Survey of Sustainability Metrics in the Wisconsin Cranberry Industry

Sustainable agriculture certainly is not a new concept, but the use of the term “sustainable” as a marketing term is relatively new and popular.  As a result, several public and private efforts are underway to quantify sustainability in agriculture.  Regardless of market implications, Wisconsin cranberry growers and associated industries have been working toward reduced economic and environmental risk while playing a critical role in rural communities for many years.  Beginning in late 2009, an industry survey was conducted to document steps taken toward the traditional three pillars of sustainability – economic, environmental and social – in Wisconsin cranberry production, as well as to identify knowledge gaps and set a research agenda for future efforts.  The survey was sent to 251 growers, and responses were received from over 150 marshes representing 13,200 acres of the 17,700 cranberry acres in Wisconsin.  Growers were asked about their practices and marsh structure in 1989, 1999, and 2009.  For several of the parameters, two overall observations held true: growers had made great strides over the last 20 years, and the level of compliance with traditional metrics included in several draft or existing sustainability metrics was very high.  Ninety-eight percent of Wisconsin cranberry marshes are family owned, and about 70% of marsh employees receive health care and retirement benefits.  The average cranberry grower has been in the business for 26 years, and 40% are involved in research efforts on their marsh.  For every acre in cranberry production, the grower owns 6.3 acres of non-cropland that serve as wildlife habitat and conserved wetland resources.  Professional crop scouts are hired by 77% of growers, and each marsh is scouted an average of 14 times per growing season.  Pest thresholds are used to make management decisions by 97% of growers, and 88% use alternatives to pesticides when appropriate to manage pests.  Additionally, 95% of growers use recorded weather data in the pest management decision-making process, an increase of 26% over the last 20 years.  Soil and cranberry tissue testing are used by 88% of growers to determine fertility inputs, if necessary.