GROWING A
Legacy By Amanda Overstreet, Communications Coordinator
FORTY YEARS AGO, blueberry growers Jimmy and Vohnda Miller decided to take a chance on their future when they planted their first blueberry bush. This leap of faith would change the course of their lives and their farm would eventually become the largest and now oldest commercial blueberry farm in the state. Their venture began in 1979 when the couple inherited property from Jimmy’s family in Interlachen, located in the south central region of Putnam County. “All we have to worry about are cedar wax wings!” Vohnda clearly remembers her husband’s enthusiastic words like it was just yesterday. “We wanted to do something with the property,” Jimmy said. “We needed to make good use 6
FLORIDAGRICULTURE | APRIL/MAY 2019
out of it.” The property, nearly 300 acres of lush landscape with Gum Creek running through its center, has been producing sweet blueberries since that first bush was planted forty years ago. The University of Florida’s blueberry breeding program was in its infancy when the Millers began their operation and Jimmy and Vohnda took advantage of an opportunity to grow blueberries, a relatively new concept at the time.
University researchers continue to work with the Millers and grow trial plots on their farm. “We evaluate the plants that are grown and help the university make a selection on which are the best varieties for Florida,” Jimmy said. Today, more than 140 acres of blueberries grow on their grounds, all of which have been planted by hand. Chickadee, snow chaser, kestrel and primadonna are some
Workers sort through berries in the packing house.
