|
| Mos Funnel Farms, home to Joe's Blues blueberries, opened in 2009 near Bangor , MI, three hours from Chicago or Detroit by car. |
| The five acre farm has almost 1400 Jersey high bush blueberry plants on a picturesque setting. The plants, over fifty years old, are destined for hand picking. Owner Joe Corrado says a unique feature of the farm is a program where people can rent their own blueberry bush for the season. |
| Corrado says that Moss Funnel Farms is making a long-term commitment to running a "green" blueberry business. |
"We want to be sustainable growers," Corrado said. "We are moving towards sustainable production methods and, over time, getting as close to organic production as possible."
|
| "This all means we will be not be using any chemicals for fertilizing and pest control, while increasing use of natural fertilizer and crop management," said Corrado. "We're lucky because we have strong healthy, 50-year old mostly Jersey blueberries and we are doing things like natural weed control – pulling them out by hand – rather than applying chemicals." |
(Joe's take on how Moss Funnel is "Going Organic" is continued on our blog).
|
|
|
|
Spring 2010
|
Farm lets people own a Michigan Blueberry Bush
Father-son blueberry farmers from Southwest Michigan are offering "seasonal ownership" of large individual blueberry bushes from their South Haven-area farm this summer.
Buyers can even get pictures of their personally tagged bush and can come visit it, according to Frank and Joe Corrado, who bought the farm last summer and have named their operation Joe's Blues. When they're not farming, Joe Corrado is a blues singer-songwriter, and his father, Frank, is a semi-retired consultant and writer.
The bushes will be ready for picking by their owners at the end of July, according to the Corrados. Buyers who can't make it up to the farm will be able to have their berries picked, packed and shipped for an additional fee. The 50-year old Jersey, high bush plants are guaranteed to yield 12-pounds and cost $30. Jerseys are known for their extra sweetness.
"We decided to do this to give people a greater sense of involvement and ownership in the farming process," said Frank Corrado. "We want to help them understand what they're eating and all the steps involved. The Corrados say they are committed to getting the farm as close to organic as they can. "We're trying to run a sustainable farm," said Joe Corrado.
The Corrados are keeping in touch with their associates via a blog on the Joe's Blues website at www.joesblueberries.com.
The duo is planning a musical harvest picking (Pic 'n Fest) on July 24th and 25th that includes blues bands, a picnic and chance to see how blueberries are readied for market. On August 22nd, Joe's Blues will sponsor a "Blue and Glean" Day at the farm for volunteers to pick blueberries for the Food Bank Council of Michigan.
Hours for the farm are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Saturday, and Noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays from July 15 to August 21. The farm is located at 61687 34th Avenue in Bangor, MI.
Southwest Michigan is the nation's blueberry capital and produces one-third of the country's high bush crop.
|
|
|
