Beekeepers play an essential role in the wild blueberry industry as blueberries are highly dependent on insect pollination. Therefor, the partnership between beekeepers and blueberry growers is vital for the industry’s success. Events like the annual summer WBPANS field day provide a valuable opportunity for both groups to connect, share knowledge, and strengthen the industry.
A Review of WBPANS Field Day 2025
On July 16th, the Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia (WBPANS) hosted their annual summer Field Day at the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition grounds in Bible Hill. With 224 registrants, the event brought together wild blueberry producers, researchers, agri-businesses and industry supporters for a full day of learning, networking and celebrating wild blueberries!
The day began with registration at 8:30 am,
followed by a welcome and overview of the agenda. The morning was filled with
attendees exploring a wide range of agricultural business and machinery
displays both inside and outside the pavilion. Researchers were also present to
discuss valuable insight provided by their work relating to current challenges
and innovations in wild blueberry production.
Late in the morning, Andrew Dobson, current president of WBPANS, spoke briefly, as well as Peter Burgess, Executive Director. Peter provided updates on the organization, highlighting the ongoing work with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture (NSDA) on livestock insurance. Hugh Lyu, Wild Blueberry Extension Specialist with Perennia, delivered an industry update, emphasizing the importance of rainfall in the coming weeks to support a successful harvest. He also shared that this year’s forecast for harvesting could range from 40-50 million pounds. The Honorable Greg Morrow, NS Minister of Agriculture, also spoke about the province’s collaboration with Perennia to create a network of on farm weather stations across Nova Scotia. This has proven to help improve data collection and a better understanding of weather for producers. The Kilted Chef, brand ambassador for the wild blueberry industry, added a culinary touch to the day by announcing that one wild blueberry recipe will be released each week for the next five weeks.
Lunch was catered by The Rustic Table, providing a meal filled with wild blueberries. It consisted of a chicken wrap with wild blueberry spice, a salad with wild blueberry dressing, a cinnamon roll with wild blueberry icing, and a wild blueberry soda by Chill St! In the afternoon, attendees boarded buses for a guided tour of the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus. Participants explored research facilities, the on-campus barn, and greenhouses on campus.
Despite the hot weather, the 2025 WBPANS Field day was a great success, with strong attendance, engaging presentations and a shared appreciation for the wild blueberry industry. Thank you to all the organizers, sponsors and participants who made this event possible!
Written by Kaitlyn Newton, ATTTA Seasonal Apiculturist
Connecting with ATTTA Specialists
If you’d like to connect with ATTTA specialists or learn more about our program, you can:
visit our website at https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/honey-bees/
Email abyers@perennia.ca