Farmers go into the blue

Blueberry production has ramped up across Washington during the past 10 years, including in Eastern Washington, where blueberries traditionally weren’t grown until relatively recently.

Section:Gallery

Sun., Oct. 15, 2017

Steve Walser walks his park-like blueberry field at his farm north of Reardan Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017. I just love coming down here, walking the field and eating blueberries, he said. Most of the bushes are done bearing by this time of year, but there are a few here and there. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

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Blueberry farmer Steve Walser talks about growing blueberries while standing in the walk-in cooler at his farm Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017. He raises only certified organic fruit on his farm, which also includes a marijuana operation.

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Blueberry farmer Steve Walser talks about growing blueberries in park-like fields at his farm Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017. He raises only certified organic fruit on his farm, which also includes a marijuana operation. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

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Blueberry farmer Steve Walser holds a handful of berries. He says blueberries are a good bet in Eastern Washington because there are fewer diseases and pests in this part of the state.

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A large flat of blueberries chills in the walk-in cooler at Willow Winds Farms, operated by farmer Steve Walser and his family, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017.

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Even late in the season, blueberries hang from a chest-high bush at Steve Walser’s farm, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017. These are of the variety called Draper.

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Evidence of a successful day in the U-pick section of Willow Winds Farm north of Reardan is this gallon bucket of berries picked Thursday, Aug. 24.

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Even though the season is almost over, berries await Janice Baker, of Chattaroy, Thursday, Aug. 24 at Willow Winds Farm north of Reardan, Washington.

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