WHEREAS, wild blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) emerged on the rocky, acidic soils of the Barrens of Maine following the retreat of the glaciers more than 10,000 years ago; and

WHEREAS, wild blueberries, which are not planted but grow naturally, were first managed and harvested by the Wabanaki and are now grown by 485 Maine farms on 42,000 acres, within Franklin, Hancock, Lincoln, Kennebec, Knox, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington counties; and

WHEREAS, Maine produces nearly 100 percent of all wild blueberries in the United States, and they are one of the top three specialty crops produced in the state; and

WHEREAS, Maine's wild blueberry growers and businesses are significant contributors to Maine's economy and are vital to Maine's rural communities; and

WHEREAS, wild blueberries can be enjoyed fresh during the height of summer in Maine, while Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) technology allows consumers to buy berries frozen at the peak of freshness all year round, all over the world; and

WHEREAS, Maine wild blueberries are one of the world's top 10 superfoods, a deep blue fruit that is rich in antioxidants and health benefits; and

WHEREAS, wild blueberries are recognized as Maine's official state berry; and blueberry pie is recognized as the official State dessert; and

WHEREAS, the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine is, in this year of 2023, organizing the third annual Wild Blueberry Weekend to encourage residents and visitors to visit wild blueberry farms and participating establishments and eat, drink, and experience the state's iconic fruit and the landscape where wild blueberries grow; and

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the weekend of August 5th and 6th, 2023 as

Wild Blueberry Weekend

in Maine, and I encourage all people to recognize the vital contributions made by the State's wild blueberry growers and businesses to our economy, and to participate in activities that celebrate and honor the Maine blueberry.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this nineteenth day of July Two Thousand Twenty-Three