Yes on 2 for Maine’s wild blueberries
To the editor:
Maine’s iconic wild blueberries have been commercially harvested since the 1840s. Today, Maine is the largest producer of wild blueberries in the entire world, with approximately 60,000 acres of wild blueberries growing naturally in fields and barrens from the coast to the state’s southwest corner.
Thanks to research and development based at the University of Maine, Orono, wild blueberry growers are leaders in using an integrated crop management system to produce this important Maine agricultural crop. To support this collaboration, the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine encourages voters to support Question 2 on November’s ballot that issues a bond to support Maine agriculture, facilitate economic growth in natural resources-based industries and monitor human health threats by creating an animal, plant, and insect laboratory administered by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Maine wild blueberry growers have a long history of collaboration with UMaine Cooperative Extension. The Commission will continue to support agricultural research in integrated pest management of disease insect pests. The proposed lab will enhance our knowledge about emerging pests and disease and provide Cooperative Extension with tools and data to help us monitor and successfully sustain the health of Maine wild blueberries. Please join us in voting “Yes” on Question 2 to support agriculture and economic growth in Maine.
Patricia Kontur
director of programs
