MIDDLEBORO, Mass. (AP) — Just weeks ahead of Thanksgiving, the vibrant hues of cranberries can be seen floating on the Rocky Meadow bog in southeastern Massachusetts. This picturesque scene showcases the annual cranberry harvest, a delightful precursor to holiday meals.
Farmers prepare for harvest by flooding the bogs, allowing the berries to loosen from their vines. A machine is used to shake the fruits loose, after which more water is added to help the cranberries rise to the surface. Workers, wading waist-deep in water, skillfully guide the floating cranberries toward a pump that transfers them to a waiting truck. The truck then takes the berries to a processing plant where they are cleaned and transformed into various products, such as juice, sauce, and dried snacks.
“This season has been quite successful for us,” stated Steve Ward, a second-generation cranberry grower, as he stood at the edge of his bog. He anticipates producing between 15,000 and 20,000 barrels this year—his best yield in three years. Approximately 80% of his harvest will be sent to Ocean Spray, one of the leading producers of cranberry products in the United States.
The cranberry bogs of Massachusetts form a significant part of the state’s agricultural landscape, with around 300 bogs covering about 14,000 acres. This year, farmers expect to harvest roughly 2.2 million barrels of cranberries, each barrel weighing about 100 pounds (45 kilograms). This represents a 12% increase compared to last year’s output. Massachusetts ranks as the second-largest cranberry producing state in the U.S., following Wisconsin, with the industry dating back to the 1800s.
However, the cranberry industry faces numerous challenges. Farmers have dealt with trade wars, fluctuating prices, and an oversupply of berries. In response, some have sold their bogs or diversified their operations by installing solar panels around their fields. Ward, for instance, has two solar sites near his bogs and is exploring the idea of creating floating solar installations on his water bodies and reservoirs.
Additionally, the changing climate is forcing farmers to adapt their practices. According to the Massachusetts Cranberries group, the hotter temperatures this year could potentially impact yields negatively. “We’ve faced a series of challenges with increased hot weather and experienced one of the longest droughts we’ve ever seen,” added Ward. “There have been more consecutive 90-degree days. The cranberry plants really struggle in such conditions, especially when night temperatures are higher; they thrive in cooler evenings.”
