ASHS 2015 Annual Conference

The National Strawberry Sustainability Initiative (NSSI) is a public-private partnership between the Walmart Foundation and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability. This grants program encourages innovation and outreach programs at public and land grant universities to support the U.S. strawberry production system. The goal of the NSSI is to improve sustainability of the system from production throughout the supply chain to consumers. Phase I of the program emphasized moving science and innovative technology from the laboratory to the field. The current Phase II of the program emphasizes extending technology from demonstration to practice in partnership with growers and other private sector participants throughout the supply chain. In 2014, six projects were funded through universities collaborating with more than 30 growers. Projects included the expanded testing of new and potential strawberry cultivars, addressing grower-specific needs for organic production, expanding marketing for locally and regionally produced berries, production of berries in protected systems, sustainable soil management, and remote sensing of irrigation needs for frost protection and water management. Accomplishments of the NSSI will be highlighted and the opportunities for public-private partnerships will be presented.