About Bluegrass Blueberries

ORGANIC (IN PRACTICE)

Blueberries happen to be a native plant in North America. We believe that with the proper soil preparation, pest/disease prevention and common-sense care, they have the ability to provide years of health benefits – naturally. Bluegrass Blueberries grow blueberry plants using mostly OMRI certified products. If you would like detailed information about the treatment and growing of our nursery stock, please feel free to call our office anytime at 270-432-5836.

K E N T U C K Y    P R O U D

Bluegrass Blueberries is a Kentucky Proud grower. Join us in supporting local agriculture! Becoming Kentucky Proud is free and offers an advertising edge to Kentucky’s Blueberry Farmers. Buying Kentucky Proud products decreases shipping distances and ensures that you’re eating fresh and nutritious foods while supporting Kentucky’s farm families.

T O D A Y

http://kyfbnewsroom.com/across-kentucky-february-13-2015/

http://blogs.usda.gov/2014/04/08/kentucky-couple-says-thank-you-berry-much/

Pictured here are Jeff and Kim Essig, along with their four children, son-in-law, and three grandchildren. Jeff was born and raised in California but grew up visiting his granddaddy’s farm in Smith’s Grove, Kentucky. Because of his love for Kentucky, he eventually made it his home and attended Western Kentucky University while working as a farm-hand and living with some dear friends and farmers. His love of farming was rooted right there on that Smith’s Grove farm. After years of success at growing  fruit and vegetable plants, he had a desire to have a large crop of something that not only grows well in Kentucky, but was also unique and nutritious. After some research, he learned about the success of blueberry plants in Kentucky and fell in love with the idea. He then purchased some plants from Bluegrass Blueberries to start his own small-scale blueberry farm.  After having much success with his growing, he began growing for other farmers. Eventually, the Essig family purchased Bluegrass Blueberries from the Martin’s and proudly continue to provide quality blueberry plants all over the nation.

The Essig’s are thankful for God’s provision in this journey and the blessing of working together with family, to their children for all of their hard work in helping make this operation succeed (thanks guys), and to their customers and farmers.

 

T H E   B E G I N N I N G

Bluegrass Blueberries began in 1995. It wasn’t long before Bluegrass Blueberries began to grow. To date, Bluegrass Blueberries has been a speaking platform about blueberries via  TV, radio, newspapers, and agriculture events and has worked closely with University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky University, UK Cooperative Extension Agencies and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

 

Inspiration by Sadie Essig. This was a “Locality” creative writing project assigned to her in High School. We think it clearly depicts Jeff’s heart of his toil on this Earth.

  Before him is a dirt trail with islands of grass. On both sides are the fruits of the earth. The left includes several rows of white tarps supporting the growth of Fall lettuce. At the end of these rows are seven beehives dripping with honey made by the busy workers. Glancing right are rows of strawberries for the upcoming Spring. On the right at the end of the trail is an old black barn, providing shelter for the laying hens. Past the barn rests a field where the ground ripples, holding firm row upon row of blueberry bushes. Among that field is evidence of one man’s dream.

-Sadie Essig

 

A “Blast from the Past” TV Clip: