NARBA History
Above Photo Courtesy of OSU Libraries Special Collections & Archives Research Center
founded in 1985
The association was originally incorporated as the North American Bramble Growers Association (NABGA) in the state of New York in 1985. It received its federal tax-exempt status as an agricultural, or 501(c)(5) organization in 1987. The name was changed to “North American Raspberry & Blackberry Association” in January 2008.
NARBA's Structure
NARBA is a nonprofit membership association. Our members are growers, researchers, Extension workers, nurseries, suppliers, marketers, and others associated with the raspberry and blackberry industry.
NARBA is governed by a board of directors (the Executive Council), which is elected by the membership. The Council elects the organization’s President, Vice President, and Treasurer. The Executive Director, is a paid staff member, who oversees the running of the organization.
In 1998, NABGA also created a separate but allied organization called the North American Bramble Growers Research Foundation to receive donations and make grants to caneberry research. All donations to the Research Foundation, which is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization, are tax-exempt.
Membership
We welcome growers, researchers, suppliers, processors, marketers and industry stakeholders.