2014 National Sustainable Strawberry Initiative Project Leader Meeting

1. National Sustainable Strawberry Initiative Project Meeting
The Chancellor Hotel, Fayetteville, Arkansas
May 21 & 22, 2014
Leonard Githinji, Ph.D.
Extension Horticulture Specialist
School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences
University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
Establishing and expanding Sustainable Strawberry
Production in Eastern Arkansas and Surrounding Areas

2. To increase the production season and regional
diversity of US strawberry production
Project Priority Area:

3. Project Objectives:
 Increase the season for strawberry production using high
tunnels, low tunnels, and plastic mulches;
 Reduce the chemical inputs by utilizing sustainable soil
fertility management practices- Cover crops and Compost;
 Control soil pests and diseases using solarization and
anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD);
 Conserve water resources using drip irrigation system; and
 Reduce the risk of human pathogens on fresh berries.

4. Project Objectives:
 Increase the season for strawberry production using high
tunnels, low tunnels, and plastic mulches;
 Reduce the chemical inputs by utilizing sustainable soil
fertility management practices- Cover crops and Compost;
 Control soil pests and diseases using solarization and
anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD);
 Conserve water resources using drip irrigation system; and
 Reduce the risk of human pathogens on fresh berries.

5. Project Objectives:
 Increase the season for strawberry production using high
tunnels, low tunnels, and plastic mulches;
 Reduce the chemical inputs by utilizing sustainable soil
fertility management practices- Cover crops and Compost;;
 Control soil pests and diseases using solarization and
anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD);
 Conserve water resources using drip irrigation system; and
 Reduce the risk of human pathogens on fresh berries.

6. Project Objectives:
 Increase the season for strawberry production using high
tunnels, low tunnels, and plastic mulches;
 Reduce the chemical inputs by utilizing sustainable soil
fertility management practices- Cover crops and Compost;;
 Control soil pests and diseases using solarization and
anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD);
 Conserve water resources using drip irrigation system; and
 Reduce the risk of human pathogens on fresh berries.

7. Project Objectives:
 Increase the season for strawberry production using high
tunnels, low tunnels, and plastic mulches;
 Reduce the chemical inputs by utilizing sustainable soil
fertility management practices- Cover crops and Compost;;
 Control soil pests and diseases using solarization and
anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD);
 Conserve water resources using drip irrigation system; and
 Reduce the risk of human pathogens on fresh strawberries
through GAP/GHP training.

8. Project Activities:
Preparation of demonstration sites for hands-on training
 Three demonstrations sites were prepared for hands-on
training at:
 The UAPB’s research farm (Jefferson County);
 The UAPB’s Lonoke Farm (Lonoke County);
 UAPB’s Agriculture Demonstration and Outreach
Center (ADOC) facility in Marianna (Lee County).

9. High Tunnel Demonstration site at UAPB

10. High Tunnel Demonstration site at UAPB

11. High Tunnel Demonstration site at UAPB

12. High Tunnel Demonstration site at UAPB

13. High Tunnel Demonstration site at UAPB

14. High Tunnel Demonstration site at UAPB

15. High Tunnel Demonstration site at UAPB

16. High Tunnel Demonstration site at ADOC

17. High Tunnel Demonstration site at ADOC

18. Low Tunnel Demonstration site at UAPB

19. Low Tunnel Demonstration site at UAPB

20. 0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
Chandler C. Real Camarosa Chandler C. Real Camarosa
No LT No LT No LT LT LT LT
Weigh(g)
Strawberry Production
18-Apr 24-Apr
2-May 8-May
16-May
Low Tunnel Demonstration site at UAPB

21. Low Tunnel Demonstration site at UAPB

22. Demonstration Site on Soil treatment
Demonstration Site for Soil treatment

23. Demonstration Site for Soil treatment

24. Demonstration Site for Soil treatment

25. Experimental Layout
Field C1 Field D1 Field E1 Field F1
Solarization
Solarization
+
ASD
Control ASD
Field C2 Field D2 Field E2 Field F2
Solarization
+
ASD
ASD Solarization Control
Field C3 Field D3 Field E3 Field F3
Control
Solarization
+
ASD
ASD Solarization
Demonstration Site for Soil treatment

26. Demonstration Site for Soil treatment
ASD SOL + ASD SOL CONTROL

27. Results of the soil treatment
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
Control Clear plastic ASD + clear
plastic
ASD + black
plastic
Weedsdrymass(g)
Soil Treatment
Weeds Dry Mass

28. Project Activities:
Educational Workshops
 Strawberry Production Workshop for Master Gardeners in Jefferson
County (08/30/2013).
 Sustainable Strawberry Production Workshop in Jefferson County
(12/18/2013)
 Season Extension and Soil Management for Strawberry Production
during the 58th Annual Rural Life Conference (02/28/2014).
 Sustainable Strawberry Production Workshop at Jefferson County
(04/15/2014).
 Sustainable Strawberry Production Workshop, at UAPB’s ADOC
facility in Marianna, Lee County (04/23, 2014).

29. Sustainable Strawberry Workshop at UAPB
(December 18, 2013)
Educational Workshops

30. Educational Workshops
Sustainable Strawberry Workshop at UAPB
(April 15, 2014)

31. Educational Workshops
Sustainable Strawberry Production at ADOC in Marianna
(April 22, 2014).

32. Project Activities:
Demonstrations and Hands-on Exercises
 A hands-on training session part I on sustainable strawberry
production practices (12/18/2013);
 A hands-on training session part II on sustainable strawberry
production practices, (04/15/2014);
 A hands-on training session part III on sustainable
strawberry production practices (04/22/2014).

33. Demonstrations and Hands-on Exercises
A hands-on training session low tunnel production
(12/18/2013)

34. Demonstrations and Hands-on Exercises
A hands-on demonstration on high tunnel production
(04/15/2014)

35. Demonstrations and Hands-on Exercises
A hands-on session on laying out the plastic mulch and drip tape
(04/22/2014)

36. Demonstrations and Hands-on Exercises
A hands-on training session on sustainable
strawberry production practices
(04/22/2014)

37.  Increase in awareness and knowledge gain by participants
following the training program.
 Growers learned the various sustainable strawberry
production techniques including: season extension, soil
management, pest management, and water conservation.
 Over 100 individuals have been trained period through
workshops, demonstrations and hands-on exercises.
Project Outcomes

38.  Five new strawberry growers were reported during the
project period. These growers adopted sustainable practices
including use of high tunnels to grow strawberries.
 There was an increase in strawberry acreage as a result of
new growers coming into production.
 We anticipate that the long-term outcome will be increased
strawberry production, reduced chemical input, and
increased produce sales, leading to enhanced economic and
environmental sustainability.
Project Outcomes

39. Thank you for listening
Leonard Githinji, Ph.D.
Extension Horticulture Specialist
School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences
University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
870-575-7224 (Office)
githinjil@uapb.edu