2014 National Sustainable Strawberry Initiative Project Leader Meeting

1. Revitalizing Strawberry Production in
Arkansas and the Surrounding Region via
Extended Season Production Systems
M. Elena Garcia, Professor- Extension Fruit and Nut
Specialist

2. Justification
• The strawberry industry arose in Arkansas
in the late nineteenth and early twentieth
centuries
• Climatic conditions in the state were
considered favorable for growing and
marketing a high quality berry

3. Arkansas Production
Statistics
• 1926- 15,000 acres
• 1970- 1,500 acres
• 1979 - 400 acres
• 2012 - <200 acres

4. Arkansas Production Today
• 90% of the strawberries grown in Arkansas are
sold in local markets
• Farmers’ Markets and demand for locally
produced and higher quality produce has
created lucrative opportunities for growers of this
highly sought after berry

5. Strawberry production in AR
• Currently in Arkansas the fresh strawberry
market extends from April to May
• There is market potential for fresh, locally
grown strawberries throughout the year.
• Off-season production would be a unique
and specialized item for holiday
consumption, and could bring high returns
to the grower

6. Program Objective (Initiated
in 2010)
• To determine feasibility for off-season
strawberry production under a high tunnel
plasticulture system
– To determine cultivars best suited to the local
environment in a high tunnel plasticulture
system
– To determine effect of biofumigation
– To determine nitrogen fertilizer needs and their
effect on arthropods

7. Revitalizing Strawberry Production in Arkansas and the
Surrounding Region via
Extended Season Production Systems
UA Strawberry Working Group
• Dr. D. Johnson (Entomology)
– Barbara Lewis
• Dr. Rodriguez (Ag. Econ. & Agribusiness)
• Dr. K. Gibson (Food Sci.)
• Dr. M. Evans (Horticulture)
• Dr. E. Garcia (Horticulture)
– David Dickey
– Susan Frey
– Megan McGovern
– Taunya Ernst- Fruit Research Station
Artist:
Passmore, Deborah Griscom, 1840-1911

8. Objectives:
• Obj. 1: Expand and extend strawberry production in
Arkansas and the surrounding region through
demonstration of: 1) modern cultivar performance, 2)
alternative production systems, and 3) innovative
production methods (Garcia)
• Obj. 2: Demonstrate integration of pest management by
utilizing predatory species, exclusion netting, and other
best management practices to increase the economic and
environmental sustainability of strawberry production
systems (Johnson)

9. • Obj. 3: Evaluate and compare the economic
sustainability of the various production systems
(Rodriguez)
• Obj. 4: Assess food safety risk perceptions among
strawberry producers and design a food safety
workshop with outreach and educational materials
specific to the strawberry industry (Gibson)
• Obj. 5: Create professional quality videos that
document and demonstrate performance of the
various production systems and practices (Evans)

10. Demonstration Projects
Projects (HT, low tunnels,
field)
• Nutrition
• Color mulches
• Mite study
• Bed height
• Organic (cultivars)
• Interactive budgets

11. Dormant Spring Strawberries under row cover (January 2014)
High Tunnel Producing Winter Strawberries (January 2014)
Freeze damage
Tubes of
water =
heat sink

12. Jan. 29
Jan. 13
Damage
crown
Damage
crown
Covered with straw blanket

14. Inside HT under covers - Mid-
Feb 2014
Outside under covers – Mid-Feb
2014

15. Workshops and Trainings
• Organic strawberry production
– Clarksville
– Master Gardener and beginner farmers
• HT production and field day- April 16
– Fayetteville
– Ext agents, farmers, NRCS personnel
• In-Depth School- May 5 and 6
– Fayetteville
– Farmers, agents, NRCS

16. Outreach Activities:
• Not as well attended as expected
• Advertised to attract “serious” potential
and active growers and Extension agents
• “High” evaluations

17. Impact
• We have provided growers information on
alternative strawberry production systems
HT, LT, and HT-movable, organic ,
advantages and disadvantages of these
systems compared with field production
• Educational activities well received
– Attendees have learned the basics of
strawberry production
– Decrease the risks associated with strawberry
production

18. Questions?
This project is funded by a grant from the Walmart Foundation and
administered by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability.”