A legislative panel is considering a measure that would expand the number of growers on a commission that promotes the state’s wild blueberry industry.
Currently, there are eight members on the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, including five processor representatives. The legislation would hike the number of grower representatives from three to five, increasing commission membership to 10.
Wild Blueberry Commission Interim Executive Director Patricia Kontur says it’s in the industry’s best interest to have growers and processors working together on key issues and initiatives.
“Having a more diverse board structure would reflect the broader grower perspective. Also, we wanted to make sure that we responded to a desire for change from the growing community,” she says.
Maine’s wild blueberry industry has seen a downward trend in recent years. Kontur says there has been more competition from cultivated blueberries and Canadian wild blueberries. She says the commission is optimistic that, following some new marketing efforts, the downturn has ended and things are headed back up.
A committee vote is likely Thursday.
