Tri-County News

Bumper crop of Minnesota Grown berries


Reds and blues fill the fields

Favorable spring weather conditions have Minnesota berry producers expecting outstanding crops of blueberries and raspberries. Berry patches across Minnesota are expected to open on time with heavy fruit sets.

The Minnesota berry season progresses from south to north. Southern and metro area raspberries are ready, while blueberries are expected in the second and third weeks of July. Northern Minnesota farms typically open for picking about 1-2 weeks later than their metro counterparts and anticipate picking and harvest in late July.

?ÄúDespite little snow cover, I think many producers came out alright. Our berries look great. It looks like a heavy crop of raspberries for us and we are expecting a bumper crop of blueberries. This is one of the best years we?Äôve seen.?Äù said David Whitcomb of J.Q. Fruit Farm in Princeton, Minn.

Kevin Edberg of The Berry Patch in Forest Lake, Minn., is looking forward to a great berry season, ?ÄúOur raspberry and blueberry crops this year are among the best we have ever seen, and the picking will be easy. Prepare to bring your friends.?Äù

?ÄúBerry patches are great outings and day trips for families and children of all ages. It is a great way to introduce kids to the deliciousness of fresh-picked produce,?Äù said Minnesota Grown Representative Jessica Miles. ?ÄúBerry patches can be your source for summer taste, year round. Buy more than you need now and turn fresh berries into jams, jellies, or preserves or freeze them for use later in the year. There?Äôs nothing better than Minnesota Grown berries in your smoothie in the middle of winter.?Äù

The 2015 Minnesota Grown Directory includes 31 blueberry farms and 41 summer-bearing raspberry farms. Minnesota also has 32 fall-bearing raspberry farms opening sometime in August. Producers offer pick-your-own, pre-picked, or both. You can quickly find the nearest berry farm by visiting www.minnesota
grown.com,
and entering your city or zip code. Consumers can also order a copy of the FREE printed Minnesota Grown Directory by calling (888) TOURISM, or online at www.minnesotagrown.com.

Michael Crusan,

MDA Communications

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