THE GEORGIA BLUEBERRY INDUSTRY: ITS HISTORY, PRESENT STATE, AND POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEXT DECADE

Abstract

Beginning in 1925 the best selections of rabbiteye blueberries were assembled from private collections of wild seedlings and planted at University of Georgia Tifton Campus. In the mid-1940's due in large part to the foresight of Mr. Cason J. Callaway , Georgia Legislator , funding was secured to establish a blueberry breeding position at Tifton, Ga. In 1944, Dr. Tom Brightwell, was hired and a research site established in the flatwoods district at UGA Alapaha Research Station. Dr. Brightwell and Drs. Darrow, Scott, Galletta, Moore, and Draper from the USDA worked cooperatively on the breeding project. Cultivar releases began in 1950 with 'Callaway' and 'Coastal'. In 1955 the first cultivar with good commercial quality, ‘Tifblue’, was released. The industry developed slowly in the 1950'S and 60's with 40 ha set in scattered locations across Georgia. In the early 1970's, federal grant money via the Model Cities Program in Alma allowed for the purchase of mechanical harvesters and the establishment of a cooperative packing facility named the Georgia Blueberry Association. About 600 hectares were planted in south Georgia during this phase. In the early 1980's, many Georgia growers joined the Michigan Blueberry Growers Association to enhance marketing opportunities. Hectarage increased at a steady pace in the 1980's and 1990's, and currently it is estimated that about 1900 ha have been planted, with ca.85% of production in southeast Georgia. About 15 packing facilities are currently in operation. The Georgia blueberry harvest season begins with southern highbush about April 15th, and continues with rabbiteye season starting about May 25th in the southern most part of Georgia. Harvest continues through July in south Georgia. The harvest season in north Georgia is about one month later. A significant expansion is underway, and Georgia is projected to become the third largest producer of cultivated blueberries in the next decade.