Over 100 farmers, researchers, and industry professionals took part in the Blueberry Field Day, the summer event organized by Oregon State University (OSU) at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC). It was an opportunity to taste new blueberry selections, discover the latest research findings, and discuss key issues for the supply chain.
The tasting table was the heart of the initiative: the berries, coming from the OSU–USDA breeding program, were evaluated for flavor, firmness, and size. The best selections may be released in the coming years as new commercial cultivars.
Oregon drives innovation
With an annual production of about 160 million pounds (around 72,500 tons) and over 320 active farms, Oregon is the second-largest U.S. state for blueberry production. Among the attendees were Alan and Jessica Stokke of Beach Family Farm in Sherwood, who run a U-pick field and have been collaborating with OSU for years.
After a severe plant health issue forced them to wipe out their entire 2024 crop, they found support in Prof. Wei Yang, who guided them through plant recovery: “This year is definitely better, we’re on the right track,” said Alan Stokke.
Focus on food safety
One of the central topics was safety in mechanical harvesting. Jovana Kovacevic, an expert at the Food Innovation Center in Portland, presented the results of a study on bacterial contamination from E. coli during machine harvesting. The experiment showed that bacteria can transfer from contaminated fruit to the machine and then to subsequent “clean” lots, even after standard cleaning. The most critical surfaces were found to be the lower conveyor belts and the picking plates.
The team already plans new laboratory tests, including with Listeria monocytogenes, to identify more effective sanitation methods.
Research serving growers
The event also featured contributions from Scott Lukas (OSU College of Agricultural Sciences), Steve Young (new NWREC director), Ramesh Sagili (expert in bees and pollination), and Marcelo Moretti (weed management specialist).
The Blueberry Field Day thus confirms its key role as a platform for exchange between research and agriculture: an event where the future of blueberries is built on experimental fields, scientific evidence, and concrete production needs.
Source text and image: oregonstate.edu
