Topics in this issue of Blues Update:
- From the Chair: Join Us in Washington, D.C.!
- USDA Cuts Employees, Freezes Project Funding
- Federal Funding Freeze
- NABC’s U.S. Policy Platform Now Available
- NABC 2024 Impact Report Just Released
- Don’t Miss the Amazing Speakers at Our Upcoming Event
- NABC Presents at Oregon Blueberry Conference
- NABC Membership Update
- We Want to Help Promote Your Events!
From the Chair: Join Us in Washington, D.C.!
By Teddy Koukoulis
NABC Chair
The NABC’s biggest and most critical advocacy event of the year is coming up in just a few weeks. We’re headed to Washington, D.C., for The Blueberry Hill Climb and Industry Meetings March 24-28 – and we need you there!
Why? We’ve found that when we share our stories, policymakers are more likely to listen, to relate and to keep those stories in mind when issues that impact agriculture come up. We know you’re not experts, so we’ll provide the training you need to talk to representatives of the Trump administration and congressional staff.
While you’re there, you’ll want to join our industry meetings, happening simultaneously. These meetings will bring you up to speed on all of the council’s efforts on behalf of the blueberry community, and provide yet another chance for you to share your input on where we’re headed.
I can’t stress enough how important it is for you to be there. Please take a few minutes to learn more, check out the schedule and sign up today!
USDA Cuts Employees, Freezes Project Funding
Thousands of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) employees have received termination notices in recent weeks as part of a broader federal workforce reduction. The layoffs affect the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), among others.
While the NABC supports efforts to improve government efficiency, these sweeping cuts will have immediate and long-term consequences for the blueberry industry if not reversed. We’re particularly concerned about the indiscriminate elimination of research positions, including USDA-ARS research geneticists in Corvallis, Oregon, and Chatsworth, New Jersey, who were conducting critical work on blueberry field health and cultivar development.
“The NABC shares the industry’s concerns – and frankly, confusion – over the termination of these essential positions and the valuable people occupying them,” said NABC Director of Government Affairs Alyssa Houtby. “We’re leveraging our connections with the USDA and in Congress alongside our association partners to advocate for the restoration of these positions.”
As this situation continues to evolve, the NABC remains committed to ensuring the blueberry industry’s voice is heard at the highest levels of government.
Federal Funding Freeze
The USDA has also implemented a freeze on federal funding while it conducts a comprehensive review of departmental and programmatic spending. The NABC has been informed of a number projects and individual producer grants that have been suspended or rescinded.
To advocate for programs that are vital to our growers and the industry, the NABC is collecting impact statements to present to Congress and the Trump administration.
If your federal funding has been withheld due to this freeze, please complete the form below telling us about your experience so we can share it with policymakers and the USDA. Your comments will remain anonymous.
NABC’s U.S. Policy Platform Now Available
The NABC’s U.S. Policy Platform is now available in a full-color magazine format to review and share!
The platform represents the collective positions and priorities of U.S. blueberry growers, handlers and marketers, and serves as a strategic guide for NABC’s policy initiatives.
Updated annually by the NABC Government Affairs Committee and approved by the NABC Board of Directors, this Policy Platform addresses key issues critical to the industry, including:
- The Farm Bill and agricultural policy
- Agriculture workforce and labor policy International trade and market access
- Conservation and the environment
- Food Safety and labeling
- Nutrition and consumption
- Tax policy
The primary goal of these policy positions – and NABC’s overall governmental affairs strategy – is to strengthen the competitiveness of the U.S. blueberry industry. Check out the full report here.
NABC 2024 Impact Report Just Released
The all-new, 24-page NABC 2024 Impact Report is now available. The report details a year’s worth of efforts toward meeting our mission of being the united voice, advocate and resource serving the interests of the highbush blueberry industry.
The report includes coverage of our programs and events, advocacy efforts, membership successes, supporter contributions, data and insights efforts, and annual awards. Plus, you’ll get a look at the thought leaders who are serving on NABC committees and task forces.
As you spend some time with this report, we think you’ll be particularly impressed by our government affairs efforts and the level of visibility and influence we’ve achieved in a single year. And we’re betting you’ll enjoy reading about our many other successes – all focused on providing members with the support, benefits and market intel they count on.
Check it out today!
Don’t Miss the Amazing Speakers at Our Upcoming Event
If you still haven’t registered for The Blueberry Hill Climb and Industry Meetings, March 24-28 in Alexandria, Virginia, our just-released list of speakers may be the nudge you need!
The Blueberry Hill Climb
The Blueberry Hill Climb agenda is beginning to take shape! You can expect to meet with leaders at USDA, Department of Labor and the office of the U.S. Trade Representative. You’ll also hear from experts on labor policy, tax policy and the Farm Bill.
Plus, D.C. insiders will share their color commentary on the White House agenda and what it means for agriculture.
We’ve already secured meetings with both Agriculture Committee Chairs – Rep. G.T. Thompson (R-PA) and Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) – as well as the office of House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Industry Meetings
The event is also your chance to participate in USHBC and NABC committee meetings, network with peers, learn from engaging speakers and experience our nation’s capital.
You’ll want to be there to hear from Jennifer Tiller, new chief of staff to the deputy secretary and senior advisor to the Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services at USDA.
Tiller previously served as the deputy staff director for the House Ag Committee under the leadership of Chairman G.T. Thompson (R-PA), where she worked on a variety of legislative efforts affecting U.S. agriculture and domestic nutrition programs.
During her keynote, she’ll share her insights on the Trump administration’s efforts to enhance the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and USDA initiatives to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables, including blueberries.
Sign up today to be part of all the action, hear from thought leaders and connect in person with your blueberry industry colleagues.
NABC Presents at Oregon Blueberry Conference
The NABC team participated in this year’s Oregon Blueberry Conference, providing a timely update on driving demand through global trade initiatives focused on realizing our industry’s vision to make blueberries the world’s favorite fruit.
NABC President Kasey Cronquist thanked the Oregon Blueberry Commission for the opportunity to share the important work underway, and introduced Director of Government Affairs Alyssa Houtby and Director of Global Business Development Haiying Zhang.
Houtby discussed the NABC’s efforts in Washington, D.C., to raise the profile of the blueberry industry with the new administration and Congress, advocating for our growers and the growth of the category. Zhang provided example after example, country after country, on the great work the USHBC is doing to expand global demand for USA Blueberries.
NABC Membership Update
NABC membership just keeps growing!
In addition to renewing over 125 members, we’ve also welcomed 100 new members to the fold. A large number of new members come in partnership with MBG, and, with that partnership, the organization is stronger than ever before and better able to serve the industry.
If your company hasn’t renewed yet, please be mindful that we have a grace period for members to renew in the new year that ends March 31. Renew today to keep the many benefits of NABC membership flowing!
Please join us in welcoming the following NEW members:
- SPC
- Crossroads Blueberry Farm
- Pacific Blueberry Company
- 360 Ag Management
- Allison Acres
- American Berry
- B C Rentz
- Bare Naked Farms
- Bautista Blueberry Farm
- Beach Family Farms
- Beards Produce
- Bennett Berry Farm
- Benwood Harvest
- Blue J Farms
- Blueberry Ranch
- Bluegrace Farm
- Boatright Farms
- Bodtke Trust
- Booth & Bennett Packing
- Brantley County Blueberries
- Brian Ensing
- Broxton Blueberry Farms
- Bryan Wilson
- Caldera Blueberries
- Cathys Plantation
- Cogdell Berry Farm
- Cones Folly Blueberries
- Cornelius & Sons Farm
- Courturier Blueberry Farm
- Crossroads Blueberry Farm
- Dacosta Blueberry Farms
- Dell-Ray Berry Farm
- Diez Family Farm
- Douglas Tree Farm
- Dounoco Land Company
- Down South Berries
- DRW Ag Enterprises
- E. Vickers Land and Cattle Co.
- Eenigenburgs North Berry Farm
- Everblue Farms
- Fairway Enterprises
- Frank Coles
- Fritts Berry Farm
- Gold Barn Blueberries
- Harris Blueberries
- Harrod Farm
- Hodgman Blueberry Plantation
- J N K Berry Farms
- J4 Blueberry Farms
- Jack Wildes
- Jason Nugent
- Jawor Bros. Blueberries
- Jody Arch Miles
- Josh Hutchinson
- K & C Farms
- Kanwood Farms
- Kevin Eason
- Lee Family Properties
- Lutz Berry Farm
- Mana Azul Blueberry Farm
- Miles Berry Farm
- Miller Blueberry Farm
- Nelsons Blueberry Farm
- New Holland Blueberries Corp.
- Okefenokee Botanicals
- Olsen Brothers Ranches
- Organic Blueberries
- Pacific Blueberry Company
- Patten Farm
- Pine Lane Berry Farms
- Pinnacle South Berry Farm
- Q & R Farms
- RAMBO Inc.
- Red Farms
- Reyna Blueberry Farms
- Rifle Range Blueberry Farm
- Russel D. Hodgman
- S & L Blueberry Farm
- Sammy Rogers
- Sandy Ridge Farm
- Satilla BB
- Shirley Afton
- Southern Blues
- SPC
- Stipe Farms
- Sunshine Blueberry Farm
- Suwannee Creek Berries
- Tanner Blueberry Farms
- Tce Blueberries
- The Crews Farm
- Third Day Farms
- Thomas Blueberries
- Thomas Family Farms
- Three L Blueberry Co.
- Tiles Blueberries
- Tiner Farms
- True North Blue Acres
- Van Kleys Blueberries
- Wiley Hinson Blueberries
- Wrigleys Fields
NABC’s value to the industry is undeniable. Help spread the word and invite others in your network to join!
We Want to Help Promote Your Events!
If you’re hosting a blueberry-related event, we can help you spread the word. Email Gabriella Gebhardt at [email protected] with the details and we’ll include it in an upcoming newsletter.