Blackberry Breeder Receives Distinguished Service Award

At its annual meeting on January 16, the North American Raspberry & Blackberry Association (NARBA) presented Dr. John R. Clark, University of Arkansas Professor of Horticulture, with its Distinguished Service Award. The award especially honors Dr. Clark’s work as a breeder of many of the leading blackberry varieties grown today, including new primocane fruiting types which have the potential to greatly increase both the harvest window for blackberries and the geographic range for commercial production. Blackberry varieties developed by Dr. Clark include Ouachita, Natchez, Navajo, Apache, Kiowa, Arapaho, Choctaw, and the primocane varieties, Prime Jim and Prime Jan, and PrimeArk 45. His recent releases of Natchez and Ouachita have been widely planted in the eastern U.S., California, and around the world.

Presenting the award was grower Nathan Milburn of Milburn Orchards in Elkton, MD, the incoming president of NARBA. Said Milburn, “We know John most as a breeder of blackberries and a friend of NARBA. He is a frequent contributor to the NARBA newsletter and has been a presenter at many NARBA conferences. He has spoken in support of NARBA’s blackberry Research and Promotion Program initiative, and helps culture the visionary and collaborative attitudes that will be necessary for its success.”

NARBA is a membership organization of blackberry/raspberry growers, researchers, and others with members in more than 35 states, eight Canadian provinces, and five countries. NARBA’s annual meeting and conference were held in Sandusky, OH, in association with the Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers Association Congress. Previous winners of this Distinguished Service award include grower Ervin Lineberger, Kings Mountain, NC (2010), and Dr. Marvin Pritts, Cornell University (2011). For more information about NARBA, visit www.raspberryblackberry.com.