Wild Blueberry Production

This project will develop research infrastructure at Blueberry Hill Farm in Washington County. It will fund innovative research and extension efforts to develop and improve harvesting and processing technologies and irrigation and horticultural approaches for Maine’s wild blueberry industry. The project scope includes constructing a new climate-controlled building to research innovative fresh-pack and value-added practices and technologies focused on the growing segment of the wild blueberry industry here in Maine. It will house a new fresh-pack line and walk-in cold storage for research and extension purposes to benefit wild blueberry growers. This facility will also offer training and research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate projects. Renovations and updates of the electrical infrastructure in an existing storage barn and pesticide storage facility to accommodate new harvesting equipment and to ensure the safe mixing of pesticides for research trials. A new well and pump will be developed to support research and extension efforts for new irrigation technologies and practices. This research is intended to assist wild blueberry growers in Maine in preparing for predicted future droughts. Additionally, the project includes the installation of underground irrigation piping to distribute water throughout the 30-acre research farm. U.S. Sens. Collins and King secured funding of $3 million in FY23 Congressional Directed Spending at the request of the System. Carpenter Associates is the design firm for a new climate-controlled facility. Final plans for the new well and irrigation system is underway and anticipated to be bid for completion this year. The University anticipates bidding of the new climate-controlled facility to be completed by the end of this summer with construction to start early 2026..