Press Release

Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture

Programs to Bolster Massachusetts’ Cranberry Industry Announced

PLYMOUTH, Mass. – Two new programs designed to help cranberry growers weather turbulent economic times were announced today at a Cranberry Symposium at the Sheraton Inn, Plymouth. Due to a surplus, the value of the 1998 Massachusetts cranberry crop was $70 million, about half that of the previous year at nearly $140 million.

The programs will provide growers with short-term conservation plans and workshops on efficiency improvement and financial planning to ensure the future viability of the Commonwealth’s important cranberry industry.

Massachusetts Commissioner of Food and Agriculture Jonathan L. Healy and Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association Executive Director Jeffrey LaFleur made the announcement to growers at the symposium.

"The Cranberry Viability Program is designed to keep cranberry businesses viable during these challenging times," explained Commissioner Healy. "We hope to achieve this by improving production and/or reducing costs and by preserving developable land in Southeastern Massachusetts from unbridled growth."

Commissioner Healy commented that state Environmental Affairs Secretary Bob Durand has strongly supported this effort by making some $2 million available through grants of up to $40,000 per participating farmer. "This program is an extension of our very successful Farm Viability Enhancement Program which is now being emulated in other states," Healy added.

Funds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for applicants that meet the program eligibility criteria. The grant will fund activities that improve efficiencies, economic viability or the financial condition of the business while preserving land from development.

In exchange for the grant, farmers must sign covenants of up to 10 years that will prevent development of the land. All projects must demonstrate that developable land is being protected.

"Our growers must increase the efficiency of their operations and lower costs to remain competitive," LaFleur commented. "These programs will provide the means for Massachusetts’ cranberry farms to remain a strong force in the now global cranberry industry."

The symposium, entitled "Plotting the Future of Your Cranberry Business," kicked-off a winter-long series of business workshops for cranberry growers. The workshops will help growers reduce production costs, increase efficiency and improve financial planning.

"The short-term conservation and workshop programs will be essential to the viability of many Massachusetts cranberry farms and will assist in the continued preservation of more than 60,000 acres of open space," added LaFleur.

Massachusetts is a leading cranberry producer, producing almost 30 percent of the world’s cranberries. Half of North America’s cranberry growers are located in Massachusetts. The Commonwealth’s cranberry crop contributes about 5,500 jobs for Massachusetts workers and more than $200 million in payroll.

The Bay State has 14,400 acres of cranberry bogs with approximately 49,000 acres of supporting wetlands and uplands, which provide open space, wildlife habitat and ground water recharge.

The symposium was sponsored by the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association, the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture, the University of Massachusetts, First Pioneer Farm Credit, and the Southeast Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership.

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