The MOF&G Online
USDA Assistance for Wild Blueberry Growers
Wild blueberry growers who have evidence that their net farm income in 2002 was less than in 2001 and who can verify their production and quantity of wild blueberries during the 2002 marketing year may be eligible for the USDA's Trade Adjustment Assistance program (TAA), which pays 2.8 cents per pound for blueberries marketed from July 2002 through June 2003, if they meet requirements. The TAA program was approved and funded by Congress because of increased import pressure facing certain groups of U.S. farmers and fishermen. Growers are eligible for assistance when the national average price for a crop declines by at least 20% compared with its price during the five previous marketing years. The Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine petitioned the USDA on behalf of Maine growers.The USDA found that increased imports of frozen wild blueberries "contributed importantly" to a 33% decline in prices from July 2002 through June 2003 compared with the previous five-year average. According to the New England Agricultural Statistics Service, Maine farmers grew 75.2 million pounds of wild blueberries in 2001; the average price for processed berries was 30 cents per pound; and the crop's total value was 22.9 million, down 49% from the 2000 year. Applications for TAA will be accepted at the Hancock County Farm Service Agency (FSA) office in Ellsworth until January 20, 2004. For more information, contact Ruth Ann Shaw at FSA, 190 Bangor Rd., Ellsworth ME 04605-3258; ruth.shaw@me.usda.gov; 207-667-8462, ext. 2.