WHO WE ARE
The Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine
The Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine is a group of industry volunteers appointed by Maine's Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
NICOLAS LINDHOLM
Vice Chair
Blue Hill Berry Co.
Mr. Nicolas Lindholm graduated from Bates College in 1986 and completed a semester program in Sustainable Design at the New Alchemy Institute in East Falmouth, Massachusetts. Nicolas and his wife Ruth purchased their farm, including 25 acres of wild blueberries, in 1995 where for twenty years they produced and marketed 2 acres of certified organic vegetables and 5 acres of certified organic wild blueberries. In 2009 they founded the Blue Hill Berry Co. which employs up to 16 seasonal workers. Blue Hill Berry Co. currently grows wild blueberries on 65 acres owned or leased by Nicolas and his wife across eight fields in five towns on the Blue Hill peninsula.
SIMEON ALLEN
WR Allen Inc.
Simeon Allen was born and raised on the Blue Hill peninsula where growing up he enjoyed helping his family work the blueberry land that they have owned for five generations. In 2006 Simeon graduated from the University of Maine with a BS In Forestry Management and soon after came back to the peninsula to join his family in the wild blueberry industry. Simeon is the Co-Owner and General Manager of W.R Allen Inc, located in Orland, Maine, which grows and manages about 500 acres per year within 25 miles of its processing facility.
MARIE EMERSON
Wescogus Wild Blueberries
Marie and her husband Dell operate Wild Wescogus Blueberries, a farm and fresh pack operation in Addison, Maine. They also own the iconic Wild Blueberry Land bakery and retail store in Columbia Falls and Marie serves as a board member of the Agricultural Wild Blueberry Heritage Center and Virtual Museum (click here: Maine Wild Blueberry Museum). Marie taught at Washington County Community College in the Food and Nutrition program for 30 years, and received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career.
LISA HANSCOM
Welch Farms
Ms. Lisa M Hanscom grew up on the family’s wild blueberry farm, Welch Farm, started by her great grandparents Frank and Mary Welch in 1912. She learned the business by following in her father's footsteps, raking her first berries at the age of four, leading a crew of 70 at the age of 12, and running equipment by 15. Lisa operates her family's wild blueberry farm in Roque Bluff's. She is a strong voice in her community serving as First Selectman of Roque Bluffs, and on the Washington County Budget Committee, Bold Coast Scenic By-way Advisory Committee, and the Machias Bay Chamber of Commerce Board.
LAURA FLANNERY
Blue Ox Blueberries
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Laura is a first-generation blueberry farmer who comes from a background in commercial lobster fishing. While fishing out of Northeast Harbor she took a job managing a summer estate on Mount Desert Island (MDI) that included 30 acres of wild blueberries. The field was quite grown up and the owners wanted it managed organically. Laura began reading everything on the UMaine Cooperative Extension Wild Blueberry website and got to work bringing the field back into production. She was quickly hooked on blueberry farming and, that first season, started selling fresh and frozen blueberries locally on MDI. In 2019, she relocated to a 140-acre farm in Charlotte where she currently farms with her partner, Tom. According to Laura, there’s nothing in life more satisfying than making these forgotten and neglected blueberry fields beautiful and productive again (and getting other people excited about wild blueberry farming). Since moving to Charlotte, Laura has helped many of her neighbors with mowing their fields and teaching them about wild blueberry management. Laura is excited to join the Wild Blueberry Commission and believes in a bright and prosperous future for both small growers and processors.
TIFFANY LINSCOTT
Merrill Blueberry Farms
Ms. Tiffany Linscott is a 2012 graduate of the University of Maine Augusta and accredited Manufacturing Skill Standard Council instructor. Local to Washington County, much of her career has been in the seafood industry, managing large groups, training, and organizing operations for nearly 20 years. She is now a PCQI, leading Merrill Blueberry Farms food safety program and coordinating activities within the business.
Along with her extensive experience with processing, she has proudly worked in workforce and personal development throughout Washington and Hancock Counties as well. As an advocate for Maine’s heritage, she is excited to help advance and bolster the wild blueberry industry.