Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills.
I was proud recently to proclaim this weekend — August 6-7, 2022 — as Maine’s second annual Wild Blueberry Weekend in celebration of our wild blueberries and in honor of the hardworking people who grow and bring Maine blueberries to markets near and far.
Maine produces nearly 100 percent of all wild blueberries in the United States. Last year alone, Maine farmers harvested 105 million pounds of wild blueberries. And we know that these are healthy, that they have more antioxidants, and they are more tasty than any other kind of blueberry in the world.
Well to honor our wild blueberry growers and businesses and their significant contributions to the Maine economy, I declared our first ever wild blueberry weekend ever last year.
Wild blueberry growers opened their doors for free for the first time and made available fresh wild blueberries, and jams, and pies, and other products available for guests to purchase.
The Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine reports that there were thousands of dollars in direct farm sales last year and thousands of visitors who enjoyed touring the places where wild blueberries grow, maybe picking a few of their own.
This year, the second annual wild blueberry weekend will feature farm tours and other family-friendly activities at 14 different wild blueberry farms in Franklin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Waldo and of course Washington counties.
And, wild blueberry-themed menu items and products will be available throughout the weekend at nearly 50 restaurants, ice cream shops, breweries, wineries, and distilleries across the state. To see the full list of participants, visit www.wildblueberryweekend.com and the state’s official agriculture website, www.realmaine.com, for year-round ideas on ways you can support Maine’s agricultural community.
I encourage everyone to visit one of the participating wild blueberry farms or to sample Maine-grown wild blueberry products at the many places selling them during Wild Blueberry Weekend, this weekend!
This is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.