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Blueberry council has awarded $1.5 million to explore export markets

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is granted $1.5 million under the second installment of U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). This year, USHBC received $1.3 million in RAPP money.

“These grants are essential in our endeavors to grow into new markets such as Vietnam, India, and South Korea, and we’re happy to be a winner of this grant twice this year, as we work to educate people about the high-quality, versatile and health benefits of blueberries in new markets.” declared USHBC president Kasey Cronquist.

USDA accepted proposals for RAPP grant funding from a variety of trade groups for agricultural products including state regional trade organizations cooperatives for agriculture, as well as the state agencies. In the second round, proposals overcame the funds available and eligible entities submitted over $1 billion worth of proposals for projects.

When all legal and administrative needs are fulfilled, second-round grants of $300 million will be distributed to 67 partners. The most recent investment will bring RAPP’s total RAPP investment up to $600 million by 2024.

In addition, nine members and 10 alternate members were selected by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to serve on the USHBC. 18 appointees are appointed for three years beginning January. 1, 2025 until the end of December. 31st, 2027 and an alternate will be appointed for one year that will expire on the month of December. 31in 2025.

The council consists of 21 people, which includes twelve growers (four regional representatives as well as eight members from the highest eight blueberry-producing states) 4 importers four exporters and one public members. Additionally to every council members, an alternate is selected. The council members as well as their alternates are appointed for 3-year terms. They can also be renewed for an additional three-year period.

The new USHBC Members are:

  • Western Region Member: Nathan Sakuma, Washington
  • Midwest Region Member: Katelyn Craig, Michigan
  • Northeast Region Member: Brandon J. Raso, New Jersey
  • Southern Region Members: Jody A. McPherson, North Carolina
  • Members of the Public: William O. Cline, North Carolina
  • Importer Member: Gonzalo de Elizalde, California
  • Exporter Member: Juan Pablo Vogt, Chile
  • Exporter Member: Daniel J. Bustamante, Peru
  • Exporter Member: Miguel Mendez, Mexico

These newly appointed substitutes include:

  • Western Region Alternate: Anne Krahmer-Steinkamp, Oregon
  • Midwest Region Alternate: Kara Lynn-Hartmann Laraway Michigan
  • Northeast Alternative: Alec Arena, New Jersey
  • Southern Alternative: Dan J. Register, Georgia
  • Public Alternate: Patricio R. Munoz, Ph.D., Florida
  • Importer Alternate: Bonnie Lundblad, New Jersey
  • Exporter Alternative: Ruy Barbosa, Chile
  • Exporter Alternate: Jose Antonio Castro, Peru
  • Exporter Alternate: Raul Gonzalez Chavez, Mexico

Alternate member selected to fill the vacancy for a period that ends December. 31st of 2025.

  • Alternate member: Brandon Wade, Georgia

For more information:

Kristy Babb

North American Blueberry Council

Tel: +1 (916) 461-2205

[email protected]

https://nabc.blueberry.org/