USEOFPLASTICMULCHFILMS

INU.S.STRAWBERRYPRODUCTION

PhotobyRobBertholf,CCBY

ResultsfromaMulti-StateSurveyaboutU.S.

StrawberryGrowers’PerceptionsandExperiencesofPlasticMulchFilms

JessicaGoldbergerandCourtneyLyonsDepartmentofCropandSoilSciences

WashingtonStateUniversity

February2017

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USEOFPLASTICMULCHFILMSINU.S.STRAWBERRYPRODUCTION

ResultsfromaMulti-StateSurveyaboutU.S.StrawberryGrowers’PerceptionsandExperiencesofPlasticMulchFilms

JessicaGoldbergerandCourtneyLyonsDepartmentofCropandSoilSciences

WashingtonStateUniversity

February2017

INTRODUCTION

Polyethylene(PE)plasticmulchfilmsprovidespecialtycropgrowerswithmanyagronomicbenefits(e.g.,weedmanagement,waterconservation,improvedcropquality),butthedisposalprocesscanbefinanciallyandenvironmentallycostly.Biodegradableplasticmulchfilms,whichprovidesimilaragronomicbenefits,maybeanappealingalternative.Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmscanbetilledintothesoilorcompostedattheendofthegrowingseason,reducingthelaborandenvironmentalcostsassociatedwithplasticremovalanddisposal.Tobetterunderstandtheperformanceandadoptabilityofbiodegradableplasticmulchfilms,aninterdisciplinaryteamofresearchersatthreeuniversities(UniversityofTennessee,WashingtonStateUniversity,andMontanaStateUniversity)obtainedfundingfromtheUnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture’sSpecialtyCropResearchInitiative(SCRI)program(Grant#2014-51181-22382).TheprojectactivitiesincludedasurveyofU.S.strawberrygrowers,whichwasconductedbymembersoftheteam’sTechnologyAdoptionWorkingGroup.Strawberrygrowers,especiallythoseproducingberriesforthefreshmarket,oftenusePEplasticmulchfilmsand,consequently,maybepotentialearlyadoptersofbiodegradableplasticmulchfilms.Oursurveyassessedthispotential,whilealsoexploringothertopicsrelatedtotheuseofplasticmulchfilmsinU.S.strawberryproduction.Thesurveyincludedquestionsaboutgrowers’experienceswithPEplasticmulchfilms,opinionsaboutPEplasticmulchfilms,familiarityandexperiencewithbiodegradableplasticmulchfilms,opinionsaboutbiodegradableplasticmulchfilms,strawberryproductionandmarketingpractices,fumigationpractices,decision-makingandsourcesofagriculturalinformation,andfarmcharacteristics.Thecompletesurveyresultsarepresentedinthisreport.

SURVEYMETHODS

Strawberryproductioninvolvesavarietyofmarketsandproductionmethods,whichvaryacrossdifferentregionsoftheUnitedStates.Tocapturethisvariety,ourstudypopulationincludedgrowersinsixstates:California,NewYork,Oregon,Pennsylvania,Tennessee,andWashington.MostofthegrowerpostaladdresseswerepurchasedfromMeisterMedia(n=1,357),acorporationthatpublishesperiodicalsonfruitandvegetableproduction.Because

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theMeisterMedialistincludedrelativelyfewnamesinthePacificNorthwest,wedecidedtosupplementthelistwithaddressesfromOregonTilth(n=40),OregonStrawberryCommission(n=45),WashingtonStateDepartmentofAgriculture(WSDA)OrganicProgram(n=78),andWashingtonStrawberryCommission(n=33).WiththehelpofWashingtonStateUniversity’sSocialandEconomicSciencesResearchCenter(SESRC),wesentpaperquestionnairesto1,553strawberrygrowersoverafour-monthperiod(January–April2016).Alinktoanonlineversionofthesurveywasprovidedinalllettersandreminderpostcards.Twohundredandtwenty-seven(227)strawberrygrowerscompletedthesurvey(seeTable1),foraninitialresponserateof18%(aftertakingintoaccountineligibleindividualsandbadaddresses).Becauseofthelowresponserate,weconductedfollow-upphonecallswith300non-respondents.Thephonecallsindicatedahigherproportionofineligiblenamesonthemailinglistthanwehadanticipated.Wethencalculatedanadjustedresponserateof21%.

GROWERDEMOGRAPHICS

Eighty-ninepercentofthesurveyrespondentsweremaleand11%werefemale.Mostrespondents(92%)wereCaucasian;3%wereAsian,2%wereLatino,and1%wereAmericanIndian.Respondentsrangedinagefrom22to91yearswithameanageof55years.Respondentshadspent19years,onaverage,involvedinstrawberryproductionasafarmoperator,farmmanager,orotherprimarydecisionmaker.Forty-twopercentofrespondentshadafour-yearcollegedegreeand15%hadattendedgraduateschool.One-third(31%)ofrespondentsweremembersofstrawberrygrowersassociations.

FARMCHARACTERISTICSANDFARMINCOME

Themajority(90%)ofsurveyrespondentswerefarmowners,partners,orlessees,while8%werehiredmanagers.Respondentsoperatedbetween<1acreand5,000acresoffarm/ranchlandin2015(mean=282acres,median=74acres).Twenty-twopercentofrespondentsusedsomeoralloftheiracreageforcertifiedorganicproduction(rangingfrom<1acreto500acres).Respondentsgrewfrom<1acreto5,000acresofstrawberries(mean=45acres,median=2acres).Twenty-twopercentofrespondentsreportedsomecertifiedorganicstrawberryacres(rangingfrom<1acreto500acres).Strawberriesweretheprimaryagriculturalproductintermsofvalueofsalesfor21%ofrespondents.Otherprimaryagriculturalproductsincludedapples,sweetcorn,tomatoes,mixedvegetables,andpumpkins.Twenty-onepercentofrespondentshadlessthan$50,000ingrossfarmincomein2015,33%hadbetween$50,000and$249,999,26%hadbetween$250,000and$999,999,and20%had$1,000,000ormore.Strawberrysales,onaverage,were20%ofrespondents’grossfarmincomein2015(median=8%).

Table1.SurveyRespondentsbyState

State Frequency PercentageCalifornia 32 14%NewYork 41 18%Oregon 30 13%Pennsylvania 88 39%Tennessee 8 4%Washington 28 12%TOTAL 227 100%

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STANDARDPOLYETHYLENE(PE)PLASTICMULCHFILMS:EXPERIENCESANDOPINIONS

Approximatelytwo-thirds(64%)ofrespondentshadusedstandardpolyethylene(PE)plasticmulchfilmsonsomeoralloftheirstrawberryfields.Ofthoserespondents,79%hadusedPEplasticmulchfilmsduringthe2015growingseason.MostrespondentswhohadusedPEplasticmulchfilmsintheirstrawberryfieldsweresatisfiedwiththeresults:slightlysatisfied(17%),moderatelysatisfied(37%),andverysatisfied(39%).PEplasticmulchdisposalmethodsincludedlandfillordumpsite(67%),burning(25%),recycling(18%),andburying(3%).

Weaskedsurveyparticipantsopen-endedquestionsaboutwhattheylikedmostandleastaboutusingPEplasticmulchfilmsintheirstrawberryfields.Respondentslikedweedcontrol(68%),cleanerberries(28%),moistureretention(15%),earlierproduction(10%),easeofuse(9%),andincreasedsoiltemperature(8%).Respondentsdidnotlikeremoval(40%),disposal(26%),purchase/removal/disposalcosts(16%),productintegrity(tearseasily,deteriorationinfield)(9%),runner-relatedproblems(8%),poorplanthealthandfruitquality(7%),animaldamage(5%),excessiveheat(5%),andpoorweedcontrol(5%).

RespondentswhohadneverusedPEplasticmulchfilmsintheirstrawberryfieldsprovidedthefollowingreasonsfornon-adoption:incompatibilitywithexistingstrawberryproductionpractices(26%),highcost(23%),lackofinterest(15%),environmentalconcerns(12%),laborrequirements(9%),lackofmulchlayingequipment(7%),lackofknowledge(5%),andtheinabilitytoreusePEplasticmulchfilmsformultiplegrowingseasons(5%).

AllsurveyrespondentswereaskedtoindicatetheextenttowhichtheydisagreedoragreedwithsixstatementsaboutPEplasticmulchfilms(Table2).Amajorityofrespondents(59%)agreedthatthedisposalofusedPEplasticmulchfilmsisabigenvironmentalproblem,aswellaseconomicallyburdensome.Two-thirdsofrespondentsbelievedPEplasticmulchfilmsfragmentduringremovalfromfieldsafterharvest(65%).However,only9%ofrespondentsagreedthatPEplasticmulchfilmsharmthesoil.Table2.OpinionsaboutStandardPolyethylene(PE)PlasticMulchFilms

StatementsStronglyDisagree Disagree

NeitherDisagree

NorAgree Agree

StronglyAgree

StandardPEplasticmulchfilmsareenvironmentallyfriendly.

18% 27% 37% 14% 3%

StandardPEplasticmulchfilmsharmthesoil. 24% 37% 30% 6% 3%DisposalofusedstandardPEplasticmulchfilmsisabigenvironmentalproblem.

6% 12% 24% 41% 18%

RecyclingisaviableoptionforusedstandardPEplasticmulchfilms. 14% 24% 31% 25% 6%

StandardPEplasticmulchfilmsoftenfragmentduringremovalfromfieldsafterharvest. 3% 13% 19% 42% 23%

ProperdisposalofusedstandardPEplasticmulchfilmsiseconomicallyburdensome. 6% 9% 26% 45% 14%

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BIODEGRADABLEPLASTICMULCHFILMS:FAMILIARITYANDEXPERIENCE

Morethanhalfofthesurveyrespondentswerefamiliarwithbiodegradableplasticmulchfilms:slightlyfamiliar(31%),moderatelyfamiliar(19%),andveryfamiliar(8%).Theprimarysourcesofinformationaboutbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmswereindustrysources(e.g.,dealers,catalogs,tradeshows)(49%),pastexperience(26%),otherfarmers(21%),growermeetingsandconferences(12%),andCooperativeExtension(10%).Only8%ofrespondentshadusedbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsinsomeoralloftheirstrawberryfields.Themainreasonslistedfornotusingbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmswereprematureorvariablebreakdown(25%),highcost(23%),notpreferredornointerest(18%),andincompatibilitywithproductionpractices(14%)(Figure1).Thesurveyincludedaseriesofquestionsonlyforthoserespondentswhohadusedbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsintheirstrawberryfields.Mostrespondents(56%)hadusedbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsin2010–2015,whileothershadusedthemin1980–1990(17%),1990–1999(17%),and2000–2009(11%).One-third(33%)usedtheproductsduringthe2015growingseason.Respondentsexpresseddifferentlevelsofsatisfactionwiththeresultsofusingbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsintheirstrawberryfields:notatallsatisfied(39%),slightlysatisfied(39%),moderatelysatisfied(17%),andverysatisfied(6%).Whenaskedwhattheylikedmostaboutusingbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsintheirstrawberryfields,surveyrespondentsmentionedthelackofneedtoremove/disposeofthemulchfilms(33%),“notmuch”or“nothing”(33%),healthy/cleanplants(20%),weedcontrol(13%),andbiodegradability(13%).Whenaskedwhattheylikedleast,respondentsmentionedthatthemulchfilmsbreakdowntooquickly(53%),degradeunevenlywithinfieldsorseasontoseason(20%),andareexpensive(20%).

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

MiscellaneousreasonsEquipment/laborrequirements

NotapprovedfororganicproduckonNotavailablelocally

Removal,disposal,lilerconcernsLackofknowledge

IncompakblewithproduckonprackcesNotpreferredornointerest

HighcostPrematureorvariablebreakdown

PercentageofRespondents

Figure1.ReasonsforNotUsingBiodegradablePlasYcMulchFilmsinStrawberryFields(n=196)

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BIODEGRADABLEPLASTICMULCHFILMS:OPINIONSANDFUTUREUSE

Surveyrespondentswereaskedtoindicatetheextenttowhichtheydisagreedoragreedwith19statementsaboutbiodegradableplasticmulchfilms(Table3).Approximatelyone-half(52%)ofrespondentsagreedthatbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsareenvironmentallyfriendly.Amajoritybelievedtheproductscanbetriedonasmallscale(63%),butaretooexpensive(68%).Nearlyone-half(48%)agreedthatbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmscanbelaidwithstandardplasticmulchlayers.Forty-sixpercentexpressedconcernaboutunpredictablebreakdowninthesoil.Two-thirds(41%)ofrespondentsagreedthatU.S.strawberrygrowersareinterestedinusingbiodegradableplasticmulchfilms.Thehighpercentageof“neitherdisagreenoragree”responsesinTable3suggeststhatmanyrespondentslikelylackedsufficientknowledgeofbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmstodisagreeoragreewiththestatementsprovided.Respondentswereaskedtoimaginedesigningabiodegradableplasticmulchfilmtomeettheirstrawberryfarmingneeds;theywerethenaskedtoindicatetheimportanceofvariousmulchtraitsonascalefrom1=“notatallimportant”to4=“veryimportant.”Amajorityofrespondentsindicatedthatthefollowingtraitswouldbeveryimportant:compatiblewithirrigationequipment(78%),canbelaidwithplasticmulchlayer(77%),remainsintactuntilveryendofgrowingseason(74%),andcanbetilledintothesoilatendofgrowingseason(66%).Traitsdeemed“notatallimportant”byamajorityofrespondentsincluded:availableinclear(71%),producedwithoutGMOfeedstocks(60%),andavailableinreflectivesilver(55%).CompleteresultsarepresentedinTable4.Respondentswerealsoaskedtolistadditionaltraitsthatwouldbeimportantinabiodegradableplasticmulchfilmforstrawberryproduction.Themostfrequentresponseswereaffordability(31%)andholdingupfortwoormoregrowingseasons(22%).Whenaskedabouthypotheticalscenariosthatmightincreasetheirlikelihoodofconsideringusingbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsintheirstrawberryfields,54%ofsurveyrespondentsindicatedtheywere“moderatelylikely”or“verylikely”toconsiderusingtheseproductsifthepricedroppedsignificantly.Asimilarpercentage(51%)ofrespondentswere“moderatelylikely”or“verylikely”toconsiderusingbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsifuniversityresearchdiscoveredthattheproductsdonotharmthesoil.CompleteresultsarepresentedinTable5.MostrespondentsexpressedinterestinlearningmoreaboutbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsforU.S.strawberryproduction:slightlyinterested(34%),moderatelyinterested(24%),andveryinterested(21%).Similarly,mostrespondentsindicatedthepossibilityofusingbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsinsomeoralloftheirstrawberryfieldsinthenextfiveyears:slightlylikely(39%),moderatelylikely(20%),andverylikely(12%).WhenaskedaboutthepotentialbenefitsofusingbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsinU.S.strawberryproduction,respondentsidentifiedthefollowing:easier(orno)removalanddisposal(19%),costsavings(17%),andlesstrashtolandfill(12%).WhenaskedaboutthepotentialproblemsorbarrierstousingbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsinU.S.strawberryproduction,respondentsreportedthefollowing:unpredictablebreakdown(36%),highcost(18%),anddurabilityconcerns(11%).CompleteresultsarepresentedinFigures2and3.

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Table3.OpinionsaboutBiodegradablePlasticMulchFilms

StatementsStronglyDisagree Disagree

NeitherDisagreeNorAgree Agree

StronglyAgree

Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmsareenvironmentallyfriendly. 4% 6% 38% 41% 11%

Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmsaretooexpensive. 1% 4% 41% 35% 20%

Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmsareanunproventechnology. 3% 16% 53% 22% 7%

Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmscanbetriedonasmallscale. 2% 3% 33% 51% 13%

Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmscanreplacestandardpolyethylene(PE)plasticmulchfilms. 3% 11% 50% 28% 8%

Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmsharmthesoil. 10% 25% 59% 4% 2%ThereareNOdisposalcostsassociatedwiththeuseofbiodegradableplasticmulchfilms. 5% 23% 44% 22% 8%

Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmscanbelaidwithstandardplasticmulchlayers. 0% 3% 49% 38% 10%

Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmsnegativelyimpactfruitquality. 4% 25% 63% 5% 3%

Thetimingofbreakdownofbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsinthesoilisunpredictable. 1% 2% 51% 35% 11%

Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmsareeasytouse. 2% 13% 66% 16% 4%Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmsarecompatiblewithmystrawberryproductionpractices. 14% 20% 51% 11% 4%

Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmsrequiretoomuchmanagement. 2% 8% 69% 16% 5%

Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmsarenottotallybiodegradable. 2% 7% 61% 23% 7%

U.S.strawberrygrowersshouldusebiodegradableplasticmulchfilms.

4% 8% 70% 14% 4%

Usingbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmswouldmakemyfarmmoresustainable. 7% 10% 56% 22% 6%

Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmsarenotavailableinmyarea.

9% 33% 46% 8% 4%

Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmsmustbecompostedtototallybiodegrade. 4% 12% 68% 10% 6%

U.S.strawberryfarmersareinterestedinusingbiodegradableplasticmulchfilms.

0% 3% 56% 33% 8%

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Table4.ImportanceofBiodegradablePlasticMulchFilmTraitsforStrawberryFarmingNeeds

TraitsNotatallImportant

SlightlyImportant

ModeratelyImportant

VeryImportant

Compatiblewithirrigationequipment 6% 3% 13% 78%Canbelaidwithplasticmulchlayer 11% 6% 6% 77%Remainsintactuntilveryendofgrowingseason 5% 5% 16% 74%Canbetilledintothesoilatendofgrowingseason 11% 9% 14% 66%Completelybiodegradesinsoilwithinoneyear 15% 17% 21% 46%Compostableon-farmatendofgrowingseason 15% 13% 27% 45%Durableenoughtoallowdoublecropping 19% 14% 23% 44%Completelybiodegradesinsoilwithintwoyears 15% 16% 26% 43%Availableinblack 14% 17% 28% 41%Reaches90%biodegradationinsoilwithintwoyears 18% 17% 25% 40%Reaches90%biodegradationinsoilwithinoneyear 20% 21% 24% 34%Producedwith100%bio-basedmaterials 21% 24% 25% 30%ProducedwithoutGMOfeedstocks 60% 16% 7% 17%Compostableatmunicipalfacilityatendofgrowingseason 40% 22% 23% 16%Availableinwhiteorwhite-on-black 33% 27% 26% 15%Producedwith50%bio-basedmaterials 33% 38% 23% 6%Availableinreflectivesilver 55% 25% 14% 6%Availableinclear 71% 13% 10% 6%Table5.LikelihoodofConsideringUseofBiodegradablePlasticMulchFilmsinStrawberryFields:SevenHypotheticalScenarios

HypotheticalScenariosNotatallLikely

SlightlyLikely

ModeratelyLikely

VeryLikely

Thepriceofbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsdropssignificantly. 20% 25% 26% 28%

Universityresearchindicatesbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsdonotharmthesoil. 23% 26% 34% 17%

Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmsarereadilyavailableatlocalagriculturalinputsupplystores. 28% 23% 32% 17%

UseofbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsimprovesGoodAgriculturalPractices(GAP)orsustainabilityauditscore.

20% 33% 32% 16%

Consumersarewillingtopayapremiumforproductsgrownwithbiodegradableplasticmulchfilms. 38% 19% 27% 16%

SpecificbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsareapprovedforuseinU.S.certifiedorganicproduction 36% 27% 24% 13%

Biodegradableplasticmulchfilmuseisrequiredbyaprocessor,wholesalebuyer,orretailer.

45% 21% 24% 10%

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0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Percen

tageofR

espo

nden

ts

PerceivedBenefits

Figure2.PerceivedBenefitstoUsingBiodegradablePlasYcMulchFilmsinU.S.StrawberryProducYon(n=181)

0510152025303540

Percen

tageofR

espo

nden

ts

PerceivedProblemsorBarriers

Figure3.PerceivedProblemsorBarrierstoUsingBiodegradablePlasYcMulchFilmsinU.S.StrawberryProducYon(n=179)

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STRAWBERRYPRODUCTIONANDMARKETINGPRACTICES

Therearetwomainplantingsystemsforgrowingstrawberries.Inamattedrowsystem,runnersspreadfreelyandrootwithintherowtomakearowmattedwithstrawberryplants.June-bearingstrawberryplantsareoftenplantedusingthemattedrowsystem.Inahillsystem,runnersareremovedtoencouragetheproductionoflargeplantsandberries.Thehillsystemreliesonraisedbedswithorwithoutplasticmulchfilms.Everbearingandday-neutralstrawberryplantsareoftenplantedusingthehillsystem.Figure4indicatesthatthemattedrowandhillsystemswerebothpopularamongthesurveyrespondents.Nearlyhalf(47%)ofgrowersofconventionalstrawberriesusedthehillsystemand57%usedthemattedrowsystem.Overhalf(55%)ofgrowersofcertifiedorganicstrawberriesusedthehillsystemand45%usedthemattedsystem.Otherplantingsystemsreportedbyrespondentsincludedhydroponicsystemsandribbonrows.Respondentswerealsoaskedaboutthetypesofproductiontechnologiesusedintheirstrawberryfields(Figure5).Themostcommontechnologyusedfortheproductionofbothconventionalandcertifiedorganicstrawberrieswasdripirrigationtape.

0 20 40 60 80 100

Noneoftheabove

Papermulch

Lowtunnelhoophouses

Hightunnelhoophouses

Micro-sprinklers

Rowcovers

Dripirrigakontape

PercentageofRespondents

Prod

ucYo

nTechno

logies

Figure5.ProducYonTechnologiesUsedforConvenYonalStrawberriesandCerYfiedOrganicStrawberries

Convenkonal(n=177)

CerkfiedOrganic(n=50)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Maledrowsystem Hillsystem OthersystemsPe

rcen

tageofR

espo

nden

ts

PlanYngSystems

Figure4.PlanYngSystemsTypicallyUsedforConvenYonalandCerYfiedOrganicStrawberries

Convenkonal(n=173)

Cerkfiedorganic(n=49)

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Weaskedsurveyrespondentstoprovidethepercentagesoftheirconventionalandcertifiedorganicstrawberriesgrownforthefreshandprocessingmarkets.Onaverage,92%ofconventionalstrawberriesweregrownforthefreshmarketand8%weregrownfortheprocessingmarket.Percentageswereidenticalforcertifiedorganicstrawberries.Wealsoaskedaboutspecificmarketingchannelsforconventionalandcertifiedorganicstrawberries.Roadsidestandorfarmstorewasthemostpopularmarketingchannelforconventionalstrawberries.Farmersmarketwasthemostpopularmarketingchannelforcertifiedorganicstrawberries.CompleteresultsarepresentedinFigure6.

FUMIGATIONPRACTICES

Fumigationisaproductionpracticethatremovespestsanddiseasesviatheapplicationofchemicalstothesoil.Newregulationsinsomestatesrequiretheuseofspecificplastictarps(whicharenotbiodegradable)inconjunctionwithfumigationefforts.Fumigationpractice,therefore,mayactasabarriertotheadoptionofbiodegradableplasticmulchfilms.Only16%ofsurveyrespondentstypicallyfumigatetheirstrawberryfields.Thoserespondentsrelyoncustomapplicators(50%),themselves(38%),orotherprimarydecisionmakersoremployees(6%)toapplythechemicals.Forty-ninepercentuseraisedbedfumigation,while43%usebroadcast(orflat)fumigation.One-quarter(24%)ofrespondentsusehighdensitypolyethylene(HDPE)film(24%),24%usetotallyimpermeablefilm(TIF),18%usevirtuallyimpermeablefilm(VIF),21%donotusefumigationfilms,and15%didnotknowthefilmtypeusedintheirfields.Forthoserespondentswhousefumigationfilms,themostcommondisposalmethodislandfillordumpsite(62%),followedbyrecyclingfacility(27%),burning(8%),andburying(4%).

0 20 40 60 80 100

Othermarkekngchannels

Foodcooperakveornaturalfoodsstore

Directtorestuarants,schools,orhospitals

Communitysupportedagriculture(CSA)

Directtoconvenkonalsupermarket

Wholesalebuyer,broker,orpacker

Farmersmarket

U-pick/Pickyourown(PYO)

Roadsidestandorfarmstore

PercentageofRespondents

MarkeYn

gCh

anne

ls

Figure6.MarkeYngChannelsUsedforConvenYonalStrawberriesandCerYfiedOrganicStrawberries

Convenkonal(n=179)

CerkfiedOrganic(n=48)

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DECISION-MAKINGANDSOURCESOFAGRICULTURALINFORMATION

Sustainableagricultureencompasseseconomicprofit,croplandproductivity,qualityoflife,andenvironmentalstewardship.Amajorityofsurveyrespondentsindicatedthatthreeoutofthefoursustainabilitycomponentswereveryimportanttothemwhenmakingdecisionsaboutproductioninputsandpracticesfortheirstrawberryfields(Table6).

Table6.ImportanceofSustainableAgricultureComponentsWhenMakingDecisionsAboutProductionInputs/PracticesforStrawberryFields

SustainableAgricultureComponentsNotatallImportant

SlightlyImportant

ModeratelyImportant

VeryImportant

Economicprofit 1% 1% 21% 76%Croplandproductivity 2% 3% 30% 66%Qualityoflife(farmers,families,communities) 1% 7% 36% 56%Environmentalstewardship 1% 11% 47% 41%

Agriculturalinformationcanbecommunicatedinmanydifferentways—fromfarmwalkstoworkshopstosocialmedia.Surveyrespondentswereaskedtoindicatethedegreetowhichtheypreferredtendifferentoptionsforreceivinginformationaboutstrawberryproductioninputsandpractices.Themostpreferredcommunicationchannelswerefielddaysorfarmswalks,printedmaterials,andon-farmdemonstrations(Table7).

Table7.PreferenceforReceivingInformationAboutStrawberryProductionInputs/Practices

CommunicationChannelsNotatallPreferred

SlightlyPreferred

ModeratelyPreferred

VeryPreferred

Fielddaysorfarmwalks 11% 22% 36% 31%Printedmaterials 3% 20% 48% 29%On-farmdemonstrations(hands-on) 10% 23% 39% 28%In-personconferencesorlargemeetings 11% 32% 34% 24%One-on-oneconsultations 13% 29% 36% 23%In-personworkshopsorcourses 14% 28% 35% 23%Onlinematerials 18% 22% 38% 22%E-mailorlistserv 39% 30% 23% 9%Onlinemeetings,workshops,orwebinars 42% 35% 16% 8%Socialmedia(e.g.,Facebook,Twitter) 66% 25% 7% 2%

Strawberrygrowersobtaininformationaboutproductioninputsandpracticesfrommanydifferentsources.Surveyrespondentswereaskedaboutthelevelofimportanceofeighteeninformationsources.Personalexperimentationandcreativity,otherfarmers,universityExtensioneducators,familymembers,anduniversityscientistswerethemostimportantinformationsources(Table8).

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Table8.ImportanceofSourcesofInformationAboutStrawberryProductionInputs/Practices

SourcesofInformationNotatallImportant

SlightlyImportant

ModeratelyImportant

VeryImportant

Myownexperimentation,creativity,andinnovation 1% 7% 37% 54%

Otherfarmers 5% 16% 39% 40%UniversityExtensioneducators 7% 15% 38% 40%Familymembers 21% 20% 24% 34%Universityscientists 11% 20% 39% 30%Farmemployeesorfieldworkers 17% 20% 38% 25%Agriculturalinputsuppliers 11% 29% 42% 18%Certifiedcropadvisors 32% 23% 27% 18%StateDepartmentofAgriculture 14% 34% 38% 14%Privateconsultants 35% 24% 28% 13%Commodityorgrowersassociation 26% 28% 34% 12%Organiccertifiers 69% 12% 10% 10%Distributorsorretailers 50% 22% 19% 9%Processorsorpackers 56% 26% 9% 9%SustainableAgricultureResearchandEducationProgram(SARE) 39% 34% 20% 8%

Marketingorganizationorcooperative 39% 38% 16% 7%NaturalResourcesConservationService(NRCS) 32% 40% 23% 5%NationalSustainableAgricultureInformationService(ATTRA) 47% 33% 16% 4%

CONCLUSION

ThesurveyresultsprovideinsightintoU.S.strawberrygrowers’experienceswithbothstandardPEplasticmulchfilmsandbiodegradableplasticmulchfilms.Whilenearlytwo-thirds(64%)ofsurveyrespondentshadusedPEplasticmulchfilms,only8%hadusedbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsintheirstrawberryfields.RespondentsweregenerallysatisfiedwiththeresultsofusingPEplasticmulchfilms;however,theydidnotlikehavingtoremoveanddisposeofthefilms.Respondentswerefarlesssatisfiedwiththeresultsofusingbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsintheirstrawberryfields.Pastuserslikednothavingtoremoveanddisposeofthebiodegradableplasticmulchfilms,buttheyexpressedconcernsaboutearlybreakdown,unevenbreakdown(withinfieldsandseasontoseason),andhighpurchasecost.MostsurveyrespondentsexpressedaninterestinlearningmoreaboutbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsforU.S.strawberryproduction.Approximatelyone-thirdofrespondentsindicatedtheyweremoderatelyorverylikelytoconsiderusingbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsintheirstrawberryfields.WhenaskedaboutthepotentialbenefitstousingbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmsinU.S.strawberryproduction,surveyrespondentsmentionedremoval/disposal

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benefits,costsavings,andreducedwaste.However,theysawunpredictable(especiallyearly)breakdown,highpurchasecost,andlimiteddurabilityasproblemsorbarrierstoadoption.Basedontheresultsofourhypotheticalscenariosquestion,thelikelihoodofstrawberrygrowers’adoptionofbiodegradableplasticmulchfilmswouldincreaseifthepricedroppedsignificantlyanduniversityresearchindicatednonegativeimpactsonsoilhealth.AttheendofthesurveyweaskedparticipantsiftheyhadanyadditionalcommentsabouttheuseofplasticmulchfilmsinU.S.strawberryproduction.Toconcludethissurveysummaryreportandgivevoicetooursurveyparticipants,wepresentselectedresponsesinBox1.Commentsfocusondissatisfactionwiththepastuseofbiodegradableplasticmulchfilms,thedesirefordurableplasticmulchfilmsdesignedformulti-seasoncrops(suchasstrawberries),andtheneedforfurtherresearchandproductdevelopment.FormoreinformationaboutthesurveyresultsortheactivitiesoftheTechnologyAdoptionWorkingGroup,pleasecontact:Dr.JessicaGoldberger,RuralSociologist,DepartmentofCropandSoilSciences,WashingtonStateUniversity,Pullman,WA99164,509-335-8540(office)orjgoldberger@wsu.edu.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ThisresearchwasfundedbytheSpecialtyCropResearchInitiative(SCRI)oftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture’sNationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture(Grant#2014-51181-22382).Theproject’sprincipalinvestigatorsareaffiliatedwithWashingtonStateUniversity,UniversityofTennessee,andMontanaStateUniversity.WethankthestaffatWashingtonStateUniversity’sSocialandEconomicSciencesResearchCenter(SESRC)fortheirsurveyservices,aswellasallthestrawberrygrowerswhotookthetimetoparticipateinthesurvey.Anyopinions,findings,conclusions,orrecommendationsexpressedinthispublicationarethoseoftheauthorsanddonotnecessarilyreflecttheviewoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture.

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Box1.SelectedCommentsbySurveyParticipants

“Eventhoughwecurrentlyusebiodegradablefilmonallourstrawberries,Ifeelmoreresearchisimportanttowideradoptionintheindustryandfeelitwillbenefitouroperationwithimprovedfilmsandtoolsbetteradaptedtostrawberryproductionasmostofthebio-filmindustryitcurrentlycateringtoshort-seasonvegetableproduction.”

—31-yearoldwith4acresofconventionalstrawberriesinPennsylvania“Ithinkaboutbio-filmsalotfortheeaseofremoval.Weliketokeepberriesfor2–3years.Ifafieldwillsurvive3years,howdowedecidewhichmulchwilllastthatlong?Wouldbegoodforannualvegetableproduction:melons,tomatoes,peppers,andeggplants.”

—56-yearoldwith2acresofconventionalstrawberriesinOregon“Inourstrawberryproduction,theplasticneedstolastayearormore.Wehavenottriedtheheaviermil.biodegradable[plasticmulch]availableinmorerecentyears.WehavebeenabletokeepourfieldscleanerbyremovingPEplasticmulch.Biodegradable[plasticmulch]didn'tbiodegradeaswehadhopedandwecouldn'tremoveit.”

—61-yearoldwith6acresofconventionalstrawberriesinPennsylvania“Ihopesomethingusefulcomesfromthiswithregardtogettingmoreandbettermulchmaterialsavailabletoorganicgrowers.”

—63-yearoldwith4acresofcertifiedorganicstrawberriesinCalifornia“Shiftingfromnomulchtoplasticmulchmeansalsoshiftingfromsprinklerirrigationtodrip[irrigation],whichisanadditionalcostandmanagementconcern.”

—77-yearoldwith1acreofconventionalstrawberriesinNewYork“Alloftheplastictypemulchesseemtobemoreaboutaccommodatingtheprobleminsteadoffixingit.Theyreturnnothingtothesoilandquitepossiblyrepresentanincreasingriskwhencontinuouslyused.Inordertoquitmakingamessyouactuallyhavetostop.”

—63-yearoldwith¾acreofcertifiedorganicstrawberriesinOregon “Weusethetoughestregularembossedblackpoly(1.25to1.50mil.)soitwillpickupeasierafteruse.Wehaveagoodmanysharpstonesandeveryholewillleaveweedgrow.EverytimeIusedbiodegradableitwaseithernottoughorbrokedownearlyornotearlyenough.SoIquitusingthem.Maybethenewonesarebetter!”

—68-yearoldwith2acresofconventionalstrawberriesinPennsylvania“Thecleanupprocessofmulchfilmsisthesetback.Weshouldalsoconsiderweedmaterialsthatcanbereusedinmultiplestrawberryplantings.”

—41-yearoldwith1acreofconventionalstrawberriesinWashingtonState

“Makesurenewplasticmulchistrulycompostablebeforehypingittofarmers!Ifitisbiodegradableinthesenseofotherplasticslabeledbiodegradable,itwillleavesideeffectsinthesoil.Wewillswitchtousingtheseplasticswhentheycanbecompletelycompostedwithnoresidue.”

—53-yearoldwith3acresofcertifiedorganicstrawberriesinOregon

“Ihopetoseesomeusefulinfocomeoutofhere.IwouldliketoknowwhereIcanrecyclePEfilmsfromfieldsandfromgreenhouses.Iwouldliketobeinformedofconclusionsdrawnfromthissurveyandyourresearch.”

—25-yearoldwith½acreofconventionalstrawberriesinNewYork