Blueberry councils open award nominations

The North American Blueberry Council opened nominations for its annual awards, including its new U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council Elizabeth White Award celebrating the extraordinary contributions of women in the blueberry industry, on May 28.

The council said nominations will be accepted from individuals in the blueberry industry, NABC’s Nomination Committee, and NABC and USHBC employees through June 30. Winners will be recognized at The Blueberry Convention in October.

Nominations for most of the awards, as well as evaluation criteria, can be found online at the NABC awards website. Nominations for the Elizabeth White Award can be submitted online at the USHBC website.

Hall of Fame Award

The NABC Hall of Fame Award honors blueberry leaders, growers and suppliers who have impacted the blueberry industry in North America. The award was established as the council and industry’s highest honor and is open to influential leaders, past and present.

Alex Wetherbee Award

The Alex Wetherbee Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the blueberry industry in marketing and promotion. Alex Wetherbee was one of NABC’s founders and a blueberry marketer from New Jersey who is respected industrywide for his passion in promoting blueberries.

Duke Galletta Award

The Duke Galletta Award recognizes excellence in blueberry horticultural research. The award is named in honor of Duke Galletta of Atlantic Blueberry, an inaugural member of the NABC.

Elizabeth White Award

This new award celebrates the extraordinary contributions of women in the blueberry industry, acknowledging those who have significantly impacted the industry through groundbreaking research, innovative business practices, advocacy, leadership or mentoring the next generation of professionals in the blueberry community.