Stewardship

Stewardship

Cranberries and blueberries are both native to the NJ Pine Barrens. Cranberries are a wetlands plant; therefore planting bogs helps to maintain or many times to increase wetlands acreage inSouth Jersey. Because water supply and management are crucial to modern farming practices, it is typical that cranberry farmers help preserve and maintain open space and natural habitat at a ratio of 7-10 acres for every producing acre of cranberry bog here in the South Jersey Pinelands. Year-round, careful daily maintenance of waterways – reservoirs, canals, ditches, dams, and gates – provides stable habitat for sensitive plant and animal species that cannot withstand periods of flooding or drought. There are many rare and endangered species that rely on the open space and maintenance that the cranberry growers provide at no cost to the general public. Because of the way a cranberry bog is built with layers of sand and peat, cranberry bogs make a wonderful filter, and actually improve water quality.

Here, at Whitesbog, we consult with a local naturalist to provide a resting place for migrating shore birds, as well as good breeding and feeding grounds for other species. We also provide timed mowing to the State Park area to help maintain some rare plant species that otherwise would be outcompeted by other, more vigorous grasses.

Cranberries require comparatively little fertilizer and pesticides. We diligently apply IPM (Integrated Pest Management) practices, meaning that we routinely scout and only make applications by prescription. In addition, we use GPS guidance and specially designed ground sprayers to make those applications, reducing the total amount of material needed, saving us money and making our farming practices environmentally friendly.

Cranberry farmers work very closely with many researchers and generously contribute to research that keeps our farming practices progressive and environmentally responsible.

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