CALIFORNIA & OREGON - An immense loss was felt throughout the berry and fresh produce communities recently as we mourn the passing of Bernadine Strik, Ph.D.

Strik was a veteran professor of horticulture and a berry crop specialist and researcher at Oregon State University (OSU). She led groundbreaking research that transformed the blueberry industry and improved yield and quality, machine harvest efficiency, pruning, optimization of production systems, plant nutrition, and organic production systems in all berry crops. She published over 240 scientific papers and was an accomplished author.

In addition to her academic research, she operated a berry crop consulting business that aided growers and companies internationally and became known as “blueberry school.”

Professional accolades aside, Strik was a benevolent, generous, bright light in the blueberry industry and to all who knew her.

The North American Blueberry Council (NABC) and U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) have expressed their mourning of Strik’s sudden passing.

“Our industry has lost a great leader, mentor, and friend,” shared Kasey Cronquist, President of USHBC and NABC. “Bernadine has made an indelible mark on what the blueberry industry is today, and her legacy of innovation, research, and passion will impact generations of blueberry growers to come.”

In addition to receiving NABC’s Duke Galletta Award for excellence in horticultural research, Strik was elected a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science (2007) and the International Society for Horticultural Science (2021), their highest honors. She also received the OSU Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award (2014) and the Chad Finn Ambassador Award from the American Pomological Society (2021).

Strik was a true legend and champion of the blueberry industry, and she will be greatly missed.

Our hearts are with all those Bernadine Strik has touched throughout her illustrious career and life.