Bountiful berry crop prompts need for more pickers

BY KIRK STARRATT

kstarratt@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

Blueberry Acres in Sheffield Mills is experiencing the most bountiful crop in its 17 years of operation, but a lot more pickers are needed to get the berries from the fields.

Nova Agri President and CEO Earl Kidston said Wednesday afternoon he had between 250 and 300 people picking in Sheffield Mills and there was a lot more ground to cover in Medford, where they have more high-bush blueberry fields.

“The bushes are solid blue in Medford,” he said, pointing out they are paying their pickers more than ever this year. “We could use another 150 people for the blueberry crop. It’s the best crop we’ve had in 17 years and it’s the best picking.”

Kidston said, the way weather conditions have been, there is a risk that they won’t be able to harvest all the berries in time. The pickers can’t work in wet conditions or the fruit will go too soft, compromising quality and shelf life.

This can be extremely frustrating, considering the fact it’s a bumper crop and there are a lot of input costs involved. He knows other producers in the area that have had to bypass other crops because they couldn’t get them harvested due to wet field conditions, one example being lettuce. Kidston said it isn’t anybody’s fault. It’s just the way it is.

Flexible work environment, extra cash

He said they’re very fortunate to have their crew of people and a fraternity develops among the pickers in the fields. Some work at the harvest full-time while others contribute part-time or whenever they can fit it into their schedule. Some people simply find it relaxing.

Kidston said it’s a very flexible work environment and a great way for people to make some extra cash. It has to be flexible because it’s a people business. There are no large harvesting machines working the fields; it’s all done by hand.

Some days, such as on Wednesday for example, the picking can’t begin until late morning because of rain the night before. They get an early start when weather permits and they pick until dark. The pickers are free to come and go as they wish and you can draw your pay at any time, even daily if you wish.

He said he can’t emphasize enough that they get lots of workers who are unable to do other physical jobs, but who can pick high-bush blueberries because there are no ladders to climb or not much hunching over. The fruit is typically between a foot and six feet off the ground.

“One of the biggest pleasures I get is walking the field when the pickers are there,” Kidston said, pointing out they employ people from all over the Valley and it’s amazing how many different nationalities are represented on the crew.

He said people can try all their blueberry products at Between the Bushes in Sheffield Mills and there are a lot of other local foods and food products to enjoy there.

For more information on commercial picking opportunities at Blueberry Acres, call 582-7095. For U-pick information, call 582-1482.