Past Workshops

Weippe Huckleberry Conference

The drive along the clearwater river to Weippe from North Idaho was well worth the trip just for the view!  Not to mention all the great huckleberry information and food we experienced at the conference.  Join us for the July workshops!

The Clearwater River

         The view going up to Weippe  

April 21, 2004 marked a landmark in the western huckleberry industry. Ninety processors,researchers, and prospective growers from Idaho and Washington came together in Weippe, Idaho for a one-day conference devoted entirely to the
commercial management and production of huckleberries and bilberries in the northwestern United States. Some traveled from as far away as Boise, Yakima, and Priest Lake to attend. Many thanks to those who participated in the conference.

Thanks also to Dan Pierce, Sarah McCullough, Malcolm Dell, and the Clearwater Resource and Development Council, Inc.; Dan Barney and the University of Idaho; Terri Summerfield and the Weippe Discovery Center; Theresa Beaver and
Rural Roots; Chris Kuykendall and the Clearwater Economic Development Association; the Idaho Small Business Development Center; Clearwater County Cooperative Extension Service; Clearwater Soil & Water Conservation District; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Clearwater County Economic Development; Tastes of Idaho; and the Idaho Department of Lands for organizing, sponsoring, and conducting the conference.

Conference topics included:
Huckleberries and Bilberries of the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West.

Selecting, Propagating, and Growing Huckleberries Management Strategies for Western Foresters

Prospects for Commercially Cultivating Huckleberries

Huckleberry tissue culture samples.

 Huckleberry plants, 1-year-old.

 Brief history of the Huckleberry Industry in the Northwest
                                                        by Danny L. Barney PHD 
 A. Huckleberries were once harvested on a large commercial scale in Oregon, Washington, northern Idaho and western Montana. Evergreen huckleberry
(Vaccinium ovatum) and mountain huckleberry (V. membranaceum) were the primary crops targeted, with much or most of the evergreen huckleberry and all
mountain huckleberries coming from wild stands. Evergreen huckleberry is still harvested commercially, primarily for its foliage, which is used for floral arrangements. Mountain huckleberry is the crop most often harvested for culinary products.

Bilberry and Huckleberry potted plants 3 to 5 years old of different types.

B. Research at the University of Idaho, University of Montana, U. S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, and U.S. Forest Service indicate
that at least seven Vaccinium species native to western North America show potential for commercial cultivation. Demands, especially for mountain huckleberry, often exceed supplies. Opportunities for significant expansion of the industry appear promising, provided supplies can be increased. The huckleberries and bilberry crops identified are well suited to culinary, ornamental, and/or medicinal or nutritional products.

Want to learn more? 

Read on to the July 29th, 2005 Huck Workshop pages about:

“Enhancing Native Wild Huckleberry Stands for More Berries & Economic Opportunity”

And the July 30th, 2005 Workshop page about :

"How to Start and GROW a Wholesale Nursery Business"