Accomplishments of the National Strawberry Sustainability Initiative

Phases I and II

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability launched the National Strawberry Sustainability Initiative (NSSI) in February 2013 with a grant from the Walmart Foundation to improve the sustainability of the US strawberry industry.

The NSSI has awarded 26 grants to land-grant and public universities in 13 states throughout the US totaling over $4M.

1) Increase local strawberry production and availability within the U.S.2) Reduce chemical and energy inputs3) Conserve and preserve water resources4) Improve soil quality and health5) Reduce food safety risk of fresh berries6) Reduce crop losses and spoilage7) Improve yield and economic return to producers8) Develop appropriate metrics for strawberry production sustainability.

Projects had a 12 month timeline and were required to work with producers and members of the strawberry industry.

Phase I of the NSSI closed in June 2014 with significant outputs and impacts made by the 20 projects to sustainability priority areas. Accomplishments are highlighted in the e-book “Moving the Needle: Accomplishments of the National Strawberry Sustainability Initiative 2013-2014.”

• Creating an e-learning tool, an online diagnostic tool, and an interactive budget tool

• Patenting two Rutgers developed cultivars

• The expansion of strawberry production areas and season extension in Texas, Kansas, Arkansas and Nebraska

• Over 60 project and production videos on the NSSI YouTube channel.

• Website: strawberry.uark.edu

• Blog: wordpress.uark.edu/sberries

• Facebook: facebook.com/StrawberrySustainabilityInitiative

• YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC55G_p_ZM58goZtu_OYEtA

• Twitter: twitter.com/s_berries

• SlideShare: slideshare.net/sberries

• Smugmug Photo Site: nssi.smugmug.com

An advanced strawberry selection developed by Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. Photo by Peter Nitzsche, 2014.

Bill Hlubik, Agricultural Agent with Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County, examines advanced strawberry selections growing in a variety trial at Nourse Farms, Inc. in Whately, MA. Photo by Peter Nitzsche, 2014.

NSSI Phase I E-Book available at strawberry.uark.edu/nssiweb.pdf

Project leaders in Fayetteville during the NSSI Project Meeting in May, 2014. Photo by Luke Freeman, 2014.

Barclay Poling of NC State discusses strawberry production at the Mississippi Strawberry Short Course in Choctaw, Miss. Photo by Luke Freeman, 2014.

High tunnel strawberry research plots in Citra, Fla. Photo by Zack Black, 2014.

Participants of the Growers' Assessment Event in Citra, Fla. write down observations of strawberry cultivars. Photo by Javier López, 2014.

Phase II focused on moving technology from demonstration to practice in conjunction with more than 30 strawberry growers across the US. Projects concluded in June 2015 with accomplishments highlighted in the e-book “Success in the Field: Accomplishments of the National Strawberry

Sustainability Initiative 2014-2015.”

• Expanded testing of new and potential strawberry cultivars for the mid-Atlantic region

• Addressing grower-specific needs for organic production in FL

• Research continued in high tunnel and greenhouse production systems

• Implementation of sustainable soil management practices

• Field-testing of remote sensing for frost protection and irrigation managementNSSI Phase II E-Book available at strawberry.uark.edu/NSSIphase2.pdf

We have leveraged the networks and expertise developed through the NSSI program to submit an SCRI planning grant proposal, “Planning to Increase the Productivity and Competitiveness of Sustainable Strawberry Systems.”

The goal of the planning grant is to utilize our network of strawberry scientists, extension workers, growers, and industry representatives to develop a strategic plan to address the critical needs for research, outreach, and education to expand strawberry production with sustainable technologies and practices. Visit wordpress.uark.edu/sberries/scri for more info.