Creating a Community of Practice for Blueberries

Abstract

The “All about Blueberries” Community of Practice is adapting the best existing extension publications and developing new research-based extension recommendations related to blueberry production and consumption. Our primary goal is to increase blueberry productivity and consumption of blueberries, initially in the southeast and then nationwide. The experts that are members of our Community of Practice are located in the southeastern United States (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina) where both southern highbush and rabbiteye blueberries are grown. Southern states with relatively small blueberry industries and insufficient funds to support active land-grant research and extension programs (Louisiana and Alabama) are benefiting from cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture, Mississippi State University, and North Carolina State University that have well-developed, robust research/extension programs that support the blueberry industry.