1. A primary industry in Atlantic Canada

2. What is Wild Blueberry Farming? Wild Blueberries are a fruit that is grown naturally. Wild blueberries are also known as “low bush blueberries” as they grow on a plant that is low to the ground. Blueberries are harvested in the summer; usually beginning in mid-August and going into late September. In 2010, Canada exported $ 122,248,533 worth of fresh wild blueberries to countries around the world. Of this, Nova Scotia exported $72,787,633. These berries go to countries like the United States, Japan, Germany, China, and more.

3. Wild Blueberries in Atlantic Canada Harvesting wild blueberries occurs all over Atlantic Canada; but especially in Nova Scotia. Atlantic Canada grows 62% of all blueberries grown in Canada. More specifically, Nova Scotia grows 56% of all blueberries grown in Atlantic Canada, or 35% of the Canadian crop. Oxford, Nova Scotia is known as the Blueberry Capital of the World.

4. Jobs available in this industry The farmer is involved in the harvest year-round; making sure that the berries are being pollinated, sprays are applied to keep diseases away, fields are maintained, and that the crop is harvested. At the time of the harvest, more workers are needed to make sure the crop is picked. Some of the seasonal jobs include: Machine Operators Harvester Operators Rakers Bee Keepers Cleaning Plant Workers Truck Drivers

5. Equipment There are many tools used throughout the growing process of the blueberry. This includes sprayers to spray for bugs and diseases; mowers to mow the plant after the harvest; and a burner that will burn the field to encourage re-growth of the plant. Blueberries used to be harvested by hand using a special rake. Today, most blueberries are harvested using a “picker” which is a machine that is attached to a tractor, that rakes the berries, and moves them along a conveyor belt until they are deposited in a box. More equipment is also needed when blueberries arrive at the plant to be cleaned and processed. This is still part of the primary industry.

6. Bibliography http://www.nswildblueberries.com/ http://www.statcan.gc.ca/ca-ra2001/first- premier/regions/farmalt-fermealt-eng.htm http://www.statcan.gc.ca/ca-ra2001/first- premier/regions/farmalt-fermealt-eng.htm http://www.marquecanadabrand.agr.gc.ca/tools- utils/5318-eng.htm http://www.marquecanadabrand.agr.gc.ca/tools- utils/5318-eng.htm