Lancaster Farming quotes Yarborough in article on highbush blueberries

Lancaster Farming quoted David Yarborough, a wild blueberry specialist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and a professor in the UMaine School of Food and Agriculture, in an article on highbush blueberry production that mentions challenges in the corresponding lowbush blueberry industry. The article tells the story of highbush blueberry production on Goss Berry Farm in Mechanic Falls. Mike Goss, the only full-time employee on his parents’ farm, said the farm is expanding but they are not focusing on growing their blueberry production because “prices have been pretty stagnant,” Goss said. Wild blueberry producers and their industry have been facing challenges this season. An early frost was the first time in 50 years that temperatures dropped to below freezing when the blueberries were still vulnerable and damaged crops, according to Yarborough. “Certain fields won’t probably be able to be harvested at all. Otherwise, going into the season we had a fairly mild winter,” said Yarborough. “In Maine, there isn’t a major highbush or cultivated industry, but there is major wild blueberry production,” said Yarborough.