Northwest Open Pint Blueberries Are On
Meet Mckay Creek Blueberries
Blueberries are one of the flavors of summer, and at Mckay Creek Farm in North Plains, Oregon, the season is underway.
John and Alfred Dinsdale
The first flats of organic open-pint blueberries will land this week, marking another season of partnership with a farm that has supplied OGC's premium Northwest grown blueberries since 2023.
On a recent visit, owner Alfred Dinsdale and his son John walked our team through rows and rows of beautiful berry bushes. Together, they represent the next chapter of a family rooted in generations of Oregon agriculture.
The Dinsdales purchased Mckay Creek Farm in 2011 and spent the next several years establishing their blueberry plants and transitioning the land to organic production. Today, all 75 acres are certified organic.
Five varieties grow across the farm, including Duke, Legacy, Aurora, Reka and Elliott. The season begins with Duke, an early variety prized for its firm texture and balanced flavor.
"Dukes are firm with a pop," Alfred described. "They're medium- to large-sized berries with a sweet-tangy taste."
The farm's approach blends careful stewardship with practical innovation. Drip irrigation delivers water efficiently to the plants' roots, while overhead sprinklers help cool the crop during periods of summer heat. Organic fertility programs include chicken manure, feather and blood meal, and other natural inputs that nourish the soil and support healthy plant growth.
Managing weeds without herbicides requires persistence. "We don't spray," Alfred said. "We cultivate to keep our rows clean. Cover crops grow between rows, and crews use mechanical cultivation and hand tools to manage weeds. It takes nearly two weeks to work through all 75 acres.”
Like many farmers, the Dinsdales are also adapting to rising production costs and labor challenges with a mix of hand-picking and mechanically harvested fruit. Recently, they invested in an Oxbo mechanical harvester equipped with a soft-catch system designed to maintain fruit quality while improving harvest efficiency.
Jess Hardin
"Mckay Creek is a great partner, and we understand their business," said OGC Buyer Jess Hardin. "We want to help save the farm some costs while continuing to provide customers with these amazing organic blueberries."
Beyond the berry fields, the family is always thinking about the future. Mckay Creek Farm sits in a part of Washington County where development pressure continues to threaten agricultural land. The Dinsdales and OGC appreciate voters’ support in protecting the agricultural legacy and use of this land.
The Dinsdales are also working with the Oregon Agricultural Trust on succession planning and long-term farmland protection, helping ensure the property remains productive for future generations.
That commitment matters in a state where blueberries are Oregon's leading berry crop. Oregon ranks second in the nation for blueberry production, thanks to a mild climate and naturally acidic soils, conditions that help produce exceptional fruit.
Back at Mckay Creek Farm, the bushes are loaded with berries, and the outlook is promising.
"It's going to be a big year," Alfred said. "The bushes did what they were supposed to do. If we get the ripening weather we need, we'll have a great season."
For OGC customers, that means the arrival of one of summer's simplest pleasures: fresh Northwest blueberries, harvested close to home and grown by a family investing in the future of Oregon farming.
