Blueberries:Blueberries:Their history and futureTheir history and future

Lydia CarlsonLydia Carlson

Background

In 2004, the average person ate half a pound of blueberries alone

USDA website lists 24 types. Blueberries grow through rhizomes,

underground root networks that spread and send up shoots

There are two general categories, Low bush (northern): thick dense

bushes, about a foot off the ground Gathered using rakes, processed

High bush (southern): more than three feet in height

Gathered by hand, produce Rabbiteye (north and south): up to

thirty feet tall both

Current practices

Pruning every two to three years encourages new growth, and is done through a variety of methods, including burning, mowing and chemical spraying.

Pesticide and herbicides and fungicides used,

Fungi is the big problem because of humidity, use lots of fungicides

Also techniques to prevent animal pests

Interview with a blueberry grower

Twenty-five acre farm that grows around 90,000 high bush blueberries; six different varieties of blueberries; each plant lasts for about 7-10 years

Peak picking time- 200 workers Did not go through contractors

Uses water from aquifer 1000 ft down Spring freezes- cover blueberries in ice

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/HS216http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/HS216

He and other farmers send their berries He and other farmers send their berries to brokerage firms (Driscoll). to brokerage firms (Driscoll). Company buys fruit from several different Company buys fruit from several different

farmers in different states and even farmers in different states and even different countries, such as Chile. The different countries, such as Chile. The farmers are all paid a weekly sum based on farmers are all paid a weekly sum based on the pool average that is brought in.the pool average that is brought in.

Certified to sell to EuroGAP, Canada, Certified to sell to EuroGAP, Canada, Asia, and GlobalGAP. Asia, and GlobalGAP. GAP stands for good agricultural practices. GAP stands for good agricultural practices. Set up standards that are meant to protect Set up standards that are meant to protect

food safety, environmental conservation, food safety, environmental conservation, welfare and safety of the workers, and welfare and safety of the workers, and animal safety animal safety

Berries # depends on chill hours (nights Berries # depends on chill hours (nights of >45) after go into dormancy; without of >45) after go into dormancy; without they do not “awaken properly”. If not they do not “awaken properly”. If not enough hours, use chemicals to enough hours, use chemicals to “awaken”. It knocks of the leaves and “awaken”. It knocks of the leaves and allows new buds to grow. Overall, it allows new buds to grow. Overall, it accelerates the growing process. It accelerates the growing process. It works differently on different varieties works differently on different varieties of plants. of plants.

January warmth brings these plants out January warmth brings these plants out of dormancy and the further the plants of dormancy and the further the plants grow after dormancy the less resilient grow after dormancy the less resilient the plants become. One of the problems the plants become. One of the problems that growers face is early freezes. that growers face is early freezes.

Health benefitsHealth benefits

High levels of antioxidants and reduce free radicals, which have been linked in weight gain and some diseases.

Have been linked with lowering risks for high cholesterol, Alzheimer's, heart disease, and osteoporosis.

Cancer?

Green revolution effectsGreen revolution effects

Low chill blueberry plants are now Low chill blueberry plants are now being developed in laboratories. being developed in laboratories.

These plants have lower chilling These plants have lower chilling requirements than high bush blueberry requirements than high bush blueberry species that are found further north. species that are found further north. Low chill blueberries would then be Low chill blueberries would then be able to come out of dormancy faster able to come out of dormancy faster and have a longer growing season. and have a longer growing season. This would expand the blueberry This would expand the blueberry season for up to six weeks as well season for up to six weeks as well

Environmental problemsEnvironmental problems

Atlantic salmon in MaineAtlantic salmon in Maine Problems over using water- needed by Problems over using water- needed by

salmonsalmon Problems with pesticides from other Problems with pesticides from other

cropscrops Spruce budworm pesticide hurts Spruce budworm pesticide hurts

pollinator populationpollinator population

Blueberries and peopleBlueberries and people

1994: > $8000 US dollars (USD). 1994: > $8000 US dollars (USD).

2005: +28 million USD2005: +28 million USD Social differences- who can afford

blueberries ExpensiveExpensive Local vs transportLocal vs transport

Import and exportImport and export

Social differences- who can afford blueberries

2 workers 35 hours to hand pick an acre 2 workers 35 hours to hand pick an acre of produce. of produce. This means it would take over a million This means it would take over a million

workers working 20 weeks/year to pick the workers working 20 weeks/year to pick the 12 million acres that are hand-picked, fresh 12 million acres that are hand-picked, fresh blueberriesblueberries

Labor issuesLabor issues Often use immigrant laborOften use immigrant labor

Treatment of workersTreatment of workers Canadian employment insuranceCanadian employment insurance

Chemical problemsChemical problems

ConclusionsConclusions

Blueberries are Blueberries are part of historypart of history

Should continue to Should continue to produceproduce Make more Make more

accessible to accessible to everyoneeveryone

Make sure they are Make sure they are grown sustainablygrown sustainably

Make sure workers Make sure workers are protectedare protected

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