Public Issues Food Production
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Project Reports - 2008Sustainable Cranberry ProductionProject Leader: Hilary Sandler Participating Staff:
Participating Faculty:
The project addresed the following UMass Extension Critical Issues
DescriptionThe 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, the focus to remain economically competitive and environmentally sustainable has sharpened. It is anticipated that the industry may lose some acreage due to attrition and that smaller growers may sell their land. As with all 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 utilize new management tactics. Additionally, they must contend with increasing urban pressure on the farm's margin as many parties compete for resources. The goal of the UMass Extension Sustainable Cranberry Project is to provide cranberry growers with pertinent and timely information so they may sustain their operations in Southeastern Massachusetts. The Cranberry Team works closely with a broad coalition that includes growers, consultants, professional associations, private vendors, non-profits, state and federal agencies, legislators, local officials and citizens. Extension staff, researchers, and partners consider options and focus efforts on the most critical needs and logical avenues. The Cranberry team convenes stakeholders to share information in a variety of formats that promote discussion and analysis of past, current and future issues in cranberry production and research. Activity SummaryResults from our applied research projects in entomology, plant pathology, weed science, and nutrition were presented at the Annual Extension and Research Update meeting in January 2008. Seven Cranberry Station newsletters were distributed to disseminate information on pest management and horticultural issues. The newsletters are archived on the Cranberry Station web site. Two bogside workshops were held during the summer that focused on the use of a new postemergence herbicide (Callisto) and issues revolving around pruning and water management for improved canopy management. The Cranberry Web site was maintained and update throughout the year, posting weather summaries, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) phone messages, pesticide information and meeting announcements. Growers and other interested citizens continue to send specific inquiries to our web master requesting information about cranberry production, health benefits and environmental issues. The diagnostic lab processed samples for growers and provided recommendation for management as needed. Research was conducted to complete the federal requirements to achieve registration of a new insecticide and a new herbicide for use in cranberry production.
Results SummaryOne goal for the Cranberry Station is to offer educational opportunities that allow growers to obtain the contact hours necessary to maintain their pesticide certification. One all-day research and extension update meeting was held in Plymouth, MA and was attended by 287 growers of whom 208 received pesticide contact hours. Two bogside workshops were held in Plymouth County and were attended by 113 people of whom 63 received pesticide contact hours. The Station continues to be an important Extension resource for the state and regions throughout North America. Seven extension newsletters were distributed to 359 people residing in Massachusetts, other cranberry-growing states, and Canada. The Cranberry Station began tracking the use of our web resources in May 2008. The home page was visited approximately 1,000 times per month. The Chart Book, which is our publication containing the most up-to-date and effective pest management strategies, was accessed more than 800 times in the 6-month period. In addition, we received 36 specific inquiries from local, national, and international grower communities. Our Plant Pathology Diagnostic Service processed 126 samples during the year and provided recommendations for management. Research is on-going to develop best management practices for optimizing canopy management and enhancing native pollinator habitat. One manuscript reporting research results on pruning and fertilizer use has been submitted to a peer-reviewed journal (HortTechnology) and another manuscript comparing sanding and pruning on canopy microclimate will be submitted by the end of November 2008. Planned outcomes and observed or measured progress
Activities, delivery mode and participants reachedBogside Workshops Cranberry Station Website Management Update Newsletter This project is part of the Agriculture & Landscape program
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