This poster is an overview of the accomplishments and outputs of the NSSI in Phases I and II, as presented at the 2016 North American Strawberry Growers Association Meeting in Savannah, GA.

1. Accomplishments of the National Strawberry Sustainability Initiative
Phases I and II
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability launched the National
Strawberry Sustainability Initiative (NSSI) in February 2013 with a grant
from the Walmart Foundation to improve the sustainability of the US
strawberry industry.
The NSSI has awarded 26 grants to land-grant and public universities in 13
states throughout the US totaling over $4M.
1) Increase local strawberry production and availability within the U.S.
2) Reduce chemical and energy inputs
3) Conserve and preserve water resources
4) Improve soil quality and health
5) Reduce food safety risk of fresh berries
6) Reduce crop losses and spoilage
7) Improve yield and economic return to producers
8) Develop appropriate metrics for strawberry production sustainability.
Projects had a 12 month timeline and were required to work with
producers and members of the strawberry industry.
Phase I of the NSSI closed in June 2014 with significant outputs and
impacts made by the 20 projects to sustainability priority areas.
Accomplishments are highlighted in the e-book “Moving the Needle:
Accomplishments of the National Strawberry Sustainability Initiative
2013-2014.”
• Creating an e-learning tool, an
online diagnostic tool, and an
interactive budget tool
• Patenting two Rutgers developed
cultivars
• The expansion of strawberry
production areas and season
extension in Texas, Kansas,
Arkansas and Nebraska
• Over 60 project and production
videos on the NSSI YouTube
channel.
• Website: strawberry.uark.edu
• Blog: wordpress.uark.edu/sberries
• Facebook: facebook.com/StrawberrySustainabilityInitiative
• YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC55G_p_ZM58goZtu_OYEtA
• Twitter: twitter.com/s_berries
• SlideShare: slideshare.net/sberries
• Smugmug Photo Site: nssi.smugmug.com
An advanced strawberry selection developed by Rutgers New Jersey
Agricultural Experiment Station. Photo by Peter Nitzsche, 2014.
Bill Hlubik, Agricultural Agent with Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County, examines advanced strawberry selections growing in a
variety trial at Nourse Farms, Inc. in Whately, MA. Photo by Peter Nitzsche, 2014.
NSSI Phase I E-Book available at strawberry.uark.edu/nssiweb.pdf
Project leaders in Fayetteville during the NSSI Project Meeting in May, 2014. Photo by Luke Freeman, 2014.
Barclay Poling of NC State discusses strawberry production at the Mississippi Strawberry Short Course in
Choctaw, Miss. Photo by Luke Freeman, 2014.
High tunnel strawberry research plots in Citra, Fla. Photo by Zack Black, 2014.
Participants of the Growers' Assessment Event in Citra, Fla. write down observations of strawberry cultivars. Photo
by Javier López, 2014.
Phase II focused on moving technology from demonstration to practice in
conjunction with more than 30 strawberry growers across the US. Projects
concluded in June 2015 with accomplishments highlighted in the e-book
“Success in the Field: Accomplishments of the National Strawberry
Sustainability Initiative 2014-2015.”
• Expanded testing of new and
potential strawberry cultivars for the
mid-Atlantic region
• Addressing grower-specific needs for
organic production in FL
• Research continued in high tunnel
and greenhouse production systems
• Implementation of sustainable soil
management practices
• Field-testing of remote sensing for
frost protection and irrigation
managementNSSI Phase II E-Book available at strawberry.uark.edu/NSSIphase2.pdf
We have leveraged the networks and expertise developed through the
NSSI program to submit an SCRI planning grant proposal, “Planning to
Increase the Productivity and Competitiveness of Sustainable Strawberry
Systems.”
The goal of the planning grant is
to utilize our network of
strawberry scientists, extension
workers, growers, and industry
representatives to develop a
strategic plan to address the
critical needs for research,
outreach, and education to
expand strawberry production
with sustainable technologies
and practices. Visit wordpress.uark.edu/sberries/scri for more info.