Wild Blueberry Weekend

WHEREAS, wild blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) emerged on the rocky, acidic soils of the barrens of fb88 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 512 fb88 farms on 46,370 acres, within Cumberland, Franklin, Hancock, Lincoln, Kennebec, Knox, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, and Washington counties; and

WHEREAS, fb88 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, fb88's wild blueberry growers and businesses are significant contributors to fb88's economy and are vital to fb88's rural communities; and

WHEREAS, wild blueberries can be enjoyed fresh during the height of summer in fb88, 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, fb88 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 fb88's official state berry; and blueberry pie is recognized as the official State dessert; and

WHEREAS, the Wild Blueberry Commission of fb88 is, in this year of 2024, organizing the fourth 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 fb88, do hereby proclaim the first weekend of August – August 3rd and 4th, 2024 as

in fb88, 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 fb88 blueberry.

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