Green and reddish leaves with small berries.

Interview with Dr. Barney, Part 2

A week or so ago, we published a written copy of Dr. Barney’s interview with Kristina Johnson who is a food and agriculture reporter. Here is the second part of the interview: 3. What ecological/human threats face the wild berries? Although the size and number of colonies are decreasing, none of the western Vaccinium species […]

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Man examining plant outdoors with magnifying tool.

Interview with Dr. Barney

Although Dr. Barney is not currently propagating and growing huckleberries, he is still considered the expert on the subject and giving interviews to interested parties. We are fortunate to have a written copy of his interview with Kristina Johnson who is a food and agriculture reporter: 1. Where does domestication of the berries stand now? […]

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Potted plants in a greenhouse nursery.

Dr Barney Interview, Part Two

Continuation of the interview with Dr Danny Barney on the western huckleberry: 5. Why did you choose to pursue domesticating the huckleberry and why did you stop? Dr Barney: Being a native of Idaho, I grew up picking huckleberries in late summer and autumn, as did my father, grandfather, and their grandfathers. The fruit is […]

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Man presenting plants in a classroom setting.

Dr Barney Interview on the Western Huckleberry

Recently, Dr. Danny L Barney was interviewed by Jenna Pittaway, journalism student at the University of Southern California, who is researching the huckleberry for a possible documentary. Here are his responses to questions relating to western huckleberries: 1. What does it mean to be domesticated and why is the huckleberry considered undomesticated? Dr Barney: Western […]

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People examining something in a forest setting.

Update on Dr. Barney’s Huckleberry Research

Many of you know of Dr. Dan Barney’s huckleberry research. If not, the International Wild Huckleberry Association followed his research until the UI closed his center in 2010 (See Dr. Barney’s Research). Dr. Barney research, since 2004 (as documented on our site), resulted in finding successful methods to propagate the wild huckleberry from the norther […]

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Three jars filled with a dark substance, sealed with metal lids.

Dr. Barney’s Research Reports – July 21, 2009

I finished harvesting the breeder plants and evaluated a few thousand more seedlings. Three of the selections continued to be outstanding and another very good. If possible, I want to release these by 2012 or sooner. A few selections had only limited numbers of fruit, but quite large. They’ll serve as parents for more crosses. […]

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Wild blueberries growing in a forest.

Press Release: For Closure of Research and Extension Centers – February 4, 2009

Contacts: John Hammel, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences dean, (208) 885-7694, calsdean@uidaho.edu; Bill Loftus, CALS science writer, (208) 885-7694, bloftus@uidaho.edu College Considers Planning Process For Closure of Research and Extension Centers Written by Bill Loftus MOSCOW – The University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences will involve faculty, staff and stakeholder groups […]

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A forest fire burning intensely among trees.

Excerpts from Dr. Barney’s Research Reports – 2008

February 14, 2008 (In response to an information request from Europe) I suggest you visit my website at www.ag.uidaho.edu/sandpoint. We have a great deal of information on the different huckleberry and bilberry species, including how to grow them. The names huckleberry, bilberry, whortleberry, and blueberry are interchangeable and it is not unusual for a single […]

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