Blueberry farm to bolster ag program

A&M-Commerce plans to use a newly-acquired property to strengthen academics in food science and solve problems through research. The 12.5 acre property is, oddly enough, a blueberry farm.

Twin Oaks Blueberry Farm is located a few miles from the university, down Highway 24, and was previously owned by Joe and Jean Richards. When the Richards sold the property to A&M-Commerce on Jan. 15, 2010, it also included a large two-story frame house, a small one-story frame house, a pole barn, an already-established blueberry field, pecan trees and a pond for irrigation.

According to Jim Heitholt, head of the agricultural sciences department, the property neighbors the existing University Farm, and its purchase should empower the university to improve several programs.

"In the short-term, student and faculty projects at this blueberry site will positively impact the health and well-being of the region's citizens," Heitholt said. "In the long-term, a strong academic program focused on fruit and vegetable production will ultimately improve nutritional programs and provide economic benefits for northeast Texas and beyond."

Blueberries are ripe for picking around the first of June, according to pickyourown.org. Students can make arrangements with faculty and staff in the agricultural department to visit Twin Oaks.

"The university will sell ‘pick-your-own' blueberries to the public on selected days, as did the previous owners," Heitholt said. "From time to time, we will bring a few pints of fresh berries up to the student center for summer visitors."

Heitholt said the revenue from sales will provide the farm with funds to cover production costs and initiate new educational products. This includes maintenance on a tractor, shredder and other farm implements the previous owner housed at the site, which were purchased along with the property.

"Fruit and vegetable production is a relatively new discipline for us," Heitholt said.

The agricultural sciences department is often better-known for its strong programs in animal science, agricultural education, ornamental horticulture, agribusiness and agronomy, but they have been working to improve fruit and vegetable production. It's a goal that has greatly progressed since the department began establishing plots and working with the Commerce Community Garden Association about a year ago.

"We are excited, because the blueberry site will enhance our ability to deliver a quality teaching and research program in fruit and vegetable production," Heitholt said.