Frequently Asked Questions

Or

Q & A

Q: Do you have any blueberries for sale?

A: Not yet! The blueberry plants described in this website were planted in November & December 2009 as three-year old bare-rooted plants. We will have a small crop in the summer of 2011, but probably the first commercial crop will not be harvested until the summer of 2012.

Q: Why are you involved in growing blueberries?

A: Probably two major reasons lie behind our selection of blueberries as a commercial crop.
(1) In this area of Virginia (Shenandoah Valley) there are not a lot of commercial blueberries. One notable exception is Mr. Samuel Johnson, Keetzletown, Va, who has a couple acres of blueberries and is the local blueberry expert. Yet there is a ready market for many more bluetberries in this area.
(2) Among the various potential berry crops, blueberries are very tasty and healthy with a high level of anthocyanins (antioxidants). Part of the enjoyment of agriculture is to provide nutritious healthy food for consumers.

Q: Why grow organic versus conventional blueberries?

A: Prior to our blueberry growing experience, I have never been involved in organic farming. Actually our blueberry operation is in "transition" to become certified as an organic operation. That certification is a couple of years in the distance but will hopefully happen by the summer of 2012.

To many consumers, organic produce is seen as being more healthy than conventionally produced produce. Conflicting studies indicate that there are both pros and cons to organic versus conventional agriculture. The challenge is to produce an organic product that is as attractive, tasty, and nutritious as a conventionally produced product. The organic arsenal of insecticides and herbicides, while existent, are not as effective as the conventional counterpart. Consequently, pest invasion -- insects or weeds -- poses a greater risk for organic agriculture than for conventional agriculture.

A major facet of our project is to compare organic versus conventional agricultural practices in producing blueberries and to find the system that is most economically sustainable and productive.

Knoll Acre Blueberries: A Sustainable Organic Production Project