wild blueberry farmers Archives

Fields Fields Blueberries: A Labor of Love in Maine’s Wild Blueberry Community

Known for its breathtaking natural beauty and abundance of charming small towns, Maine is a wondrous place that offers many bountiful gifts to its seasonal visitors – like the place-based superfood, wild blueberries, that grow and spread naturally in the Midcoast and Downeast regions of Maine. Fields Fields Blueberries, a family-owned organic wild blueberry farm, has operated on the hills of Dresden, Maine, since the early 1970s, and became certified organic in 2000. Over the last few years, Ashley Field has transformed this grower-only farm into a thriving commercial business.

We sat down with Ashley to learn more about her journey and the unique aspects and offerings of Fields Fields Blueberries.

A Surprising Path to Wild Fruit Farming

Ashley’s connection to agriculture runs deep, having grown up on an organic dairy farm in western Maine for the majority of her life. However, it was her husband Jesse’s family’s wild blueberry farm that captured her interest and imagination. Initially, the farm was managed as a hobby by Jesse’s father, with occasional harvests being sold to bigger processors. Sensing an opportunity, Ashley approached her husband’s family seven years ago with the idea of turning the farm into a commercial venture. With their blessing, she took the reins of Fields Fields Blueberries and turned the project into a true passion, fueled by her creative drive and the supportive wild blueberry community in Maine.

A Fields Family Affair

In any family business, everyone plays a role, and Fields Fields Blueberries is no exception. Since transforming the business, Ashley has handled the day-to-day operations including business management, value-added product creation, and marketing. During the seven-week harvest season, the entire family steps in to lend a helping hand. Ashley’s mother-in-law contributes by weeding the fields by hand, while her husband assists with more labor-intensive field tasks. Their children, especially her youngest son, Alakai, enjoys picking and savoring the wild blues every chance they get. Her oldest daughter, Stella, plays an active role in their food truck, which sells a delicious wild blueberry crisp, a specialty recipe created by Ashley’s mother-in-law.

A Perfect Fit for Ashley’s Lifestyle

While the business can be hard work, Ashley’s wild blueberry venture ticks all the boxes for her dream lifestyle. The great outdoors, hard physical activity, and the chance to channel her creative and social sides—all come together harmoniously on the farm. With the flexibility of intense work periods followed by blissful downtime, Ashley has found the ideal balance.

What surprised Ashley the most about her new venture? The size of the industry! Wild blueberries are a unique crop, thriving in only a few places, which has created an exclusively tight-knit community of farmers who know and support each other.

“The Maine industry is relatively small (only a total of 485 growers), which allows you to get to know everybody in the industry. I’m from a small town, so it’s wonderful to have that backbone of support in our community,” Ashley explained. “Every farming community has its share of characters, and getting to know them has been one of my favorite parts, and has made Maine truly feel like a big small town.”

Harvest Yield & Value-Added Products

Fields Fields Blueberries owns 10 acres and leases an additional 15 acres close to their property. On average, they harvest around 10,000 pounds of wild blueberries each year. For the industry as a whole, annual harvest yields vary from year to year but can be as high as 100 million pounds.

Despite dealing with recent challenges like drought and frost, Ashley remains resilient and compensates for any yield losses by purchasing from other organic wild blueberry farmers. With a new field in the works, their goal is to eventually double their harvest yield to 20,000 pounds annually.

Within 24 hours of harvest, Ashley flash freezes 100% of her harvest; 10% of that frozen crop is sold to various local businesses and customers through the farm’s website, while the other 90% is utilized as an ingredient throughout the year to make Ashley’s assortment of value-added wild blueberry products.

“For value-added products, we do the wild blueberry crisp chips and powder, and then we also harvest the blueberry leaves. We have a whole wild blueberry leaf tea line, and we also make a tincture with the tea. That part of our business is growing really fast, so that’s exciting,” Ashley shared. “The tea stuff is really starting to take off. It benefits us because it just gives us another source of income, and we’re taking from the same field, so it’s the same amount of work.”

Their dedication to sustainability is evident as the Fields use every part of the blueberry plant to create their roster of products.

Future Farm Goals

Through her unwavering commitment to organic farming and value-added products, Ashley has turned her family’s farm into a thriving business. Her vision and five-year plan is to introduce the farm’s wild blueberry crisp to grocery stores as a frozen dessert so that consumers can bring a taste of the farm home.

Fields Fields Blueberries continues to foster connections with its community while looking towards future growth and success. Ashley dreams of passing the torch to the younger generation one day, but for now the farm waits patiently, ready to embrace the kids whenever the time is right.

Fields Fields Blueberries Celebrates Wild Blueberry Weekend

Fields Fields Blueberries is committed to engaging with its local community, and plans to open its doors to the public for Maine’s third annual Wild Blueberry Weekend. Last year, the farm had over 1,000 visitors and Ashley’s goal is to double that visitor rate in 2024. To do that, she’s added a pancake breakfast each day of the weekend that will go from 9 to 11 AM.

Wild Blueberry Weekend is set for the weekend of August 3 – 4, 2024, and will take place across the state at a variety of wild blueberry farms, breweries, restaurants, and more. In addition to the pancake breakfast, Fields Fields Blueberries has a wonderful weekend planned for visitors to the farm, including live music, farm and apiary tours, and dozens of local vendors selling their creations. Here’s what you’ll find at Fields Fields Blueberries for the third annual Wild Blueberry Weekend:

Wild blueberries for purchase (fresh or frozen)
Food trucks
Value-added wild blueberry products
Live music
Hikes through the property
Storytime for kids – Blueberries for Sal
A premiere showing of the documentary film ‘Growing Wild’

To learn more about Fields Fields Blueberries and the Maine wild blueberry industry, make sure to pay them a visit on Wild Blueberry Weekend. If Dresden isn’t located in your neck of the woods, you can explore 15 other farms located throughout the state.

Preserving Tradition and Nurturing Generations: The Story of Brodis Blueberries in Maine

Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Central and Downeast Maine, where the salty ocean breeze mingles with the sweet scent of wild blueberries, lies Brodis Blueberries, a ninth-generation, family-owned wild blueberry farm that’s rooted their legacy in stewarding the iconic crop for just over two centuries. Ron Howard, one of the farm’s main caretakers, resides on the property with his wife, Sonja, as well as varying family members who play a large role in yearly harvesting and farm operations.

Brodis Farm Family Heritage

Brodis Blueberries, once a cluster of thirteen small farms located in Hope, Maine, is today 170 consolidated acres specializing in Maine’s wild blueberries. Ron joined the seventh generation of the Brodis family 47 years ago, and since then has had the pleasure of assisting with this wild venture and all that it entails. For 30 years, Ron and his wife worked in careers outside of farming, but after the passing of his father-in-law seven years ago, they found themselves returning to their farm roots. At that time, Ron took charge of the field operations, learning and working alongside his mother-in-law and farm owner, Gwen Brodis. Today, the Howards are joined by Sonja’s sister, their son, daughter, niece and nephew – the eighth generation – and their grandchildren and cousins – the ninth generation – all of whom work tirelessly to ensure the farm’s success, “because here at Brodis Blueberries, it’s all hands on deck year-round,” notes Ron.

“Last year, in 2023, for the three weeks or so that we were open, we had 15 different family members actively working the farm,” Ron explained. “The roles range from harvesting and packing to sales. There were four generations working side by side which is not only very special, but in our case, essential for getting the job done in such a short window of time. We’re very, very, very fortunate,” he concluded.

Nurturing the Next Generation and Beyond

Ron and his family have a deep sense of pride in the farm and all the history it holds, and they hope to keep it running successfully for the next generation. Ron’s goal is to better the farm’s operations and create a sustainable business model that will support future generations for years to come. Having been raised on an agricultural farm in his youth, Ron recognizes the challenges of relying solely on wild blueberry farming for a livelihood. He has diversified his business model, opening a farm store that sells jams, sauces and pies year-round to ensure the farm’s longevity.

New Wild Business Ventures for the Whole Family

While a lot of the family is hands-on only during harvest season, there’s still a handful of family members who remain highly involved during the off-season. Ron’s son, Jeremy Howard, is one of them. Five years ago, Jeremy and a friend started Blue Barren Distillery & Restaurant, and began crafting spirits from the farm’s wild blueberries.

According to Ron, “The very first product was a 100% wild blueberry non-barrel aged brandy. Since then, they’ve created a number of new products including a few wild blueberry spirits, and a myrteau that tastes similar to a port – but it’s wild blueberry. Those are their core product offerings which link them back to the farm. What Jeremy and his friend are doing also helps to tell the story of the wild blueberry and of our farm, for us and for them.”

Ron’s mother-in-law, Gwen Brodis, is also active year-round, handcrafting all of the farm’s flavorful wild blueberry jams. Ron’s wife also bakes the delicious pies, desserts and sauces that are served at their son’s Blue Barren restaurant, located on the harbor in Camden, Maine.

Harvest Season and Sales

Spanning 170 total acres, Brodis Blueberries’ annual harvest yield can vary – from 100,000 to 200,000 pounds. The size of the crop depends on the state’s weather conditions and fragile pollination process. While a significant portion of the harvest is sold to Wyman’s of Maine for wholesale freezing, the farm actively seeks alternative sales channels to diversify their income.

These channels include partnerships with sparkling wild blueberry wine producers, vinegar makers, distilleries, and local kitchens and bakeries. By expanding its customer base and freezing a portion of the farm’s harvest, Brodis Blueberries ensures year-round availability of its berries and supports the creation of local Maine value-added products.

Brodis Blueberries has established quite the name for themselves in recent years, especially as a family-managed business. They were named the 2023 Maine and New England Jeffrey Butland Family Owned Business of the Year, by the Small Business Administration, due to their “incredible history of the business, and the significant efforts to ensure the continued success of the business.” A family business is defined as one in which one owner either shares ownership or works in the business with at least one other family member (contemporaneously or over time) and has a commitment to the continuation of the enterprise. All family-owned businesses in Maine were eligible for consideration.

A Wild Blueberry Lesson & Farm Goals

Beyond their exceptional taste and nutritional value, wild blueberries carry a remarkable story – one that Ron shares with anyone and everyone who is willing to listen. He is committed to spreading the special message of what Maine wild blueberries are all about.

“I think for me, the most important thing is to just get more people out on the farm, to get them to experience the barrens and the berries,” Ron explained. “When they can see and taste the difference for themselves, that’s what converts them to a wild blueberry lover. That’s what we need to do for the future of the industry, to make sure people understand and appreciate Maine’s wild blueberries.”

“These wild fruits exist where nature intended them to be, and have been growing in the Maine landscape since the end of the ice age. With hundreds of genetically unique plants thriving together, wild blueberries exemplify nature’s ability to adapt and coexist harmoniously,” noted Ron.

“They’re magnificent,” Ron exclaimed. “There may be a hundred different plants in a field, and every one of those blueberries is a little bit different in color and a little bit different in taste – almost like snowflakes, every single one is a little bit different and unique in its own way. So when you eat wild blueberries, you know you’re getting that abundance of variety.”

Brodis Blueberries Celebrates Wild Blueberry Weekend

One way the family is helping to spread the wild message is through Maine’s annual Wild Blueberry Weekend – now in its fourth year –- which is dedicated to celebrating all the goodness these little blue gems have to offer.

The event is set for the weekend of August 3 – 4, 2024, and will take place across the state at a variety of wild blueberry farms, breweries, restaurants, and more. Brodis Blueberries has a great weekend planned for visitors to the farm, full of fun family-oriented activities, food trucks, local vendors and even a hike through the property with breathtaking views. Here’s what you’ll find at Brodis Blueberries for the third annual Wild Blueberry Weekend:

Wild blueberries for purchase (fresh or frozen)
Food trucks
Value-added wild blueberry products
Live music
Hikes through the property
Storytime for kids – Blueberries for Sal

To learn more about Brodis Blueberries and the Maine wild blueberry industry, make sure to pay them a visit on Wild Blueberry Weekend.

Maine’s Fourth Annual Wild Blueberry Weekend Set for August 3-4, 2024

Ah, summer in Maine . . . that incredible time of year we all wait for is just around the corner! With summer comes the opportunity to enjoy fun outings and excursions with family and friends. If you’re looking for a new event to add to your summer fun list, we’ve got something wild to share with you: The fourth annual Wild Blueberry Weekend is set for August 3-4, 2024. The Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine has organized this two-day, multi-location event to engage locals and visitors in celebrating Maine’s native berry and the local farms and businesses that propel this iconic Maine industry forward.

Attendees will be able to explore 18 different wild blueberry farms located in Lincoln, Kennebec, Knox, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, and Washington Counties for free. Some farms plan to open their doors to the public simply to sell delicious fresh wild blueberries directly to consumers, while others will host a wide range of farm activities and tours.

Additionally, dozens of Maine businesses are gearing up to serve special food and beverages made with wild blueberries throughout the weekend.

Everyone can find a wild activity they’re sure to enjoy. Rake fresh wild blues by hand in a brilliantly blue field, sip thirst-quenching cocktails by the water at sunset, or sink your teeth into mouth watering dishes crafted by Maine-based bakers and chefs. Whatever you choose to do is entirely up to you, but make sure to squeeze every wild blueberry-related activity into your itinerary! For a full list of the participating local wild blueberry farms and businesses (and the incredible activities they have planned), visit www.wildblueberryweekend.com.

Explore the Best of Maine’s Wild Places

“Maine’s wild blueberry farms are family traditions that often go back six, seven, or even eight generations…” said Eric Venturini, Executive Director of the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, “…and Wild Blueberry Weekend is the opportunity to celebrate this tradition with the dedicated, hard-working farmers who harvest this special Maine berry. The weekend provides a unique opportunity for the public to learn more about the industry that is so important to our state and nation.” This year, Governor Janet Mills even honored the event by officially proclaiming the first weekend of August 2024, as the fourth annual Wild Blueberry Weekend.

Native to our Northeastern state, wild blueberries have been prospering in the barrens of Maine for over 10,000 years, and unlike ordinary blueberries, wild blueberries are completely untouched and unaltered by man. They are one of three native North American fruits, and for over a hundred years, Maine’s multigenerational family-owned farms have passed their land down through the years, giving each generation the opportunity to sustainably steward their portion of the crop. In total, Maine’s 512 wild blueberry farmers produce 100% of all wild blueberries grown in the United States. Maine is the only state in the U.S. with significant commercial production of this wild crop.

Plan Your Family’s Wild Blueberry Weekend Itinerary

If you’re planning on heading to Maine this August or are lucky to live in our neck of the woods, make sure to map out your family’s weekend itinerary. You can do so by browsing through the Wild Blueberry Weekend map which highlights the many participating businesses, as well as the 18 participating wild blueberry farms located throughout the state.

If you decide to join the fun and participate in Wild Blueberry Weekend, make sure to tag us using #WildBlueberryWeekend, and follow along with @wildblueberries on Instagram and Facebook.

To learn more about Wild Blueberry Weekend, visit www.wildblueberryweekend.com. If you’re curious about the health benefits, origin, and ways to enjoy wild blueberries, visit www.wildblueberries.com for research, recipes, and more.

The Rich History of Wild Blueberrying at Welch Farm in Downeast Maine

From day one, wild blueberries have held a special place in Lisa Hanscom’s heart. The Welch/Hanscom family has been stewarding their many acres of wild blueberry land situated in Roque Bluffs, Maine, since the early 1900’s. Lisa, the current owner and operator of the farm, was excited to sit down with us and share her family’s story, especially as she prepares for Wild Blueberry Weekend 2024.

A Welch Farm History Lesson

Back when Maine was still a part of Massachusetts, the Thompson family – the original owners of the land – purchased it from the state to start their farm. In 1840, the family built the antique western style barn which still stands on the property today. More than 70 years later, in 1912, Frank and Mary Welch, Lisa’s grandparents, bought the iconic Thompson Homestead to start their agricultural business.

Sadly, one year after purchasing the Homestead, the original Thompson house burned to the ground. While the Welch’s rebuilt their family home, they worked the farm and tirelessly cleared the land to plant wheat, rye and oats. They also raised 400 head of sheep and milked 40 cows by hand. Today, their land extends down to the water, and they utilize their beautiful oceanfront location to harvest wild blueberries.

Lisa’s father, Wayne, and his sister were raised on the farm by Lisa’s great-grandparents, and Wayne took over the family business at the age of 16 upon the death of his grandfather. Over time, Lisa’s father decided it would be best for the family to divest itself from the sheep and dairy business in order to focus solely on harvesting wild blueberries and helping grow one of Maine’s historical agricultural industries. Today, Lisa runs the farm’s operations, but remains close to Wayne and continues to lean on his decades of industry knowledge.

Wild Blueberry Harvesting Season and Sales

When the farm was under Wayne’s management, the family sold its berries directly to processors for frozen sales. However, when Lisa stepped into the role, she realized this business model was impacting overall profitability because payment often came after the harvest season was over. To increase the farm’s annual profits, she added the ability to sell fresh wild blueberries (aka fresh pack). Since then, selling fresh wild blueberries has been successful for the Hanscom’s – so much so that they decided to purchase a new sorting machine last year to sort and clean fresh wild blueberries more efficiently.

Every year, Welch farm harvests between 100,000-150,000 pounds of wild blueberries. On average, 12,000-18,000 pounds are sold fresh, with the remainder being sold to processors for flash freezing at the peak of ripeness. According to Lisa, berry yield has been impacted over the last few years due to weather and climate change, but she is optimistic about the 2024 season.

Evolving with the Times: Wild Blueberrying at Welch Farm Today

Over the years, Lisa has helped to diversify the family business while still holding strong to its history. She was a pioneer of the agritourism business, long before it was the high-profile trend it is today. Lisa’s start in the agritourism space began 15 years ago, when she convinced her father to build two cabins on their property, both of which are now rented to guests during the summer season. Cabin visitors experience magnificent views of the cascading wild blueberry fields, and are encouraged to pick berries for any and all of their meals – wild blueberry pancakes are a favorite! Lisa has also added field tours to the farm’s agrotourism offerings, helping to educate people about the unique differences between wild and ordinary (cultivated) blueberries. All of these experiences have helped visitors better understand Maine’s unique wild blueberry industry, and have turned many of them into lifelong customers.

“When people know the difference and can taste the difference, they will always choose to buy Maine wild blueberries,” said Lisa.

Today, Welch Farm is a top wild blueberry agritourism destination in Maine. Lisa’s mission to educate people about the wild difference has led her to become an active participant in the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival, hosting busloads of folks for farm tours. Welch Farm is also participating in the fourth annual Wild Blueberry Weekend scheduled for August 3rd and 4th. Always looking ahead, Lisa is planning to expand the farm’s fresh pack shipping capabilities so she can take website orders from all over New England during harvest season.

Lisa’s grandson, Leom, and her father, Wayne

Ready for a Wild, Wild Blueberry Weekend

Welch Farm is excited to take part in the fourth annual Wild Blueberry Weekend, a weekend dedicated to celebrating wild blueberries and the hardworking farmers that have been stewarding them for generations. To celebrate, Welch Farm will offer a number of free family-friendly activities, including:

Educational farm tours
Local artists & photographers
A Native American sunrise ceremony & blessing by MicMac Native Hubert Francis
Demonstrations of old-school harvesting practices
A premiere showing of the documentary film ‘Growing Wild‘

To learn more about Welch Farm and the Maine wild blueberry industry, make sure to pay them a visit on Wild Blueberry Weekend.

Wild Blueberries are a Family Affair at Ridgeberry Farm, Midcoast Maine

Tim Davis didn’t choose the wild blueberry life, the wild blueberry life chose Tim Davis. After marrying his wife, Jess, heir to Ridgeberry Farm in Midcoast Maine, he joined a multi-generational family wild blueberry business and learned the ways of “blueberrying” firsthand. Today, Tim is a busy guy – he is the seasonal Head Harvest Manager for Ridgeberry, the full-time Knox County Sheriff, and a father to the next generation of Ridgeberry Farm farmers. We sat down to chat about his work in the wild blueberry industry, and it was clear that Tim is not only proud of what his family does, but also that he’s part of this special community that stewards a truly wild plant.

“When most people think about blueberries, they think about those found in the foothills of North Carolina or those exported from Chile,” Tim explained, “Those berries are very different from wild blueberries from Maine. And that’s why one of my goals is to educate folks on the difference so they understand how special our little wild berry is. The Maine wild blueberry is so unique, and it can’t be grown anywhere else. Our harsh Maine climate gives wild blueberries their incredible health benefits. And don’t get me started on taste because wild blueberries have a flavor profile that outshines all those ordinary blueberries. This is our berry, our product, and we are very proud of that.”

To really understand what makes the work Tim’s family does so special, we dug further into the history of his family farm, the work they do today, and what’s on the horizon for Ridgeberry Farm.

How Ridgeberry Farm Came to Be

In the early 1980’s, Tim’s in-laws, John and Alison Boyington, bought their first piece of wild blueberry land, and over the years, fell in love with the captivating Maine landscape enough to eventually build a house on the property. In the early 2000’s, they started commercially harvesting wild blueberries.

The Boyingtons began harvesting the traditional way: handraking every inch of the multi-acre field. During the first 10 years of operation, they slowly modernized their harvesting practices and have evolved into a sustainable family business. Today, Ridgeberry Farm has been blueberrying for over 40 years, and this strictly family-run operation is the pride and joy of the Davis/Boyington family.

A Look Inside Wild Blueberry Harvest Season

During the offseason, Jess works as a teacher and Tim as a police officer, utilizing all of their vacation time during the late summer months. Why? Because it’s all hands on deck in early August as Ridgeberry Farm works to harvest between 250,000-600,000 pounds of wild blueberries annually. Tim hopes they’ll be able to harvest between 300,000-400,000 pounds in 2024, with decent weather and increasing rainfall as a positive indicator. The reality for Maine wild blueberry growers is that their annual crop is dependent on the kindness of mother nature.

For many years, Ridgeberry Farm has sold the majority of its harvest to Wyman’s of Maine, as well as several local Maine wineries. The farm has its own fresh and frozen processing units onsite, with 10-20% of the annual yield sold fresh during harvest season. However, as demand grows for wild blueberries, Tim’s hope is that they’ll be able to expand their frozen wild blueberry processing capabilities onsite to extend their selling season beyond harvest season. They currently freeze a small portion of their yield for sales throughout the year.

Sharing What Makes the Wild Blueberry Industry Unique

“When you talk to somebody, even people from Maine, they automatically connect our state to the lobster, potato and tree farming industries. Many people don’t realize that Maine is the largest U.S. producer of wild blueberries. While demand and understanding of this is slowly changing, we have a lot of work to do to continue differentiating wild blueberries from cultivated blueberries. We are the better blueberry and Maine deserves a spot on the map,” Tim concludes.

Wild Blueberry Weekend

For the fourth year running, Ridgeberry Farm will be participating in Wild Blueberry Weekend, which is scheduled to take place August 3-4, 2024. The farm will be offering a variety of family-friendly activities on Sunday, August 4th, including:

Wild blueberry sampling and u-pick
Food truck vendors
History lessons on old-school harvesting machinery
Farm tours via hay wagon ride

To learn more about Ridgeberry Farm and the Maine wild blueberry industry, make sure to pay them a visit on Wild Blueberry Weekend.

Meet Abby Sennett, Third Generation Wild Blueberry Farmer

Stewarding, harvesting, and processing wild blueberries is part of Maine’s heritage and state culture – especially for the families that have been doing it for generations. Here in Maine you’ll find that many wild blueberry farms are owned and operated by the same family, passed down from generation to generation to ensure this unique tradition of protecting these wild blue gems is alive for years to come.

Meet Abby, Third Generation Wild Blueberry Farmer

Since the day she picked up her first wild blueberry rake, Abby Sennett knew that one day, she would have the honor and responsibility of owning and operating her family’s wild blueberry farm. Located in Albion (Downeast Maine), Sennett’s Wild Blueberries has been a family-run operation for over 50 years. Currently owned by her parents, Lincoln and Karen Sennett, Abby and her husband will soon inherit the business. What makes this inheritance even more special is that they met as teenagers while raking in the wild blueberry fields. Abby is currently working through the ownership succession process with her parents, and once all is said and done, Abby will become the third generation of Sennetts to own and care for the wild blueberry fields.

Looking Back at Sennett Harvesting Practices

Even though 50-or-so years have passed since Abby’s great-grandfather originally started the business, not much has changed in terms of how these tiny berries are harvested.

“It has been pretty much the same format for harvesting since then,” Abby explained.

She went on to share that Sennett’s Wild Blueberries cares for 158 acres of wild blueberry fields and harvests around 300,000 pounds of fresh wild blueberries each year. Wild blueberries are grown on a two-year cropping cycle and each year the Sennetts harvest half of their fields while the other half is pruned to help the plants regrow and improve yield year-over-year. Of the 79 acres that are harvested every other year, 60% are handraked. Handraking is a traditional method of harvesting Maine’s iconic fruit and tends to produce a higher yield of fruit in pristine condition.

If you want to enjoy some Sennett’s Wild Blueberries this summer, they sell frozen and fresh wild blueberry packs out of their processing facility in Albion, as well as various grocery stores and farm stands throughout New England.

Diversifying the Sennett’s Wild Blueberries Farm Business Model

Maine’s wild blueberry industry is very similar to a lot of other agricultural businesses in the state – full of hardworking people who are incredibly dedicated to their craft. But what makes the Sennett’s Wild Blueberries business model diverse? Not only do they steward and harvest wild blueberries, but they also produce Swan’s Honey.

“We are able to carry it through from the beginning by pollinating the wild blueberry plants with our bees, all the way through to the end product of harvesting in mid-to-late summer. We have been able to vertically integrate our bees into wild blueberries, so much so that we now have the largest apiary in the state of Maine. We do the pollination for many wild blueberry growers across the state. My dad originally got into it because he needed better pollination for the wild blueberries, and then it just became a hobby that got really out of hand – but it definitely paid off!”

What’s Next for Abby?

She would like to expand into more value-added wild blueberry products, as well as sell more fresh pack wild blueberries – but as for everything else, it will stay the same as it has, at least while she owns the farm.

“I’d like to have a family and raise my kids like my parents raised us. They got us involved on the farm at an early age so we really learned what makes wild blueberries so special – I’d like to do the same for my family so they grow a love for this industry too.”

To learn more about the Sennett family, their wild blueberry farm, and their apiary, you can visit their Facebook page.

Maine Author Teaches Benefits of Wild Blueberries

There’s something about being a Maine wild blueberry farmer that makes you want to spread the word about the unique fruit to which you have devoted your life. That’s just the way it is with Gail J. VanWart.

Her most recent book gets the word out in the form of a children’s book. It’s called Ellery Didn’t Know That, a charming story about a bear’s adventures searching for wild blueberries. The tale tells of Ellery Bear, an adventurous, amiable creature who pays a visit to a Maine family and in doing so, sends the very worthy message to young readers that Maine lowbush wild blueberries are a natural, native fruit rich in attributes.

VanWart lives in Dedham, Maine on Peaked Mountain Farm, where she maintains the native Wild Blueberry fields as a proud fourth generation steward. The author and publisher named her main character “Ellery” for her grandfather who lived and cared for the Dedham Farm before her. The book sends a perfectly delicious and healthy message with a delightfully furry messenger to help send it.

VanWart’s previous book, Life Raked In is a collection of poems, recipes and thoughts on life inspired by the Wild Blueberry fields on the family farm. She is a self-proclaimed huge wild blueberry fan, dedicated to spreading the word about wild and the wild lifestyle. (You can buy the book and see her appearance on Good Day Maine).

Gail VanWart’s Mid-Winter Treat: Wild Blueberry Gingerbread

VanWart was kind enough to share a favorite recipe with Wild About Health from Life Raked In. Her Wild Blueberry Gingerbread is an ideal mid-winter treat that uses frozen wild blueberries to achieve gingerbread nirvana. Enjoy!

Gail’s Wild Blueberry Gingerbread

2 cups flour
½ cup shortening
½ t. salt
1 cup sugar
1 egg
½ t. ginger
1 t. cinnamon
1 t baking soda
3 T. molasses
1 cup sour milk*
1 cup Wild Blueberries (fresh or frozen)

3 T. sugar
to sprinkle on top before baking

Confectioner’s Sugar
to sprinkle on top after baking

½ cup fresh Wild Blueberries
for garnish, if available

Cream shortening and add salt and sugar gradually. Add unbeaten egg and beat until light and fluffy. In separate bowl, mix flour, ginger, and cinnamon. In another bowl, mix baking soda with sour milk, stir until soda is dissolved. Then add dry ingredients and sour milk mixture alternately to the creamed mixture. Add the molasses and fold in the cup of Wild Blueberries. Turn into a greased and floured pan (either a 9” x 9” square or 10” round pan works well). Sprinkle top with 3 tablespoons sugar and bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes. When done, turn onto rack to cool. When cool, place on a plate and sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar and garnish with fresh blueberries.

*If you don’t have sour milk on hand, add 2 tablespoons vinegar to one cup of whole milk.