Kentucky State Fruit

Blackberry

(Rubus occidentalis)

Adopted in 2004.

Blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis), adopted 2004 (KRS 2.089)

Courier-Journal columnist Bob Hill called legislators part of the "Ding Dong School" when they passed the bill. The bill's sponsor, Sen. R.J. Palmer (D-Winchester), remembered when it passed a television reporter quipped, "The blackberry bill gets passed while the governor's budget proposal gets caught in a jam."

Palmer sponsored the bill after officials from WindStone Farms in Carlisle broached the topic. WindStone Farms grows and sells blackberries and produces blackberry jam that it sells to retailers. Palmer said the company, which was started in 1985 by Wayne Shumate, is the largest blackberry producer east of the Mississippi.

Portion of article;

Blackberry could become official state fruit

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By Amanda York
Post Frankfort Bureau Chief

FRANKFORT -- Blackberries -- the fruit, not the wireless technological gadget used by politicians on the go -- are poised for a spot among other noted Kentucky symbols.

A bill that would designate the juicy berries as the official state fruit of Kentucky is ready for the governor to pick it from a patch of several other measures awaiting his pen.

The measure, Senate Bill 266, was sponsored by state Sen. R.J. Palmer, D-Winchester. Palmer said this was the second time he'd submitted the blackberry as a contender for the state fruit.

Palmer sponsored the bill after officials from WindStone Farms in Carlisle broached the topic. WindStone Farms grows and sells blackberries and produces blackberry jam that it sells to retailers. Palmer said the company, which was started in 1985 by Wayne Shumate, is the largest blackberry producer east of the Mississippi.

WindStone officials could not be reached for comment.

When initially approached about sponsoring the measure, Palmer said he was leery.

"When someone approaches you with that type of idea, there's a hesitation," Palmer said.

After learning more about the farm, Palmer felt the berry was worthy -- a sentiment held for more than 50 years by the city of Carlisle where officials each year celebrate an annual Blackberry Festival.

If Gov. Ernie Fletcher sees fit, the blackberry will become the only edible state symbol. Well, that's if you don't count Kentucky's official state fish, bird or wild animal. The state fish is the Kentucky bass, the bird is the cardinal and the wild animal is the gray squirrel. The bass and gray squirrel are considered dinnertime delicacies in parts of the state.