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State of the WashingtonBlueberry Industry
Alan Schreiber Executive DirectorWashington Blueberry CommissionEltopia Washington
The Washington Blueberry Commission
The WBC was formed in 1969 making it one of the oldest commodity commissions in the state
Commissioners are Bryan Sakuma (Burlington) Adam Enfield (Lynden) Brenton Roy (Prosser) Todd Van Mersbergen (Lynden) Rob Dhaliwal (Everson) Leif Olson (Prosser) and Rebecca Weber (WSDA Richland)
The Washington blueberry industry is in the midst of a dramatic period of growth and change
I have been saying this for seven years
The Washington Blueberry Commission is trying to develop programming activities to change with it
Review of the 2017 season We started the season with a prediction of 140 million pounds
in April for the 2017 season Then pollination happened By June the prediction was 130 million pounds By July the Duke harvest in eastern Washington was done
moved it down to 125 million pounds By August some of the established western Washington crop
was down in part due to Duke harvest being down By October I reported 120 million pounds for Washington at
the NABCUSHBC meetings in Grand Rapids MI However there is a lot of young fruit that is coming on and
contributing to production Washington did not produce nearly as much as it could have But overall not a bad season
So how much did Washington produce this year As of today the Commission is not done calculating this As of yesterday Washington has collected assessments on 70
million pounds A number of growers and handlers have not paid their
assessments yet but are in the process of doing so I have tried to calculate how much is expected to come in
I know of 40 million pounds in assessments coming in There should be more than this coming in
We easily have 2 million pounds of blueberries that we do not collect assessments on
Collectively I project Washington produced about 120 million pounds in 2017 At this time this is an estimate could be lower
N A Highbush Blueberry ProductionRegion millions of pounds
06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17Michigan 88 91 110 100 107 71 87 115 97 72 100 88BC 62 73 75 89 90 95 115 105 152 152 160 135 Oregon 34 44 44 47 50 65 75 80 86 90 100 89Washington 18 28 29 38 39 60 70 80 96 104 120 120Georgia 21 11 31 39 56 59 71 68 96 85 67 26New Jersey 50 50 53 47 40 61 51 65 55 45 35 38North Carolin 25 14 28 34 42 37 40 39 48 48 45 25California 10 16 14 24 25 42 43 51 55 60 58 57Florida 17 25 13 20Mexico 23 27 35 46Other states 24 27 27 32 36 69 36 38 23 38 158 13Total 334 356 413 450 488 559 589 640 674 723 748 657
91 million pounds fewer BB produced in 2017 than in 2016
Perhaps as important is the 109 million pounds fewer low bush blueberries
In 2017 Washington processed more blueberries than any other location in the world
06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17Fresh 45 55 49 100 160 16 18 20 29 26 30 36 30
Processed 139 228 241 280 188 44 52 60 67 78 90 84 70Totals 184 283 290 380 348 60 70 80 96 104 120 120
Michigan processed 45 million pounds down 10 million pounds
BC processed 110 million pounds in 2016 but in 2017 processed 60 million pounds
The West Coast produced 197 million pounds of process blueberries North America produced 256 million pounds collectively in 2017 (77) In 2016 NA produced 383 in 2016 down 127 million lbs
The quite low prices in 2016 for conventional processed blueberries made a lot of growers
switch to fresh pack including machine harvesting of fresh blueberries
It will be interesting to see if this trend continues or even expands
in 2017
British Columbia did something dramatic in 2017
2014 2015 2016 2017Fresh 60 66 50 75 (50 increase)Processed 92 104 110 60 (54 decrease)Total 152 170 160 135
The switch from processed to fresh is dramatic as was the 25 million pound increase in fresh Decreasing processed pounds by 50 million in a year is amazing
(The above information was provided by the British Columbia Blueberry Council to the North American Blueberry Council)
Production estimate for 2018 Who knows Foolish to predict next yearrsquos yield Howeverhellip Assuming minimal winter injury Assuming normal pollination Assuming no drought Assuming no excessive high temperatures If 120 million pounds in 2017 If there is a combination of improved production in
established fields and increased production in young fields in all growing regions then WA could have a 15 increase in overall production
138 million pounds in 2018
The future of the Washington blueberry industry Whatcom County is the leading producer of blueberries the county has
at over 7000 acres of blueberries a record number a quarter of acres are 4 years old or younger
25 of acreage in eastern Washington was not at full capacity by the end of 2017 Yields are 20000 to 25000 pounds per acre at maturity even for organic fields
Washington is the leading producer of organic blueberries This sector is still growing significantly Will probably top out at 60 million pounds
Conventional production is growing with Snohomish and Skagit counties leading in new acres followed by Whatcom Franklin and Benton counties
Planting has moderated but more than 1000 acres are going to be planted in Washington in 2018 800 acres in Franklin County alone
Washington is not close to peaking in its production of blueberries
County of WA productionAdams 0002 Benton 0315 Clallam 0000
Clark 0008 Franklin 0028 Grant 0006 King 0002 Lewis 0035 Skagit 0062 Snohomish 0001
Spokane 0001
Thurston 0005
Walla Walla 0030 Whatcom 0435 Yakima 0028
0957
Production of Washington blueberry by county based on 2016 data
The Washington Blueberry Commission
The WBC was formed in 1969 making it one of the oldest commodity commissions in the state
Commissioners are Bryan Sakuma (Burlington) Adam Enfield (Lynden) Brenton Roy (Prosser) Todd Van Mersbergen (Lynden) Rob Dhaliwal (Everson) Leif Olson (Prosser) and Rebecca Weber (WSDA Richland)
The Washington blueberry industry is in the midst of a dramatic period of growth and change
I have been saying this for seven years
The Washington Blueberry Commission is trying to develop programming activities to change with it
Review of the 2017 season We started the season with a prediction of 140 million pounds
in April for the 2017 season Then pollination happened By June the prediction was 130 million pounds By July the Duke harvest in eastern Washington was done
moved it down to 125 million pounds By August some of the established western Washington crop
was down in part due to Duke harvest being down By October I reported 120 million pounds for Washington at
the NABCUSHBC meetings in Grand Rapids MI However there is a lot of young fruit that is coming on and
contributing to production Washington did not produce nearly as much as it could have But overall not a bad season
So how much did Washington produce this year As of today the Commission is not done calculating this As of yesterday Washington has collected assessments on 70
million pounds A number of growers and handlers have not paid their
assessments yet but are in the process of doing so I have tried to calculate how much is expected to come in
I know of 40 million pounds in assessments coming in There should be more than this coming in
We easily have 2 million pounds of blueberries that we do not collect assessments on
Collectively I project Washington produced about 120 million pounds in 2017 At this time this is an estimate could be lower
N A Highbush Blueberry ProductionRegion millions of pounds
06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17Michigan 88 91 110 100 107 71 87 115 97 72 100 88BC 62 73 75 89 90 95 115 105 152 152 160 135 Oregon 34 44 44 47 50 65 75 80 86 90 100 89Washington 18 28 29 38 39 60 70 80 96 104 120 120Georgia 21 11 31 39 56 59 71 68 96 85 67 26New Jersey 50 50 53 47 40 61 51 65 55 45 35 38North Carolin 25 14 28 34 42 37 40 39 48 48 45 25California 10 16 14 24 25 42 43 51 55 60 58 57Florida 17 25 13 20Mexico 23 27 35 46Other states 24 27 27 32 36 69 36 38 23 38 158 13Total 334 356 413 450 488 559 589 640 674 723 748 657
91 million pounds fewer BB produced in 2017 than in 2016
Perhaps as important is the 109 million pounds fewer low bush blueberries
In 2017 Washington processed more blueberries than any other location in the world
06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17Fresh 45 55 49 100 160 16 18 20 29 26 30 36 30
Processed 139 228 241 280 188 44 52 60 67 78 90 84 70Totals 184 283 290 380 348 60 70 80 96 104 120 120
Michigan processed 45 million pounds down 10 million pounds
BC processed 110 million pounds in 2016 but in 2017 processed 60 million pounds
The West Coast produced 197 million pounds of process blueberries North America produced 256 million pounds collectively in 2017 (77) In 2016 NA produced 383 in 2016 down 127 million lbs
The quite low prices in 2016 for conventional processed blueberries made a lot of growers
switch to fresh pack including machine harvesting of fresh blueberries
It will be interesting to see if this trend continues or even expands
in 2017
British Columbia did something dramatic in 2017
2014 2015 2016 2017Fresh 60 66 50 75 (50 increase)Processed 92 104 110 60 (54 decrease)Total 152 170 160 135
The switch from processed to fresh is dramatic as was the 25 million pound increase in fresh Decreasing processed pounds by 50 million in a year is amazing
(The above information was provided by the British Columbia Blueberry Council to the North American Blueberry Council)
Production estimate for 2018 Who knows Foolish to predict next yearrsquos yield Howeverhellip Assuming minimal winter injury Assuming normal pollination Assuming no drought Assuming no excessive high temperatures If 120 million pounds in 2017 If there is a combination of improved production in
established fields and increased production in young fields in all growing regions then WA could have a 15 increase in overall production
138 million pounds in 2018
The future of the Washington blueberry industry Whatcom County is the leading producer of blueberries the county has
at over 7000 acres of blueberries a record number a quarter of acres are 4 years old or younger
25 of acreage in eastern Washington was not at full capacity by the end of 2017 Yields are 20000 to 25000 pounds per acre at maturity even for organic fields
Washington is the leading producer of organic blueberries This sector is still growing significantly Will probably top out at 60 million pounds
Conventional production is growing with Snohomish and Skagit counties leading in new acres followed by Whatcom Franklin and Benton counties
Planting has moderated but more than 1000 acres are going to be planted in Washington in 2018 800 acres in Franklin County alone
Washington is not close to peaking in its production of blueberries
County of WA productionAdams 0002 Benton 0315 Clallam 0000
Clark 0008 Franklin 0028 Grant 0006 King 0002 Lewis 0035 Skagit 0062 Snohomish 0001
Spokane 0001
Thurston 0005
Walla Walla 0030 Whatcom 0435 Yakima 0028
0957
Production of Washington blueberry by county based on 2016 data
Review of the 2017 season We started the season with a prediction of 140 million pounds
in April for the 2017 season Then pollination happened By June the prediction was 130 million pounds By July the Duke harvest in eastern Washington was done
moved it down to 125 million pounds By August some of the established western Washington crop
was down in part due to Duke harvest being down By October I reported 120 million pounds for Washington at
the NABCUSHBC meetings in Grand Rapids MI However there is a lot of young fruit that is coming on and
contributing to production Washington did not produce nearly as much as it could have But overall not a bad season
So how much did Washington produce this year As of today the Commission is not done calculating this As of yesterday Washington has collected assessments on 70
million pounds A number of growers and handlers have not paid their
assessments yet but are in the process of doing so I have tried to calculate how much is expected to come in
I know of 40 million pounds in assessments coming in There should be more than this coming in
We easily have 2 million pounds of blueberries that we do not collect assessments on
Collectively I project Washington produced about 120 million pounds in 2017 At this time this is an estimate could be lower
N A Highbush Blueberry ProductionRegion millions of pounds
06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17Michigan 88 91 110 100 107 71 87 115 97 72 100 88BC 62 73 75 89 90 95 115 105 152 152 160 135 Oregon 34 44 44 47 50 65 75 80 86 90 100 89Washington 18 28 29 38 39 60 70 80 96 104 120 120Georgia 21 11 31 39 56 59 71 68 96 85 67 26New Jersey 50 50 53 47 40 61 51 65 55 45 35 38North Carolin 25 14 28 34 42 37 40 39 48 48 45 25California 10 16 14 24 25 42 43 51 55 60 58 57Florida 17 25 13 20Mexico 23 27 35 46Other states 24 27 27 32 36 69 36 38 23 38 158 13Total 334 356 413 450 488 559 589 640 674 723 748 657
91 million pounds fewer BB produced in 2017 than in 2016
Perhaps as important is the 109 million pounds fewer low bush blueberries
In 2017 Washington processed more blueberries than any other location in the world
06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17Fresh 45 55 49 100 160 16 18 20 29 26 30 36 30
Processed 139 228 241 280 188 44 52 60 67 78 90 84 70Totals 184 283 290 380 348 60 70 80 96 104 120 120
Michigan processed 45 million pounds down 10 million pounds
BC processed 110 million pounds in 2016 but in 2017 processed 60 million pounds
The West Coast produced 197 million pounds of process blueberries North America produced 256 million pounds collectively in 2017 (77) In 2016 NA produced 383 in 2016 down 127 million lbs
The quite low prices in 2016 for conventional processed blueberries made a lot of growers
switch to fresh pack including machine harvesting of fresh blueberries
It will be interesting to see if this trend continues or even expands
in 2017
British Columbia did something dramatic in 2017
2014 2015 2016 2017Fresh 60 66 50 75 (50 increase)Processed 92 104 110 60 (54 decrease)Total 152 170 160 135
The switch from processed to fresh is dramatic as was the 25 million pound increase in fresh Decreasing processed pounds by 50 million in a year is amazing
(The above information was provided by the British Columbia Blueberry Council to the North American Blueberry Council)
Production estimate for 2018 Who knows Foolish to predict next yearrsquos yield Howeverhellip Assuming minimal winter injury Assuming normal pollination Assuming no drought Assuming no excessive high temperatures If 120 million pounds in 2017 If there is a combination of improved production in
established fields and increased production in young fields in all growing regions then WA could have a 15 increase in overall production
138 million pounds in 2018
The future of the Washington blueberry industry Whatcom County is the leading producer of blueberries the county has
at over 7000 acres of blueberries a record number a quarter of acres are 4 years old or younger
25 of acreage in eastern Washington was not at full capacity by the end of 2017 Yields are 20000 to 25000 pounds per acre at maturity even for organic fields
Washington is the leading producer of organic blueberries This sector is still growing significantly Will probably top out at 60 million pounds
Conventional production is growing with Snohomish and Skagit counties leading in new acres followed by Whatcom Franklin and Benton counties
Planting has moderated but more than 1000 acres are going to be planted in Washington in 2018 800 acres in Franklin County alone
Washington is not close to peaking in its production of blueberries
County of WA productionAdams 0002 Benton 0315 Clallam 0000
Clark 0008 Franklin 0028 Grant 0006 King 0002 Lewis 0035 Skagit 0062 Snohomish 0001
Spokane 0001
Thurston 0005
Walla Walla 0030 Whatcom 0435 Yakima 0028
0957
Production of Washington blueberry by county based on 2016 data
So how much did Washington produce this year As of today the Commission is not done calculating this As of yesterday Washington has collected assessments on 70
million pounds A number of growers and handlers have not paid their
assessments yet but are in the process of doing so I have tried to calculate how much is expected to come in
I know of 40 million pounds in assessments coming in There should be more than this coming in
We easily have 2 million pounds of blueberries that we do not collect assessments on
Collectively I project Washington produced about 120 million pounds in 2017 At this time this is an estimate could be lower
N A Highbush Blueberry ProductionRegion millions of pounds
06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17Michigan 88 91 110 100 107 71 87 115 97 72 100 88BC 62 73 75 89 90 95 115 105 152 152 160 135 Oregon 34 44 44 47 50 65 75 80 86 90 100 89Washington 18 28 29 38 39 60 70 80 96 104 120 120Georgia 21 11 31 39 56 59 71 68 96 85 67 26New Jersey 50 50 53 47 40 61 51 65 55 45 35 38North Carolin 25 14 28 34 42 37 40 39 48 48 45 25California 10 16 14 24 25 42 43 51 55 60 58 57Florida 17 25 13 20Mexico 23 27 35 46Other states 24 27 27 32 36 69 36 38 23 38 158 13Total 334 356 413 450 488 559 589 640 674 723 748 657
91 million pounds fewer BB produced in 2017 than in 2016
Perhaps as important is the 109 million pounds fewer low bush blueberries
In 2017 Washington processed more blueberries than any other location in the world
06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17Fresh 45 55 49 100 160 16 18 20 29 26 30 36 30
Processed 139 228 241 280 188 44 52 60 67 78 90 84 70Totals 184 283 290 380 348 60 70 80 96 104 120 120
Michigan processed 45 million pounds down 10 million pounds
BC processed 110 million pounds in 2016 but in 2017 processed 60 million pounds
The West Coast produced 197 million pounds of process blueberries North America produced 256 million pounds collectively in 2017 (77) In 2016 NA produced 383 in 2016 down 127 million lbs
The quite low prices in 2016 for conventional processed blueberries made a lot of growers
switch to fresh pack including machine harvesting of fresh blueberries
It will be interesting to see if this trend continues or even expands
in 2017
British Columbia did something dramatic in 2017
2014 2015 2016 2017Fresh 60 66 50 75 (50 increase)Processed 92 104 110 60 (54 decrease)Total 152 170 160 135
The switch from processed to fresh is dramatic as was the 25 million pound increase in fresh Decreasing processed pounds by 50 million in a year is amazing
(The above information was provided by the British Columbia Blueberry Council to the North American Blueberry Council)
Production estimate for 2018 Who knows Foolish to predict next yearrsquos yield Howeverhellip Assuming minimal winter injury Assuming normal pollination Assuming no drought Assuming no excessive high temperatures If 120 million pounds in 2017 If there is a combination of improved production in
established fields and increased production in young fields in all growing regions then WA could have a 15 increase in overall production
138 million pounds in 2018
The future of the Washington blueberry industry Whatcom County is the leading producer of blueberries the county has
at over 7000 acres of blueberries a record number a quarter of acres are 4 years old or younger
25 of acreage in eastern Washington was not at full capacity by the end of 2017 Yields are 20000 to 25000 pounds per acre at maturity even for organic fields
Washington is the leading producer of organic blueberries This sector is still growing significantly Will probably top out at 60 million pounds
Conventional production is growing with Snohomish and Skagit counties leading in new acres followed by Whatcom Franklin and Benton counties
Planting has moderated but more than 1000 acres are going to be planted in Washington in 2018 800 acres in Franklin County alone
Washington is not close to peaking in its production of blueberries
County of WA productionAdams 0002 Benton 0315 Clallam 0000
Clark 0008 Franklin 0028 Grant 0006 King 0002 Lewis 0035 Skagit 0062 Snohomish 0001
Spokane 0001
Thurston 0005
Walla Walla 0030 Whatcom 0435 Yakima 0028
0957
Production of Washington blueberry by county based on 2016 data
N A Highbush Blueberry ProductionRegion millions of pounds
06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17Michigan 88 91 110 100 107 71 87 115 97 72 100 88BC 62 73 75 89 90 95 115 105 152 152 160 135 Oregon 34 44 44 47 50 65 75 80 86 90 100 89Washington 18 28 29 38 39 60 70 80 96 104 120 120Georgia 21 11 31 39 56 59 71 68 96 85 67 26New Jersey 50 50 53 47 40 61 51 65 55 45 35 38North Carolin 25 14 28 34 42 37 40 39 48 48 45 25California 10 16 14 24 25 42 43 51 55 60 58 57Florida 17 25 13 20Mexico 23 27 35 46Other states 24 27 27 32 36 69 36 38 23 38 158 13Total 334 356 413 450 488 559 589 640 674 723 748 657
91 million pounds fewer BB produced in 2017 than in 2016
Perhaps as important is the 109 million pounds fewer low bush blueberries
In 2017 Washington processed more blueberries than any other location in the world
06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17Fresh 45 55 49 100 160 16 18 20 29 26 30 36 30
Processed 139 228 241 280 188 44 52 60 67 78 90 84 70Totals 184 283 290 380 348 60 70 80 96 104 120 120
Michigan processed 45 million pounds down 10 million pounds
BC processed 110 million pounds in 2016 but in 2017 processed 60 million pounds
The West Coast produced 197 million pounds of process blueberries North America produced 256 million pounds collectively in 2017 (77) In 2016 NA produced 383 in 2016 down 127 million lbs
The quite low prices in 2016 for conventional processed blueberries made a lot of growers
switch to fresh pack including machine harvesting of fresh blueberries
It will be interesting to see if this trend continues or even expands
in 2017
British Columbia did something dramatic in 2017
2014 2015 2016 2017Fresh 60 66 50 75 (50 increase)Processed 92 104 110 60 (54 decrease)Total 152 170 160 135
The switch from processed to fresh is dramatic as was the 25 million pound increase in fresh Decreasing processed pounds by 50 million in a year is amazing
(The above information was provided by the British Columbia Blueberry Council to the North American Blueberry Council)
Production estimate for 2018 Who knows Foolish to predict next yearrsquos yield Howeverhellip Assuming minimal winter injury Assuming normal pollination Assuming no drought Assuming no excessive high temperatures If 120 million pounds in 2017 If there is a combination of improved production in
established fields and increased production in young fields in all growing regions then WA could have a 15 increase in overall production
138 million pounds in 2018
The future of the Washington blueberry industry Whatcom County is the leading producer of blueberries the county has
at over 7000 acres of blueberries a record number a quarter of acres are 4 years old or younger
25 of acreage in eastern Washington was not at full capacity by the end of 2017 Yields are 20000 to 25000 pounds per acre at maturity even for organic fields
Washington is the leading producer of organic blueberries This sector is still growing significantly Will probably top out at 60 million pounds
Conventional production is growing with Snohomish and Skagit counties leading in new acres followed by Whatcom Franklin and Benton counties
Planting has moderated but more than 1000 acres are going to be planted in Washington in 2018 800 acres in Franklin County alone
Washington is not close to peaking in its production of blueberries
County of WA productionAdams 0002 Benton 0315 Clallam 0000
Clark 0008 Franklin 0028 Grant 0006 King 0002 Lewis 0035 Skagit 0062 Snohomish 0001
Spokane 0001
Thurston 0005
Walla Walla 0030 Whatcom 0435 Yakima 0028
0957
Production of Washington blueberry by county based on 2016 data
In 2017 Washington processed more blueberries than any other location in the world
06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17Fresh 45 55 49 100 160 16 18 20 29 26 30 36 30
Processed 139 228 241 280 188 44 52 60 67 78 90 84 70Totals 184 283 290 380 348 60 70 80 96 104 120 120
Michigan processed 45 million pounds down 10 million pounds
BC processed 110 million pounds in 2016 but in 2017 processed 60 million pounds
The West Coast produced 197 million pounds of process blueberries North America produced 256 million pounds collectively in 2017 (77) In 2016 NA produced 383 in 2016 down 127 million lbs
The quite low prices in 2016 for conventional processed blueberries made a lot of growers
switch to fresh pack including machine harvesting of fresh blueberries
It will be interesting to see if this trend continues or even expands
in 2017
British Columbia did something dramatic in 2017
2014 2015 2016 2017Fresh 60 66 50 75 (50 increase)Processed 92 104 110 60 (54 decrease)Total 152 170 160 135
The switch from processed to fresh is dramatic as was the 25 million pound increase in fresh Decreasing processed pounds by 50 million in a year is amazing
(The above information was provided by the British Columbia Blueberry Council to the North American Blueberry Council)
Production estimate for 2018 Who knows Foolish to predict next yearrsquos yield Howeverhellip Assuming minimal winter injury Assuming normal pollination Assuming no drought Assuming no excessive high temperatures If 120 million pounds in 2017 If there is a combination of improved production in
established fields and increased production in young fields in all growing regions then WA could have a 15 increase in overall production
138 million pounds in 2018
The future of the Washington blueberry industry Whatcom County is the leading producer of blueberries the county has
at over 7000 acres of blueberries a record number a quarter of acres are 4 years old or younger
25 of acreage in eastern Washington was not at full capacity by the end of 2017 Yields are 20000 to 25000 pounds per acre at maturity even for organic fields
Washington is the leading producer of organic blueberries This sector is still growing significantly Will probably top out at 60 million pounds
Conventional production is growing with Snohomish and Skagit counties leading in new acres followed by Whatcom Franklin and Benton counties
Planting has moderated but more than 1000 acres are going to be planted in Washington in 2018 800 acres in Franklin County alone
Washington is not close to peaking in its production of blueberries
County of WA productionAdams 0002 Benton 0315 Clallam 0000
Clark 0008 Franklin 0028 Grant 0006 King 0002 Lewis 0035 Skagit 0062 Snohomish 0001
Spokane 0001
Thurston 0005
Walla Walla 0030 Whatcom 0435 Yakima 0028
0957
Production of Washington blueberry by county based on 2016 data
The quite low prices in 2016 for conventional processed blueberries made a lot of growers
switch to fresh pack including machine harvesting of fresh blueberries
It will be interesting to see if this trend continues or even expands
in 2017
British Columbia did something dramatic in 2017
2014 2015 2016 2017Fresh 60 66 50 75 (50 increase)Processed 92 104 110 60 (54 decrease)Total 152 170 160 135
The switch from processed to fresh is dramatic as was the 25 million pound increase in fresh Decreasing processed pounds by 50 million in a year is amazing
(The above information was provided by the British Columbia Blueberry Council to the North American Blueberry Council)
Production estimate for 2018 Who knows Foolish to predict next yearrsquos yield Howeverhellip Assuming minimal winter injury Assuming normal pollination Assuming no drought Assuming no excessive high temperatures If 120 million pounds in 2017 If there is a combination of improved production in
established fields and increased production in young fields in all growing regions then WA could have a 15 increase in overall production
138 million pounds in 2018
The future of the Washington blueberry industry Whatcom County is the leading producer of blueberries the county has
at over 7000 acres of blueberries a record number a quarter of acres are 4 years old or younger
25 of acreage in eastern Washington was not at full capacity by the end of 2017 Yields are 20000 to 25000 pounds per acre at maturity even for organic fields
Washington is the leading producer of organic blueberries This sector is still growing significantly Will probably top out at 60 million pounds
Conventional production is growing with Snohomish and Skagit counties leading in new acres followed by Whatcom Franklin and Benton counties
Planting has moderated but more than 1000 acres are going to be planted in Washington in 2018 800 acres in Franklin County alone
Washington is not close to peaking in its production of blueberries
County of WA productionAdams 0002 Benton 0315 Clallam 0000
Clark 0008 Franklin 0028 Grant 0006 King 0002 Lewis 0035 Skagit 0062 Snohomish 0001
Spokane 0001
Thurston 0005
Walla Walla 0030 Whatcom 0435 Yakima 0028
0957
Production of Washington blueberry by county based on 2016 data
British Columbia did something dramatic in 2017
2014 2015 2016 2017Fresh 60 66 50 75 (50 increase)Processed 92 104 110 60 (54 decrease)Total 152 170 160 135
The switch from processed to fresh is dramatic as was the 25 million pound increase in fresh Decreasing processed pounds by 50 million in a year is amazing
(The above information was provided by the British Columbia Blueberry Council to the North American Blueberry Council)
Production estimate for 2018 Who knows Foolish to predict next yearrsquos yield Howeverhellip Assuming minimal winter injury Assuming normal pollination Assuming no drought Assuming no excessive high temperatures If 120 million pounds in 2017 If there is a combination of improved production in
established fields and increased production in young fields in all growing regions then WA could have a 15 increase in overall production
138 million pounds in 2018
The future of the Washington blueberry industry Whatcom County is the leading producer of blueberries the county has
at over 7000 acres of blueberries a record number a quarter of acres are 4 years old or younger
25 of acreage in eastern Washington was not at full capacity by the end of 2017 Yields are 20000 to 25000 pounds per acre at maturity even for organic fields
Washington is the leading producer of organic blueberries This sector is still growing significantly Will probably top out at 60 million pounds
Conventional production is growing with Snohomish and Skagit counties leading in new acres followed by Whatcom Franklin and Benton counties
Planting has moderated but more than 1000 acres are going to be planted in Washington in 2018 800 acres in Franklin County alone
Washington is not close to peaking in its production of blueberries
County of WA productionAdams 0002 Benton 0315 Clallam 0000
Clark 0008 Franklin 0028 Grant 0006 King 0002 Lewis 0035 Skagit 0062 Snohomish 0001
Spokane 0001
Thurston 0005
Walla Walla 0030 Whatcom 0435 Yakima 0028
0957
Production of Washington blueberry by county based on 2016 data
Production estimate for 2018 Who knows Foolish to predict next yearrsquos yield Howeverhellip Assuming minimal winter injury Assuming normal pollination Assuming no drought Assuming no excessive high temperatures If 120 million pounds in 2017 If there is a combination of improved production in
established fields and increased production in young fields in all growing regions then WA could have a 15 increase in overall production
138 million pounds in 2018
The future of the Washington blueberry industry Whatcom County is the leading producer of blueberries the county has
at over 7000 acres of blueberries a record number a quarter of acres are 4 years old or younger
25 of acreage in eastern Washington was not at full capacity by the end of 2017 Yields are 20000 to 25000 pounds per acre at maturity even for organic fields
Washington is the leading producer of organic blueberries This sector is still growing significantly Will probably top out at 60 million pounds
Conventional production is growing with Snohomish and Skagit counties leading in new acres followed by Whatcom Franklin and Benton counties
Planting has moderated but more than 1000 acres are going to be planted in Washington in 2018 800 acres in Franklin County alone
Washington is not close to peaking in its production of blueberries
County of WA productionAdams 0002 Benton 0315 Clallam 0000
Clark 0008 Franklin 0028 Grant 0006 King 0002 Lewis 0035 Skagit 0062 Snohomish 0001
Spokane 0001
Thurston 0005
Walla Walla 0030 Whatcom 0435 Yakima 0028
0957
Production of Washington blueberry by county based on 2016 data
The future of the Washington blueberry industry Whatcom County is the leading producer of blueberries the county has
at over 7000 acres of blueberries a record number a quarter of acres are 4 years old or younger
25 of acreage in eastern Washington was not at full capacity by the end of 2017 Yields are 20000 to 25000 pounds per acre at maturity even for organic fields
Washington is the leading producer of organic blueberries This sector is still growing significantly Will probably top out at 60 million pounds
Conventional production is growing with Snohomish and Skagit counties leading in new acres followed by Whatcom Franklin and Benton counties
Planting has moderated but more than 1000 acres are going to be planted in Washington in 2018 800 acres in Franklin County alone
Washington is not close to peaking in its production of blueberries
County of WA productionAdams 0002 Benton 0315 Clallam 0000
Clark 0008 Franklin 0028 Grant 0006 King 0002 Lewis 0035 Skagit 0062 Snohomish 0001
Spokane 0001
Thurston 0005
Walla Walla 0030 Whatcom 0435 Yakima 0028
0957
Production of Washington blueberry by county based on 2016 data
County of WA productionAdams 0002 Benton 0315 Clallam 0000
Clark 0008 Franklin 0028 Grant 0006 King 0002 Lewis 0035 Skagit 0062 Snohomish 0001
Spokane 0001
Thurston 0005
Walla Walla 0030 Whatcom 0435 Yakima 0028
0957
Production of Washington blueberry by county based on 2016 data
Washington blueberry production by Eastern and Western growing regions and number
of growers
Eastern Washington 043 (30)
Western Washington 057 (200)
60 of Washington growers are in Whatcom County
1This assumes full production at maturity which would be defined at 2025These are projections and assume somewhat ideal conditions and that nofields are removed from production
Does not include production from post 2018 plantings
Projected production in 2025 assuming all plantings planted as of 2018 are fully bearing
Estimated Washington Blueberry Production in 2025
Planted Estimated Estimated
Location Acres Yieldacre Production Fresh2 Processed2
E Washington 6000 15000 90000000 27000000 63000000 Whatcom 7250 10000 72500000 14500000 58000000 Skagit 3000 10000 30000000 9000000 21000000 Lewis 350 10000 3500000 2625000 875000 Snohomish 1500 10000 15000000 4500000 18000000 Other 1500 8000 12000000 4800000 7200000
19600 12000 223000000 62425000 168075000
2Production estimates based on full production when 2018 plants are established
Assumes no plantings removed
Assumes plantingstops
1828 29
38 39
6070
8090
110120 120
140
165
190
205
0
50
100
150
200
250
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
Lbs o
f Blu
eber
ries (
mill
ion)
Year
Washiongton Blueberry Production Projection
What is the WBC doing with your assessments
Our assessment is $8 per ton or 4 cents per pound by the way one of the lowest blueberry assessments in the US
The Washington blueberry industry is expanding and the Commission is expanding proportionally
We have standing committees for Research Promotions and Export and Food Safety and Labor
We have a small in-state fresh promotion program
Research will continue to be the leading focus about half of assessment dollars go to research
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
WBC administrative costs are budgeted at 19 and are increasing at less than half the rate of assessment growth
Actual expenditures are close to 16
Administration
Supplies Postage amp Copies 4200
WSDA - nominations1000
TravelMeetings 6000
Administrative Service (ADG)
60000
Financial Review 2000 NABC Dues 1000
Conference Calls 1000
Attorney General 1500 WSDA 750OFM (Fidelity Bond) 50
OFM (self-ins prem) 1000
Total Administration 78500
Promotions Bear in mind that the US Highbush Blueberry Council
has THE money and is THE entity to handle national and international marketing promotions and generic research Their budget is over $6 million
The Commissions focus is on promoting fresh in-season in-state blueberries may try to expand efforts supporting farmers markets and u-pick operations
We have a contract with a Seattle public relations company
We provide farmers market promotional materials and about 25 of all growers in the state used the program
If you have U-Pick or roadside stand we can help you Superbluesnet
Research Roughly 50 of WBC funds support research The impetus to start the WBC in 1969 was to fund
research (mummy berry) and it has largely been a research funding commission ever since
The Research Committee sets priorities ranks proposals and makes recommendations to the full Commission
2017 we funded 16 projects for $236000
2016 we funded 15 projects for $206000
2015 15 projects were funded for $185000 2006 4 projects were funded for $17000
Leighton Overson is the Chair of the Research Committee
Title ResearcherInstit Request RankFungicide Decline Curves for Blueberry to Assist Growers in Meeting MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $19250 32Developing Organic Controls for SWD in Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $14600 47Blueberry Tissue Nutrient Standards for Washington Production Davenport JoanWSU $40648 50Modeling Blueberry Cold Hardiness in Washington HoheiselGwenWSU $37637 50Testing of Several Herbicide Programs in Blueberry Miller Timothy WSU $8341 55Mummy Berry of Blueberry Updates Prediction Model Validation and Fungicide Resistance Harteveld DalphyWSU $15474 57Harmonization of MRLs - Dealing with Impossible to Meet MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $5000 60Do Herbicides Used on Blueberries Create Obstacles to Exports Schreiber AlanADG $8000 82Improvement of Pollination through Pollinator Supplementation in Washington Highbush Blueberry DeVetter LisaWSU $13957 97Non-toxic RANi-based biopesticide to control SWD Choi Man-YeonUSDA-ARS $5000 103A wake up call for rhizomes Can exogenously applied phytohormones disrupt apical dominance deplete stored resources and make field bindweed more susceptible to control Sosnoskie Lynn WSU $3411 115Control of Mummy Berry in Organic Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $11625 118Assessing Blueberry virus Risks in Washington Blueberry Scorch Shock and Surveys of Washington Blueberry Fields for Aphids Walters Thomas $10000 125Developing commercial blueberry cultivars adapted to the Pacific Northwest with an emphasis on tolerance of Blueberry shock virus (BIShV) Finn Chad USDA-ARS $8802 133Root Weevil Research Project Gerdeman Beverly WSU $14255 160Laboratory Equipment for Small Fruit Pathology at NWREC Peever TobinWSU $20000
Exporting Blueberries Washington the US Canada North America South America the
Western Hemisphere is facing an over supply of blueberries
Part of dealing with Washingtonrsquos supply has to be exports particularly to the Pacific Rim
Few blueberry growing regions are better situated to take advantage of this than is Washington
Oregon has fresh access to South Korea BC Oregon and California have aggressive export market
development programs
The West Coast is more export oriented than the rest of the US blueberry industry trying to push the USHBC to work more in this area
Developing export markets is my biggest area of frustration Washington has to develop export markets Washington has teamed up with California on a joint project to get into
South Korea Vietnam Philippines China and Australia early
We hope to ship to South Korea in 3 years or so (same thing I said two years ago) and Australia not longer after
Exports is WBCrsquos biggest area of increased effort Our focus is just on processed and fresh blueberries It is very difficult for a state to open up export market It
is a nation to nation process It hard expensive time consuming and frustrating We are teaming up with Oregon on a trade mission to Viet
Nam and the Philippines as these are the markets expected to open up next for blueberries
Looking for export market ideas
Food Safety and Labor
The Food Safety Modernization Act will require some significant changes in how we handle berries
The WRRC and the WBC are planning to team up to offer FISMA training
FISMA training is required by 2018 with enforcement actions starting in 2019
8 hour training that has some very specific requirements Washington State is requiring paid sick leave for
farmworkers (and all employees) some other new rules that will require a lot of recordkeeping
Our industry is rapidly evolving
Want to go over some positive developments and point out some
areas where there are issues
Concerns that I have The Washington blueberry industry has not ascended to its
appropriate position at the national level We need to have more North American Blueberry Council
members We are the largest producers and have the fewest members on the NABC
Washington needs more representatives on the US Highbush Council
I do not feel like the WBC is making enough progress opening export markets Long hard slog to open foreign markets
The PNW Small Fruit Research Center does not provide the Washington blueberry industry support commensurate to our needs
Imports are not helping us particularly on the processed side
Latin America etc ramping up exports to Asia
The number 1 export destination for Latin America blueberries is the US
Imports are up a lot Watch out for Peru I presided over the demise of the
Washington asparagus industry as it was decimated by Peruvian imports
Peru can produce 52 weeks a year Low cost of production High yields We are teaching them every thing the need to know
Washington continues to plant blueberries
It took WA over 60 years to get to 100 million pounds and between 2014 and 2024it will grow from 100 to 200 million pounds Are we ready for this
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
1This assumes full production at maturity which would be defined at 2025These are projections and assume somewhat ideal conditions and that nofields are removed from production
Does not include production from post 2018 plantings
Projected production in 2025 assuming all plantings planted as of 2018 are fully bearing
Estimated Washington Blueberry Production in 2025
Planted Estimated Estimated
Location Acres Yieldacre Production Fresh2 Processed2
E Washington 6000 15000 90000000 27000000 63000000 Whatcom 7250 10000 72500000 14500000 58000000 Skagit 3000 10000 30000000 9000000 21000000 Lewis 350 10000 3500000 2625000 875000 Snohomish 1500 10000 15000000 4500000 18000000 Other 1500 8000 12000000 4800000 7200000
19600 12000 223000000 62425000 168075000
2Production estimates based on full production when 2018 plants are established
Assumes no plantings removed
Assumes plantingstops
1828 29
38 39
6070
8090
110120 120
140
165
190
205
0
50
100
150
200
250
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
Lbs o
f Blu
eber
ries (
mill
ion)
Year
Washiongton Blueberry Production Projection
What is the WBC doing with your assessments
Our assessment is $8 per ton or 4 cents per pound by the way one of the lowest blueberry assessments in the US
The Washington blueberry industry is expanding and the Commission is expanding proportionally
We have standing committees for Research Promotions and Export and Food Safety and Labor
We have a small in-state fresh promotion program
Research will continue to be the leading focus about half of assessment dollars go to research
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
WBC administrative costs are budgeted at 19 and are increasing at less than half the rate of assessment growth
Actual expenditures are close to 16
Administration
Supplies Postage amp Copies 4200
WSDA - nominations1000
TravelMeetings 6000
Administrative Service (ADG)
60000
Financial Review 2000 NABC Dues 1000
Conference Calls 1000
Attorney General 1500 WSDA 750OFM (Fidelity Bond) 50
OFM (self-ins prem) 1000
Total Administration 78500
Promotions Bear in mind that the US Highbush Blueberry Council
has THE money and is THE entity to handle national and international marketing promotions and generic research Their budget is over $6 million
The Commissions focus is on promoting fresh in-season in-state blueberries may try to expand efforts supporting farmers markets and u-pick operations
We have a contract with a Seattle public relations company
We provide farmers market promotional materials and about 25 of all growers in the state used the program
If you have U-Pick or roadside stand we can help you Superbluesnet
Research Roughly 50 of WBC funds support research The impetus to start the WBC in 1969 was to fund
research (mummy berry) and it has largely been a research funding commission ever since
The Research Committee sets priorities ranks proposals and makes recommendations to the full Commission
2017 we funded 16 projects for $236000
2016 we funded 15 projects for $206000
2015 15 projects were funded for $185000 2006 4 projects were funded for $17000
Leighton Overson is the Chair of the Research Committee
Title ResearcherInstit Request RankFungicide Decline Curves for Blueberry to Assist Growers in Meeting MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $19250 32Developing Organic Controls for SWD in Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $14600 47Blueberry Tissue Nutrient Standards for Washington Production Davenport JoanWSU $40648 50Modeling Blueberry Cold Hardiness in Washington HoheiselGwenWSU $37637 50Testing of Several Herbicide Programs in Blueberry Miller Timothy WSU $8341 55Mummy Berry of Blueberry Updates Prediction Model Validation and Fungicide Resistance Harteveld DalphyWSU $15474 57Harmonization of MRLs - Dealing with Impossible to Meet MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $5000 60Do Herbicides Used on Blueberries Create Obstacles to Exports Schreiber AlanADG $8000 82Improvement of Pollination through Pollinator Supplementation in Washington Highbush Blueberry DeVetter LisaWSU $13957 97Non-toxic RANi-based biopesticide to control SWD Choi Man-YeonUSDA-ARS $5000 103A wake up call for rhizomes Can exogenously applied phytohormones disrupt apical dominance deplete stored resources and make field bindweed more susceptible to control Sosnoskie Lynn WSU $3411 115Control of Mummy Berry in Organic Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $11625 118Assessing Blueberry virus Risks in Washington Blueberry Scorch Shock and Surveys of Washington Blueberry Fields for Aphids Walters Thomas $10000 125Developing commercial blueberry cultivars adapted to the Pacific Northwest with an emphasis on tolerance of Blueberry shock virus (BIShV) Finn Chad USDA-ARS $8802 133Root Weevil Research Project Gerdeman Beverly WSU $14255 160Laboratory Equipment for Small Fruit Pathology at NWREC Peever TobinWSU $20000
Exporting Blueberries Washington the US Canada North America South America the
Western Hemisphere is facing an over supply of blueberries
Part of dealing with Washingtonrsquos supply has to be exports particularly to the Pacific Rim
Few blueberry growing regions are better situated to take advantage of this than is Washington
Oregon has fresh access to South Korea BC Oregon and California have aggressive export market
development programs
The West Coast is more export oriented than the rest of the US blueberry industry trying to push the USHBC to work more in this area
Developing export markets is my biggest area of frustration Washington has to develop export markets Washington has teamed up with California on a joint project to get into
South Korea Vietnam Philippines China and Australia early
We hope to ship to South Korea in 3 years or so (same thing I said two years ago) and Australia not longer after
Exports is WBCrsquos biggest area of increased effort Our focus is just on processed and fresh blueberries It is very difficult for a state to open up export market It
is a nation to nation process It hard expensive time consuming and frustrating We are teaming up with Oregon on a trade mission to Viet
Nam and the Philippines as these are the markets expected to open up next for blueberries
Looking for export market ideas
Food Safety and Labor
The Food Safety Modernization Act will require some significant changes in how we handle berries
The WRRC and the WBC are planning to team up to offer FISMA training
FISMA training is required by 2018 with enforcement actions starting in 2019
8 hour training that has some very specific requirements Washington State is requiring paid sick leave for
farmworkers (and all employees) some other new rules that will require a lot of recordkeeping
Our industry is rapidly evolving
Want to go over some positive developments and point out some
areas where there are issues
Concerns that I have The Washington blueberry industry has not ascended to its
appropriate position at the national level We need to have more North American Blueberry Council
members We are the largest producers and have the fewest members on the NABC
Washington needs more representatives on the US Highbush Council
I do not feel like the WBC is making enough progress opening export markets Long hard slog to open foreign markets
The PNW Small Fruit Research Center does not provide the Washington blueberry industry support commensurate to our needs
Imports are not helping us particularly on the processed side
Latin America etc ramping up exports to Asia
The number 1 export destination for Latin America blueberries is the US
Imports are up a lot Watch out for Peru I presided over the demise of the
Washington asparagus industry as it was decimated by Peruvian imports
Peru can produce 52 weeks a year Low cost of production High yields We are teaching them every thing the need to know
Washington continues to plant blueberries
It took WA over 60 years to get to 100 million pounds and between 2014 and 2024it will grow from 100 to 200 million pounds Are we ready for this
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Assumes no plantings removed
Assumes plantingstops
1828 29
38 39
6070
8090
110120 120
140
165
190
205
0
50
100
150
200
250
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
Lbs o
f Blu
eber
ries (
mill
ion)
Year
Washiongton Blueberry Production Projection
What is the WBC doing with your assessments
Our assessment is $8 per ton or 4 cents per pound by the way one of the lowest blueberry assessments in the US
The Washington blueberry industry is expanding and the Commission is expanding proportionally
We have standing committees for Research Promotions and Export and Food Safety and Labor
We have a small in-state fresh promotion program
Research will continue to be the leading focus about half of assessment dollars go to research
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
WBC administrative costs are budgeted at 19 and are increasing at less than half the rate of assessment growth
Actual expenditures are close to 16
Administration
Supplies Postage amp Copies 4200
WSDA - nominations1000
TravelMeetings 6000
Administrative Service (ADG)
60000
Financial Review 2000 NABC Dues 1000
Conference Calls 1000
Attorney General 1500 WSDA 750OFM (Fidelity Bond) 50
OFM (self-ins prem) 1000
Total Administration 78500
Promotions Bear in mind that the US Highbush Blueberry Council
has THE money and is THE entity to handle national and international marketing promotions and generic research Their budget is over $6 million
The Commissions focus is on promoting fresh in-season in-state blueberries may try to expand efforts supporting farmers markets and u-pick operations
We have a contract with a Seattle public relations company
We provide farmers market promotional materials and about 25 of all growers in the state used the program
If you have U-Pick or roadside stand we can help you Superbluesnet
Research Roughly 50 of WBC funds support research The impetus to start the WBC in 1969 was to fund
research (mummy berry) and it has largely been a research funding commission ever since
The Research Committee sets priorities ranks proposals and makes recommendations to the full Commission
2017 we funded 16 projects for $236000
2016 we funded 15 projects for $206000
2015 15 projects were funded for $185000 2006 4 projects were funded for $17000
Leighton Overson is the Chair of the Research Committee
Title ResearcherInstit Request RankFungicide Decline Curves for Blueberry to Assist Growers in Meeting MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $19250 32Developing Organic Controls for SWD in Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $14600 47Blueberry Tissue Nutrient Standards for Washington Production Davenport JoanWSU $40648 50Modeling Blueberry Cold Hardiness in Washington HoheiselGwenWSU $37637 50Testing of Several Herbicide Programs in Blueberry Miller Timothy WSU $8341 55Mummy Berry of Blueberry Updates Prediction Model Validation and Fungicide Resistance Harteveld DalphyWSU $15474 57Harmonization of MRLs - Dealing with Impossible to Meet MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $5000 60Do Herbicides Used on Blueberries Create Obstacles to Exports Schreiber AlanADG $8000 82Improvement of Pollination through Pollinator Supplementation in Washington Highbush Blueberry DeVetter LisaWSU $13957 97Non-toxic RANi-based biopesticide to control SWD Choi Man-YeonUSDA-ARS $5000 103A wake up call for rhizomes Can exogenously applied phytohormones disrupt apical dominance deplete stored resources and make field bindweed more susceptible to control Sosnoskie Lynn WSU $3411 115Control of Mummy Berry in Organic Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $11625 118Assessing Blueberry virus Risks in Washington Blueberry Scorch Shock and Surveys of Washington Blueberry Fields for Aphids Walters Thomas $10000 125Developing commercial blueberry cultivars adapted to the Pacific Northwest with an emphasis on tolerance of Blueberry shock virus (BIShV) Finn Chad USDA-ARS $8802 133Root Weevil Research Project Gerdeman Beverly WSU $14255 160Laboratory Equipment for Small Fruit Pathology at NWREC Peever TobinWSU $20000
Exporting Blueberries Washington the US Canada North America South America the
Western Hemisphere is facing an over supply of blueberries
Part of dealing with Washingtonrsquos supply has to be exports particularly to the Pacific Rim
Few blueberry growing regions are better situated to take advantage of this than is Washington
Oregon has fresh access to South Korea BC Oregon and California have aggressive export market
development programs
The West Coast is more export oriented than the rest of the US blueberry industry trying to push the USHBC to work more in this area
Developing export markets is my biggest area of frustration Washington has to develop export markets Washington has teamed up with California on a joint project to get into
South Korea Vietnam Philippines China and Australia early
We hope to ship to South Korea in 3 years or so (same thing I said two years ago) and Australia not longer after
Exports is WBCrsquos biggest area of increased effort Our focus is just on processed and fresh blueberries It is very difficult for a state to open up export market It
is a nation to nation process It hard expensive time consuming and frustrating We are teaming up with Oregon on a trade mission to Viet
Nam and the Philippines as these are the markets expected to open up next for blueberries
Looking for export market ideas
Food Safety and Labor
The Food Safety Modernization Act will require some significant changes in how we handle berries
The WRRC and the WBC are planning to team up to offer FISMA training
FISMA training is required by 2018 with enforcement actions starting in 2019
8 hour training that has some very specific requirements Washington State is requiring paid sick leave for
farmworkers (and all employees) some other new rules that will require a lot of recordkeeping
Our industry is rapidly evolving
Want to go over some positive developments and point out some
areas where there are issues
Concerns that I have The Washington blueberry industry has not ascended to its
appropriate position at the national level We need to have more North American Blueberry Council
members We are the largest producers and have the fewest members on the NABC
Washington needs more representatives on the US Highbush Council
I do not feel like the WBC is making enough progress opening export markets Long hard slog to open foreign markets
The PNW Small Fruit Research Center does not provide the Washington blueberry industry support commensurate to our needs
Imports are not helping us particularly on the processed side
Latin America etc ramping up exports to Asia
The number 1 export destination for Latin America blueberries is the US
Imports are up a lot Watch out for Peru I presided over the demise of the
Washington asparagus industry as it was decimated by Peruvian imports
Peru can produce 52 weeks a year Low cost of production High yields We are teaching them every thing the need to know
Washington continues to plant blueberries
It took WA over 60 years to get to 100 million pounds and between 2014 and 2024it will grow from 100 to 200 million pounds Are we ready for this
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
What is the WBC doing with your assessments
Our assessment is $8 per ton or 4 cents per pound by the way one of the lowest blueberry assessments in the US
The Washington blueberry industry is expanding and the Commission is expanding proportionally
We have standing committees for Research Promotions and Export and Food Safety and Labor
We have a small in-state fresh promotion program
Research will continue to be the leading focus about half of assessment dollars go to research
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
WBC administrative costs are budgeted at 19 and are increasing at less than half the rate of assessment growth
Actual expenditures are close to 16
Administration
Supplies Postage amp Copies 4200
WSDA - nominations1000
TravelMeetings 6000
Administrative Service (ADG)
60000
Financial Review 2000 NABC Dues 1000
Conference Calls 1000
Attorney General 1500 WSDA 750OFM (Fidelity Bond) 50
OFM (self-ins prem) 1000
Total Administration 78500
Promotions Bear in mind that the US Highbush Blueberry Council
has THE money and is THE entity to handle national and international marketing promotions and generic research Their budget is over $6 million
The Commissions focus is on promoting fresh in-season in-state blueberries may try to expand efforts supporting farmers markets and u-pick operations
We have a contract with a Seattle public relations company
We provide farmers market promotional materials and about 25 of all growers in the state used the program
If you have U-Pick or roadside stand we can help you Superbluesnet
Research Roughly 50 of WBC funds support research The impetus to start the WBC in 1969 was to fund
research (mummy berry) and it has largely been a research funding commission ever since
The Research Committee sets priorities ranks proposals and makes recommendations to the full Commission
2017 we funded 16 projects for $236000
2016 we funded 15 projects for $206000
2015 15 projects were funded for $185000 2006 4 projects were funded for $17000
Leighton Overson is the Chair of the Research Committee
Title ResearcherInstit Request RankFungicide Decline Curves for Blueberry to Assist Growers in Meeting MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $19250 32Developing Organic Controls for SWD in Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $14600 47Blueberry Tissue Nutrient Standards for Washington Production Davenport JoanWSU $40648 50Modeling Blueberry Cold Hardiness in Washington HoheiselGwenWSU $37637 50Testing of Several Herbicide Programs in Blueberry Miller Timothy WSU $8341 55Mummy Berry of Blueberry Updates Prediction Model Validation and Fungicide Resistance Harteveld DalphyWSU $15474 57Harmonization of MRLs - Dealing with Impossible to Meet MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $5000 60Do Herbicides Used on Blueberries Create Obstacles to Exports Schreiber AlanADG $8000 82Improvement of Pollination through Pollinator Supplementation in Washington Highbush Blueberry DeVetter LisaWSU $13957 97Non-toxic RANi-based biopesticide to control SWD Choi Man-YeonUSDA-ARS $5000 103A wake up call for rhizomes Can exogenously applied phytohormones disrupt apical dominance deplete stored resources and make field bindweed more susceptible to control Sosnoskie Lynn WSU $3411 115Control of Mummy Berry in Organic Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $11625 118Assessing Blueberry virus Risks in Washington Blueberry Scorch Shock and Surveys of Washington Blueberry Fields for Aphids Walters Thomas $10000 125Developing commercial blueberry cultivars adapted to the Pacific Northwest with an emphasis on tolerance of Blueberry shock virus (BIShV) Finn Chad USDA-ARS $8802 133Root Weevil Research Project Gerdeman Beverly WSU $14255 160Laboratory Equipment for Small Fruit Pathology at NWREC Peever TobinWSU $20000
Exporting Blueberries Washington the US Canada North America South America the
Western Hemisphere is facing an over supply of blueberries
Part of dealing with Washingtonrsquos supply has to be exports particularly to the Pacific Rim
Few blueberry growing regions are better situated to take advantage of this than is Washington
Oregon has fresh access to South Korea BC Oregon and California have aggressive export market
development programs
The West Coast is more export oriented than the rest of the US blueberry industry trying to push the USHBC to work more in this area
Developing export markets is my biggest area of frustration Washington has to develop export markets Washington has teamed up with California on a joint project to get into
South Korea Vietnam Philippines China and Australia early
We hope to ship to South Korea in 3 years or so (same thing I said two years ago) and Australia not longer after
Exports is WBCrsquos biggest area of increased effort Our focus is just on processed and fresh blueberries It is very difficult for a state to open up export market It
is a nation to nation process It hard expensive time consuming and frustrating We are teaming up with Oregon on a trade mission to Viet
Nam and the Philippines as these are the markets expected to open up next for blueberries
Looking for export market ideas
Food Safety and Labor
The Food Safety Modernization Act will require some significant changes in how we handle berries
The WRRC and the WBC are planning to team up to offer FISMA training
FISMA training is required by 2018 with enforcement actions starting in 2019
8 hour training that has some very specific requirements Washington State is requiring paid sick leave for
farmworkers (and all employees) some other new rules that will require a lot of recordkeeping
Our industry is rapidly evolving
Want to go over some positive developments and point out some
areas where there are issues
Concerns that I have The Washington blueberry industry has not ascended to its
appropriate position at the national level We need to have more North American Blueberry Council
members We are the largest producers and have the fewest members on the NABC
Washington needs more representatives on the US Highbush Council
I do not feel like the WBC is making enough progress opening export markets Long hard slog to open foreign markets
The PNW Small Fruit Research Center does not provide the Washington blueberry industry support commensurate to our needs
Imports are not helping us particularly on the processed side
Latin America etc ramping up exports to Asia
The number 1 export destination for Latin America blueberries is the US
Imports are up a lot Watch out for Peru I presided over the demise of the
Washington asparagus industry as it was decimated by Peruvian imports
Peru can produce 52 weeks a year Low cost of production High yields We are teaching them every thing the need to know
Washington continues to plant blueberries
It took WA over 60 years to get to 100 million pounds and between 2014 and 2024it will grow from 100 to 200 million pounds Are we ready for this
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
WBC administrative costs are budgeted at 19 and are increasing at less than half the rate of assessment growth
Actual expenditures are close to 16
Administration
Supplies Postage amp Copies 4200
WSDA - nominations1000
TravelMeetings 6000
Administrative Service (ADG)
60000
Financial Review 2000 NABC Dues 1000
Conference Calls 1000
Attorney General 1500 WSDA 750OFM (Fidelity Bond) 50
OFM (self-ins prem) 1000
Total Administration 78500
Promotions Bear in mind that the US Highbush Blueberry Council
has THE money and is THE entity to handle national and international marketing promotions and generic research Their budget is over $6 million
The Commissions focus is on promoting fresh in-season in-state blueberries may try to expand efforts supporting farmers markets and u-pick operations
We have a contract with a Seattle public relations company
We provide farmers market promotional materials and about 25 of all growers in the state used the program
If you have U-Pick or roadside stand we can help you Superbluesnet
Research Roughly 50 of WBC funds support research The impetus to start the WBC in 1969 was to fund
research (mummy berry) and it has largely been a research funding commission ever since
The Research Committee sets priorities ranks proposals and makes recommendations to the full Commission
2017 we funded 16 projects for $236000
2016 we funded 15 projects for $206000
2015 15 projects were funded for $185000 2006 4 projects were funded for $17000
Leighton Overson is the Chair of the Research Committee
Title ResearcherInstit Request RankFungicide Decline Curves for Blueberry to Assist Growers in Meeting MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $19250 32Developing Organic Controls for SWD in Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $14600 47Blueberry Tissue Nutrient Standards for Washington Production Davenport JoanWSU $40648 50Modeling Blueberry Cold Hardiness in Washington HoheiselGwenWSU $37637 50Testing of Several Herbicide Programs in Blueberry Miller Timothy WSU $8341 55Mummy Berry of Blueberry Updates Prediction Model Validation and Fungicide Resistance Harteveld DalphyWSU $15474 57Harmonization of MRLs - Dealing with Impossible to Meet MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $5000 60Do Herbicides Used on Blueberries Create Obstacles to Exports Schreiber AlanADG $8000 82Improvement of Pollination through Pollinator Supplementation in Washington Highbush Blueberry DeVetter LisaWSU $13957 97Non-toxic RANi-based biopesticide to control SWD Choi Man-YeonUSDA-ARS $5000 103A wake up call for rhizomes Can exogenously applied phytohormones disrupt apical dominance deplete stored resources and make field bindweed more susceptible to control Sosnoskie Lynn WSU $3411 115Control of Mummy Berry in Organic Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $11625 118Assessing Blueberry virus Risks in Washington Blueberry Scorch Shock and Surveys of Washington Blueberry Fields for Aphids Walters Thomas $10000 125Developing commercial blueberry cultivars adapted to the Pacific Northwest with an emphasis on tolerance of Blueberry shock virus (BIShV) Finn Chad USDA-ARS $8802 133Root Weevil Research Project Gerdeman Beverly WSU $14255 160Laboratory Equipment for Small Fruit Pathology at NWREC Peever TobinWSU $20000
Exporting Blueberries Washington the US Canada North America South America the
Western Hemisphere is facing an over supply of blueberries
Part of dealing with Washingtonrsquos supply has to be exports particularly to the Pacific Rim
Few blueberry growing regions are better situated to take advantage of this than is Washington
Oregon has fresh access to South Korea BC Oregon and California have aggressive export market
development programs
The West Coast is more export oriented than the rest of the US blueberry industry trying to push the USHBC to work more in this area
Developing export markets is my biggest area of frustration Washington has to develop export markets Washington has teamed up with California on a joint project to get into
South Korea Vietnam Philippines China and Australia early
We hope to ship to South Korea in 3 years or so (same thing I said two years ago) and Australia not longer after
Exports is WBCrsquos biggest area of increased effort Our focus is just on processed and fresh blueberries It is very difficult for a state to open up export market It
is a nation to nation process It hard expensive time consuming and frustrating We are teaming up with Oregon on a trade mission to Viet
Nam and the Philippines as these are the markets expected to open up next for blueberries
Looking for export market ideas
Food Safety and Labor
The Food Safety Modernization Act will require some significant changes in how we handle berries
The WRRC and the WBC are planning to team up to offer FISMA training
FISMA training is required by 2018 with enforcement actions starting in 2019
8 hour training that has some very specific requirements Washington State is requiring paid sick leave for
farmworkers (and all employees) some other new rules that will require a lot of recordkeeping
Our industry is rapidly evolving
Want to go over some positive developments and point out some
areas where there are issues
Concerns that I have The Washington blueberry industry has not ascended to its
appropriate position at the national level We need to have more North American Blueberry Council
members We are the largest producers and have the fewest members on the NABC
Washington needs more representatives on the US Highbush Council
I do not feel like the WBC is making enough progress opening export markets Long hard slog to open foreign markets
The PNW Small Fruit Research Center does not provide the Washington blueberry industry support commensurate to our needs
Imports are not helping us particularly on the processed side
Latin America etc ramping up exports to Asia
The number 1 export destination for Latin America blueberries is the US
Imports are up a lot Watch out for Peru I presided over the demise of the
Washington asparagus industry as it was decimated by Peruvian imports
Peru can produce 52 weeks a year Low cost of production High yields We are teaching them every thing the need to know
Washington continues to plant blueberries
It took WA over 60 years to get to 100 million pounds and between 2014 and 2024it will grow from 100 to 200 million pounds Are we ready for this
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
WBC administrative costs are budgeted at 19 and are increasing at less than half the rate of assessment growth
Actual expenditures are close to 16
Administration
Supplies Postage amp Copies 4200
WSDA - nominations1000
TravelMeetings 6000
Administrative Service (ADG)
60000
Financial Review 2000 NABC Dues 1000
Conference Calls 1000
Attorney General 1500 WSDA 750OFM (Fidelity Bond) 50
OFM (self-ins prem) 1000
Total Administration 78500
Promotions Bear in mind that the US Highbush Blueberry Council
has THE money and is THE entity to handle national and international marketing promotions and generic research Their budget is over $6 million
The Commissions focus is on promoting fresh in-season in-state blueberries may try to expand efforts supporting farmers markets and u-pick operations
We have a contract with a Seattle public relations company
We provide farmers market promotional materials and about 25 of all growers in the state used the program
If you have U-Pick or roadside stand we can help you Superbluesnet
Research Roughly 50 of WBC funds support research The impetus to start the WBC in 1969 was to fund
research (mummy berry) and it has largely been a research funding commission ever since
The Research Committee sets priorities ranks proposals and makes recommendations to the full Commission
2017 we funded 16 projects for $236000
2016 we funded 15 projects for $206000
2015 15 projects were funded for $185000 2006 4 projects were funded for $17000
Leighton Overson is the Chair of the Research Committee
Title ResearcherInstit Request RankFungicide Decline Curves for Blueberry to Assist Growers in Meeting MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $19250 32Developing Organic Controls for SWD in Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $14600 47Blueberry Tissue Nutrient Standards for Washington Production Davenport JoanWSU $40648 50Modeling Blueberry Cold Hardiness in Washington HoheiselGwenWSU $37637 50Testing of Several Herbicide Programs in Blueberry Miller Timothy WSU $8341 55Mummy Berry of Blueberry Updates Prediction Model Validation and Fungicide Resistance Harteveld DalphyWSU $15474 57Harmonization of MRLs - Dealing with Impossible to Meet MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $5000 60Do Herbicides Used on Blueberries Create Obstacles to Exports Schreiber AlanADG $8000 82Improvement of Pollination through Pollinator Supplementation in Washington Highbush Blueberry DeVetter LisaWSU $13957 97Non-toxic RANi-based biopesticide to control SWD Choi Man-YeonUSDA-ARS $5000 103A wake up call for rhizomes Can exogenously applied phytohormones disrupt apical dominance deplete stored resources and make field bindweed more susceptible to control Sosnoskie Lynn WSU $3411 115Control of Mummy Berry in Organic Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $11625 118Assessing Blueberry virus Risks in Washington Blueberry Scorch Shock and Surveys of Washington Blueberry Fields for Aphids Walters Thomas $10000 125Developing commercial blueberry cultivars adapted to the Pacific Northwest with an emphasis on tolerance of Blueberry shock virus (BIShV) Finn Chad USDA-ARS $8802 133Root Weevil Research Project Gerdeman Beverly WSU $14255 160Laboratory Equipment for Small Fruit Pathology at NWREC Peever TobinWSU $20000
Exporting Blueberries Washington the US Canada North America South America the
Western Hemisphere is facing an over supply of blueberries
Part of dealing with Washingtonrsquos supply has to be exports particularly to the Pacific Rim
Few blueberry growing regions are better situated to take advantage of this than is Washington
Oregon has fresh access to South Korea BC Oregon and California have aggressive export market
development programs
The West Coast is more export oriented than the rest of the US blueberry industry trying to push the USHBC to work more in this area
Developing export markets is my biggest area of frustration Washington has to develop export markets Washington has teamed up with California on a joint project to get into
South Korea Vietnam Philippines China and Australia early
We hope to ship to South Korea in 3 years or so (same thing I said two years ago) and Australia not longer after
Exports is WBCrsquos biggest area of increased effort Our focus is just on processed and fresh blueberries It is very difficult for a state to open up export market It
is a nation to nation process It hard expensive time consuming and frustrating We are teaming up with Oregon on a trade mission to Viet
Nam and the Philippines as these are the markets expected to open up next for blueberries
Looking for export market ideas
Food Safety and Labor
The Food Safety Modernization Act will require some significant changes in how we handle berries
The WRRC and the WBC are planning to team up to offer FISMA training
FISMA training is required by 2018 with enforcement actions starting in 2019
8 hour training that has some very specific requirements Washington State is requiring paid sick leave for
farmworkers (and all employees) some other new rules that will require a lot of recordkeeping
Our industry is rapidly evolving
Want to go over some positive developments and point out some
areas where there are issues
Concerns that I have The Washington blueberry industry has not ascended to its
appropriate position at the national level We need to have more North American Blueberry Council
members We are the largest producers and have the fewest members on the NABC
Washington needs more representatives on the US Highbush Council
I do not feel like the WBC is making enough progress opening export markets Long hard slog to open foreign markets
The PNW Small Fruit Research Center does not provide the Washington blueberry industry support commensurate to our needs
Imports are not helping us particularly on the processed side
Latin America etc ramping up exports to Asia
The number 1 export destination for Latin America blueberries is the US
Imports are up a lot Watch out for Peru I presided over the demise of the
Washington asparagus industry as it was decimated by Peruvian imports
Peru can produce 52 weeks a year Low cost of production High yields We are teaching them every thing the need to know
Washington continues to plant blueberries
It took WA over 60 years to get to 100 million pounds and between 2014 and 2024it will grow from 100 to 200 million pounds Are we ready for this
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Promotions Bear in mind that the US Highbush Blueberry Council
has THE money and is THE entity to handle national and international marketing promotions and generic research Their budget is over $6 million
The Commissions focus is on promoting fresh in-season in-state blueberries may try to expand efforts supporting farmers markets and u-pick operations
We have a contract with a Seattle public relations company
We provide farmers market promotional materials and about 25 of all growers in the state used the program
If you have U-Pick or roadside stand we can help you Superbluesnet
Research Roughly 50 of WBC funds support research The impetus to start the WBC in 1969 was to fund
research (mummy berry) and it has largely been a research funding commission ever since
The Research Committee sets priorities ranks proposals and makes recommendations to the full Commission
2017 we funded 16 projects for $236000
2016 we funded 15 projects for $206000
2015 15 projects were funded for $185000 2006 4 projects were funded for $17000
Leighton Overson is the Chair of the Research Committee
Title ResearcherInstit Request RankFungicide Decline Curves for Blueberry to Assist Growers in Meeting MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $19250 32Developing Organic Controls for SWD in Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $14600 47Blueberry Tissue Nutrient Standards for Washington Production Davenport JoanWSU $40648 50Modeling Blueberry Cold Hardiness in Washington HoheiselGwenWSU $37637 50Testing of Several Herbicide Programs in Blueberry Miller Timothy WSU $8341 55Mummy Berry of Blueberry Updates Prediction Model Validation and Fungicide Resistance Harteveld DalphyWSU $15474 57Harmonization of MRLs - Dealing with Impossible to Meet MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $5000 60Do Herbicides Used on Blueberries Create Obstacles to Exports Schreiber AlanADG $8000 82Improvement of Pollination through Pollinator Supplementation in Washington Highbush Blueberry DeVetter LisaWSU $13957 97Non-toxic RANi-based biopesticide to control SWD Choi Man-YeonUSDA-ARS $5000 103A wake up call for rhizomes Can exogenously applied phytohormones disrupt apical dominance deplete stored resources and make field bindweed more susceptible to control Sosnoskie Lynn WSU $3411 115Control of Mummy Berry in Organic Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $11625 118Assessing Blueberry virus Risks in Washington Blueberry Scorch Shock and Surveys of Washington Blueberry Fields for Aphids Walters Thomas $10000 125Developing commercial blueberry cultivars adapted to the Pacific Northwest with an emphasis on tolerance of Blueberry shock virus (BIShV) Finn Chad USDA-ARS $8802 133Root Weevil Research Project Gerdeman Beverly WSU $14255 160Laboratory Equipment for Small Fruit Pathology at NWREC Peever TobinWSU $20000
Exporting Blueberries Washington the US Canada North America South America the
Western Hemisphere is facing an over supply of blueberries
Part of dealing with Washingtonrsquos supply has to be exports particularly to the Pacific Rim
Few blueberry growing regions are better situated to take advantage of this than is Washington
Oregon has fresh access to South Korea BC Oregon and California have aggressive export market
development programs
The West Coast is more export oriented than the rest of the US blueberry industry trying to push the USHBC to work more in this area
Developing export markets is my biggest area of frustration Washington has to develop export markets Washington has teamed up with California on a joint project to get into
South Korea Vietnam Philippines China and Australia early
We hope to ship to South Korea in 3 years or so (same thing I said two years ago) and Australia not longer after
Exports is WBCrsquos biggest area of increased effort Our focus is just on processed and fresh blueberries It is very difficult for a state to open up export market It
is a nation to nation process It hard expensive time consuming and frustrating We are teaming up with Oregon on a trade mission to Viet
Nam and the Philippines as these are the markets expected to open up next for blueberries
Looking for export market ideas
Food Safety and Labor
The Food Safety Modernization Act will require some significant changes in how we handle berries
The WRRC and the WBC are planning to team up to offer FISMA training
FISMA training is required by 2018 with enforcement actions starting in 2019
8 hour training that has some very specific requirements Washington State is requiring paid sick leave for
farmworkers (and all employees) some other new rules that will require a lot of recordkeeping
Our industry is rapidly evolving
Want to go over some positive developments and point out some
areas where there are issues
Concerns that I have The Washington blueberry industry has not ascended to its
appropriate position at the national level We need to have more North American Blueberry Council
members We are the largest producers and have the fewest members on the NABC
Washington needs more representatives on the US Highbush Council
I do not feel like the WBC is making enough progress opening export markets Long hard slog to open foreign markets
The PNW Small Fruit Research Center does not provide the Washington blueberry industry support commensurate to our needs
Imports are not helping us particularly on the processed side
Latin America etc ramping up exports to Asia
The number 1 export destination for Latin America blueberries is the US
Imports are up a lot Watch out for Peru I presided over the demise of the
Washington asparagus industry as it was decimated by Peruvian imports
Peru can produce 52 weeks a year Low cost of production High yields We are teaching them every thing the need to know
Washington continues to plant blueberries
It took WA over 60 years to get to 100 million pounds and between 2014 and 2024it will grow from 100 to 200 million pounds Are we ready for this
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Research Roughly 50 of WBC funds support research The impetus to start the WBC in 1969 was to fund
research (mummy berry) and it has largely been a research funding commission ever since
The Research Committee sets priorities ranks proposals and makes recommendations to the full Commission
2017 we funded 16 projects for $236000
2016 we funded 15 projects for $206000
2015 15 projects were funded for $185000 2006 4 projects were funded for $17000
Leighton Overson is the Chair of the Research Committee
Title ResearcherInstit Request RankFungicide Decline Curves for Blueberry to Assist Growers in Meeting MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $19250 32Developing Organic Controls for SWD in Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $14600 47Blueberry Tissue Nutrient Standards for Washington Production Davenport JoanWSU $40648 50Modeling Blueberry Cold Hardiness in Washington HoheiselGwenWSU $37637 50Testing of Several Herbicide Programs in Blueberry Miller Timothy WSU $8341 55Mummy Berry of Blueberry Updates Prediction Model Validation and Fungicide Resistance Harteveld DalphyWSU $15474 57Harmonization of MRLs - Dealing with Impossible to Meet MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $5000 60Do Herbicides Used on Blueberries Create Obstacles to Exports Schreiber AlanADG $8000 82Improvement of Pollination through Pollinator Supplementation in Washington Highbush Blueberry DeVetter LisaWSU $13957 97Non-toxic RANi-based biopesticide to control SWD Choi Man-YeonUSDA-ARS $5000 103A wake up call for rhizomes Can exogenously applied phytohormones disrupt apical dominance deplete stored resources and make field bindweed more susceptible to control Sosnoskie Lynn WSU $3411 115Control of Mummy Berry in Organic Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $11625 118Assessing Blueberry virus Risks in Washington Blueberry Scorch Shock and Surveys of Washington Blueberry Fields for Aphids Walters Thomas $10000 125Developing commercial blueberry cultivars adapted to the Pacific Northwest with an emphasis on tolerance of Blueberry shock virus (BIShV) Finn Chad USDA-ARS $8802 133Root Weevil Research Project Gerdeman Beverly WSU $14255 160Laboratory Equipment for Small Fruit Pathology at NWREC Peever TobinWSU $20000
Exporting Blueberries Washington the US Canada North America South America the
Western Hemisphere is facing an over supply of blueberries
Part of dealing with Washingtonrsquos supply has to be exports particularly to the Pacific Rim
Few blueberry growing regions are better situated to take advantage of this than is Washington
Oregon has fresh access to South Korea BC Oregon and California have aggressive export market
development programs
The West Coast is more export oriented than the rest of the US blueberry industry trying to push the USHBC to work more in this area
Developing export markets is my biggest area of frustration Washington has to develop export markets Washington has teamed up with California on a joint project to get into
South Korea Vietnam Philippines China and Australia early
We hope to ship to South Korea in 3 years or so (same thing I said two years ago) and Australia not longer after
Exports is WBCrsquos biggest area of increased effort Our focus is just on processed and fresh blueberries It is very difficult for a state to open up export market It
is a nation to nation process It hard expensive time consuming and frustrating We are teaming up with Oregon on a trade mission to Viet
Nam and the Philippines as these are the markets expected to open up next for blueberries
Looking for export market ideas
Food Safety and Labor
The Food Safety Modernization Act will require some significant changes in how we handle berries
The WRRC and the WBC are planning to team up to offer FISMA training
FISMA training is required by 2018 with enforcement actions starting in 2019
8 hour training that has some very specific requirements Washington State is requiring paid sick leave for
farmworkers (and all employees) some other new rules that will require a lot of recordkeeping
Our industry is rapidly evolving
Want to go over some positive developments and point out some
areas where there are issues
Concerns that I have The Washington blueberry industry has not ascended to its
appropriate position at the national level We need to have more North American Blueberry Council
members We are the largest producers and have the fewest members on the NABC
Washington needs more representatives on the US Highbush Council
I do not feel like the WBC is making enough progress opening export markets Long hard slog to open foreign markets
The PNW Small Fruit Research Center does not provide the Washington blueberry industry support commensurate to our needs
Imports are not helping us particularly on the processed side
Latin America etc ramping up exports to Asia
The number 1 export destination for Latin America blueberries is the US
Imports are up a lot Watch out for Peru I presided over the demise of the
Washington asparagus industry as it was decimated by Peruvian imports
Peru can produce 52 weeks a year Low cost of production High yields We are teaching them every thing the need to know
Washington continues to plant blueberries
It took WA over 60 years to get to 100 million pounds and between 2014 and 2024it will grow from 100 to 200 million pounds Are we ready for this
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Title ResearcherInstit Request RankFungicide Decline Curves for Blueberry to Assist Growers in Meeting MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $19250 32Developing Organic Controls for SWD in Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $14600 47Blueberry Tissue Nutrient Standards for Washington Production Davenport JoanWSU $40648 50Modeling Blueberry Cold Hardiness in Washington HoheiselGwenWSU $37637 50Testing of Several Herbicide Programs in Blueberry Miller Timothy WSU $8341 55Mummy Berry of Blueberry Updates Prediction Model Validation and Fungicide Resistance Harteveld DalphyWSU $15474 57Harmonization of MRLs - Dealing with Impossible to Meet MRLs Schreiber AlanADG $5000 60Do Herbicides Used on Blueberries Create Obstacles to Exports Schreiber AlanADG $8000 82Improvement of Pollination through Pollinator Supplementation in Washington Highbush Blueberry DeVetter LisaWSU $13957 97Non-toxic RANi-based biopesticide to control SWD Choi Man-YeonUSDA-ARS $5000 103A wake up call for rhizomes Can exogenously applied phytohormones disrupt apical dominance deplete stored resources and make field bindweed more susceptible to control Sosnoskie Lynn WSU $3411 115Control of Mummy Berry in Organic Blueberries Schreiber AlanADG $11625 118Assessing Blueberry virus Risks in Washington Blueberry Scorch Shock and Surveys of Washington Blueberry Fields for Aphids Walters Thomas $10000 125Developing commercial blueberry cultivars adapted to the Pacific Northwest with an emphasis on tolerance of Blueberry shock virus (BIShV) Finn Chad USDA-ARS $8802 133Root Weevil Research Project Gerdeman Beverly WSU $14255 160Laboratory Equipment for Small Fruit Pathology at NWREC Peever TobinWSU $20000
Exporting Blueberries Washington the US Canada North America South America the
Western Hemisphere is facing an over supply of blueberries
Part of dealing with Washingtonrsquos supply has to be exports particularly to the Pacific Rim
Few blueberry growing regions are better situated to take advantage of this than is Washington
Oregon has fresh access to South Korea BC Oregon and California have aggressive export market
development programs
The West Coast is more export oriented than the rest of the US blueberry industry trying to push the USHBC to work more in this area
Developing export markets is my biggest area of frustration Washington has to develop export markets Washington has teamed up with California on a joint project to get into
South Korea Vietnam Philippines China and Australia early
We hope to ship to South Korea in 3 years or so (same thing I said two years ago) and Australia not longer after
Exports is WBCrsquos biggest area of increased effort Our focus is just on processed and fresh blueberries It is very difficult for a state to open up export market It
is a nation to nation process It hard expensive time consuming and frustrating We are teaming up with Oregon on a trade mission to Viet
Nam and the Philippines as these are the markets expected to open up next for blueberries
Looking for export market ideas
Food Safety and Labor
The Food Safety Modernization Act will require some significant changes in how we handle berries
The WRRC and the WBC are planning to team up to offer FISMA training
FISMA training is required by 2018 with enforcement actions starting in 2019
8 hour training that has some very specific requirements Washington State is requiring paid sick leave for
farmworkers (and all employees) some other new rules that will require a lot of recordkeeping
Our industry is rapidly evolving
Want to go over some positive developments and point out some
areas where there are issues
Concerns that I have The Washington blueberry industry has not ascended to its
appropriate position at the national level We need to have more North American Blueberry Council
members We are the largest producers and have the fewest members on the NABC
Washington needs more representatives on the US Highbush Council
I do not feel like the WBC is making enough progress opening export markets Long hard slog to open foreign markets
The PNW Small Fruit Research Center does not provide the Washington blueberry industry support commensurate to our needs
Imports are not helping us particularly on the processed side
Latin America etc ramping up exports to Asia
The number 1 export destination for Latin America blueberries is the US
Imports are up a lot Watch out for Peru I presided over the demise of the
Washington asparagus industry as it was decimated by Peruvian imports
Peru can produce 52 weeks a year Low cost of production High yields We are teaching them every thing the need to know
Washington continues to plant blueberries
It took WA over 60 years to get to 100 million pounds and between 2014 and 2024it will grow from 100 to 200 million pounds Are we ready for this
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Exporting Blueberries Washington the US Canada North America South America the
Western Hemisphere is facing an over supply of blueberries
Part of dealing with Washingtonrsquos supply has to be exports particularly to the Pacific Rim
Few blueberry growing regions are better situated to take advantage of this than is Washington
Oregon has fresh access to South Korea BC Oregon and California have aggressive export market
development programs
The West Coast is more export oriented than the rest of the US blueberry industry trying to push the USHBC to work more in this area
Developing export markets is my biggest area of frustration Washington has to develop export markets Washington has teamed up with California on a joint project to get into
South Korea Vietnam Philippines China and Australia early
We hope to ship to South Korea in 3 years or so (same thing I said two years ago) and Australia not longer after
Exports is WBCrsquos biggest area of increased effort Our focus is just on processed and fresh blueberries It is very difficult for a state to open up export market It
is a nation to nation process It hard expensive time consuming and frustrating We are teaming up with Oregon on a trade mission to Viet
Nam and the Philippines as these are the markets expected to open up next for blueberries
Looking for export market ideas
Food Safety and Labor
The Food Safety Modernization Act will require some significant changes in how we handle berries
The WRRC and the WBC are planning to team up to offer FISMA training
FISMA training is required by 2018 with enforcement actions starting in 2019
8 hour training that has some very specific requirements Washington State is requiring paid sick leave for
farmworkers (and all employees) some other new rules that will require a lot of recordkeeping
Our industry is rapidly evolving
Want to go over some positive developments and point out some
areas where there are issues
Concerns that I have The Washington blueberry industry has not ascended to its
appropriate position at the national level We need to have more North American Blueberry Council
members We are the largest producers and have the fewest members on the NABC
Washington needs more representatives on the US Highbush Council
I do not feel like the WBC is making enough progress opening export markets Long hard slog to open foreign markets
The PNW Small Fruit Research Center does not provide the Washington blueberry industry support commensurate to our needs
Imports are not helping us particularly on the processed side
Latin America etc ramping up exports to Asia
The number 1 export destination for Latin America blueberries is the US
Imports are up a lot Watch out for Peru I presided over the demise of the
Washington asparagus industry as it was decimated by Peruvian imports
Peru can produce 52 weeks a year Low cost of production High yields We are teaching them every thing the need to know
Washington continues to plant blueberries
It took WA over 60 years to get to 100 million pounds and between 2014 and 2024it will grow from 100 to 200 million pounds Are we ready for this
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Developing export markets is my biggest area of frustration Washington has to develop export markets Washington has teamed up with California on a joint project to get into
South Korea Vietnam Philippines China and Australia early
We hope to ship to South Korea in 3 years or so (same thing I said two years ago) and Australia not longer after
Exports is WBCrsquos biggest area of increased effort Our focus is just on processed and fresh blueberries It is very difficult for a state to open up export market It
is a nation to nation process It hard expensive time consuming and frustrating We are teaming up with Oregon on a trade mission to Viet
Nam and the Philippines as these are the markets expected to open up next for blueberries
Looking for export market ideas
Food Safety and Labor
The Food Safety Modernization Act will require some significant changes in how we handle berries
The WRRC and the WBC are planning to team up to offer FISMA training
FISMA training is required by 2018 with enforcement actions starting in 2019
8 hour training that has some very specific requirements Washington State is requiring paid sick leave for
farmworkers (and all employees) some other new rules that will require a lot of recordkeeping
Our industry is rapidly evolving
Want to go over some positive developments and point out some
areas where there are issues
Concerns that I have The Washington blueberry industry has not ascended to its
appropriate position at the national level We need to have more North American Blueberry Council
members We are the largest producers and have the fewest members on the NABC
Washington needs more representatives on the US Highbush Council
I do not feel like the WBC is making enough progress opening export markets Long hard slog to open foreign markets
The PNW Small Fruit Research Center does not provide the Washington blueberry industry support commensurate to our needs
Imports are not helping us particularly on the processed side
Latin America etc ramping up exports to Asia
The number 1 export destination for Latin America blueberries is the US
Imports are up a lot Watch out for Peru I presided over the demise of the
Washington asparagus industry as it was decimated by Peruvian imports
Peru can produce 52 weeks a year Low cost of production High yields We are teaching them every thing the need to know
Washington continues to plant blueberries
It took WA over 60 years to get to 100 million pounds and between 2014 and 2024it will grow from 100 to 200 million pounds Are we ready for this
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Food Safety and Labor
The Food Safety Modernization Act will require some significant changes in how we handle berries
The WRRC and the WBC are planning to team up to offer FISMA training
FISMA training is required by 2018 with enforcement actions starting in 2019
8 hour training that has some very specific requirements Washington State is requiring paid sick leave for
farmworkers (and all employees) some other new rules that will require a lot of recordkeeping
Our industry is rapidly evolving
Want to go over some positive developments and point out some
areas where there are issues
Concerns that I have The Washington blueberry industry has not ascended to its
appropriate position at the national level We need to have more North American Blueberry Council
members We are the largest producers and have the fewest members on the NABC
Washington needs more representatives on the US Highbush Council
I do not feel like the WBC is making enough progress opening export markets Long hard slog to open foreign markets
The PNW Small Fruit Research Center does not provide the Washington blueberry industry support commensurate to our needs
Imports are not helping us particularly on the processed side
Latin America etc ramping up exports to Asia
The number 1 export destination for Latin America blueberries is the US
Imports are up a lot Watch out for Peru I presided over the demise of the
Washington asparagus industry as it was decimated by Peruvian imports
Peru can produce 52 weeks a year Low cost of production High yields We are teaching them every thing the need to know
Washington continues to plant blueberries
It took WA over 60 years to get to 100 million pounds and between 2014 and 2024it will grow from 100 to 200 million pounds Are we ready for this
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Our industry is rapidly evolving
Want to go over some positive developments and point out some
areas where there are issues
Concerns that I have The Washington blueberry industry has not ascended to its
appropriate position at the national level We need to have more North American Blueberry Council
members We are the largest producers and have the fewest members on the NABC
Washington needs more representatives on the US Highbush Council
I do not feel like the WBC is making enough progress opening export markets Long hard slog to open foreign markets
The PNW Small Fruit Research Center does not provide the Washington blueberry industry support commensurate to our needs
Imports are not helping us particularly on the processed side
Latin America etc ramping up exports to Asia
The number 1 export destination for Latin America blueberries is the US
Imports are up a lot Watch out for Peru I presided over the demise of the
Washington asparagus industry as it was decimated by Peruvian imports
Peru can produce 52 weeks a year Low cost of production High yields We are teaching them every thing the need to know
Washington continues to plant blueberries
It took WA over 60 years to get to 100 million pounds and between 2014 and 2024it will grow from 100 to 200 million pounds Are we ready for this
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Concerns that I have The Washington blueberry industry has not ascended to its
appropriate position at the national level We need to have more North American Blueberry Council
members We are the largest producers and have the fewest members on the NABC
Washington needs more representatives on the US Highbush Council
I do not feel like the WBC is making enough progress opening export markets Long hard slog to open foreign markets
The PNW Small Fruit Research Center does not provide the Washington blueberry industry support commensurate to our needs
Imports are not helping us particularly on the processed side
Latin America etc ramping up exports to Asia
The number 1 export destination for Latin America blueberries is the US
Imports are up a lot Watch out for Peru I presided over the demise of the
Washington asparagus industry as it was decimated by Peruvian imports
Peru can produce 52 weeks a year Low cost of production High yields We are teaching them every thing the need to know
Washington continues to plant blueberries
It took WA over 60 years to get to 100 million pounds and between 2014 and 2024it will grow from 100 to 200 million pounds Are we ready for this
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Imports are not helping us particularly on the processed side
Latin America etc ramping up exports to Asia
The number 1 export destination for Latin America blueberries is the US
Imports are up a lot Watch out for Peru I presided over the demise of the
Washington asparagus industry as it was decimated by Peruvian imports
Peru can produce 52 weeks a year Low cost of production High yields We are teaching them every thing the need to know
Washington continues to plant blueberries
It took WA over 60 years to get to 100 million pounds and between 2014 and 2024it will grow from 100 to 200 million pounds Are we ready for this
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Washington continues to plant blueberries
It took WA over 60 years to get to 100 million pounds and between 2014 and 2024it will grow from 100 to 200 million pounds Are we ready for this
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Hedge funds and other kinds of money are funding a lot of new production
I am worried that we are not ready for this
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
In 2016 there were growers who ended up with no place to take their fruit
This happened for a variety of reasons With increased supply it has become a buyers market Buyers are taking the cheapest closest easiest avoiding
small growers not certified for food safety fruit Growers have to be third party certified for food safety
probably not just GAP certified Have to make it easy for them to take your fruit Growers need to get more involved in marketing their
fruit You should know now who is taking your fruit next year
If you do not know by now consider yourself in trouble
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Move to the positive aspects of our industry
The price is not as good as it was but 2017 was better than 2016
Blueberries in inventory are down which should bode well for 2018
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Outreach efforts Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden
Ag Show WSUrsquos Chris Benedict WRRC Henry Bierlink and
the Washington Blueberry Commission Record attendance every year Very proud of this event It just gets better every year My biggest concern is that we are going to out
grow this facility Diane OrsquoNeil Chris Benedict and Henry Bierlink
and their staffs are doing a great job
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Annual workshops for growers
Starting annual workshops with WSU in eastern Washington (Gwen Hoheisel) Skagit County (Don McMorrin) and Whatcom County (Chris Benedict)
Pruning Food safety Irrigation Pest Management What ever is needed
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
WBC works well with the WRRC
No two commissions work more closely together that blueberries and raspberries
I feel fortunate to have Henry to work with
We work closely and well together
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Our research program is a strong suit Dr DeVetter has started a strong horticultural program that
will build into a significant force Dr Peever has rapidly created a very strong pathology
program Drs Gwen Hoheisel Chris Benedict Tim Miller Tom Walters
and others are building a strong strong research base Research takes time not all projects end up with useful
results The research projects address our highest priorities We do not have all of the funds or researchers to tackle
everything Small Fruit Centerrsquos Virginia Stockwell needs to get involved
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Generally I think the Washington blueberry industry is very well situated
Latest plantings in the nation so we have the best varieties best technologies best post harvest handling facilities
Some of the highest yields in the world The most organic production in the world Overall very good growers Excellent export position and generally aggressive exporters We have the widest temporal range of harvest from early
June to October in the world (Watch out for Peru) Some deep pockets funding our operations Everybody wants to grow in Washington
Everybody wants Washington blueberries
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
The Future (of the WBC) The WBC assessment is $8 per ton-we do not plan to
change our state assessment
WBC funds will increase as production increase
The majority of our funds will probably continue to go heavily in to research and export market development
Increasing transfer of information to growers
We are seeking more involvement more feed back and more participation by industry members (growers and others)
We have a good board that gives me a lot of room to work but keeps me on a leash
Wisely using grower assessments
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
The Washington blueberry industry is unusually diverse but this makes it difficult to provide programing activities
Fresh and processed (30 versus 70) East and West (43 versus 57) Organic and Conventional (25 versus 75) For example how to balance the interests of organic
fresh east side interests with that of conventional processed west side interests
There is strong interest in having the WBC develop new markets for processed blueberries but less interest in having the same for fresh blueberries
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
The End
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Is it time to rethink the Washington Blueberry Commissionrsquos missionWe are looking for your input
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dolla
rs
Years 2005 to 2016
WBC Budget By Category 2005 to 2016
PromoExport Research Administration
Out Reach amp Spec Projects Food Safety Workshops Total Budget
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
What do you think of the WBCrsquos efforts
Research Export market development In state promotion Grower education and advocacy
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
Are we missing anything
More of anything Less of anything New programing activities Training in Punjabi Get a lobbyist in Olympia Team up more with British Columbia
Oregon California donrsquot work so closely with them
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
How do we provide programs that meets the needs of
Washington diverse makeup of blueberry growers
