If you are interested in knowing how your state is doing with the Oregon Blueberry Commission, then read on. Here’s what you should know about the seven-member commission and the issues you should be concerned with. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about the blueberries you grow in Oregon. By the way, you can also join the Oregon Blueberry Growers Association or the American Blueberry Growers Alliance and become a member.
Publications
The Marketing Program of the Oregon Blueberry Commission is a multifaceted approach to marketing the industry. The commission has increased its marketing plans in recent years and continues to mail media kits to selected publications. The media kits are filled with information about Oregon blueberry farmers, their production acreage and pounds harvested, industry sales trends, and health benefits of the fruit. The media kits also include recipes and links to the Oregon Blueberry Commission website.
The Northwest Berry Foundation conducts research and training for the berry community. The nonprofit organization also coordinates berry recovery. Researchers from the USDA’s Horticultural Crops Research Unit look for solutions to agriculture problems. Blueberries belong to the genus Vaccinium. The industry has a global reach, and sales in South Korea may be a lucrative opportunity for Oregon blueberry farmers. This booming market will require a dedicated team of workers.
Oregon has long been one of the nation’s leading blueberry producers. The state increased its harvest by 23.3 million pounds from 2017 to 2018, making it the second highest crop after California. About 55 percent of the crop is shipped to the processing industry, while the remaining 45 percent is sold fresh. In addition to their quality and high yields, Oregon blueberry farms are also creating an economic impact for their communities. The state’s blueberry industry spans from large, internationally-selling operations to small family farms offering on-farm sales. The Oregon blueberry industry has generated $353.5 million in economic impact since 1996.
The Oregon blueberry industry faces significant challenges, including a large tariff on its product. In order to break through the barriers to success, the industry needs to improve its competitiveness and access to overseas markets. This article outlines the growing challenges facing Oregon blueberry growers and outlines several recent international agreements that affect the industry. The legal framework of these agreements is also discussed. Two recent agreements affect the Oregon blueberry industry: a market access agreement with South Korea and the U.S.-Korea Fair Trade Agreement.
Promotions
The Oregon Blueberry Commission recently approved a marketing plan for the 2011 in-state fresh season. The core of the plan includes industry media materials, events, and consumer-based web information. In addition, the Commission is exploring the use of social media to spread the word about the fruit. Social media platforms are scheduled to be up and running by mid-June. Promotions will continue with the Ima Blueberry character, who will continue to appear at farmers markets and other community events.
The commission is one of the 22 state agricultural commodity commissions in Oregon. It funds research, educational projects, and marketing initiatives. The priorities of the Oregon Blueberry Commission include maintaining the industry’s position as one of the world’s premier production areas. The agency also funds a number of public education programs. These events are an excellent way to spread the word about Oregon’s thriving blueberry industry. However, the Oregon Blueberry Commission is a complicated organization. Here are some things to keep in mind when looking for a promotion:
One challenge facing the U.S. blueberry industry is increasing competition from Latin American countries. Fresh imports from Latin America are increasing competition for U.S. growers in the Southeast and are beginning to make their way to Asian consumers. Developing a seamless supply chain for fresh berries would boost domestic demand. In addition to the in-season harvest, berries could also be sold frozen, dried, or in their various forms. However, most consumers don’t consume all three.
The Oregon Blueberry Commission is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing class-leading varieties for growers in every market. For example, New Jersey blueberry growers harvested nearly 46 million pounds of the fruit from nine thousand acres last year. Similarly, Michigan blueberry growers grew nearly half of the U.S. crop in 1993. This success has resulted in the Oregon blueberry industry continuing to expand. But the company’s focus on new varieties is just one of the benefits of working with the Commission.
Reports
The Oregon blueberry commission recently released its quarterly reports, which give a snapshot of the fruits’ progress over the past year. The report also notes the state’s growing international markets. While Japan and Singapore remain steady buyers, the commission hopes to expand into countries like China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Overall, the commission expects continued steady growth in blueberry yields in Oregon. In the coming year, the commission plans to open more overseas markets to help expand the state’s blueberry industry.
However, not all growers are reaping the benefits of record crops. This year’s heat was particularly damaging to blueberries, causing widespread damage across the state. Some growers predicted the drought, despite two days of temperatures over 100 degrees. Still, drought officials didn’t declare a drought emergency, which helped many blueberry growers to plant their varieties earlier and complete the season sooner, with higher yields. The berry commission will release video recordings of its meetings beginning in January 2020.
Many small growers face difficulty in selling their blueberries to the public. Compared to 15 years ago, modern packing lines are five times more expensive and require massive amounts of fruit. This limits the number of people who can afford to sell their berries at local retailers. However, many small growers still have the option to sell locally at a U-pick farm or at a farmers market. While on-farm sales still make up only a fraction of the Oregon blueberry industry, the numbers have increased more than six-fold over the past five years. In 2009, on-farm sales of Oregon blueberries were 2.7 million pounds. However, in 2019, that number has grown to 15.7 million pounds.
Among the 22 agricultural commodity commissions in the state, the Oregon Blueberry Commission has several important roles. As an industry group, the Oregon Blueberry Commission sets priority policies, sets market access guidelines, and makes decisions on commodity-specific marketing, research, and educational projects. Their priorities include maintaining a sustainable production environment for growers while maintaining the state’s position as one of the world’s top production areas. The Oregon blueberry commission reports
Membership
The Oregon Blueberry Commission (OBC) is comprised of nine members appointed by the Director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture. These nine commissioners serve three-year terms. Members are eligible to serve on the commission for two consecutive terms. In addition to making decisions about promotions and food safety regulations, the OBC also serves as the blueberry industry’s voice in agricultural legislation. Here are some of the commission’s members. Interested in serving on the OBC? Apply today!
The Oregon Blueberry Commission consists of members who are passionate about the state’s blueberry industry. Two of those members are blueberry handlers. Meetings will be videotaped and will be available to the public in January 2020. In addition to being part of the Blueberry Commission, a member must also be a blueberry grower or processor. The commission is also responsible for promoting education and research for the industry.
The Oregon Blueberry Commission is a nonprofit organization that provides funding to growers. Its members set industry priorities and make decisions about commodity-specific research, marketing, and educational projects. Priorities of the Oregon Blueberry Commission include creating a positive environment for growers and maintaining the state’s position as one of the world’s leading production areas. If you’re a blueberry grower, consider joining today. You’ll get valuable information about the industry and its members.
Funding
In 2021, the Oregon Blueberry Commission will fund 15 research projects totaling $190,000 in state funding. This funding will support eight new projects and seven ongoing projects. It is the largest amount of research funding ever awarded in a single year. Research funding will help farmers combat European foulbrood, a bacterial disease that has been a problem for beekeepers in Oregon for two decades. It has also led to higher prices for blueberry hive rentals.
The Oregon Blueberry Commission is one of 22 agricultural commodity commissions in the state, funded by growers. This commission sets priority policies for the industry, including decisions regarding commodity-specific research, education, and marketing. It is committed to creating a favorable environment for growers and maintaining Oregon’s leading status in the global production area. Those who support the commission’s work can make an informed decision about the future of their crops.
As the two largest states for blueberry production, Oregon and Washington are working to increase the fruits’ export potential. Both states are seeking new markets in Southeast Asia, hoping to capitalize on the growing demand and growing reputation of other Northwest fruits. As the country’s largest blueberry-producing region, Oregon and Washington will account for 35 percent of total harvested area and 62% of total production by 2020. Oregon blueberry farms range from large operations to small-scale U-Pick options.
The Commission oversees all aspects of Oregon blueberries, from production to marketing. They are passionate about the fruits and a true pleasure to eat. Their commitment to their crops and the region’s economy is evident from the quality of the fruit. Oregon blueberry farms are diverse, from large operations shipping their crop overseas to family farms offering on-farm sales. The industry alone generated $353.5 million in economic impact last year. However, some questions remain about the funding model and the process of choosing a blueberry commission.