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India, the second largest country in the world by population, is a vital market for the blueberry industry. For 2021, the USHBC Export Committee increased funding for market development in India, with an emphasis on the food manufacturing and retail sectors where demand for dried and processed blueberries is rising. In this episode, we talk with two of USHBC’s India experts to understand the market conditions. Hosts Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), and Alicia Adler, vice president of USHBC and NABC, are joined by Raj Kapoor, managing director of Assocom-India Pvt. and USHBC’s in-country representative in India, and Don Van De Werken, owner of J&D Farms and USHBC Export Committee member. Cronquist and Adler sit down with Kapoor and Van De Wekren to discuss the emerging Indian market. “You don’t have to conquer all of India, you can just conquer one corner of it and you will have more business than you know what to do with.” - Don Van De Werken“Thinking about Indian culture … if you go to Dubai, it’s a small Emirates city, maybe 800,000 native or Emirates people. But there are 3,000,000 Indians that live there. The translation of what you’re doing in India can translate to the Middle East as well.”  - Don Van De WerkenTopics covered include: Overview for the blueberry industry in India.Popularity of blueberries in India compared to other fruits.What Indian food manufacturers need and want from blueberry products.Perception of blueberries as a health product among Indian consumers. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Juan Soria Morales in Mexico, Andres Armstrong in Chile, and Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on January 13th, 2021. 

Over 40 years ago in Lowell, Oregon, Dave Brazleton started Fall Creek Farm & Nursery. Since then, Fall Creek has become one of the premier blueberry breeding companies in North America and the last name “Brazelton'' is now known across the industry. In this episode, we’re joined by Dave’s son, Cort Brazleton, who is now making his own mark on the blueberry industry as the co-CEO of the nursery. Host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), is joined by Cort Brazelton, co-CEO of Fall Creek Farm & Nursery. Cronquist sits down with Brazelton to discuss the current global blueberry market dynamics and the latest trends in blueberry genetics. “One of our big goals as a company is to continue to keep the vast majority of our focus on serving the broad industry and ensuring that growers have access to competitive genetics.” - Cort Brazelton“[Highbush blueberries] stayed in that supply-building opportunity phase longer and it allowed us to keep doing a lot of the same things [we were doing at the beginning] without the pressure to innovate. Now we’re entering a phase where we have enough product at all times of the year and the market is starting to get more selective.” - Cort BrazeltonTopics covered include: Brazelton’s role at Fall Creek Farm & Nursery and the history of the company.The future of blueberry breeding and genetics, and the produce industry at large.Reducing risk on the breeding side of blueberries. Reflecting on Fall Creek’s role in the evolution of the blueberry industry.  Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Luis Vegas in Peru and Juan Soria Morales in Mexico. This was recorded on Jan. 6, 2021.

To put a punctuation mark on 2020, here are a few of the highlights from The Business of Blueberries so far. We like to think of all of our episodes as must-listens, but here are a few you might want to go back and absorb again and again. It was hard to narrow down this list to only seven, but here they are. Grab a boost of blue and enjoy the highlights from these seven episodes.Tim Hammerich is normally the producer behind the scenes of The Business of Blueberries podcast. This week, he steps in to guest host the episode that shares some highlights from 2020 episodes.“As it became clear that in-person interactions were out of the question, I helped Kasey launch this podcast as a way to keep the lines of communication open. I don’t think we could ever have predicted the level of positive response we would receive from this show.” - Tim HammerichTopics covered include: Health research with Dave Brazelton (episode 12)Inspiring possibilities and driving blueberries forward with Soren Bjorn (episodes three & four)Innovations in the southern highbush blueberry varieties with Paul Lyrene, Ph.D. (episode 26)Mechanical harvesting with Noel Sakuma (episode seven)Data-driven decision-making with Brian Bocock (episode two)Optical sorting with Ellie Norris (episode 19)Delighting customers with Tom Avinelis (episode nine)Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report will return in early January. 

Innovations in blueberry growing can come from anywhere, including other agriculture commodities. Being able to take lessons from other farming disciplines is essential when researching and adopting new technologies for blueberries. In today’s episode, we sit down with two grape industry veterans for a conversation about how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in the blueberry industry.  Hosts Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), and Rod Cook, industry veteran and chair of the Blueberry Technology and Innovation Committee, are joined by Mark DeSantis, CEO of Bloomfield Robotics, and Dennis Rak of Double A Vineyards and acting board chair of Welch’s. “How do we strip [artificial intelligence] down to the bare essentials to make it so ridiculously affordable, so that the cost of this is inconsequential?” - Mark DeSantis “The guys at Bloomfield made it pretty easy for me to use the data generated. Basically, they set up what they call a ‘dashboard,’ which allows me to go row by row and look at every plant in that row. They have the ability to count the plants in that row and to give me a percentage of how many of those plants are growing … it has been really easy to use that information.” - Dennis RakTopics covered include: Key features of the Bloomfield Robotics autonomous vehicles and products.How Rak is using Bloomfield Robotics at his operation.Setting expectations for growers adopting AI solutions.Adapting AI technology crops other than grapes. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report will return in early January.

Paul Lyrene, Ph.D., has dedicated his career to the development of early-ripening, high-quality blueberry cultivars that are productive in Florida’s humid, subtropical climate. Due to his efforts, the Florida blueberry industry has grown and flourished, and opened the door to blueberry production in other warm climates across the country and the world. On this week’s podcast, host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Paul Lyrene, Ph.D., a world-renowned plant breeder, former University of Florida horticulture professor and member of the Florida Ag Hall of Fame.“Blueberries are a plant in which the varieties are clones. That is, if you find one good plant, you chop it into one hundred million pieces and each one becomes a plant identical to the original plant.” - Paul Lyrene, Ph.D. “The flavor of a blueberry depends on both the variety and where it’s grown and how it’s grown. There are probably 1,000 different chemicals in a blueberry that are natural compounds that all have some influence on the flavor. ” - Paul Lyrene, Ph.D. Topics covered include: The history of blueberry cultivation in Florida.What brought Lyrene to the blueberry industry.The development of taste in blueberries and what goes into a good-tasting blueberry.Future improvements to blueberry cultivars.Improving private breeding program.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Luis Vegas in Peru and Juan Soria Morales in Mexico. This was recorded on Dec. 16, 2020. Marketing Boost - PassionIn this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses how to instill passion in your customer base and previews the upcoming USHBC “Grab a Boost of Blue” campaign. 

Using substrates to grow blueberries can be a time-intensive process for growers. However, if done right, substrates can create higher yields and a higher return on investment, while using less water. Substrates are a possible solution to grow more blueberries with fewer inputs. Hosts Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), and Rod Cook, industry veteran and the chair of the Blueberry Technology and Innovation Committee, are joined by Pablo Segovia of Legro Grou in The Netherlands, and Jordan Pratt, farm director for Kauai Organic Farms, to talk about the world of substrates and their uses in blueberry farming. “We used to say we were getting three times the amount of growth [using substrates] in one season as compared to our soil planting … it was definitely worth the effort … .” - Jordan Pratt“It’s really all about collecting the right ingredients and the right material.” - Pablo SegoviaTopics covered include: How Pratt started using substrates in California’s Central Valley.The scientific and technical makeup of Legro Grou’s substrate material. Pros and cons of using substrates. Building a system to accommodate substrates. The role substrates will play in the future of blueberry growing.For more information about Legro Grou, please visit their website at https://www.legro.nl/en/. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Andres Armstrong in Chile. This was recorded on Dec. 9, 2020. Marketing Boost - Thought LeadershipThought leadership is a great way to connect with customers through brand communications. In this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses the importance of thought leadership and how USHBC used this tactic at last week’s Flavor Experience virtual conference. 

There’s no question that when consumers wanted to fill their freezers during the pandemic, many of them bought frozen blueberries. While this was great to see, we had to wonder: What does it mean for frozen blueberry markets and supply chains going forward? In today’s episode, host Kasey Cronquist, USHBC/NABC president, sits down with John Shelford, a consultant to the industry and strategic adviser to Naturipe Value Added Foods, and Kimberlee Chambers, director of business development and sustainability at RainSweet. “We’ve had an 8% annual growth rate on average for the frozen pack.” - John Shelford“We can’t do what we did five years ago … we have to always be innovating and looking forward, and be willing to work together to offer new products to new markets.” - Kimberlee ChambersTopics covered include: Background on the frozen blueberry industry.The importance of food safety in frozen blueberries.How the events of 2020 have impacted consumer demand for frozen blueberries.Trends in cold storage and how it affects frozen blueberry markets.Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Andres Armstrong in Chile, and Juan Soria Morales in Mexico. This was recorded on Dec. 2, 2020. Marketing Boost - Blueberries for the HolidaysHoliday festivities will look different this year, but people will still be seeking fun and interesting ways to create a warm, cozy, connected feel to the holiday season. In this week’s Marketing Boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses how to get blueberries onto consumers’ holiday shopping lists! 

In October, Adam Winland was hired as the financial controller for NABC and USHBC, a newly created position that oversees the councils’ day-to-day accounting and provides strategic financial direction. One of Winland’s first key tasks is to conduct the annual assessment for blueberry growers. In today’s episode, host Kasey Cronquist, USHBC/NABC president, sits down with Winland for a chat about his new role, what to expect out of the upcoming assessment and how the assessment showcases the return on investment for blueberry growers. “We are perfecting this process and looking toward the future, we want to make sure  that [the process] is as fine tuned as possible.” - Adam Winland“Part of what I want to do as financial controller is be as transparent as possible with everyone involved so they know where the money is going.” - Adam WinlandTopics covered include: Winland’s background that led him to USHBC.Changes in the USHBC assessment process. The most common questions Windland receives. Transparency in the assessment process. Crop ReportThe Blueberry Crop Report will return next week.Marketing Boost - Highlighting Blueberry Health BenefitsIn the midst of a pandemic, health and wellness has an added focus and priority. In this week’s marketing boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses how highlighting the positive health effects of blueberries is a great way to advertise to your customers. 

Chile has become one of the most important countries in the world when it comes to research and development into blueberry growing, harvesting and technology. With over 38,500 acres planted with highbush blueberries, Chile is one of the largest global exporters of the fruit.  At the forefront of the Chilean blueberry industry is Andres Armstrong, executive director of the Chilean Blueberry Committee. In today’s episode, host Kasey Cronquist, USHBC/NABC president, sits down with Armstrong for a chat about all things Chilean blueberries. “When we started the committee … we wanted to look for new markets. We didn’t want to have our fruit to be concentrated in one market. ” - Andres Armstrong“If you want to develop new markets, if you want to be competitive in the market situation today, you need to provide good quality fruit. And that begins with the variety and … post-harvest technologies that allow us to get [the fruit] to the market in good quality.” - Andres ArmstrongTopics covered include: How Armstrong got started in the blueberry industry. Domestic growth of blueberry sales in Chile.The history of importing Chilean berries into the United States.Challenges of importing to Asia and European countries from Chile.Importance of varieties when importing blueberries.Collaborating between countries and committees.Crop Report - November 18, 2020 The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North America. In this episode, you’ll hear from featured guest Andres Armstrong in Chile as well as Juan Soria Morales in Mexico. This was recorded on November 18, 2020.Marketing Boost - Blueberries featured on Today.com!Widely read consumer news site Today.com, with an audience of over 27 million, featured frozen blueberries as a versatile ingredient to kick cooking fatigue for home chefs everywhere. In this week’s marketing boost, USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks breaks down the power of earned media. 

There’s been a lot in the news lately, and the biggest news for the blueberry industry came last week when blueberries made the leap from the kitchen to the keyboard. This is one more example of how our promotions program is elevating blueberries into the mainstream consciousness of the consumer. Find out what else is happening in blueberry promotions in today’s episode. Host Kasey Cronquist, USHBC/NABC president, chats with Oregon Berry Packing President and USHBC Promotions Committee Chair Jeff Malensky about the committee’s efforts to promote blueberries. “In this committee, we have a good semblance of what this industry is about from all walks of life. We all keep in perspective the growers (needs) in mind.” - Jeff Malensky“You name me (another) fruit that has the combination of fresh, frozen, dried or freeze dried. I can’t name one that I’m going to eat in (all) those different formats … and blueberries, we may not be at the top of somebody’s mind in all of those formats, but we’re darn near close to the top in all of them.” - Jeff MalenskyTopics covered include: An introduction to Jeff Malensky, newly appointed chair of the USHBC Promotions Committee.Malensky’s vision for the future of blueberry promotions.What we can all do individually and collectively to promote blueberries more effectively.The importance of bringing diverse perspectives to USHBC promotions.The Grab a Boost of Blue campaign. Crop Report - November 11, 2020 The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Andres Armstrong in Chile and Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on November 11, 2020.Marketing Boost - Blueberry Emoji! Big news for the blueberry industry and the many fans of blueberries! On November 5, the new blueberry emoji hit mobile keyboards. We’ve made it easy to spread the word with a free blueberry emoji toolkit. Get yours today: www.USHBC.org/emoji. 

While 2020 has been volatile, an industry highlight was coming together for the NABC/USHBC Virtual Conference & Expo. Attendees from across the industry and around the globe watched keynotes and presentations from every segment of the blueberry world, including health experts, genetic scientists, retail gurus and lifelong industry members. In this week’s episode, host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), walks you through the top 10 moments from this year’s virtual conference. You’ll hear from: Harry Kaiser, Ph.D., of Cornell University Michael Hyatt, CEO of Michael Hyatt & Company and author of The Vision-Driven LeaderMichael Dosset, Ph.D., research scientist with BC Berry Cultivar DevelopmentVonnie Estes, Produce Marketing Association vice president of technologyAnd many more!Marketing BoostAlso included in this week’s episode is the new Marketing Boost segment from Jennifer Sparks, USHBC and NABC vice president of marketing and communications. In this week’s Boost, Sparks talks about the sensory descriptions of blueberries and how they relate to marketing. Crop Report - November 4, 2020 The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Andres Armstrong in Chile and Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on November 4, 2020.

In recent years, advancements in optical sorting technology have been rapid. This is a result of companies like MAF-Roda Optical Sorting taking feedback from their customers and implementing changes to their optical sorters quickly. In the latest episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” we have a conversation with a manufacturer and a customer of optical sorters and discuss the benefits they bring to blueberry harvesting operations. Hosts Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), and Rod Cook, industry veteran and the chair of the Blueberry Technology and Innovation Committee, are joined by Ellie Norris of Norris Blueberry Farms and Bryan Brown off MAF-Roda Optical Sorting.“In a broad sense, a sorting machine allows us to sort imperfect blueberries from blueberries that are up to the standard we want.” - Ellie Norris“We’re looking at each piece of produce and determining the quality of it individually … When you look at the quality difference of what is the old technology and what is coming out now in the last three years, it’s a completely different deal.” - Bryan BrownTopics covered include: Norris and Brown’s background in the blueberry industry.Broad functions of optical sorters.Rapid improvement of optical sorting technology in recent years.How MAF custom makes each sorter to fit the needs of the operation.Detecting internal bruising. Labor savings from using optical sorters.Marketing BoostAlso included in this week’s episode is the new Marketing Boost segment from Jeni Sparks, USHBC and NABC vice president of marketing & communications. In this week’s Boost, Sparks touches on the importance of authenticity. Crop Report - October 28, 2020 The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Jose Luis Bustamante in Mexico and Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on October 27, 2020.

As the blueberry industry can attest, health research has been vital to the growth of the global blueberry market. While we’ve touched on blueberry health research in past episodes, it’s time to do a deep dive to better understand the current and potential health research that has been so critical to increased demand for blueberries..Host Kasey Cronquist, USHBC and NABC president, is joined by Eric Rimm, Sc.D., professor of epidemiology and nutrition, director of the program in cardiovascular epidemiology at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Rimm also sits on the USHBC Health Research Committee science advisory board. “This study would not have been possible, not just for the packets, but this was actually funded by the USHBC.” - Eric Rimm, Sc.D.“Blueberries can actually be there for swapping something out of breakfast, it can be a side for a lunch or a dinner, and it could be a replacement for dessert. Where you still get all of the satisfaction of (taking) out something, but you still get to put blueberries in.” - Eric Rimm, Sc.D. Topics covered include: Results and methods of the latest clinical trial with blueberries.Difficulties of a large-scale study.The concept of healthy swaps.The difference between “fad” diets and the research USHBC funds. The next frontier for blueberry health research. Crop Report - October 21, 2020 The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Andres Armstrong in Chile, Luis Vegas in Peru, and Jose Luis Bustamante in Mexico. This was recorded October 2020.

Newly installed as the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Jenni Sparks had an ideal introduction to the wide ranging world of the blueberry industry: attending last week’s Virtual Conference & Expo. In this episode, we get her initial impressions of the blueberry industry and reflect on the many presentations and keynotes given at last week’s conference. Host Kasey Cronquist, president of USHBC and NABC, is joined by Jenni Sparks, VP of Marketing & Communications for USHBC. “What stood out, number one, were the people...people who are extremely smart and truly believe in their product and are very excited about bringing those benefits to the consumer.” - Jenni Sparks“There was a lot of discussion about creating habits, so it’s not just a one-time purchase. It’s how do we get them coming back and wanting more and finding new and different ways to find [blueberries]?” - Jenni SparksThis episode features a conversation with Sparks. Topics include: Jenni’s background in the floral industryInitial impressions of the virtual conferenceImportance of adapting your product to consumer needsMaking research digestible for the consumer Driving “Boost of Blue” What “inspiring possibilities” means for the industry Crop Report - October 7, 2020 The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Jason Smith in British Columbia, Doug Krahmer in Oregon and Luis Vegas with a report from Peru. This was recorded on October 7, 2020.

Since the inception of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), Denny Doyle has been a leader in the organization and the voice of New Jersey blueberry growers. Continuing our conversation from last week, Doyle guides us through more blueberry history, the future of blueberry promotion and opportunities on the frozen side of blueberry production.Host Kasey Cronquist, president of USHBC and NABC, is joined by Denny Doyle, blueberry grower from New Jersey and the president of the New Jersey Blueberry Industry Advisory Council.“The overall vision [of USHBC], and I think still holds true to this day, is to bring awareness of our blueberries to the consumer. That is the primary foundation.” - Denny Doyle“Give me the same kind of professional visionaries [as the fresh side of fruit] on the frozen side of fruit. In my mind, in the short term of a long-term vision, it’s that.” - Denny DoyleThis episode is part two in a conversation with Doyle. Topics include: The foundational reasons for USHBC.Early promotion efforts by USHBC.Importance of having credible health claims.Consumption rates overseas and in the United States. What COVID-19 taught us about blueberries.Future opportunities in the frozen and manufacturing markets.USHBC/NABC Virtual Conference & Expo UpdateDue to the Virtual Conference & Expos, there was no crop call recorded this week. In its place, we’ve included a few highlights from the USHBC/NABC Virtual Conference & Expo. Enjoy!

Since the inception of U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), Denny Doyle has been a leader in the organization and the voice of New Jersey blueberry growers. Having been involved with the industry for decades, he’s seen it all. In this episode, Doyle helps us explore the history of blueberries in New Jersey and North America, from the renowned Elizabeth White to the formation of the North American Blueberry Council (NABC). Host Kasey Cronquist, president of USHBC and NABC, is joined by Denny Doyle, blueberry grower from New Jersey and the president of the New Jersey Blueberry Industry Advisory Council.“We had problems back then too … through communication and working with each other, we came up with solutions to move forward.” - Denny Doyle“There was not even a blueberry sold in California in 1973 … through the development of NABC, our industry started to expand. There was more awareness not only to consumers, but there was also awareness to other growing regions.” - Denny DoyleThis episode features a conversation with Doyle on the long, rich history of blueberries in North America and New Jersey. Topics include: Doyle’s involvement on the USHBC Good Practices Committee.The beginnings of the blueberry industry in New Jersey.Elizabeth White and the True Blue Co-op.How NABC expedited growth in the ‘70s.Lessons for new growers to take from the development of NABC.Crop Report - September 23, 2020 The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Mark Hurst from Oregon and Bryan Sakuma from Washington. This was recorded on September 23, 2020.

In 1980, Mark Hurst purchased a modest farm with 3.5 acres of raspberries, loganberries and boysenberries in Sheridan, Oregon. Since planting his first blueberries in 1982, Hurst’s company has grown exponentially, becoming a leading fresh berry shipper worldwide from farms in Oregon, California, Chile, Canada, Washington and Mexico. In this episode, we have a conversation with Hurst about where the blueberry industry has been and where it’s going. Host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Mark Hurst of Hurst’s Berry Farm and HBF International. “I think we’ve got to really make sure that is our focus: that we are unified as an industry.” - Mark HurstHBF International was started in 2011 to mark the growth of Hurst’s Berry Farm into a renowned brand. Today, Hurst splits his time between his farm and the day-to-day operation of HBF International. HBF is trusted across the globe as a year-round source for fresh berries.This episode features a conversation with Hurst about his decades of experience in the blueberry industry. Topics include: The Hurst family’s modest beginnings.Benefits of being in the blueberry industry.Establishing USHBC and how it grew the category.Maintaining growth in the blueberry industry. Changes in blueberry genetics.What it will take to launch the next blue wave.Crop Report - September 16, 2020 The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Jason Smith in British Columbia, Rex Schultz in Michigan, Doug Krahmer in Oregon and Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on September 16, 2020. 

Employing robots on a blueberry farm may sound too futuristic to take seriously, but listening to this episode might change your mind. Advancements in robotic-harvesting technology are opening up a world of possibilities for blueberry growers. In today’s podcast, we discuss how one robot is helping hand harvesters, and how it might help blueberry growers in a multitude of other ways in the future.  Hosts Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and the North American Blueberry Council, and Rod Cook, industry veteran and the chair of the Blueberry Technology and Innovation Committee, are joined by Charlie Anderson of Burro Robotics and Paul Macrie of Macrie Brothers Blueberry Farm in New Jersey.“How can I make that better? How can I make this faster? [Those are] the two things that we are always looking at.” - Paul MacrieAnderson’s Philadelphia-based company, Burro Robotics, created a robot that’s designed to help people work more productively, while building the base for more automation where it’s needed most. The “Wall-E” style robot transports blueberries and other specialty crops from where they’re picked to where they’re packed. Macrie, a blueberry grower from New Jersey, is exploring the use of this robot at his own operation. This episode features a conversation with Anderson and Macrie, and their experience with robotic hand-harvesting technology. Topics include: How Anderson and Macrie got started with robotics. How the Burro hand harvester robot works.Macrie’s experience with Burro Robotics.Future robotic applications for the blueberry industry.Price points for blueberry hand-harvesting technology. Crop Report - September 8, 2020 The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Luis Vegas in Peru, Doug Krahmer in Oregon, Bryan Sakuma in Washington, and Jason Smith in British Columbia. This was recorded on September 8, 2020. 

Research that documents the healthy properties of blueberries has been instrumental in the growth of the blueberry industry. Ever since the “Blue Wave” that created increased demand for blueberries, the blueberry industry has been at the forefront of health communications and has become a staple in health-centric diets of people across the globe. In this podcast, we talk about where blueberry health research has been and where it’s going. Host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Dave Brazelton, executive chairman of Fall Creek Farm and Nursery, and chair of the USHBC Health Research Committee.“Blueberries are a great product, but you gotta do the work and build the body of science.” - Dave BrazeltonWhile the health messaging of blueberries has been vital to the growth of the category, there’s an urgency to stay ahead of the curve in health research. Continually finding new areas to tout the benefits of blueberries will help continue the upward trend.  This episode features a conversation with Brazelton and his experience with USHBC’s health research initiatives. Topics include: Brazelton and his company, Fall Creek Farm and Nursery.How blueberries outpaced the industry in health communications. The importance of using independent science to build messaging.Finding news areas of health investigation.Supplying product for clinical trials.Crop Report - September 2, 2020 The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Bryan Sakuma in Washington, Doug Krahmer in Oregon, Rex Schultz in Michigan and Luis Vegas with a report from Peru. This was recorded on September 2, 2020. 

Expanding blueberry demand globally is top priority for USHBC. This isn’t limited to countries where blueberries are already popular, but also searching for expanding markets like Vietnam. In this episode, we have a discussion about the global demand outlook for blueberries. Hosts Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), and Alicia Adler, vice president of USHBC and NABC, are joined by Stacy Spivey, director of business development in North America at Alpine Fresh Inc. “There are so many opportunities out there. It’s just going to take some more vetting, conversations and travel.” - Stacy SpiveySearching the globe for emerging markets is important for a healthy industry with a diverse customer base. Spivey and Alpine Fresh have a wealth of experience in international trade of produce. This episode features a conversation with Spivey and his experience with the global blueberry export market. Topics include: A conversation with Adler and her role with USHBC.Opportunities for emerging blueberry markets.How the export market informs business decisions. Alpine Fresh’s experiences in Vietnam.Considerations of exporters when considering a new export market. The export learning curve.USHBC export resources.Crop Report - August 26, 2020 The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Jason Smith in British Columbia, Bryan Sakuma in Washington, Doug Krahmer in Oregon, Rex Schultz in Michigan and Luis Vegas with a report from Peru. This was recorded on August 26, 2020.