Welcome to Degrandchamps Farms 2012 Commercil Growers catalog.

Our catalog may be viewed here on our website or you may download it to your computer to view at your convienience.

The 2011 blueberry season was once again a challenge, and no one knows what a normal season is anymore. Mid-January, near record, sub-zero low temperatures, along with the wettest spring on record, prove Mother Nature is the boss.

In Michigan, and many parts of the Midwest, the wet and cold weather continued into May during blossom time. Bees don’t work in these conditions resulting in poor pollination, a light fruit set and a 40% reduction in the blueberry crop. In Southwest Michigan, June, July and part of August produced 14 inches of rain.

On a positive note we reduced irrigation cost, wholesale fresh and process prices remained strong with record movement, and sale at our retail market and u-pick were up. I believe the “Buy Local” and the “health halo” status that blueberries have is driving the consumption of our blueberries. Many of my customers that operate small U-Pick operations told me they had a great year. Their biggest problem was they didn’t have enough blueberries to satisfy the demand.

If you haven’t already added blueberries to your operation, or you are currently growing some, don’t get caught being short of blueberries for your customers. We have many excellent “tried and true” and new release blueberry varieties for your operations. As always, we are here to answer your questions and help you plan your plantings.

Don’t hesitate to contact us.

I hope all of you have a successful season.

Mike DeGrandchamp