The Business of Blueberries

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
  • 4.9 (32)
  • Food
  • Biweekly

The blueberry industry is like no other: passionate, resilient, and innovative. This podcast is your source for the latest information on the production, markets, research and technology related to the blueberry value chain. This is the Business of Blueberries.

  1. 6d ago

    Ag Lending: How the Farm Credit System Works With Christy Seyfert

    In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Christy Seyfert, president and CEO of Farm Credit Council. Seyfert has been recognized numerous times as one of The Hill’s top lobbyists, and she’s passionate about advancing Farm Credit’s mission of providing credit and financial services to agriculture and rural America through good times and bad. “ There are a number of initiatives where we certainly align with blueberry growers, and we're so happy that we can all work together in many ways in agriculture to carry a message to the Hill … ” – Christy Seyfert Topics covered include: An introduction to Seyfert, her Georgia farm background and her path through bipartisan work in Congress.Farm Credit Council’s role representing the Farm Credit Association and their mission to provide credit and financial services to agriculture and rural America, while supporting rural communities.The need to support young, beginning and small farmers; the importance of lender-producer partnership; and major trends such as technology adoption, robotics and AI-driven efficiency. Crop Report The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. Today you’ll hear from Luis Vegas in Peru and Liczy Sotomayor in Mexico. This was recorded on November 5, 2026.

  2. Oct 30

    BerrySmart Field Insights: Automated Blueberry Harvest Technology

    In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” we welcome guest host Steve Mantle, founder and CEO of Innov8.ag and USHBC’s partner in the BerrySmart Field program, who’s joined by Glenn Sakuma of Sakuma Bros Farms in Washington, and Rich Iannaco of Pleasantdale Farms in New Jersey. Together, they share on-farm experiences with Oxbo’s AutoHarvest technology, and how this approach to harvesting impacts their operations. “I can trust turning the auto setting on and know it's gonna be pretty close to the way I would set up the harvester, too. I may have to tweak it a little bit, but for a base setting where it's gonna be pretty close, it works pretty well. It saves me the time of making a lot of changes.” – Glenn Sakuma “With AutoHarvest, it just made it a lot easier for me for adjustments on the machine. Like when we were switching varieties or even the temperature change during the day … it was just nice to not have to go out and change head speeds, blower speeds, head widths … I was able to let the machine do the work for me.” – Rich Iannaco Topics covered include: An introduction to Sakuma and Iannaco.Firsthand grower experiences with Oxbo’s Autoharvest technology.The impact automated blueberry harvest technology has on operational efficiency and fruit quality. Crop Report The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. Today you’ll hear from Liczy Sotomayor in Mexico, Andres Armstrong in Chile and Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on October 22, 2026.

  3. Oct 22

    From the USDA to the United Nations: Luke Lindberg on Trade, Policy and Feeding the World

    In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Luke Lindberg, the former USDA's Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, who’s now serving as executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). In his role with USDA, Lindberg worked alongside Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to expand market access, strengthen American agriculture's competitiveness and reduce our nation's agricultural trade deficit. Cronquist and Lindberg have traveled together on USDA agricultural trade missions to Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. “I've been really fortunate to be able to, in this position, represent what I think is one of been the most fun constituents to ever work with, which is America's farmers and ranchers and growers all around the country.” – Luke Lindberg Topics covered include: An introduction to Lindberg and his efforts at USDA. The impact of U.S. trade negotiations and agreements, and how they directly affect American farmers.The connections between food security and national security. Crop Report The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. Today you’ll hear from Liczy Sotomayor in Mexico. This was recorded on Oct. 15, 2026.

  4. Oct 14

    Fresh-Market Breakthroughs: The Next Wave of Genetics With Cort Brazelton

    In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), welcomes back Cort Brazelton of Fall Creek Farms and Nursery. A regular contributor to the podcast, Brazelton brings his characteristic energy and insights to the conversation, which covers recent changes at Fall Creek — including his decision to leave space for new leadership. Brazelton describes rapid global blueberry growth and a bimodal market where “better blueberries” command higher price floors, driven by genetics, execution and consistent quality at scale. “This industry is changing fast… The stakes are higher, but the opportunities are bigger … the pressure to innovate is increasing. I find the best way to get our heads around that is to think about where we want to be in five to seven years… We need to make decisions to get us to that future state, and there's no better time than now.” – Cort Brazelton Topics covered include: Recent changes at Fall Creek, including Brazelton’s decision to leave space for new leadership.The development of a bimodal market where “better blueberries” command significantly higher price floors, driven by genetics, execution and consistent quality at scale.How rising consumer discernment, category segmentation and farm economics (yield, harvest cost, price) will shape future innovation. Crop Report The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. Today you’ll hear from Liczy Sotomayor in Mexico. This was recorded on Oct. 8, 2026.

  5. Oct 2

    Blueberry Convention Keynote: Growing the Category and Creating a Home for Every Berry

    In this special episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), delivers a keynote on why industry progress comes from people working together, and shares USHBC’s role in growing the entire blueberry category. Cronquist outlines the need to balance a 148% supply increase over 15 years with demand growth through health research, advertising, data and market development, emphasizing “a home for every berry” across fresh and frozen, and new usage occasions. “ Progress happens when people choose to build something together. All of you are responsible for a slice, but USHBC is responsible for the whole pie, and our job in the next five years is to change consumer behavior so more people crave blueberries, buy them more often and eat more each time.” – Kasey Cronquist Topics covered include: A description of meaningful and measurable changes that will benefit blueberry growers.An overview of increasing purchase frequency, expanding consumption beyond breakfast and driving greater volume per occasion.A discussion about the power of working together as an industry for the benefit of all. Crop Report The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. Today you’ll hear from Luis Vegas in Peru and Liczy Sotomayor in Mexico. This was recorded on October 1, 2026.

  6. Sep 25

    What’s Next for Blueberry Varieties?

    In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Oregon Blueberry Sales Manager Doug McCann. Oregon Blueberry is one of the largest wholesale blueberry nurseries in North America. McCann brings deep expertise in supply-and-demand forecasting, and his work supports decision-making across the blueberry supply chain. He’s also an active participant in industry conversations, regularly engaging through research, conferences and fellow growers to stay ahead of emerging trends. “ Yield has been a consistent driver in our breeding program. We know there's firmness out there. We know there's storage life. We know there's flavor. We have all those characteristics in the industry. We've got to get the yields up, and I think that's so important to the grower, and that's what's going to carry them into the future.” – Doug McCann Topics covered include: A description of Oregon Blueberry’s history and how its breeding program has evolved.An overview of four recent cultivar releases from Oregon Blueberry.A discussion about Rabbiteye, its reputation and its future.The importance of target traits like flavor, firmness, storage and especially higher yields. Crop Report The Blueberry Crop Report was given live at the Blueberry Convention this week in Monterey. It will return to the podcast next week!

  7. Sep 18

    Ingredient Marketing, Reinvented – Fred Schonenberg on the Blueberry Boost Accelerator

    In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), , is joined by VentureFuel Founder and CEO Fred Schonenberg. VentureFuel is an innovation advisory firm that helps major brands, such as Netflix and General Mills, unlock growth through startup collaborations. The USHBC partnered with VentureFuel last year to launch the Blueberry Boost Accelerator, a first-of-its-kind program supporting emerging brands using blueberries as a prominent ingredient. Schonenberg reflects on the first year of the program, and builds anticipation for the second accelerator cohort and live pitch competition that will take place at The 2026 Blueberry Convention. “The goal is we want to find the companies with the highest growth potential. We want to shorten the time it's gonna take them to realize that growth and set them up for success. All on the idea of if they're successful, they're gonna buy more blueberries. And that's really the end goal of this.” – Fred Schonenberg Topics covered include: A description of the Blueberry Boost Accelerator and the goals of the program. .A discussion of the accelerator program’s innovative approach to ingredient marketing,An overview of what to expect from this year’s accelerator cohortThe impact this intensive program can have for innovative startups with a blueberry focus. Learn more about the Blueberry Boost Accelerator today and meet the finalists – and sample their products – at the upcoming Blueberry Convention! Crop Report The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. Today you’ll hear from Liczy Sotomayor in Mexico and Emilie Parkanzky in Michigan. This was recorded on September 17, 2026.

  8. Sep 15

    Inside Walmart’s Berry Strategy With Melissa Byland

    In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Walmart Senior Merchandising Director Melissa Byland. As one of the world’s largest blueberry buyers, Walmart relies on experts like Byland to ensure customers receive great quality and value with each purchase. Byland plays a pivotal role in understanding and fulfilling customer needs, and ensuring that the highest quality produce reaches shoppers nationwide. Byland says omnichannel expectations have risen, making consistent quality, reliable availability and recognizable value critical across in-store and online shopping. She first appeared on the podcast in 2024 on episode 173. “ I'm proud to say that we are in a position now where we are able to provide our customers with blueberries every day, and so that still remains a focus for us. … So, it's really been partnering with our growers and suppliers to make sure that they're able to provide our customers with a consistently great experience every day. And even though we're not 100% there yet, since we talked in 2024 at the convention, I think that the industry has made great strides in being able to provide high-quality, consistently good berries for much of the year.” – Melissa Byland Topics covered include: An introduction to Byland and her role at Walmart.Blueberry category growth opportunities at retail.USHBC’s partnership with Walmart and Walmart Connect.Walmart’s focus on improving consistent eating quality through stronger, less-transactional relationships with growers and suppliers. Crop Report The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. Today you’ll hear from TJ Hafner in Oregon, Emilie Parkanzky in Michigan, Luis Vegas in Peru and Liczy Sotomayor in Mexico. This was recorded on September 10, 2026.

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4.9
out of 5
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About

The blueberry industry is like no other: passionate, resilient, and innovative. This podcast is your source for the latest information on the production, markets, research and technology related to the blueberry value chain. This is the Business of Blueberries.

Information

  • Creator
    U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
  • Show Website
    The Business of Blueberries

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