On July 29, at its research farm in Oregon, Fall Creek will bring together growers, licensees, marketers and retailers from the main high-chill production regions of North America, Chile and Northern Europe.
For the first time, the traditional High Chill Field + Forum will take on a global dimension, with a program focused on innovations transforming blueberry production and marketing.
Holding the event during peak ripening will allow participants to observe varieties and advanced selections directly in the fields where Fall Creek collects its trial data.
The day will therefore go beyond the presentation of new genetic material, comparing agronomic performance, sensory quality, mechanization potential and market requirements.
FC11-164, a variety for machine harvesting fresh-market blueberries
One of the main innovations will be FC11-164, described by Fall Creek as its first fresh-market blueberry variety developed for machine harvesting.
The material had already been observed in the field during previous editions of the event, but in 2026 it will be presented for the first time as an officially released variety. Its commercial name will also be revealed during the day.
Developing a cultivar that combines machine harvesting and the fresh market addresses one of the industry’s most important challenges.
Labor availability and costs are encouraging many production regions to consider automated harvesting systems, without compromising firmness, fruit integrity, shelf life or the visual quality required by retailers.
FC11-164 will be presented alongside Sekoya Nova ‘FC15-173’, which had also previously been shown in research fields and has now officially joined the varietal portfolio.
The two cultivars represent the different routes through which Fall Creek brings its genetics to market: the Fall Creek Collection and the Sekoya licensing program.
From advanced selections to blind tastings
Tours of Henry Research Farm will include breeding and applied research demonstrations, field observations and blind tastings. Both released varieties and advanced selections will be examined, allowing comparisons between production characteristics and sensory performance.
Blind tastings will have a specific role in the program, with results presented by Sarah Brabant, Fall Creek’s Applied Research Lead.
The aim is to connect agronomic data with the perceived quality of the product, an increasingly important factor in varietal decisions.
Sensory comparisons make it possible to assess whether attributes such as crispness, sweetness, acidity, berry size and firmness are recognized and appreciated independently of a cultivar’s name or the commercial program to which it belongs.
High-chill research looks beyond yield
Paul Sandefur, Fall Creek’s Vice President of Research and Development, will present the new frontiers of applied research in high-chill environments.
The subject concerns regions with substantial winter chill, where breeding must address not only yield and climatic adaptation but also mechanization, fruit quality and supply consistency.
CEO Marc de Beer will discuss the company’s long-term investments in innovation, research and grower services. The program reflects an intention to align varietal development more closely with growers’ operating conditions and changes taking place throughout the supply chain.
Consumers enter the varietal decision-making process
The afternoon sessions will shift the focus from research to the market. Ben Kuenzle, Partner at Vivaldi Group, will analyze the global fresh blueberry consumer, with a particular focus on high-chill markets.
The session is expected to provide insights into the attributes influencing purchases and the differences between consumer markets.
The retail perspective will be presented by Peter Machala, Category Manager at Wakefern Food Corp., in a session exploring the role of premium varieties in driving demand.
Including a retailer in the program highlights how varietal selection is no longer guided exclusively by yield, production windows and storability.
Consistency, eating experience, distinctiveness and reliable quality are becoming increasingly important.
For breeding programs, this means assessing a new variety across the entire supply chain—from field performance to consumer response and its ability to support differentiated market positioning.
Perspectives from growers and marketers
A panel discussion will bring together Carlo Lingua, CEO of RK Growers; Aaron Bagwell, Agronomist at North Bay Produce; John Matro, Owner and Chief Operations Officer of Winslow Junction Produce; and Ben Lahr, Supply and Grower Relations Manager at Twin River Berries.
The discussion will focus on bringing premium blueberry genetics to market. Key themes are expected to include varietal selection, agronomic management, coordination between production and marketing, and the ability to deliver promised quality throughout the supply chain.
The Global High Chill Field + Forum will therefore offer an indication of the priorities shaping blueberry breeding: greater suitability for machine harvesting, verifiable sensory quality, applied research and closer integration among breeders, growers, marketers and retailers
Info: info.fallcreeknursery.com.
