Sustainable Cranberry Production

Project Leader: Hilary Sandler

General Information

The cranberry industry in Massachusetts faces many challenges. In the past ten years, growers have gone from receiving record high prices for their fruit to record low prices. Although the industry has rebounded somewhat, the focus to remain economically and environmentally sustainable has sharpened. It is anticipated that the industry may lose some acreage due to attrition and that smaller growers may sell land to other parties. As with other farmers, energy costs are rising quickly, impacting the bottom line. Growers must develop and adopt innovative technology to remain competitive. They must understand the biology of cranberry pests to properly use new chemicals. Additionally, they must contend with increasing urban pressure on the farm's margin as many parties compete for resources. Our goal and purpose as extension and research workers, is to provide cranberry growers with pertinent and timely information so they may sustain their farm operations in Southeastern Massachusetts.

The Cranberry Team works closely with growers, consultants, the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association (CCCGA), Cranberry Institute, Ag-product vendors, pesticide/fertilizers registrants, individuals active in other cranberry-growing regions, IR-4, US-EPA, USDA-ARS, MDAR and MDEP, MDCR, local officials, legislators, local citizens, University and other researchers, plus others and weighs all of these inputs to focus efforts on the most needed and logical avenues. For examples, information is garnered when the Cranberry Station hosts an annual ‘Crop Summit’ where individuals from the above groups discuss past, current and future issues in cranberry production and from participation in a research development planning session hosted by the CCCGA.

Activities

• Management Update
• Newsletter
• Bogside Workshops
• Cranberry Station web site
• Cranberry diagnostic and management recommendation service,
• Research in support of reduced-risk pesticide registration,
• Development of research-based Best Management Practices relating to canopy management and reduced herbicide and phosphorus inputs,
• Development of Best Management Practices for maintaining and enhancing native pollinator habitat

Inputs: Time and Effort

Outcomes:

This Project will document progress towards the following:

• Participants adopt practices that ensure the economic viability of natural resource-based businesses.
• Participants promote, implement or adopt sustainable resource management and environmental best management practices for operating Natural Resources-based businesses
• Participants will adopt practices that lower the risk from and exposure to pesticides and fertilizers
• Natural resource-based businesses will adopt practices that protect water resources.

Extension program related to this project: Agriculture & Landscape