Released May 5, 2008

California blueberries — how to grow them and sell them — is the topic of educational events during the “Week of Blueberries” organized by University of California researchers.

The events will include national and international blueberry experts, who will share their experiences in expanding markets and in solving production problems. Planning for increased market competition is one common theme in many of the presentations, according to field day organizer Manuel Jimenez, Small Farm Program advisor in Tulare County. “Even though demand continues to go up, I think the supply on our side has been going up very, very fast in a short period of time. All that new blueberry acreage is coming into production right about now,” Jimenez said. “Growers need to realize that added acreage some place else means more competition and possibly fewer places to sell our blueberries.”

UC blueberry researchers estimate California has approximately 5,000 acres of commercial blueberry plantings. Most early blueberry acreage planted in California was on smaller farms, while larger parcels are currently being converted to blueberries. Methods for staying competitive in the blueberry market will vary by region, according to Mark Gaskell, Small Farm Program advisor “Our hope with blueberry meetings on the coast is to bring growers up to date on the special management requirement of evergreen blueberries to shift the production as early in the season as possible,” said Mark Gaskell, one of the week’s organizers. “Early harvest is still critical to success with blueberry production in much of California.” The collection of blueberry-themed workshops and field days will take place May 19-22 at locations in the Central Coast, South Coast and Central Valley. Events are co-sponsored by the UC Small Farm Program, UC Cooperative Extension, the Hansen Trust and USDA Risk Management Agency.

A Week of Blueberries

Monday, May 19 – Santa Paul

What: Blueberry workshop with presentations on production issues When: 1-5 p.m. Where: Faulkner Farm, 14292 Telegraph Road, Santa Paula Free to attend Contact: Ben Faber, bafaber@ucdavis.edu, (805) 645-1462

Tuesday, May 20 - Camarillo

What: Blueberry Field Day, half-day focus on production issues on a commercial blueberry ranch When: 9 a.m. to noon Where: Gerry Ranch, 2388 Gerry Road, Camarillo Free to attend Contact: Ben Faber, bafaber@ucdavis.edu, (805) 645-1462

Wednesday, May 21 - Parlier What: Blueberry Field Day and Tasting, with presentations and in-field discussions on production and marketing issues, as well as tasting more than 50 varieties When: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: UC Kearney Agricultural Center, 9240 So. Riverbend Ave., Parlier Registration: $25, or $35 after May 16. Form online at http://ucanr.org/blueberryday.pdf Contact: Manuel Jimenez, mjjimenez@ucdavis.edu, (559) 685-3309

Thursday, May 22 – Nipomo What: Blueberry Field Day, half-day focus on production issues among young blueberry plantings When: 9 a.m. to noon Where: Chavez Ranch, Cherry Blossom Lane, Nipomo Free to attend Contact: Mark Gaskell, mlgaskell@ucdavis.edu, (805) 934-6240

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http://news.ucanr.org/newsstorymain.cfm?story=1101

Contact: Brenda Dawson, (530)752-7849, bldawson@ucdavis.edu