Knoll Acres Blueberries

Knoll Acres is a small farm about 4 miles west of Harrisonburg, Virginia (USA).  Establishing a small commercial, sustainable, organic blueberry operation is a major project goal during the next two years.  This website describes various aspects of this project as well as notes our successes and failures in accomplishing our goal.

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"Blueberries" by Robert Frost

"You ought to have seen what I saw on my way
To the village, through Mortenson's pasture to-day:
Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb,
Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum
In the cavernous pail of the first one to come!
And all ripe together, not some of them green
And some of them ripe! You ought to have seen!"
......
"Does Mortenson know what he has, do you think?"
"He may and not care and so leave the chewink
To gather them for him--you know what he is.
He won't make the fact that they're rightfully his
An excuse for keeping us other folk out."
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"We'll pick in the Mortensons' pasture this year.
We'll go in the morning, that is, if it's clear
And the sun shines out warm: the vines must be wet.
......
You ought to have seen how it looked in the rain,
The fruit mixed with water in layers of leaves,
Like two kinds of jewels, a vision for fhieves."

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Organic and Sustainable  Blueberry Horticulture

A major portion of our project is to create conditions for organic blueberries and to ensure their economic viability by using sustainable approaches.  Sustainability involves among other things using resources that are readily available and creating conditions that maintain the vitality and productivity of the blueberries.

USDA Crop Specialty Grant

• Recently, I received a small grant from the USDA  to assist in the development of this blueberry project. The grant extends from April 2009 through March 2011.
• The grant provides support for selected undergraduate students from Eastern Mennonite University to participate also in this project and gain research experience in blueberry horticulture as a result.

Blueberries ready to eat!

Blueberries are one of the most healthy and nutritious fruits; they are high in antioxidants and contain many essential vitamins and minerals.