Of all the fruits farmed in the United States, only a few are native to this land. Cranberries are one of them. Native Americans used them for both food and medicine and recognized their anti-inflammatory properties. They even spread it on their arrow wounds.
Today, we know that the humble cranberry outranks almost every other fruit and vegetable for disease-fighting antioxidants. During Thanksgiving, one-fifth of America’s total harvest is consumed, most of which is cranberry sauce.
Only five percent of the nation’s crop is sold as whole fresh cranberries, while the rest is used to make dried sweetened cranberries, juice, and sauce.
Cranberries don’t grow under water, as is commonly believed. They grow in sandy soil, and take 16 months to mature. The oldest vines are over 65 years old. Twice a year, farmers flood the bogs where they grow to protect the vines from winter frost and to facilitate the harvest. During the spring, the bogs are drained and the pink flowers bloom. Commercial bees are often hired to pollinate the fields and by mid-June, the fruit begins to grow, turning white around August and finally, red in the fall.
The inside of cranberries are white and crisp like an apple and they contain four air chambers, allowing them to float. This is useful during the October Harvest when a harvester drives through to knock the berries off the vines and farmers wade into the bog to corral the floating berries. Nearly all cranberry farmers in New Jersey belong to the Ocean Spray Cooperative, which grows over 60% of the world’s cranberries. These berries are frozen and processed into craisins and cranberry juice. Many cranberry products have added sugar to make them sweet.
Water is a precious resource for cranberry farmers. This 2,000-acre farm only uses 130 acres to grow cranberries, with the rest dedicated to reservoirs and watersheds. The primary source of water is the nearby river, which is borrowed during the growing season and returned when the farmers are done with it. In this way, they are protecting the resource for future generations.
In southern New Jersey, one of America’s top three cranberry states, cranberries are grown in the Pine Barrens. Many of the same families have been farming cranberries since the mid-1800s.
During Thanksgiving, you can find fresh or frozen cranberries in the supermarket and easily turn them into delicious cranberry sauce.
Using the information from the article, create an infographic that highlights the key points about cranberries. This could include their health benefits, how they’re farmed, and their importance to Thanksgiving. Use a digital tool like Canva or Piktochart to make your infographic.
Imagine you are a cranberry farmer in Southern New Jersey. Write a short story about a typical day during the cranberry harvest. Be sure to include details from the article about the harvesting process.
Research more about the history of cranberry farming in the United States. Prepare a short presentation to share your findings with the class. Be sure to include visuals and interesting facts.
With the help of an adult, conduct an experiment to observe the properties of cranberries. You could test their buoyancy, or try making your own cranberry sauce. Document your process and results.
Based on what you learned about water conservation in cranberry farming, design a water conservation plan for a hypothetical farm. Consider factors like the source of water, how it’s used, and how it’s returned to the environment.
cranberries – a red tart fruit that grows in bogs – I love the taste of cranberries in my Thanksgiving stuffing.
native Americans – the indigenous people of North America – Many Native Americans were forced to leave their ancestral lands due to colonization.
antioxidants – compounds that protect cells against damage caused by free radicals – Blueberries and cranberries are high in antioxidants.
harvest – the process of gathering crops – The cranberry harvest takes place in the fall.
processing – the act of preparing or treating a substance in order to use or preserve it – After harvesting, the cranberries are sorted before processing into juice or craisins.
Ocean Spray Cooperative – a cooperative that produces and markets cranberry products – Ocean Spray Cooperative is one of the leading cranberry producers in the world.
craisins – dried cranberries – I love to snack on craisins when I’m hiking.
water conservation – the practice of using water efficiently and reducing waste – Cranberry farmers in southern New Jersey have implemented water conservation techniques to protect the delicate ecosystem of the Pine Barrens.
southern New Jersey – a region in the southern part of the state of New Jersey – Southern New Jersey is known for its cranberry bogs and Pine Barrens.
Pine Barrens – a forested area of coastal plain stretching across southern New Jersey – The Pine Barrens are home to unique plant and animal species.
Thanksgiving – a national holiday in the United States celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November – Cranberry sauce is a traditional side dish served at Thanksgiving dinner.
disease fighting – having properties that help prevent or cure illnesses – Cranberries are high in antioxidants and other compounds that have disease fighting properties.
