April 2020 - 21

even that became too difficult.
" We always had to create a market, "
Joan said.
Adapting to the times
These days, despite national and
international competition in the organic
market, Pleasant Hill is still producing
high-quality blueberries because they are
willing to adapt. Their blueberries are
available through three main avenues:
online orders, U-pick in the summer and
select health food stores.
Every Tuesday, from September until
early May, the couple pulls together
their frozen blueberries and ships them
in 10- or 30-pound boxes via FedEx to
customers across the country, except
the West Coast. They are packed with
insulated containers and sent with dry ice.
Then, from May until August they shift
their focus to growing and harvesting
their blueberries. Their popular U-pick
experience usually runs from late July to
early August. It attracts their " very faithful
customers " in droves, some from hours
away. When they arrive, parents introduce
themselves, their kids, and sometimes
even their dogs to John and Joan. They are
savvier about organic certification and ask
plenty of questions.
" They just want the experience, " Joan
said. " They want a relationship with
their farmer. "
Not only has Pleasant Hill adapted the
way they sell, but also the way they market.
They are experimenting with
agritainment. Recently, the Donaldson
on how much you can spray each year, "
John said.
They spray about every five to seven
days to combat SWD during the growing
season. When the weather is hot, the
fields get some relief from the pests
because SWD flock to the water then,
John said.
Finally, there's the issue of organic
certification, which has changed a lot
since 1989, when John participated in
national discussions.
Over the last 30 years, the USDA and
John Donaldson mans a custom mower. Photo: Pleasant Hill Blueberry Farm
family planted about 5 acres of
wildflowers closer to M-89, the state
highway their driveway is connected to. It
doesn't necessarily translate to increased
sales, but the garden does attract avid
photographers to the Fennville region.
Local business owners have expressed
gratitude for the contribution, which has
strengthened their relationships.
Joan said they have expanded the
farm's presence online as well. They
are listed on various organic farm
directories and local tourism group sites
to leverage outside marketing expertise.
They hired a webmaster to keep their
own website updated and they regularly
post on their popular Facebook page.
Joan has even podcasted about life as
an organic farmer for a radio station,
WMUK 102.1 in Kalamazoo.
Battling ahead
Despite their longevity, Pleasant Hill
still faces challenges as an organic grower.
For one, it's difficult to find labor for
such a short harvesting season. They
used to hire interns from across the
country, but that fizzled out because
interns were looking for threemonth
internships, not one month.
Homeschooled students, local workers
and family also have assisted at Pleasant
Hill. But who mainly prunes, mows
between the rows, and often is still
weeding at 10 p.m. some nights?
" We do most of it ourselves, " Joan
admitted.
Another uphill battle for the
Donaldson family is fighting the
spotted wing drosophila (SWD), an
invasive pest of Michigan fruit crops
since 2010, according to Michigan State
University Extension. They use Entrust
SC Naturalyte insect control, an organic
spray from Corteva Agriscience.
" It's very expensive and you're limited
big businesses have become involved,
and the rules have changed. For example,
the organic definition has broadened
to include hydroponics and containergrown
plants.
" Most of the organic community
believes you need soil (to be organic), "
John said. " Many, many organic growers
are disturbed about that, ourselves
included. So, it's difficult. "
Looking ahead, John and Joan hope
the interest in organic products continues
and the next generation will become more
invested in organic farming, especially the
fruit organic farming side. The focus often
is vegetables and herbs because farmers
can reclaim their investment faster that
way. They don't have to wait for the fruit
plants to mature, Joan said.
Their son recently moved back to the
area and has helped with the farm, but
they're unsure about long-term goals for
Pleasant Hill Blueberry Farm.
" We don't have an exit plan, " Joan
said. FGN
FGN | APRIL 2020 | 21
April 2020

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