Best Management Practices - Guides

Introduction to the Revised Guide

This document is available for download as a pdf here.

Cranberries are grown on approximately 14,000 acres in Massachusetts and are an important horticultural commodity in the Southeastern region of the state. In addition, more than 60,000 acres of open space are associated with cranberry operations. This open space provides habitat to many plant and animal species as well as providing an aesthetic value. Open space associated with cranberry farms serves to protect and recharge watersheds. Cranberry farming also contributes to the economy and quality of life in Southeastern Massachusetts.

In order to preserve the positive benefits of cranberry farming in Massachusetts, it is necessary that cranberry growers be equipped to produce cranberries profitably and in concert with the environment. The melding of economic, environmental, and social interests in farming has been termed ‘sustainable’ farming. In such a system, the quality of life of the farmer and the community, the profitability of farming, and the preservation of the quality of natural resources and the environment are all taken into consideration. Such a system requires that farming with expert knowledge in some part replaces the indiscriminate use of agrochemical and non-renewable resources.

The University of Massachusetts Cranberry Experiment Station has the mission of providing research and education programs to add to the expert knowledge base for cranberry growers. In order to fulfill that mission, we produced, in 1996, a basic guide for growing cranberries within modern environmental and social constraints. At about that same time, the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association, working with the Conservation Districts and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, began working on standards for cranberry farming that could be used in the formulation of Farm Plans. Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. was beginning the process of providing Best Management Practices Guidelines to its growers. All of these groups were brought together to formulate a unified project that was funded by the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture Agro-Environmental Technology Program. The Best Management Practices Guide for Massachusetts Cranberry Production was the result of this process.

In 1999, these same stakeholders came together to revise and expand the BMP Guide, again with financial support from the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture Agro-Environmental Technology Program and the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association. Key features of the revised and expanded BMP Guide include expanded information regarding water use and protection and the handling and use of pesticides. This information will be critical to help growers and officials comply with requirements of State and Federal laws and regulations, especially the requirements of the Clean Water Act.

This revised Guide has been designed primarily as a reference resource for cranberry growers. The intent is to provide information that will help growers to farm profitably and in harmony with their neighbors and the surrounding environment. It will serve as a companion to the Cranberry Chart Book - Management Guide for Massachusetts, published by Cranberry Experiment Station (UMass Extension). The revised Guide has been set up as a series of 24 ‘stand-alone’ practices (15 new or revised). This facilitates the periodic revision of individual practices as necessary and allows for the addition of more practices over time.

Each section of the Guide begins with a description of the part of cranberry production addressed in that BMP. This information is for the benefit of newer growers and to serve as a point of reference for others (Conservation Commissions, regulators, Environmental groups) who might receive these materials. Following the introductory section is a series of Recommended Practices designed to maximize productivity while preserving the environment. Of course, not all growers will be able to implement every Recommended Practice due to financial and site constraints, but having such a list in-hand should prove valuable as cranberry farmers strive to maintain profitable and environmentally compatible operations. Each BMP ends with a list of reference materials that growers can consult for further information. All of these materials will be available in the library at the Cranberry Experiment Station.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The production of this revised Guide was funded by the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture Agro-Environmental Technology Grant Program. Matching funds were provided by the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association and University of Massachusetts Extension. The Guide was written by Carolyn DeMoranville (project leader) and Hilary Sandler of the UMass Cranberry Experiment Station. Tom Bicki of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. contributed to the original BMPs. Bruce Lampinen, of the UMass Cranberry Experiment Station, co-authored the Irrigation Management BMP. Steve Ward, Cranberry Growers Service, co-authored the Chemigation BMP. David Nolte, Decas Cranberry Co., co-authored the Managing Animal Damage BMP.

Many individuals contributed information to the project and reviewed the Guide. The authors wish to extend appreciation to all who contributed to its production.

University of Massachusetts
in particular:
Anne Averill, Entomology
Frank Caruso, Cranberry Station
Bruce Lampinen, Cranberry Station
Joanne Mason, Cranberry Station
Dan Shumaker, Cranberry Station

NRCS, Wareham Office
in particular:
Peter Bonome
Len Reno

Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association
Environmental Committee and its
Chemigation Working Group
in particular:
Betty Brown
Dan Daly
Jack Heywood
Jeff LaFleur
David Nolte
Matthew Pitts
Linda Rinta
Chris Severance
Steve Ward

The Cranberry Institute
in particular:
Gary Deziel

Meredith Albright
Freelance scientific illustrator,
Bellingham, MA

The 2000 edition of Best Management Practices Guide for Massachusetts Cranberry Production is provided to Massachusetts cranberry growers and other interested State residents free of charge due to the generous support of the organizations listed below. Interested parties from States other than Massachusetts may purchase the Guide for $10.00 plus postage.
To obtain a copy of the Guide contact:
University of Massachusetts
Cranberry Experiment Station
P. O. Box 569
East Wareham, MA 02538
Phone (508) 295-2212, ext. 10
FAX (508) 295-6387
http://www.umass.edu/cranberry

Prepared by Carolyn DeMoranville (Project Leader), Hilary Sandler, and Steve Ward. Figures provided by Jack Heywood, Stearns Irrigation. Production of this Management Guide was supported by Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture as part of the Agro-Environmental Technology Grants Program. Matching funds were provided by University of Massachusetts Extension (USDA Cooperating) and Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association. UMass Extension offers equal opportunity in programs and employment.
Artwork by Meredith Albright, freelance scientific illustrator, Bellingham, MA. 2000