FAQs

Cranberries in Massachusetts
The following are some of the frequently asked questions regarding cranberry bogs in Massachusetts and information for living near a cranberry bog.

How does the cranberry wetland system function?
Cranberry agriculture is compatible with wetlands preservation. The cranberry is a native wetland plant. Cranberry wetland systems are made up of producing bogs, ditches, dikes, reservoirs, ponds and uplands, preserving 63,500 acres of open space in the Commonwealth. Just like natural wetlands, the cranberry wetland system recharges the aquifer; provides flood control and storm-water drainage; protects and preserves habitats for plants and animals; and filters the ground water.

Why do you use helicopters?
Growers use helicopters to reduce the damage caused by driving equipment of the bog. Most helicopter use consists of lifting ditch mud, make crop inspections, applying fertilizer and lifting dry-picked berries. Some pesticides, especially herbicides amy also be applied with helicopters. Pesticides and fertilizers are applied early in the morning by helicopter when the air is calm.

How is water used in cranberry production?
Growers use water for several reasons: irrigation, frost protection, water harvesting, pest control and winter flood. The water used in cranberry production is virtually non-consumptive. Water is recycled from section to section and often from grower to grower. Innovative water conservation systems such as water recovery systems and low volume sprinklers reduce water usage. Water use on bogs over 4.66 acres ("old style" bogs) or 9.33 acres ("new style" bogs) is registered with the Department of Environmental Protection, Water Management Act Program. The style of bog is determined by DEP but it roughly translates to "old style" being the typical traditional, irregularly shaped, uneven bogs commonly found in Massachusetts. "New style" bog refers to modern bogs that are uniform shaped, generally rectangular and level.

Why are those flags of the bogs?
Those colorful flags mark many things on a cranberry bog. Some mark the edges of ditches or the center line of a bog, to help guide the wet harvesting machines in the fall. Others may mark sprinkler head locations, problem spots, large boulders, or research plots.

What about pesticides?
Pesticides are an important part of a typical management plan used in all commercial agriculture including cranberries. In order to minimize pest damage, cultural controls, as well as biological and chemical controls, are used. Growers weigh the environmental and economic impacts of all control options that are available in order to make the best choice for managing a specific pest. This is called Integrated Pest Management or IPM. Growers use pesticides only when necessary and when they do, they must be used in accordance with the label directions.

Who regulates pesticide usage?
All pesticides must be tested and registered for each specific crop use with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Anyone who uses pesticides must be licensed or certified by the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture, Pesticide Bureau. Certified and licensed applicators also must complete yearly training requirements in order to maintain their license of certification.

Cranberries ~ FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Cranberries in Massachusetts The following are some of the frequently asked questions regarding cranberry bogs in Massachusetts and information for living near a cranberry bog. How does the cranberry wetland system function? Cranberry agriculture is compatible with wetlands preservation. The cranberry is a native wetland plant. Cranberry wetland systems are made up of producing bogs, ditches, dikes, reservoirs, ponds and uplands, preserving 63,500 acres of open space in the Commonwealth. Just like natural wetlands, the cranberry wetland system recharges the aquifer; provides flood control and storm-water drainage; protects and preserves habitats for plants and animals; and filters the ground water. Why do you use helicopters? Growers use helicopters to reduce the damage caused by driving equipment of the bog. Most helicopter use consists of lifting ditch mud, make crop inspections, applying fertilizer and lifting dry-picked berries. Some pesticides, especially herbicides amy also be applied with helicopters. Pesticides and fertilizers are applied early in the morning by helicopter when the air is calm. How is water used in cranberry production? Growers use water for several reasons: irrigation, frost protection, water harvesting, pest control and winter flood. The water used in cranberry production is virtually non-consumptive. Water is recycled from section to section and often from grower to grower. Innovative water conservation systems such as water recovery systems and low volume sprinklers reduce water usage. Water use on bogs over 4.66 acres ("old style" bogs) or 9.33 acres ("new style" bogs) is registered with the Department of Environmental Protection, Water Management Act Program. The style of bog is determined by DEP but it roughly translates to "old style" being the typical traditional, irregularly shaped, uneven bogs commonly found in Massachusetts. "New style" bog refers to modern bogs that are uniform shaped, generally rectangular and level. Why are those flags of the bogs? Those colorful flags mark many things on a cranberry bog. Some mark the edges of ditches or the center line of a bog, to help guide the wet harvesting machines in the fall. Others may mark sprinkler head locations, problem spots, large boulders, or research plots. What about pesticides? Pesticides are an important part of a typical management plan used in all commercial agriculture including cranberries. In order to minimize pest damage, cultural controls, as well as biological and chemical controls, are used. Growers weigh the environmental and economic impacts of all control options that are available in order to make the best choice for managing a specific pest. This is called Integrated Pest Management or IPM. Growers use pesticides only when necessary and when they do, they must be used in accordance with the label directions. Who regulates pesticide usage? All pesticides must be tested and registered for each specific crop use with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Anyone who uses pesticides must be licensed or certified by the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture, Pesticide Bureau. Certified and licensed applicators also must complete yearly training requirements in order to maintain their license of certification.	Financial support for this project was provided in part through the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture's Agriculture Specialty Crop Funds.

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