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GRANT ULLYOT Energized for her new role


Delta grower Nancy Chong is ready for the opportunities and challenges as she takes blueberry council helm. By Grant Ullyot


N


ancy Chong joined the B.C. Blueberry Council five years ago and since then has gone to


the top rung of the organization’s executive ladder. She served on the finance committee


and chaired it for three years until being elected chair of the council this year, succeeding Jason Smith, an Abbotsford grower. “It is an exciting time to be in the


industry now,” says Chong. “The industry produced 170 million pounds of berries last year and I am excited about the expansion into the Chinese market this year that should increase our opportunities.” This past summer, Chong spent time with the team of Chinese inspectors who


6 British Columbia Berry Grower • Winter 2016-17


were in the province to confirm that packers and growers are adhering to the protocols that have been established to ensure our blueberries meet their regulations. This process mitigates any issues


which may have an impact on China’s domestic blueberry production. Along with the protocols, B.C. growers


and packers are striving for high-quality berries that are large, uniform sized, sweet and firm with good shelf life — all part of what the Chinese retailer and consumer desires.


Chong remains involved with the


family blueberry operations in Delta. “My parents started the farm, which


now covers 175 acres in three locations. All my siblings — there are four of us — are involved in the operation of the farms. “Everything is machine-harvested and


goes straight to our processor,” stated Chong. The warmer than normal weather this


year again resulted in an earlier than normal harvest. “In a more normal season we wouldn’t


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