In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (https://ushbc.blueberry.org (USHBC)) and the North American Blueberry Council (https://nabc.blueberry.org (NABC)), is joined by https://www.linkedin.com/in/micahweiss/ (Micah Weiss), sales and grower support at Fall Creek Farm and Nursery and USHBC/NABC’s own Amanda Griffin, vice president of engagement and education. Micah is part of the inaugural class of the https://ushbc.blueberry.org/get-involved/industry-leadership-development-program/ (Blueberry Industry Leadership Program), initiated and organized by USHBC. Together, Micah and Amanda discuss the benefits of this type of a program and what it can offer not only to the individuals that participate in it but the industry as a whole. “Creating this program allows us to better engage with that group that applied and to also further have constituents that are active within your organization after they graduate from the program…. It helps to better develop the industry by developing those that are within it. And so it's a natural fit within our organization to figure out how we can better provide resources to the blueberry industry.” - Amanda Griffin “(USHBC) did a great job of having people from all parts of the country, but also all parts of the blueberry supply chain. No matter what we were talking about we kind of had an expert there on just about everything.” - Micah Weiss Topics covered include: Meet and hear from https://www.linkedin.com/in/micahweiss/ (Micah Weiss), sales and grower support at Fall Creek Farm and Nursery and USHBC/NABC’s own Amanda Griffin, vice president of engagement and education Discover the selection process and the value of the Blueberry Industry Leadership Program Explore the benefits this program offers to its participants and to the entire blueberry industry Crop Report The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. Today you’ll hear from Luis Vegas in Peru, Doug Krahmer in Oregon, and Mario Ramirez in Mexico. This was recorded on September 14th, 2022. Blueberry Boost The blueberry industry’s data and analytics program that is being developed will allow growers and handlers to acquire all of the data they need in one easy-to-access location. From dashboards to insights into movement to retail insights and beyond, the USHBC/NABC will leverage modern technologies to give an unprecedented level of transparency to the industry. https://www.blueberryevents.org/ (Join us at the Blueberry Summit) in Nashville on October 5 -7, 2022 to learn more.