NABC, USHBC host USDA leadership and Rep. Bill Huizenga in Michigan

HOLLAND, Michigan, Oct. 14, 2026 – Leaders from the North American Blueberry Council BB #:162393 (NABC) and council members of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins and Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI-04) yesterday for a roundtable discussion with industry leaders in Ottawa County, Michigan. More than 60 industry members attended the event in Michigan, the nation’s fifth largest blueberry-producing state.

The discussion focused on the challenges facing U.S. blueberry growers and the opportunities for USDA and Congress to support the industry’s long-term competitiveness. Growers shared firsthand perspectives on:
• Rising production costs and the importance of reinvesting in new varieties to improve productivity and remain competitive.
• The value of USDA programs, including recent improvements to the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), in helping growers recover from losses and reinvest in their operations.
• The challenges growers face in securing a reliable workforce, including the H-2A program, rising labor costs and regulatory uncertainty.

“Blueberry growers are navigating an increasingly challenging economic environment, making it more important than ever that federal agricultural policies reflect the realities of growing and marketing our fruit,” said Ellie Norris, Oregon blueberry grower and incoming NABC chair, who moderated the discussion. “We appreciate the opportunity to engage directly with USDA leadership and Congressman Huizenga on the tools and resources growers need to succeed.”

Congressman Huizenga has been a longtime advocate for Michigan’s blueberry industry, including recent improvements to TAP that provide growers with greater flexibility to recover from natural disasters and reinvest in their farms. He is also a co-sponsor of the Sustaining Agriculture’s Workforce Act.

“Congressman Huizenga has been a strong partner to Michigan’s blueberry growers, particularly in championing improvements to the Tree Assistance Program that help growers recover from disasters and reinvest in their farms,” said Shelly Hartmann of TrueBlue Farms in Grand Junction, Michigan. “We appreciate his continued leadership on issues critical to our competitiveness and his commitment to bringing USDA officials directly to Michigan to hear from growers.”

The visit also marked the first official meeting between federal leaders and the blueberry industry since growers voted to approve the USHBC continuance referendum, reaffirming strong support for the council’s ongoing research, promotion and demand-building programs. The USHBC is a federal research and promotion program established by the NABC.

During the discussion, USHBC council members had the unique opportunity to personally thank Under Secretary Hoskins, who oversees USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the agency responsible for administering federal research and promotion programs, for his support of the council. Industry leaders emphasized the vital role the USHBC plays in uniting the entire blueberry supply chain, expanding consumer demand and driving shared success for growers nationwide.

“USHBC gives growers like me the research, promotion and market insights that no single farm could afford on its own, and that work is what keeps American blueberries competitive in markets across the country and around the world,” said Dennis Vander Kooi of Woodland Enterprises Berry Farms in Zeeland, Michigan. “Having USDA’s support, and Under Secretary Hoskins’ support in particular, helps us build demand for our fruit far beyond our own borders. I am proud to serve on the USHBC board, and I am grateful to see growers and the entire supply chain working together toward shared success.”

The roundtable reinforced the importance of continued collaboration between USDA, Congress and the blueberry industry to address growers’ most pressing challenges and support the long-term success of U.S. blueberry production.

Following the roundtable, USDA held a press conference announcing the fiscal year 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program awards.

About the North American Blueberry Council

Since 1965, the North American Blueberry Council (NABC) has been the voice of the blueberry industry in the U.S. and Canada. NABC was instrumental in the establishment of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), a federal agriculture research and promotion program with independent oversight from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Learn more at nabcblues.org.