NYS Berry Growers: NYS Berry Growers: The Next GenerationThe Next Generation

*Rebecca Harbut, Marvin Pritts, Cathy Heidenreich, Laura McDermott

New York State Fruit and Vegetable ExpoFeb 2009

Berry Growers Survey

- Demographics- Markets- Communication- Best Management Practices

Methods• Survey

– Mailed 287– Emailed 95– Could be done online

or on paper

• Interview– 45min to 1 hour

interview with grower – On phone or in person

ARE YOU A TYPICAL NEW YORK BERRY GROWER?

Area In Berry Production

-55% < 3 Acres55% < 3 Acres-26% <1 Acres26% <1 Acres

- 15% 4-6 Acres15% 4-6 Acres- 9% 7-10 Acres9% 7-10 Acres- 9% 11-20 Acres9% 11-20 Acres- 10% > 20 Acres10% > 20 Acres

Pest Management Strategy

Organic(Certified or Non)

15.1%

Calendar Spray Program

8.2%Low Spray/Judicious Spray Program

41.1%

Rigorous IPM Spray Program

16.4%

No Spray16.2%

- 15% Organic (certified or non)- 16% No Spray- 16% Rigorous IPM Program- 41% Low Spray Program- 8% Calendar Spray Program

Years of Experience Growing Berries

17.7%< 5 years

29%> 20 years

19%11-15 years

15.2%6-10 years

- 18% < 5 Years- 15% 6-10 Years- 19% 11-15 Year- 19% 16-20 Years- 29% > 20 Years

Newbies to Old Pros…we got it all!

Marketing

Word of mouth 97% Signs/Billboards 58%Newspapers 45%Website 29%E-mail 19%Postal Mailings 10%Radio 10%Television 5%

What Are Your Primary Markets?

#1- Pick Your Own#2- Farm Stand#3- Farmers Market#4- Fresh Wholesale

BERRY GROWERS ARE A SATISFIED BUNCH!

- 52% are happy with their socioeconomic position

- 70% of felt that their community appreciates what they contribute

- 70% are optimistic about the future of berry farming in NY

A PICTURE OF TODAYS GROWERS

• 3 acres or less with diverse crops

• Conscientious about chemical use

• Active business owner in local communities

• Hard working and passionate about growing fruit and loving it…

most of the time!most of the time!

COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION

How Important are Information Sources 

Very ImportantSomewhat Minor Not Important

Personal Experience 86.8 11.8 1.5 0

Extension Educators 66.7 31.9 0 1.4

Fellow Growers 45.3 32.8 18.8 3.1

Production Guides 56.9 38.5 3.1 1.5

Hardcover Publications 31.3 42.2 21.9 4.7

Newsletters 47 43.9 6.1 3

ATTRA 5.8 17.3 40.4 36.5

Cornell Fruit Resources Website 37.3 44.1 5.1 13.6

Other Internet Sources 19.7 34.4 21.3 24.6

Workshops/Conferences 36.9 43.1 13.8 6.2

Field Days 26.2 44.3 18 11.5

Private Consultants 16.4 27.3 18.2 38.2

Trade Magazines 13.6 42.2 28.8 15.3

How Credible Are Information Sources

  Very Credible Somewhat Minor

Not Credibl

e N/A

Personal Experience          

Extension Educators 64.3 24.3 4.3 3 7.1

Fellow Growers 34.3 41.8 13.4 0 7.5

Production Guides 62.1 30.3 3 1.5 4.5

Hardcover Publications 33.3 31.8 12.1 0 21.2

Newsletters 41.5 44.6 4.6 3.3 9.2

ATTRA 3.3 20 16.7 1.5 56.7

Cornell Fruit Resources Website 47.7 20 3.1 4.8 27.7

Other Internet Sources 12.7 36.5 11.1 3.2 34.9

Workshop/Conferences 37.1 40.3 8.1 1.6 11.3

Field Days 29 37.1 6.5 1.6 25.8

Private Consultants 21.3 18 6.6 1.6 52.5

Communication and Information• Most valued information sources:

– Person-to-person interactions (Extension educators, other farmers)

– Production guides– Extension educators and production guides are also

ranked as most credible sources

• Little use of ‘official’ organic information sources by respondents (i.e. ATTRA, NOFA)

• Web resources becoming more important

WHAT ABOUT THE RESEARCH?WHAT ABOUT THE RESEARCH?

GROWERS AND RESEARCH

Over 65% of growers surveyed were not sure or did not know what the current berry research objectives were.

About 60% were uncertain if their primary concerns were being addressed by any institution in NY

40% of growers were satisfied with the input that they had in setting berry research agendas

What Have We Learned?

• ~ 35% of growers are aware of research being conducted in berry crops– Need to increase awareness of specific

research agendas- including basic research

• ~40% satisfied with input in setting priorities– Find new ways to solicit input from growers

Best Management Practices

•Tell us….What Works and

What Doesn’t!?

Best Management Practices

• Crops: Strawberry, Blueberry, Brambles, Currants and Gooseberries

– Fertilizer - Production System– Weeds - Plant Establishment– Disease– Insects and mites– Birds and Pests– Production and Training

Best Management Practices

• Sorry…There is no silver bullet!

• The practices that are effective are greatly influenced by the specific conditions in the field– On farm trials would greatly help understand

the factors involved

For More Info…

• New York Berry News:– December Issue: The New Face of Berry Growers– January Issue: Production Practices and Fertility– February Issue: Bramble

Can be accessed through the Cornell Fruit Resources Website:

http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/berry.html

Thanks

• Funding: New York Farm Viability Institute• Cathy Heidenreich, Berry Extension Support

Specialist, Western NY, Cornell• Laura McDermott, Berry Extension Support

Specialist, Eastern NY, Cornell• Marvin Pritts, Dept. of Horticulture, Cornell• Arthur Wilson, Dept. of Education, Cornell