The small farms website is an outreach component of the Oregon State University Extension Small Farms Program. On their website you can find links to important Extension fact sheets, subscribe to their newsletter, download the organic fertilizer and cover crop calculator, and read their technical reports.
Blueberries are a rapidly growing agricultural commodity in Oregon. In 2005, about 3,700 acres of blueberries are harvested with a crop estimated at 30 million pounds, which ranks Oregon third in the country in total blueberry production. Because of such a huge market demand for organic blueberries, both new and established blueberry growers are starting to explore organic blueberry production.
An organic blueberry systems trial will be established at the OSU NWREC in 2006. The objectives of the project are to evaluate the impacts of bed system, weed management system (weed mat, mulch, vinegar, propane), and organic fertilization methods on growth, yield, soil biology, weeds, diseases (particularly root rot) and profitability of organic blueberry production.
More information about this research project can be found at the website link below.