Blueberry Nursery Suppliers
March 1, 2009 The steady volume of health-related news that’s been coming out about blueberries, especially their role as a major source of antioxidants, has meant more growers entering the market. At the same time, more experienced blueberry growers are increasing their acreage, updating their varieties, and looking into new forms of pest management and harvesting technology.
If you’re one of these growers, where do you turn for help in these areas? Keep reading for more information on some of the nation’s leading blueberry nurseries, how to contact them, and what they are doing to improve the service they provide.
Alma Nursery, Inc.
912-632-5708
[email protected]
Alma Nursery, based in Alma, GA, has been growing and supplying blueberries for more than 30 years. Alma is a licensed propagator of rabbiteye and southern highbush varieties.
Barwacz Farm
888-511-4419
www.barwaczfarm.com
Barwacz Farm specializes in three new Michigan State University varieties: Aurora, Liberty, and Draper. Recently, Barwacz has focused on working with commercial growers.
DeGrandchamp Farms
888-483-7431
www.degrandchamps.com
DeGrandchamp Farms of South Haven, MI, is also focusing on three new and popular varieties from Michigan State University: late-ripening cultivars Aurora and Liberty, and Draper, a new mid-season cultivar. According to Mike DeGrandchamp, the company just completed a state-of-the-art propagation facility with a 20,000 square feet gutter-connected greenhouse. It has heated cement floors and computer-operated climate controls. A new 4,800-square-foot warehouse was also completed in October and includes an 800-square-foot grow room for tissue culture propagation.
Fall Creek Farm & Nursery
800-538-3001
www.fallcreeknursery.com
Fall Creek is a wholesale blueberry nursery located in the Willamette Valley of Western Oregon. Recently, Fall Creek named a new nursery sales manager (see pg. 6) and is preparing to release a new variety suitable for mechanical harvesting (see pg. 18)
J.R. T. Nurseries
360-543-5363
www.jrtnursery.com
J.R.T. Nurseries Inc. started as a 5-acre, family-run farm in Canada, before expanding into the U.S. in 2004. Their farm and nursery now encompass more than 500 acres. In addition to conventional propagation, J.R.T. uses tissue culture in a new state-of-the-art lab.
Oregon Blueberry Farms and Nursery
503-873-1200
www.oreblueberry.com
Located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Oregon Blueberry Farms and Nursery has more than 100 acres of blueberries. As the popularity of blueberries has increased over the past 20 years, the nursery has grown as well. The company operates a propagation facility in Silverton and two container nursery facilities in Salem. In 2006, the company added an office in California to assist growers in the Southwest.
Stokes Blueberry Farms & Nursery
269-427-8675
www.stokesblueberries.com
The older varieties are still some of the best varieties at Stokes. Early season Duke, mid-season Blue Crop, and late-season Elliott have proven themselves to be consistent producers. Because health is a big concern, Stokes also offers Rubel, a wild variety that ranks high in antioxidant levels.
Southeast Bark & Blueberry Farms
912-449-6869
www.southeastbark.com
Southeast Bark was established in 2001 and is located in Alma, GA. They are able to assist with field and orchard design, bedding preparation, planting, and delivery.
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