A Photo Op Bog Slog!

The state has officially proclaimed October as “Massachusetts Cranberry Month,’ honoring the state’s official berry and the many multi-generational farming families that grow it. To mark the occasion and the beginning of the annual harvest, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle gathered Thursday  with state and local officials and industry advocates from Massachusetts Cranberries at Makepeace Farms to showcase regional growers and urge residents and visitors alike to choose Massachusetts grown cranberry products this fall.

Massachusetts is home to the nation’s oldest continuous cranberry cultivation. Concentrated in Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands, the state boasts roughly 11,500 acres of commercial bogs. Cranberries remain the state’s top agricultural food commodity crop, supporting over 6,400 jobs and driving more than $1.7 billion in economic impact. Cranberry farming also delivers significant ecological value, as growers protect more than 60,000 acres of undeveloped open space.  The shalow ponds of the DelCarte Conservation area in Franklin were once used as cranberry bogs.

“Cranberries are at the heart of Massachusetts’ environmental and agricultural identity,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Year after year, our cranberry farmers lead the way in in climate-smart agriculture, combining tradition with innovative techniques and responsible stewardship. We remain committed to supporting our agricultural producers with the tools they need to protect natural resources and sustain their operations for future generations of growers.”

“Cranberries are an unmistakable symbol of Massachusetts agriculture, and this month is an opportunity to celebrate the dedication of our growers who work hard year-round to bring us these iconic berries,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “Our farmers are out in bogs in every season in every kind of weather so families can enjoy this nutrient-packed fruit in traditional holiday recipes or in everyday meals, snacks, and drinks throughout the year. Through targeted grant investments and strong industry partnerships, we’ll ensure our cranberry growing sector remains viable and sustainable for the foreseeable future.”

Since 2020, MDAR has directed more than $9 million to support 157 projects through the department’s Cranberry Bog Renovation Enhancement Grant Program - a key agricultural initiative that would receive crucial funding under the proposed Mass Ready Act. This funding has modernized 533 acres of cranberry bogs and invested in improved irrigation and water management, specialized production and harvest equipment, automation. The program’s investments help growers increase productivity and efficiency, improve environmental performance, reduce operating costs, and support the long-term viability of the state’s cranberry industry.

In collaboration with commodity groups including Massachusetts Cranberries and research partners at the UMass Cranberry Station in Wareham, MDAR continues to champion best practices in water conservation, soil health, and sustainable growing techniques so that cranberry production in Massachusetts remains a resilient pillar of Massachusetts farming.

“Massachusetts cranberry growers are proud to carry forward more than 200 years of agricultural tradition while continually evolving how they farm for the future,” said Massachusetts Cranberries Executive Director Brian Wick.