Final report for LNE20-403
Project Information
Problem: Over 2,700 farms in the Northeast produce strawberry as a high-value crop marketed through retail, wholesale, and pick-your-own channels. Many growers continue to use the traditional matted row system of growing strawberries. Others are using plastic mulch to improve weed management and boost yields, but have encountered new challenges (e.g. winter survival and runner removal). Several new tools for strawberry producers are now available, including smaller protective structures, new photoselective films and rowcovers, and new cultivars; but few have been systematically tested for the climate and unique management practices used in the Northeast. This has resulted in a poor understanding of how they perform in the Northeast. Barriers to success for strawberry growers in the region include difficulty establishing, overwintering and maintaining healthy plants, lack of information about profitability and regional relevance of new production systems, varieties and technologies, and labor limitations on diversified farms.
Approach: We proposed to advance strawberry production in the Northeast by: (1) providing highly accessible, specialized education about new, emerging, and tried-and-true strawberry production practices that are likely to improve growers’ profitability, (2) conducting research specifically designed to answer common questions that are directly impeding grower success, and (3) to characterize the innovative and diverse production systems being used by strawberry growers throughout the Northeast through a series of grower interviews.
Throughout this project, we produced: 1) A completely revised and updated Strawberry Production Guide for the Northeast, Midwest and Eastern Canada (NRAES-88) to include several recent developments in strawberry production; 2) Online workshops and roundtable discussions addressing critical and emerging practices to help new and experienced growers succeed with strawberry production; 3) Regional grower workshops and twilight meetings to demonstrate innovative practices and facilitate farmer-to-farmer information exchange; and 4) Presentations at regional conferences to share research results and further promote farmer-to-farmer interactions.
Our three research objectives were: 1) To compare rowcovers of varying thickness and different application times for winter protection of June-bearing plasticulture strawberries; 2) To evaluate the effects of low tunnels on yield and quality of June-bearing strawberries in on-farm experiments; and 3) To identify opportunities and challenges associated with different strawberry production systems in New England and New York through surveys and in-depth interviews of strawberry growers.
We found that a staggered application of two layers of rowcover – one early in the fall, and one later – resulted in winter survival and subsequent yields comparable to (and sometimes exceeding) the grower standard of straw, and are in the process of summarizing our results for publication in grower-facing research reports and a peer-reviewed publication. We found that low tunnels can result in higher quality fruit and early ripening for June-bearing strawberries, but that they are not appropriate for all operations. Challenges and opportunities observed in on-farm experiments are described in the spring 2023 editions of Fruit Quarterly. Lastly, we described the current state of strawberry production systems in the northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada in a publication currently under review for publication in HortTechnology. We shared these results with growers at the New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference.
Impacts: From a post-project assessment, we know that growers in the northeast have engaged with the products of this project, and that these growers did make innovations that improved their strawberry production. For example, we know that 17 growers with a total of 52 acres each adopted at least one practice that increased yields, fruit quality, and/or winter survival of strawberries, prolonged the fruiting season, or reduced pesticide applications or labor. Only 7 growers (7% of our respondents) reported increases in annual strawberry revenues; however, because our survey respondents only represent a small subset of all commercial producers in NY and New England (just under 2%), it is very possible that 50 growers who engaged in some way with our project did increase revenues by the target amount.
100 growers with a total of 50 acres of fruiting strawberries will each adopt one new practice to increase yields, fruit quality and/or winter survival of strawberries, prolong the fruiting season, and reduce pesticide applications or labor. 50 growers will report an average increase in annual revenues of $2000 each.
Problem & Justification: Over 2,700 farms in the Northeast produce strawberry as a high-value crop marketed through retail, wholesale, and pick-your-own channels. Many growers continue to use the traditional matted row system of growing strawberries. Others are using plastic mulch to improve weed management and boost yields, but have encountered new challenges (e.g. winter survival and runner removal). Several new tools for strawberry producers are now available, including smaller protective structures, new photoselective films and rowcovers, and new cultivars; but few have been systematically tested for the climate and unique management practices used in the Northeast. This has resulted in a poor understanding of how they perform in the Northeast. Barriers to success for strawberry growers in the region include difficulty establishing, overwintering and maintaining healthy plants, lack of information about profitability and regional relevance of new production systems, varieties and technologies, and labor limitations on diversified farms.
Solution & Approach: We proposed to advance strawberry production in the Northeast by: (1) providing highly accessible, specialized education about new, emerging, and tried-and-true strawberry production practices that are likely to improve growers’ profitability, (2) conducting research specifically designed to answer common questions that are directly impeding grower success, and (3) characterizing the innovative and diverse production systems being used by strawberry growers throughout the Northeast through a series of grower interviews.
Throughout this project, we produced: 1) A completely revised and updated Strawberry Production Guide for the Northeast, Midwest and Eastern Canada (NRAES-88) to include several recent developments in strawberry production; 2) Online workshops and roundtable discussions addressing critical and emerging practices to help new and experienced growers succeed with strawberry production; 3) Regional grower workshops and twilight meetings to demonstrate innovative practices and facilitate farmer-to-farmer information exchange; and 4) Presentations at regional conferences to share research results and further promote farmer-to-farmer interactions.
Our three research objectives were: 1) To compare rowcovers of varying thickness and different application times for winter protection of June-bearing plasticulture strawberries; 2) To evaluate the effects of low tunnels on yield and quality of June-bearing strawberries in on-farm experiments; 3) To identify opportunities and challenges associated with different strawberry production systems in New England and New York through a series of interviews of strawberry growers.
Cooperators
- (Educator and Researcher)
- (Educator)
- (Educator and Researcher)
- (Educator and Researcher)
- (Educator and Researcher)
- (Educator and Researcher)
Research
- The use of heavier (vs. lighter) weight rowcover will increase winter survival of strawberries; and earlier fall application of rowcover will increase yields of June-bearing strawberry the following year.
- Covering June-bearing strawberry plants with low tunnels between bloom and harvest will result in increased marketable yields and fruit quality compared with uncovered plants.
- Growers in the Northeast employ many innovative and customized strawberry production systems, and a better understanding of these systems and growers’ experiences and perceptions will help other growers make informed decisions to optimize their own strawberry production system, and will help inform future research needs.
Experiment 1. Rowcovers for winter protection. This experiment was conducted at two research station sites: Durham, NH (USDA hardiness zone 5b) and Peru, NY (zone 5a).
Treatments. Our six (6) treatments included:
- Straw applied late (Nov) – the control (current industry standard) treatment
- 0.9 oz/yd2 rowcover applied early (Oct), plus another 0.9 oz applied late (Dec)
- 0.9 oz/yd2 applied late (Dec) – the “standard” recommended for warmer sites
- 1.2 oz/yd2 applied late (Dec) – the “standard” recommended for colder sites
- two layers of 0.9 oz/yd2 applied late (Dec) - removed in two phases in the spring
- no cover
Within each treatment, we planted 24-plant subplots of three of the most commonly grown June-bearing cultivars spanning early, mid, and late-season (AC Wendy, Allstar, and AC Valley Sunset).
Methods. Strawberry plants were grown on black-plastic mulched raised beds with drip irrigation. Plants were planted in double staggered rows 12 inches apart with in-row spacing of 12 inches, for a standard plasticulture plant density (17,000 plants per acre). For the main experiment with four replicates, we established dormant bare-root crowns in late spring. Runners were removed monthly in the planting year as is typical in a plasticulture system. Standard fertilization practices were used, and pests were managed using a low-input approach. Two guard rows, one on either side of the main experiment, were planted with plant plug plants in mid-August. These rows were covered with the six (6) cover treatments. Although only replicated twice, this provided observational data for winter survival for plug plants, which some growers are starting to use. Winter rowcovers were applied “early” (by late-October), “late” (once plants are fully dormant around early December), or “early + late”, depending on cover treatment. The “early + late” treatment was a double layer of rowcover. Straw was applied over straw treatments at the same time as “late” rowcover was applied. Cover treatments were removed as soon as strawberries started to put on new growth (mid-March) to avoid promoting early flowering.
Data collection & analysis. We collected data on pre- and post-covering plant vigor and plant survival. For each subplot, we observed date of first flower and estimated percent bloom weekly during the spring. We harvested fruit (marketable and unmarketable) to calculate total yield and to determine fruiting period. Appropriate statistical analyses were conducted to assess differences between treatments.
Experiment 2. Low tunnels to increase fruit quality in June-bearing strawberry. This experiment was conducted on grower-collaborator farms in NY and NH. We select four grower collaborators to host these trials.
Treatments. Our two treatments were: uncovered (no low tunnel) and covered (low tunnel). We used a commercial low tunnel system made of galvanized steel hoops covered with an appropriate low tunnel film for strawberry (1.5 mil polyethylene with ventilation holes on the lower 12” of the tunnel). We established three low tunnels in various locations in grower fields and used adjacent uncovered rows of the same cultivar for comparison.
Methods. Growers used their standard practices. Strawberries were grown using matted-row or plasticulture systems, but all were June-bearing plants in the fruiting year. Project team members installed low tunnels on farms and provided training on how to manage them. The low tunnels were installed just prior to bloom and remained in place until the end of the fruiting season. T
Data collection & analysis. Grower collaborators harvested fruit and collected yield data from the low tunnel and uncovered plots; but project team members visited each site during the harvest season to collect fruit from small subsamples from low tunnel and uncovered plots to compare fruit quality (percent marketable and unmarketable fruit) and yields, to make observations, and to record participants’ perceptions of the low tunnels.
Farmer input. Growers and extension professionals interviewed during proposal development had divergent opinions about both the value of low tunnels and the desire to use them. We implemented this experiment on farms who had a strong desire to use low tunnels.
Experiment 3. Characterize the innovative and diverse production systems being used by strawberry growers throughout the Northeast through a series of case-study interviews. We sought to determine which farm characteristics are correlated with the feasibility of different strawberry production systems. Information from our interviews was used to develop a grower decision-making tool to assist in choosing strawberry production systems.
Methods: Using data from the survey we conducted early in the project (2020), we identified approximately 30 farmers for interviews. The farmers were selected using a maximum diversity sampling technique, reflecting a number of dimensions including farm scale, markets used, experience, diversity of crops. Despite contacting only growers who indicted an interest in being interviewed in a survey, only 7 responded to repeated requests for interviews. The interviews took place via zoom or phone.
Data collection and analysis: To capture farm and strawberry production characteristics, we asked growers about: why they adopted their system, other systems they tried in the past, their current strawberry crop production practices (system type, soil fertility, and pest management), strawberry yield and fruit quality, labor, cash flow, pests, fertility, and market outlets. Following the interviews, we used a coding system to categorize the responses and a thematic analysis of the interview data to identify trends in strawberry system choice and satisfaction.
Farmer input: The interview questions were adapted from Conner and Demchak (2018). Questions were revised to reflect the array of methods to be tested as well as to reflect farmers’ feedback and interest when the results of Conner and Demchak were presented at the MidAtlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Hershey, PA in January 2019.
Additional information: All required approvals for Human Subjects in Research were obtained through the University of New Hampshire Institutional Review Board prior to beginning this work.
Winter covering experiments. We found that a staggered application of two layers of rowcover – one early in the fall, and one later – resulted in winter survival and subsequent yields comparable to (and sometimes exceeding) the grower standard of straw, and are in the process of summarizing our results for publication in grower-facing research reports and a peer-reviewed publication.
These results show that rowcovers do allow plants to experience an appreciable amount of GDD throughout the late fall and winter months, more than they experience with straw or no cover. Two layers of rowcover or a heavier rowcover (Pro40 vs. Pro30) did not enhance the amount of GDD compared with a single layer of rowcover. In three out of the four experiments, applying rowcover in early November did result in 20-30 additional growing degree days during that month compared with uncovered plants.
Figure 2 shows that yields from plants covered with rowcover were often equivalent to (and sometimes higher than) those from straw-mulched plants. Yields in 2023 were compromised due to a freeze event in mid-May; despite rowcovering plants to protect them, some fruit and flowers were damaged. Different plots were affected differently because developmental stage varied widely due to cultivar and covering treatment – some were still in full bloom, others had ripening fruit. The amount of damage was not easily quantifiable, and some damage occurred on plants at all developmental stages.
The takehome message: Rowcover is a suitable alternative for straw in many cases. In a cold winter in a cold site (NY 2022), straw still outperformed all rowcover treatments – but none of the plants produced good marketable yields (possibly due to a combination of fertility and/or tarnished plant bug pressure). Rowcover did provide warmer temperatures as reflected in GDD measurements, and early fall application of one layer of rowcover may promote fall growth of plants that may translate into higher yields (NH 2022). Aside from that, we don’t have evidence that the use of multiple layers of rowcovers or heavier rowcover (Pro40 vs Pro30) provides an advantage over a single layer of mid-weight rowcover.
On-Farm Low Tunnels for June-bearers: We found that low tunnels can result in higher quality fruit and early ripening for June-bearing strawberries, but that they are not appropriate for all operations. Challenges and opportunities observed in on-farm experiments are described in the spring 2023 edition of Fruit Quarterly. In sum, lessons learned in on-farm experiments included the following:
- Two out of three farms reported increases in fruit quality for June-bearers grown under low tunnels
- Two out of three farms found that low tunnels reduced harvesting efficiency; on the remaining farm, workers preferred harvesting under low tunnels
- Low tunnels interfered with typical use of bird netting on one farm, and with spraying on another farm. On the third farm, boom spraying was not a problem because it could be raised high enough to spray over the low tunnels.
- Low tunnels could not be counted on for frost protection; other methods for frost protection are still needed
- The fruiting season was slightly modified, with one of the three farms reporting earlier ripening (and possibly an earlier end to the season) under low tunnels.
State of Strawberries in the Northeast. Lastly, we described the current state of strawberry production systems in the northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada in a publication currently under review for publication in HortTechnology. We shared these results with growers at the New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference. Some of the takehome messages from that work are:
- June-bearing strawberries still dominate the strawberry production throughout the northeastern U.S.
- Many growers who are using dayneutral strawberries are attempting to overwinter them, e.g. get more than one harvest season.
- Most growers continue to use spring-planted bare-root crowns as planting stock (rather than plug plants)
- Most organic and many conventional growers report applying NO pesticides on strawberry crops; a very small percentage apply more than 10 applications to a crop.
We found that a staggered application of two layers of rowcover – one early in the fall, and one later – resulted in winter survival and subsequent yields comparable to (and sometimes exceeding) the grower standard of straw, and are in the process of summarizing our results for publication in grower-facing research reports and a peer-reviewed publication. We found that low tunnels can result in higher quality fruit and early ripening for June-bearing strawberries, but that they are not appropriate for all operations. Challenges and opportunities observed in on-farm experiments are described in the spring 2023 editions of Fruit Quarterly. Lastly, we described the current state of strawberry production systems in the northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada in a publication currently under review for publication in HortTechnology. We shared these results with growers at the New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference.
Education
Our multi-faceted educational approach was designed in consultation with grower advisors throughout the region to meet their needs for flexible, accessible and specialized information about new and emerging strawberry production practices. It includes:
- a needed update to the definitive guide for strawberry production in the Northeast, including a grower’s toolkit, detailing best management practices (production methods, use of tunnels and varieties) according to a farm’s capacity, scale, markets and goals
- twelve focused webinars addressing new & emerging production and management topics (recorded and archived)
- two 1-2 day regional tours of strawberry producers for growers and agricultural professionals, and at least three farmer-to-farmer exchange opportunities including twilight meetings at commercial and research farms.
- at least eight presentations at in-person grower workshops at state and regional vegetable & berry association meetings and conferences
Milestones
600 Participants receive a preliminary survey about their current strawberry production practices and challenges; 150 return it. Results are used to refine educational program objectives and to provide baseline data before the start of the project.
150
10
216
8
December 31, 2020
Completed
December 31, 2022
We developed a baseline survey with the objective of identifying extension and research needs as well as current practices used by growers throughout the northeastern U.S. and Canada. After obtaining IRB approval, the survey was distributed in English in French to an estimated 2500 individuals throughout the northeastern U.S. and Canada. We relied on extension networks and received assistance from colleagues in all New England states, NY, PA, and eastern Canada. Between Dec 1 2020-Feb 3, 2021, we received 170 complete responses out of a total of 269 respondents who began the survey. We have summarized the data, have shared it with producers, and are preparing a manuscript describing our results.
Growers agree to serve as on-farm research cooperators who work with project staff to evaluate the effects of low tunnels on June-bearing strawberry yields & quality.
4
4
February 15, 2021
Completed
July 15, 2022
We identified four grower-cooperators who hosted trials to evaluate the effects of low tunnels on June-bearing strawberry. These trials took place during the June-bearing strawberry season, in May-June 2021. Grower-cooperators were trained in the installation and management of low tunnels, and hosted low tunnels on a portion of their strawberry plantings throughout the June-bearing harvest season. Grower observations and impressions were recorded, and a newsletter article summarizing the 2021 results were published in fall 2022 and shared with growers at educational events (detailed in other milestones). Low tunnel demonstrations took place during May-June 2022 (a second year) on 2 cooperating farm sites, in NY. A revised article summarizing all results (2021 and 2022) was prepared for publication in Fruit Quarterly in spring 2023.
Growers agree to be interviewed to characterize the nature of strawberry production systems throughout the region.
30
7
February 15, 2021
Completed
December 31, 2021
Approximately 91 growers who responded to the survey described in milestone 1 provided their name and indicated that they would be willing to be interviewed in detail about their strawberry production system. The interview protocols were approved by UNH IRB in summer 2021, and we identified a subsample of 20 growers to conduct interviews in winter/spring 2022. A total of seven growers were interviewed; the other 13 did not respond to three email requests. Each interview was conducted on MS Teams and lasted 30-60 minutes. The data were analyzed to identify major themes using inductive coding.
Participants will attend educational events in NH and NY (webinars, demonstrations, workshops, twilight meetings, etc.) and learn about strawberry production systems, insect and disease management and soil health.
250
10
312
20
December 31, 2021
Completed
December 31, 2021
Throughout 2021, we organized sessions and gave talks at conferences throughout the region that reached 332 participants with information on strawberry production systems, insect and disease management and soil health. We estimate that at least 20 of these were agricultural service providers, and the remainder were growers.
Specific talks/presentations/workshops include:
- Project Team Members Coordinated Berry Session I at the New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference – featured two presentations relating to strawberry production systems. Dec 2021 (Virtual, 216 participants)
- Empire Producers EXPO, organized by project member – 3 sessions that discussed innovative berry production systems and marketing. Jan 2021 (Virtual, 37-65 people attending each session)
- CCE ENYCHP Annual Winter conference. Organized by project member. Feb 2021 (Virtual, 27 adults)
- Mohawk Valley Produce Auction - Berry and Veg Diagnostics Class. June 2021 (In-person, 14 adults)
- Berry Production Twilight Meeting, Peru, NY – July 2021 (In-person, 4 adults)
- Northeast Berry Call – organized by project members - weekly in-service for northeast. 2021 berry season (virtual, 76 adults)
- Weekly Berry Office Hours – conducted by project members – weekly during 2021 berry season (Virtual, ~3 adults per week for 12 weeks)
- Eastern NY SWD Meeting – discussed exclusion netting, high and low tunnel production of berry crops. Oct. 2021 (in-person, 44 adults)
- Beginning Farmer Training – Workshop focused on strawberry production with Cornell Small Farms program. Nov. 2021 (Virtual, 41 participants)
- Berry E-News – weekly e-newsletter edited by project member – 6 months 2021 season – delivered to 349 people in the Eastern NY region
- M Pritts. Improving soil health in berries. Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers annual meeting. Jan 2021. (54 participants)
- M Pritts. Novel low tunnel coverings for day neutral strawberries. New York EXPO. Jan 2021 (65 participants)
- M Pritts. Diagnosing strawberry problems with the Berry Diagnostic Tool. Feb 2021. CCE ENYCHP Virtual Winter Conference - Strawberry Session. 30 minutes.
- M Pritts. What Affects the Flavor of Strawberries and Can You Do Anything About It? Feb. 2021. New Jersey Fruit and Vegetable Growers Annual Meeting. 30 minutes
- B Sideman. Strawberry production systems & basics. Sept 2021. Workshop with New American Farmers through the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS), Concord NH (12 participants).
- B Sideman. Nov 2021. Organic strawberry production basics & production systems. MOFGA’s Virtual Farmer to Farmer Conference (6 participants).
- M Pritts. What affects strawberry flavor? Dec 2021. New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference. (Virtual, 195 participants)
10 growers and 10 agricultural service providers attend a 1-2 day regional tour of strawberry producers.
10
10
August 31, 2021
Completed
January 01, 2024
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we needed to reconsider the format of this activity. We ultimately decided, with stakeholder survey input, to focus efforts on local activities that would reach more people with less grower time investment required: small roundtable discussions and field days. Some of these have been held already (listed under other milestones), but these activities will continue beyond the end of the project.
Participants will attend educational events in NH and NY (webinars, demonstrations, workshops, twilight meetings, etc.) and learn about strawberry production systems, insect and disease management, soil health, and other strawberry production subjects, including project research results.
250
10
299
145
December 31, 2022
Completed
December 31, 2022
Throughout 2022, we organized sessions and gave talks at conferences throughout the region that reached 444 participants with information on strawberry production systems, insect and disease management and soil health. We estimate that 145 of these were researchers or agricultural service providers, and the remainder were growers.
Specific talks/presentations/workshops include:
Pritts. Managing soil for better health for strawberry production. Michigan Ag EXPO, Dec 2022. 80 growers
Pritts."Why are strawberries so weird - strawberry physiology explained. Eastern NY Berry Meeting, Feb 2022. 40 growers
Hodgdon. Overwintering strawberry updates - Willsboro Farm Open House, NY, Jul 2022. 49 participants.
McDermott. Advancing Strawberry Production in the Northeast, Northeast Fruit IPM Meeting, Lake Morey VT, Oct 2022. 50 participants.
Sideman. A strawberry industry snapshot. New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference, Manchester NH. Dec 2022. 75 participants.
Sideman. Protected strawberry production. Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association Farmer to Farmer Conference, Belfast ME. Nov 2022. 8 participants.
Sideman. Innovations in strawberry production for the Northeast. July 2022. Presentation to the Northeast SARE Advisory Council. 60 participants.
Sideman. Facilitated NH Vegetable and Berry Growers’ Association Grower Roundtable on Strawberry Production Systems (4/19/22). 15 participants.
Hodgdon and B. Sideman. Overwintering Strawberries. Feb 2022. Presentation to the Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program. Strawberry Production Systems session. 81 participants.
Sideman. Organic Strawberry Production. Maine Organic Farmer’s & Gardeners’ Association Farmer to Farmer Conference. Nov 2021. ONLINE CONFERENCE. 10 participants.
Sideman. Current Small Fruit Research & Outreach in NH. Presentation to the NCCC212 Multistate Coordinating Committee of Small Fruit Researchers. Nov 2021. 35 researchers & agricultural service providers.
10 growers and 10 agricultural service providers attend a second 1-2 day regional tour of strawberry producers.
10
10
August 31, 2022
Completed
January 01, 2024
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we needed to reconsider the format of this activity. We ultimately decided, with stakeholder survey input, to focus efforts on local activities that would reach more people with less grower time investment required: small roundtable discussions and field days. Some of these have been held already (listed under other milestones), but these activities will continue beyond the end of the project.
Participants will attend educational events in NH and NY (webinars, demonstrations, workshops, twilight meetings, etc.) and learn about strawberry production systems, insect and disease management, soil health, and other strawberry production subjects, including project research results.
250
10
100
35
March 31, 2023
Completed
January 01, 2024
Throughout 2023, we organized sessions and gave talks at conferences throughout the region that reached 135 participants with information on strawberry production systems, insect and disease management and soil health. We estimate that at least 35 of these were agricultural service providers, and the remainder were growers.
Specific talks/presentations/workshops include:
Hodgdon, E. Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program Fruit and Vegetable Conference Small Fruit Session. Albany, NY. ‘Advancing strawberry production in the Northeast: Update on findings.’ Feb 2023. 43 attendees.
Hodgdon E. and L. McDermott. Small Fruit Opportunities for Small Farms workshop. Willsboro, NY. ‘Strawberry systems overview and overwintering material evaluation’ and ‘Managing spotted wing drosophila in berry crops: trap options and research results, checking fruit for larvae, IPM overview’ presentations. July 2023. 18 attendees.
Hodgdon, E. Small Fruit Workshop. Lowville, NY. ‘Strawberry production systems and overwintering techniques,’ ‘Spotted wing drosophila management,’ and ‘Harvest and postharvest handling considerations for berries’ presentations. Oct 2023. 14 attendees.
Sideman, B. Sweetpotato, radicchio, strawberry, and hydrangea research updates. Sep 2023. NH Agricultural Experiment Station Field Day. 25 participants.
Sideman, B. Fig, radicchio, and strawberry research updates. NH NRCS and UNH Extension Field Specialists Research Tour at Woodman Farm. July 2023. 30 participants.
Sideman, B. Facilitated NH Vegetable and Berry Growers’ Association Grower Roundtable on Strawberry planting & harvesting systems (4/18/23). 5 participants.
We also published the following article in Fruit Quarterly, a publication that reaches 1800 print subscribers as well as several online viewers:
Spring 2023: Fruit Quarterly article. ‘Grower impressions of low tunnel utility for June-bearing strawberry production.’ Authors: Elisabeth Hodgdon, Laura McDermott, Becky Sideman, Kaitlyn Orde. 1800 print subscribers (plus online viewers not counted).
Participants receive an end-of-project follow-up survey about their current strawberry production practices and challenges; 150 return it. Data will be compiled to assess project impact.
150
10
27
October 31, 2023
Completed
January 24, 2024
In January 2024, the team responsible for the NE SARE grant LNE20-403, “Advancing Strawberry Production in the Northeast”, conducted a survey of strawberry growers in the northeast region to assess the impacts of our project. Our goal with the survey was to reach commercial strawberry growers throughout the region, determine the degree to which they participated in our project activities, and determine whether they have made changes that have affected their strawberry yields, fruit quality, labor, pest management, and ultimately, revenue from strawberry production.
From our assessment, we know that 17 growers with a total of 52 acres each adopted at least one practice that increased yields, fruit quality, and/or winter survival of strawberries, prolonged the fruiting season, or reduced pesticide applications or labor. Only 7 growers (7% of our respondents) reported increases in annual strawberry revenues; however, because our survey respondents only represent a small subset of all commercial producers in NY and New England (just under 2%), it is very possible that 50 growers who engaged in some way with our project did increase revenues by the target amount.
The full impact assessment/summary of survey responses is available for reading here.
Milestone Activities and Participation Summary
Educational activities:
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
From a post-project assessment (see attached document)Impact Assessment_STRAWB, we know that growers in the northeast have engaged with the products of this project, and that these growers did make innovations that improved their strawberry production. For example, we know that 17 growers with a total of 52 acres each adopted at least one practice that increased yields, fruit quality, and/or winter survival of strawberries, prolonged the fruiting season, or reduced pesticide applications or labor.
Performance Target Outcomes
Target #1
100
100 growers with a total of 50 acres of fruiting strawberries will each adopt one new practice to increase yields, fruit quality and/or winter survival of strawberries, prolong the fruiting season, and reduce pesticide applications or labor. 50 growers will report an average increase in annual revenues of $2000 each.
50 acres
50 producers increase their annual crop revenues by an average of $2000 per farm
17
adopted at least one practice that increased yields, fruit quality, and/or winter survival of strawberries, prolonged the fruiting season, or reduced pesticide applications or labor
52 acres
Growers cited increased yields, fruit quality, and/or winter survival of strawberries, prolonged the fruiting season, or reduced pesticide applications or labor. Of these, 7 growers reported increases in annual strawberry revenues.
In January 2024, the team responsible for the NE SARE grant LNE20-403, “Advancing Strawberry Production in the Northeast”, conducted a survey of strawberry growers in the northeast region to assess the impacts of our project. Our goal with the survey was to reach commercial strawberry growers throughout the region, determine the degree to which they participated in our project activities, and determine whether they have made changes that have affected their strawberry yields, fruit quality, labor, pest management, and ultimately, revenue from strawberry production.
As with the larger survey about production practices that we conducted at the start of the project in 2020, we distributed through listservs, social media accounts, and direct mailings based in NH, VT, MA, and NY, that reach growers throughout the northeast region. We estimate that well over 3000 commercial vegetable and berry growers viewed the survey request. We received a total of 27 responses from commercial strawberry growers from VT, MA, NY, NH, and CT. This was a somewhat lower turnout than desired. While a limited sample, the responses did resonate with our impressions of grower impacts. Due to time constraints, we did not attempt to increase response rate beyond the initial survey push. Respondents did represent over 84 acres of strawberries, and 63% of respondents did participate in one or more of our project activities (twilight meetings, workshops, presentations, accessing our strawberry production guide, etc.).
Results/Take-home Messages:
Responding growers did use the products of our project. The largest percentage accessed our revised ‘Strawberry Production Guide for the Northeast, Midwest, and Eastern Canada’ (44%). Others read articles written by team members (33%), participated in individual discussions with team members (26%), attended workshops/roundtables/twilight meetings (30%), and/or hosted twilight meetings or on-farm experiments (15%).
Responding growers did make innovations that improved their strawberry production. Significant proportions of all respondents indicated that they made changes that increased yields (33%), fruit quality (30%), winter survival (19%), reduced labor (30%) and reduced pesticide applications (19%) – and these percentages were slightly higher for participants in our project than for respondents overall.
Innovations did not necessarily result in increased revenue from strawberries. We directly asked respondents whether their strawberry revenue increased, decreased, or stayed the same over the past 4 years – and the reason for any change reported. For project participants, revenue mostly stayed the same (70%), or decreased (24%), with only 6% reporting increased revenue. Increases were due primarily to increases in planted acreage; decreases were due mostly to weather-related challenges, or, in one case, increased emphasis on other farm enterprises.
Our original performance target was: 100 growers with a total of 50 acres of fruiting strawberries will each adopt one new practice to increase yields, fruit quality and/or winter survival of strawberries, prolong the fruiting season, and reduce pesticide applications or labor. 50 growers will report an average increase in annual revenues of $2000 each.
Strawberry production is inherently risky. A short harvest season, highly perishable fruit that are vulnerable to a variety of weather conditions, high labor requirements, and a diverse pest complex are all factors that make strawberry a difficult crop to grow. Growers in the northeast U.S. use a wide variety of production systems and are constantly innovating – and we know that they are turning to the information and outreach resources that we produced in this project for guidance.
From our assessment, we know that 17 growers with a total of 52 acres each adopted at least one practice that increased yields, fruit quality, and/or winter survival of strawberries, prolonged the fruiting season, or reduced pesticide applications or labor. Only 7 growers (7% of our respondents) reported increases in annual strawberry revenues; however, because our survey respondents only represent a small subset of all commercial producers in NY and New England (just under 2%), it is very possible that 50 growers who engaged in some way with our project did increase revenues by the target amount.
Additional Project Outcomes
Strawberry production is inherently risky. A short harvest season, highly perishable fruit that are vulnerable to a variety of weather conditions, high labor requirements, and a diverse pest complex are all factors that make strawberry a difficult crop to grow. The diversified nature of farms that grow strawberries in the northeastern U.S. mean that strawberries are a small part of the portfolio of most farms. Taken together with the high risk, high reward nature of this crop and its' vulnerability to factors beyond the farmers' control, these factors make it difficult to guarantee revenue increases in the short term from research/extension projects. That said, growers in the northeast U.S. use a wide variety of production systems and are constantly innovating – and we know that they are turning to the information and outreach resources that we produced in this project for guidance.
Conducting field-based research in a biennial cropping system is slow; especially with our initial COVID-related delays. It took longer than anticipated to complete our work, and ultimately, we're not done summarizing the work done in this project. We'll continue to do this after the end of the project, and it likely will lead into additional research questions. We are particularly interested in production systems that convert plasticulture to matted row (and building off the experiments conducted in this project, we have produced some preliminary data and information about such systems). These are likely to result in future grant projects and grant dollars, but just not yet - not within the short term of this project.