S M A L L FR U I T UPDA TE | WEEK 1 |  

JANU ARY 5 , 2 0 2 2

Julie Pond
WHAT'S INSIDE
N O R T H WE ST B ER R Y FO UN DA T IO N
INDUSTRY RESOURCES

Happy New Year to all!

GROWER RESOURCES

There continues to be a circulating response to the flooding in the Pacific

INDUSTRY NEWS Northwest for good reason. Between melting snow and never ending rain in the
forecast I thought it prudent to bring up flooding resources.
PEST MANAGEMENT

USHBC recently interviewed growers discussing the fall 2021 flooding during their
SFU SPONSORS latest podcast.

Additionally, there have been a couple publications that have been released related
to severe standing water effects on berry crops. One that was initially circulated by
a group of Pacific Northwest researchers was geared towards general flooding
impacts on berry crops. Just recently, a blueberry-centric version was released
titled: Severe flooding of blueberry fields and includes some guidance for grower
management decisions.

Thanks to everyone for pitching in as they know how during and after these events.

Subscribe Here

Small Fruit Update is

produced once a week
during the growing
season and bimonthly
outside the growing Parts of the Pacific Northwest experienced significant flooding in late Fall
season (Oct - Feb) 2021 with some farms experiencing standing water in their fields for weeks.
Questions are surfacing about the impacts of flooding on berry crop
production and what to expect in 2022. Below is an updated link to a list of
questions and responses by regional experts to aid in planning for the
upcoming production season.

This earlier funding cycle is new in 2022 so please carefully review the revised
timeline as it changes project start dates dramatically.

LEARN MORE
 Industry News

Blueberry Pollination Survey

The survey is part of a USDA NIFA-funded project to improve blueberry pollination. Though this survey, we are trying to
get a better picture of pollination practices. Whether a grower has 1 or 1000 acres, having their input is important.
Furthermore, respondents from each state will be entered in a raffle to win a $50 gift certificate.

COMPLETE SURVEY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research Request for Proposals

The Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research (NCSFR) has released the Request for Applications (RFA) for
2022. All applications must be submitted online by January 28, 2022. If you have any questions, contact the
Northwest Berry Foundation at info@nwberries.org.

LEARN MORE

Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commission research proposals due: Jan.6, 2022. More information here.
Oregon Strawberry Commission research proposals due: Feb. 18, 2022. More information here

PODCASTS OF THE INDUSTRY

The Business of Blueberries: A podcast from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council hosted by Kasey
Cronquist and Rod Cook.
HOLIDAY GREETINGS & SPRING MEETINGS PREVIEW WITH KEN PATTERSON

PolliNation: A podcast from Oregon State University Extension Service hosted by Dr. Andony
Melathopoulos.
201 - NICO ARDANS - WHAT THE HECK DOES IPM MEAN (IN NURSERIES)?

NEWSLETTERS OF THE INDUSTRY

Updated Emergency Need Publication on Impact of Flooding on Berry Crops

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 02
FEATURED LINKS
Agronomics in charts: Berry prices see magnificent growth year-on-year in U.S. market (1/4, Fresh Fruit Portal)

Labor and logistics affect North American blueberry movement (1/4, Fresh Plaza)

Spanish berry growers facing excessive increases in production costs (1/4/2022, Fresh Plaza)

Heavy snow closes highways in Washington and Oregon (1/3/22, Capital Press)

Researchers use survey to evaluate food safety challenges of blueberry harvesting (12/10/21, Food Safety News)

LABOR
Labor and logistics affect blueberry movement READ MORE
(1/4/21, Fresh Plaza)

MARKET
Significant price increases this week included red seedless grapes, avocados, navel oranges and lemons READ MORE
(1/4/22, mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov)

LOGISTICS
5 alternative container ports for avoiding congestion, READ MORE
(1/3/22, Freightwaves.com)

Port program to expedite ag exports READ MORE

(1/4/22, Fresh Plaza)

Port of Los Angeles reveals plans for empty container fees READ MORE
(1/4/22, container-news.com)

CONSUMER
Mission Produce podcast looks at consumer trends for 2022 READ MORE
(1/4/22, Fresh Plaza)

NORTH AMERICA
Maine wild blueberry growers has bounce-back year, aided by rain READ MORE
(9/26, U.S. News)

Mexico: State of Jalisco responsible for 50% of exports for Mexican berries READ MORE
(1/3,22/Fresh Plaza)

SOUTH AMERICA
“Ten years ago to think of growing blueberries in Peru was crazy”- the impact of new variety development READ MORE
(1/3/2022, Blueberry Consulting)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 03
CLIMATE / WEATHER
Eastern Oregon starts off year cold, snowy and windy READ MORE
(1/4, Capital Press)

Rains affecting California strawberry crops READ MORE

(1/3,22, The Produce News)

Epic California storms a drop in the bucket for drought-stricken state READ MORE
(The Packer, 12/30/21)

Map shows almost all of California out of ‘exceptional drought’ after storms READ MORE
(1/3/22, Fresh Fruit Portal)

EUROPE
Europe: No-nonsense vertical farming solution for strawberry cultivation READ MORE
(1/3/22, Fresh Plaza)

PACKAGING
Scientists from Singapore and US develop bacteria-killing packaging READ MORE
(1/3/22, Fresh Plaza)

PEST MANAGEMENT
Vole mapping in grass crops uses drones, artificial intelligence READ MORE
(1/3, Capital Press)

COMPANIES
Sun Belle marks milestone year READ MORE
(1/2/22, The Packer)

GLOBAL MARKET
Port gridlock: Global shipping crisis snarls agricultural exports, increasing costs and delays READ MORE
(12/30/21)

REFERENCE
Fact Sheet: The National Berry Crops Initiative. What is it? READ MORE
(NBCI Website)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 04
 Industry Calendar

JANUARY 2022
WRRC Research Committee Meeting.
05
FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL HENRY BIERLINK

WBC Meeting, Lynden, WA

07
FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL ALAN SCHREIBER

OSC Meeting 11am, Hayden's Grill

06
8187 SW TUALATIN-SHERWOOD RD, TUALATIN, OR 97062 (WITH A CONFERENCE CALL OPTION). FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
RANDI ALEXANDER-ROLISON

Latino Farmer Conference

12
THE SEVENTH ANNUAL LATINO FARMER CONFERENCE BEGINS DECEMBER 8. THE THREE-PART WEBINAR SERIES IS FREE TO ATTEND
REGISTER HERE

ORBC Meeting
12
10AM VIA ZOOM. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT DARCY KOCHIS

“Farming on the Urban Edge” Virtual Conference Session 3

14
VIRTUAL CONFERENCE FOR FARMERS, POLICY-MAKERS, EDUCATORS, AND FOOD SYSTEMS STAKEHOLDERS. REGISTER HERE

PNWIMC Conference
10 - 11
RSVP HERE

FEBRUARY 2022

2022 Berry Health Benefits Symposium

1 - 3
REGISTER HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!

Latino Farmer Conference

09
THE SEVENTH ANNUAL LATINO FARMER CONFERENCE BEGINS DECEMBER 8. THE THREE-PART WEBINAR SERIES IS FREE TO ATTEND REGISTER HERE

OSC Annual Meeting

10
9AM AT NWREC, AURORA, OR DETAILS TBA

“Farming on the Urban Edge” Virtual Conference Session 2

11
VIRTUAL CONFERENCE FOR FARMERS, POLICY-MAKERS, EDUCATORS, AND FOOD SYSTEMS STAKEHOLDERS. REGISTER HERE

Blueberry Conference
14
IN PERSON, SALEM CONVENTION CENTER: 200 LIBERTY STREET SE, SALEM, OR 97301. MORE INFORMATION HERE

OSU Small Farms Conference

18 - 19
VIRTUAL EVENT. MORE INFORMATION HERE

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 05
 MARCH 2022
“Farming on the Urban Edge” Virtual Conference Session 2
11
VIRTUAL CONFERENCE FOR FARMERS, POLICY-MAKERS, EDUCATORS, AND FOOD SYSTEMS STAKEHOLDERS. REGISTER HERE

3/31-4/2
Lower Mainland Horticultural Growers Short Course
HYBRID EVENT. REGISTER HERE

JUNE 2022

27 - 29
NABREW meeting hosted by the BC Blueberry Council
IN ABBOTSFORD, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT ERIC GERBRANDT AT
RESEARCH@BCBERRIES.CA

The Small Fruit Update is published by the Northwest Berry Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. Our mission is to support
the northwest small fruit industry through education, research and information access. The SFU is made possible through the
generosity of our sponsors and readers like you. Donate today, and together we can help our berry growing community thrive.

Thank you for your support!

DONATE NOW

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 06
 THE SMALL FRUIT UPDATE
WEEK 1 | JANUARY 05, 2022

This is the sole industry publication, For more information or requests please
gathering grower and producer news, contact:
and regional field reports to unite,
stabilize, and strengthen the Northwest Abby Gearing,
berry growing region (Canada and US). SFU Designer & Editor
abby@nwberries.org
Production is independent of
government and commercial control Tom Peerbolt,
and made possible by the following NBF Director & Editor
commission & councils. tom@peerbolt.com.