Blueberry Fields Forever: How a Farming Family Is Continuing a 74-Year-Old Legacy

At Bow Hill Blueberries, a new family is continuing the legacy of the storied farm and its 74-year-old heirloom bushes

(L–R) Vera, Emma, Ezra, and Soren Ranz; Audrey and Andrew Matheson; and Saoirse the sheepadoodle in front of the Bow Hill farm store in Bow, Wash. Courtesy of Bow Hill Blueberries

Standing in an old-growth blueberry forest, Ezra Ranz is demonstrating the “two-finger tickle” method for picking ripe berries from clusters dangling on 7-foot canes.

“Pretty simple,“ he says. ”Hands underneath the berries, gentle fingertips brushing toward your palms, presto. Like tickling a baby.”