2017 ASHS Annual Conference

A national strawberry needs assessment was launched as part of a USDA Specialty Crop planning grant to collaborators in the multi-institutional National Strawberry Sustainability Initiative, based at the University of Arkansas. A survey of strawberry growers, managers, nurserymen, extension educators and consultants, and others in the production system was conducted to identify barriers to sustainability of the U.S. strawberry production systems. Surveys were delivered online and in paper, and promoted across the country at strawberry grower association meetings, professional conferences, newsletters and through email lists. The primary objective of the survey was to identify actionable research and outreach/educational needs of producers to enhance sustainable strawberry production. A series of questions were asked focusing on limitations or barriers to sustainable production, specific information needs, and preferred information/knowledge delivery modes. The survey was available from 1 Dec. 2016 to 28 Feb. 2017. The survey had 181 completed responses with 362 attempts and incomplete responses. A comparison of the demographics of respondents completing the surveys and those with incomplete attempts did not reveal substantive differences. The majority of completed surveys were farm owners/managers with 30% of respondents being extension specialists or consultants. Over half were aged 45-65, the sample was predominantly white and male and respondents came from 32 different states. Seventy-seven percent of the respondents have a bachelor’s degree or higher and nearly half (48%) had been farming for 15 years or more. Forty-one percent of respondents have been producing strawberries for 5 or less years. Preliminary survey data analyses yielded several important insights. Pests, labor, weather, and alternatives to fumigation were the highest ranked limitations to sustainability. Unexpectedly, no difference occurred in the top-ranked limitations or challenges to sustainable strawberry production among differentiating demographics such as production system, markets, farm acreage or years of production. Issues associated with soil nutrition and fertilizer, nutrient need diagnosis, and lack of knowledge, were a concern. Top knowledge and information needs included soil health and management, alternative production systems, production practices and nutrient management. Diagnostic tools, predictive models and remote sensing were identified as missing and needed technologies. Preferred modalities of information delivery were online but workshops or conferences were of equal interest, followed by extension agents and peer farmers. The poster will include details of these and additional results along with prioritized recommendations.