By James FitzPatrick
Contributing Writer
When it comes to blueberries, they haven’t always been a Jersey thing.
Before the early 1900s, blueberries as we know them today didn’t exist as a farm-raised crop. They were picked in the wild because farmers had not figured out how to cultivate them in a way that reliably produced quality fruit.
The high-bush blueberry plant, the berry-producer in wide use today, was born out of a collaboration between Elizabeth Coleman White, a farmer’s daughter and self-taught botanist in Pemberton, Burlington County, and U.S. Department of Agriculture botanist Frederick Coville who was in search of optimal growing conditions for taming the berry.
White was determined to develop a domesticated blueberry that could thrive in the acidic soil of southern New Jersey’s Pine Barrens. Her father owned a large cranberry farm and she often wondered if wild “swamp huckleberries” could be cultivated as a second crop.
In 1910, when White read about Coville’s experiments, she invited him to work with her on her father‘s farm on her blueberry quest. Together they went to work, recruiting the help of locals to search for plants in the wild that produced the best quality berries.
Over time they identified more than 100 varieties which they grafted and cross pollinated until they came up with a plant that consistently produced quality berries. They harvested their first cultivated berries in 1914 and by 1916, their berries were ready for sale to the public.
Fast forward to today and blueberries have bloomed into New Jersey’s top crop with a 2023 production value of $92.1 million and more than $4 billion nationally.
“New Jersey annually ranks in the top six in the U.S. in the production of blueberries,” according to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. “Farmers in the Garden State harvested 50 million pounds of blueberries on 10,800 acres last year.”
The trend is on track to continue.
“With the weather cooperating, we are off to a good start, and we think it will be an excellent season,” said Paul Macrie, whose family owns and operates Macrie Brothers Blueberry Farms on 800 acres in Hammonton, also known as the Blueberry Capital of the World. “We expect good volume for our harvest and should have the larger-sized, juicy blueberries that help define New Jersey’s crop.”
There’s a lot to love about blueberries. From their plump, juicy deliciousness, to their close connection to the local economy and history, to their nutricious properties, blueberries and summer at the Jersey Shore go perfectly together.
One of the best ways to appreciate blueberries is by visiting one of the many you-pick farms located in the area. With plenty of choices nearby, why not make blueberries the key ingredient in your next family fun outing? Between Atlantic and Cape May counties, there is an abundance of pick-your-own blueberry farms to choose from.
Before you go, a little planning will go a long way. Here’s some ideas you might want to consider.
First, you must decide where to go. Word of mouth is always the best way to find a reliable suggestion. If not, check websites, Facebook and Google reviews as they do not all have web pages.
Find out what the farm has to offer. Some have limited hours and limited days, while others go from dawn to dusk. Some require reservations and are pet friendly while others have amenities including kayaking and music. Can they accommodate people with accessibility needs? How much are they charging? Prices are based on how much you pick and many are cash only.
Whichever you decide, be sure to be prepared. That means consider comfort and safety. Mornings will be cooler and less sun intensive. Water, water and more water will be essential and of course, stay sun protected either with a hat, sunscreen, long-sleeve clothing or all three. Wear closed toe shoes and be prepared for bugs. Bring a rigid container for each adult picking.
When you are there ask lots of questions as the attendants know best where the good picking is.
By taking a deep dive into blueberries you will be supporting one of South Jerry’s most important industries. Enjoy!
Nearby You-Pick Blueberry Farms
This list does not claim to be comprehensive. If there are no websites listed, check Facebook or call.
Allen Family Farm
26 Tarkiln Road
Woodbine
609-861-3778
Blueberry Bills
914 11th Street
Hammonton
609-839-4306
https://blueberrybillfarms.com/
DiMeo Farms & Nursery
3101 Nesco Road
Hammonton
609-561-5905
Legendary Blueberries
511 West Duerer St.
Egg Harbor City
609-703-3355
Lindsay’s Pick Your Own Blueberries
436 Pleasant Mills Road
Hammonton
609-561-2474
Littleworth Tree Farm
1957 Tuckahoe Road
Petersburg
609-628-3346
McCay Blueberry Farms
176 Middle Road
Hammonton
609-204-7680
Stiles Farm and Nursery
172 South Delsea Drive
Cape May Court House
609-600-7939
Walking Bird Farm
250 S Mannheim Ave.
Egg Harbor City
609-678-4129
https://www.walkingbirdfarm.com/
July is National Blueberry Month and on July 8, the nation, or at least those who love blueberries, will celebrate National Blueberry Day. Learn about the countless creative and flavorful ways to celebrate at blueberry.org.
Whether it’s for fun, flavor, health or convenience that you crave in a snack food, blueberries have all of the bases covered.
Once you get your hard-earned harvest home, that’s when the payoff begins, deciding the best way to enjoy them.
Copy editor and Contributing Writer James FitzPatrick has been a community journalist in Atlantic and Cape May counties for more than 30 years, including 20 years as editor of The Current Newspapers. He lives in Hammonton.
