California Ag Network

Category: Berries

  • The 2026 Blueberry Convention Is in Your Backyard

    The 2026 Blueberry Convention, Sept. 22-25, is taking place right in your backyard in Monterey!

    Since it’s so close to home, this is an excellent (and convenient) opportunity to connect in-person with industry colleagues, gain valuable insights during education sessions and keynotes, and help shape the future of our industry.

    Here’s what you can look forward to:

    • Get the latest category data and economic outlooks to guide your operations.
    • See the latest tech and ag solutions on Blueberry Lane and Blueberry Row.
    • Find out how our Blueberries GO BIG campaign is driving demand.
    • Learn about our health research focus on cognitive health.
    • Experience the excitement of the Blueberry Boost Accelerator live pitch competition.
    • Attend Blueberry Night at a California gem – the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
    • Join the USHBC Council and NABC Board meetings on Wednesday.

    Get a glimpse into the experience here: youtube.com/watch?v=iH988J9kvss&t=2s

    Then check out the full schedule to plan your experience (like adding the Blueberry Data & Intelligence Summit), then sign up to join us!

    [REGISTER NOW]

    More Ways to Stay in Monterey

    The 2026 Blueberry Convention will take place at the Hyatt Regency Monterey. While the deadline for our group rate has passed, you can contact the Hyatt Regency Monterey directly to check availability and pricing. Be sure to mention the NABC Convention!

    With strong interest in this year’s convention, we’ve expanded our housing options throughout Monterey. See the full list on the “Travel Information” tab on our Blueberry Convention webpage.

  • Blueberry Industry Votes in Support of USHBC

    The USDA’s Ag Marketing Service (AMS) announced that a majority of eligible blueberry producers and importers voted in favor of continuing the work of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC). The industry created USHBC 26 years ago to give more U.S. consumers more reasons to buy more blueberries, to expand demand for U.S. blueberries in global markets and to provide services that equip all in the sector for success.

    “When the industry comes together, we make bigger opportunities possible for everyone to build the business, life and legacy they want and I’m thrilled the work of USHBC will continue,” said Ellie Norris, an Oregon blueberry grower and chair of the USHBC. “No other organization can do for the industry what USHBC can do, especially when it comes to driving category growth.”

    The USDA requires USHBC to hold a referendum every five years, and Norris said she and the rest of the board worked closely with staff to ensure eligible voters were well-informed about the past, current and planned efforts and progress made by the industry-led body.

    “We have momentum on our side. Thanks to decades of USHBC marketing informed by health research, U.S. consumers know blueberries are good for them and now they want and expect them year-round.” said Norris. “That said, I recognize not everyone voted ‘yes,’ and I hope those who have different perspectives or new ideas will become more involved in USHBC moving forward. Diverse perspectives are welcome and can make us stronger.”

    According to AMS, 58% of producers and importers representing 84% of the volume of blueberries grown, were in favor of continuing the program.

    “I’m excited about what’s next because the work of USHBC has never been more important than it is today,” said Brittany Lee, a Florida grower and USHBC vice chair. “The marketplace is certainly filled with pressures, including growing supply, but it’s also filled with promise and there is plenty of room to create more demand.”

    USHBC’s 2026 Blueberry Convention will take place in Monterey, California, Sept. 22-25, and registration remains open for all in the industry.

    “It’s a place to find helpful information, share and discuss future plans and make meaningful connections” said USHBC President Kasey Cronquist. “I hope growers, marketers, suppliers and everyone with an interest in the future success of the industry can join us, because we’ve got more work to do.”

    — Story contributed by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

  • California Blueberries Harvested at the Right Moment

    California blueberry growers had a good season, with the crop arriving at the right time to get a good price. Kasey Cronquist of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and North American Blueberry Council spoke with Matthew Malcolm from California Fruit & Vegetable about some of the ways his organizations are promoting American blueberries and helping growers, including September’s Blueberry Convention in Monterey. Watch this quick video and learn more in California Fruit and Vegetable Magazine.

  • Project in Santa Cruz Co. Explores Alternative to Soil Fumigation

    The Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner (CAC) is initiating a $175,000 pilot project funded by the California DPR to use steam as an alternative to pre-plant fumigation, advancing work to foster the availability and adoption of sustainable pest management in California.

    The pilot project, led by CAC David Sanford, resulted from conversations with community groups interested in exploring fumigant alternatives near certain sensitive, community-serving locations such as schools. As part of the pilot, several berry producers in the Pajaro Valley will test the use of steam in lieu of conventional pre-plant soil fumigation starting this summer. Research will continue into next year.

    “This pilot represents an important collaboration to meet the needs of communities and growers in California,” said DPR Director Karen Morrison. “DPR is pleased to support efforts that encourage local partnerships, drive innovations in alternatives, and advance sustainable pest management.”

    Steam treatment for pest management involves injecting high temperature steam into the soil before planting. The heat helps reduce certain soil-borne pests, plant diseases, nematodes, and weed seeds. The test fields will be selected for the pilot project based on their proximity to schools or other sensitive sites to explore this potential alternative to help reduce the use of field fumigants near communities.

    DPR recently released findings from an independent study on alternatives to pre-plant fumigants that documented that no existing alternative can currently serve as a direct substitute for chemical fumigants on a wide scale. The study identified the need for more research to understand the soil and climate conditions where alternatives can be effective.

    “This project provides an opportunity to further assess soil steaming as a potential alternative to conventional pre-plant soil fumigation,” Sanford said. “We’re pleased to support this collaborative effort by helping inform the public, facilitating community engagement, and contributing to the evaluation of a promising technology in sustainable pest management.”

    The Santa Cruz CAC and members of Safe Ag Safe Schools (SASS) brought the project to DPR for funding consideration. The CAC will collaborate with a University of California researcher, industry partners, berry growers and landowners, community members, and adjacent sensitive-site representatives on the pilot.

    “The Pajaro Valley has some of the most concentrated use of fumigants in the state, including near schools and homes,” said Kathleen Kilpatrick, SASS member and retired school nurse. “SASS members support exploring non-chemical alternatives on fields near schools. We hope these pilot projects will provide tools for pesticide reduction and expansion of organic buffers.”

    The Santa Cruz CAC will hold community outreach meetings throughout the pilot period, where people can ask questions, provide feedback, and offer input. The first community meeting will take place Aug. 18at 5:30 p.m. in the Greg Caput Community Room of the South County Government Center, 500 Westridge Dr., Watsonville. More information can be found on the Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner’s website

  • UC ANR Hosting Irrigation Meeting

    UC Ag and Natural Resources is hosting its 2026 Irrigation and Nutrient Management Meeting for vegetable and berry crop growers. The session will offer cover such topics as basin conditions and groundwater management, stress factors affecting rot development in strawberries, irrigation management tools, impact assessments on nitrogen fertilizer and more.

    The meeting will be held Aug. 19 from 8:20 a.m. to to noon at the United Water Conservation District in Oxnard. Those interested can register here. Click here to view the full agenda. — Story contributed by UC Ag and Natural Resources

  • Blueberry Convention Coming to Monterey

    The Blueberry Convention is the largest gathering of the blueberry industry in the U.S. — and this year’s event is packed with insights, connections and experiences designed to help move the industry forward.

    Guests will be able to:

    • Get the latest category data, insights and economic outlooks to guide your operations.
    • See how the Blueberries GO BIG campaign is driving demand.
    • Learn about the organizations’ health research focus on cognitive health.
    • Experience the energy of the Blueberry Boost Accelerator live pitch competition.
    • Join the USHBC Council and NABC Board meetings on Wednesday.

    New for 2026 

    The USHBC and NABC are bringing some new features and opportunities to Monterey this year. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s ahead:

    Tech Tuesday 

    Explore emerging and advancing technologies shaping the future of the blueberry industry during this special education session organized by the BerrySmart Technology Task Force. Over the course of two hours, attendees will gain insight into innovations, tools and ideas designed to support on-farm efficiency, data-driven decision-making and long-term industry progress.

    Blueberry Night at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

    A one-of-a-kind strolling dinner as the blueberry industry takes over the aquarium. Enjoy chef-curated food stations, coastal views and access to incredible exhibits — all in a vibrant setting designed for connection and celebration.

    Meet, Eat and Explore 

    An open lunch in the heart of the convention action. With seating throughout the common areas near Blueberry Lane and Blueberry Row, it’s the perfect chance to grab a bite, connect with exhibitors and spend time with fellow attendees.

    Blueberry Boardroom

    The Blueberry Boardroom will offer a dedicated space to meet with colleagues, host team conversations or hold business meetings throughout the event. Advance booking is encouraged.

    Blueberries & Beyond: A Central Coast Tour 

    The convention will wrap up with an on-the-ground look at agriculture in the Monterey area. This industry tour will give guests the opportunity to explore blueberry-related production, while also experiencing the broader agricultural landscape of California’s Central Coast.

    Guests also have access to favorites from past events, including the Blueberry Boost Accelerator live pitch competition (back by popular demand), the NABC Awards and the USHBC Elizabeth White Award, the BerryFit Club 5k and yoga, keynotes and education sessions.

    — Story contributed by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and the North American Blueberry Council

  • Fourth Annual Organic Field Day Returning to Cal Poly on July 23

    The Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research at California Polytechnic State University will host its Fourth Annual Organic Field Day on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Cal Poly’s Organic Sandbox on Highland Ave. The free event is open to the public and designed for farmers, agricultural professionals, students, and anyone interested in organic agriculture.

    The Organic Field Day offers attendees hands-on access to ongoing student-led research in organic nutrient and pest management, a workshop with the Coalition for Food Safety and Sustainability, and a discussion of trap crops for flea beetles and cucumber beetles. Participants can expect guided field tours, live demonstrations, and direct conversations with Cal Poly researchers and faculty working on practical solutions for organic producers.

    “The Grimm Organic Center Field Day is an opportunity to see the next generation of

    agricultural innovation in action. Attendees will hear directly from Cal Poly students researching soil health and pest management while engaging with experts on practical topics, including trap cropping, food safety, and sustainability. Whether you’re a grower, advisor, student, or industry professional, you’ll leave with ideas and connections that can be applied immediately.” — Matthew Grieshop, Director of the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research (mgriesho@calpoly.edu)

    “The Grimm Organic Center Field Day is a great event with educational sessions on key topics that are critical for organic farming – organic nutrient management, organic pest and disease management, and understanding soil health. These sessions are all presented by Cal Poly students involved in conducting the research. I believe the information presented will be of interest to the whole organic farming community.” — Ramy Colfer, True Organic Products (rcolfer@true.ag)

    The event follows the Strawberry Center Field Day, also held on July 23 at Cal Poly. Attendees should register for each event separately.

    Registration is free and open to all. Registration and sponsorship links can be found at

    organic.calpoly.edu/field-day-2026

    Event Details

    Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026

    Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, immediately following the Strawberry Center Field Day.

    Location: Cal Poly Organic Sandbox, Highland Ave., Cal Poly campus.

    Free Event Parking: H1 Lot, Mount Bishop Rd.

    Cost: Free and open to the public.

    For more information, please email Matthew Grieshop, director of the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research, at mgriesho@calpoly.edu, or visit organic.calpoly.edu/field-day-2026. — Story contributed by the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research

  • Effects of Shading on Raspberry Leaves

    There are a lot of reasons that plant leaves turn yellow and this can be beyond just the most obvious like nutrient deficiency or sickness, and sometimes includes things that we don’t think about at the beginning.

    In this vein, consider the pictures below of the yellowing caused in raspberry leaves when they are blocked from a sufficient amount of light. In this case, two leaves were covering another leaf below, and the result, which is visible when those two leaves are pulled aside, was a pattern of yellowing in the same shape as the leaves which were lying upon it.    The lack of sunlight causes the chloroplasts which are responsible for the manufacture of green chlorophyll to become less active, eventually degrade with the net result of degreening and a fade to yellow.

    Understanding this concept explains as well why the insides of raspberry hedgerowsare often filled with yellow and dying plants. There is little light getting through there, so the leaves lose their purpose and over time senesce. —Story by Mark P. Bolda, UC Ag and Natural Resource

    Pull the green leaves aside and we discover that the leaf below is left yellow in the area covered. Photo contributed by UC Ag and Natural Resources.
    On a macro-scale, this is why we often see the leaves on the inside of the raspberry hedgerow become yellow and die. They do not have sufficient light. Photo contributed by UC Ag and Natural Resources.

  • UC ANR Hosting Berry Production Workshop in SD County

    UC Ag and Natural Resources is hosting a berry production workshop in Escondido. Whether it’s backyard and container-grown production, or commercial, field-grown operations, growers can learn the essentials of cultivating, managing and the economics of growing strawberries, blackberries and blueberries in San Diego County.

    The workshop will cover site selection, planting, irrigation, pest management, harvesting and market considerations for berry production at any scale. Practices, strategies, and challenges for production of strawberries and cane berries

    Issues and strategies for container-grown blueberries in San Diego County. Challenges for commercial, field-grown production of blueberries in San Diego County Economic consideration for berry production, tasting and value-added product development with berries will also be discussed.

    Registration is $40 per person. The deadline is 5 p.m. June 15, or earlier if capacity is reached.

    Day of walk-ups will not be admitted. Registration includes educational materials, continental breakfast and tasting of berries and berry products.

    Registration Link: https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=49412

              

    For questions about registration, contact Lupe Ibarra at (858)822-7711 or llibarra@ucanr.edu. For questions about the program, contact Ramiro Lobo at (858)243-4608 or relobo@ucanr.edu. — Story contributed by UC Ag and Natural Resources

  • Fertilization and Irrigation Strategies Tutorial Planned for Strawberry Growers

    UC Ag and Natural Resources is planning a Pre-Plant Fertilization and Establishment Irrigation Strategies for Strawberry Production

    Growers will gather May 21 at Crisalida Berry Farms in Oxnard to go over insights on establishing strawberries with drip tape versus micro sprinklers, irrigation choices and their influence on crop development, practical approaching to improving water and nutrient use efficiency, how to visualize treatments effects on plots and discuss events. Fertilizer strategies like banded, broadcast and no fertilizer will also be discussed.

    Spanish translation will be provided, along with refreshments. Participants including certified crop adivsers will receive two continuing education units.