Submissions accepted through August 14; winners will be honored at The 2026 Blueberry Convention
Folsom, CA, June 18, 2026 – The North American Blueberry Council (NABC) and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) have officially opened nominations for their annual industry awards, inviting the blueberry community to help recognize the leaders, innovators and changemakers who continue to shape the future of the industry.
This year’s awards include the NABC Awards and the Women in Blueberries: Elizabeth White Award, which celebrates the extraordinary contributions of women in the blueberry industry.
Nominations will be accepted through Friday, Aug. 14. Submissions are welcome from blueberry industry members, the NABC Nomination Committee, and NABC and USHBC staff.
Award winners will be recognized and celebrated this fall at The 2026 Blueberry Convention, September 22-25 in Monterey, California.
Here’s a look at the award categories:
NABC Awards
Hall of Fame Award
The NABC Hall of Fame Award honors blueberry leaders, growers and suppliers who have impacted the blueberry industry in North America. The award was established as the council and industry’s highest honor, and is open to influential leaders, past and present.
Alex Wetherbee Award
The Alex Wetherbee Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the blueberry industry in marketing and promotion. Alex Wetherbee was one of NABC’s founders and a blueberry marketer from New Jersey who is respected industrywide for his passion in promoting blueberries.
Duke Galletta Award
The Duke Galletta Award recognizes excellence in blueberry horticultural research. The award is named in honor of Duke Galletta of Atlantic Blueberry, an inaugural member of the NABC.
Learn more and submit nominations here.
Women in Blueberries: Elizabeth White Award
This award celebrates the extraordinary contributions of women in the blueberry industry, acknowledging those who have significantly impacted the industry through groundbreaking research, innovative business practices, advocacy, leadership or mentoring the next generation of professionals in the blueberry community.
Learn more and submit nominations here.
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About the North American Blueberry Council
Since 1965, the North American Blueberry Council (NABC) has been the voice of the blueberry industry in the U.S. and Canada. NABC was instrumental in the establishment of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), a federal agriculture research and promotion program with independent oversight from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Learn more at nabcblues.org.
About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
Established in 2000, The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is a federal agriculture research and promotion program with independent oversight from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USHBC represents blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. USHBC is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more ushbc.blueberry.org.