The Impact of Genetics on Blueberry Quality With Greg Willems

The Business of Blueberries

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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 Greg Willems, the President of G & M Farms Inc. and President of the California Blueberry Nursery. Willems established his production as a self-starting, vertically integrated farming operation over twenty years ago. He shares the priorities he places on the genetics his nursery is developing as well as efforts he’s making towards future blueberry market expansion.

“ I think one thing that really helps me when I evaluate varieties is understanding what it looks like in the field, how it comes off the plant – does the plant grow well, and does it perform in the way we need it to to make a mechanical high quality berry? Because obviously everybody knows the bar has been set pretty high for blueberry quality.” - Greg Willems

Topics covered include:

An introduction to Willems and his expertise in berries.
Explore Willem’s experience in table grapes and the impact on blueberry operations.
The challenges of introducing new varieties to producers and providing new packaging to consumers.

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The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. Today, you’ll hear from Derrin Wheeler in Georgia, Andres Armstrong in Chile and Luis Vegas in Peru. This was recorded on February 27, 2025.

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