marketing boost for details about how your story can be included, then upload your video at USHBC.org/video.