How a Blueberry Farm Transformed with USDA Organic Certification

Imagine buying a farm with no experience and turning it into a certified organic operation that attracts customers from far and wide. That's exactly what Harry and Susan Jones did with their blueberry farm in Pennsylvania.

The Journey to Organic Success

In 2018, Harry and Susan Jones took a leap of faith and bought a blueberry farm in Allenwood, Pennsylvania. Neither of them had run a farm before, but Harry's background in horticulture gave them a fighting chance. With 3,800 blueberry bushes spread across 7 acres, the couple faced a steep learning curve.

By 2021, they had achieved USDA organic certification, a process that involved a rigorous three-year transition. This certification brought a wave of new customers, some traveling over an hour just to pick their berries. It wasn't just a label but a ticket to increased traffic and credibility.

But the journey wasn't all about success. Harry describes that first summer as "drinking from a fire hose." The couple battled pests, optimized soil, and learned more about their customers, mostly through trial and error.

Challenges of Running a Small Farm

Running a farm, especially a small one, isn't just about planting and harvesting. It's about overcoming financial hurdles. Harry still works in the lumber industry because the farm doesn't generate enough income on its own. While they harvest approximately 18,000 pounds of blueberries each summer, it's the off-season that poses a real challenge.

Harry and Susan have found creative ways to generate income year-round by freezing about 1,900 pounds of blueberries and selling them during winter at local markets. But even with these efforts, relying on a single crop with a brief harvest period isn't sustainable long-term.

If they were starting from scratch today, Harry admits they'd diversify their crops. He talks about reducing the number of blueberry bushes and experimenting with strawberries, raspberries, or pumpkins to spread income throughout the year.

Organic Certification: A Double-Edged Sword

There's no doubt that the USDA organic certification opened doors for Bridge Avenue Berries. However, it came with its own set of challenges. The certification demanded $1,400 annually, along with inspections during the peak season. Eventually, Harry and Susan switched to Certified Naturally Grown, a farmer-led program that aligns more closely with their farming practices and costs less.

While the organic label brought in traffic, the Joneses realized the importance of transparency and consistency in the certification process. The transition allowed them to maintain their standards without the bureaucracy that frustrated them.

So, what's the takeaway here? In Harry's words, even knowing the challenges now, he'd still buy the farm. It's been a journey full of learning, with ups and downs, but ultimately, it's allowed them to work with plants, something Harry has always loved.

The farm's future looks different as the couple plans to sell in a few years, hoping the next owner will harness its potential. Like every venture, it's a mix of passion, perseverance, and pragmatism. And in this case, organic certification was a key piece of that puzzle.