“One of Oregon’s oldest and best loved agricultural crops”

 The strawberry was once only purchased by the upper class  They were expensive at market  Unaffordable to many people  However, as popularity and quantity grew, they became more affordable to working laborers and the lower class  The strawberry trade became one of the most important features at the produce market

 Strawberry plants are easily adjustable to different types of soil  A crop is present in a little over a year after planting  The plants will keep blooming and producing fruit during the harvest season  It provides jobs to a large number of people  Including growers, carriers, retail sellers, etc.

 Harvest usually begins in early June and lasts for two to three weeks Each plant is picked two to three times a week Picked at the peak of ripeness Don’t ripen anymore once picked  All strawberries are picked, sorted, and packed into boxes by hand in the field  Strawberries are then taken to a cooling facility  Field heat is sucked from the strawberry using large fans in cold rooms Bring fruit temperature to 34 degrees Fahrenheit Temperature sensors are placed inside the pallets of fruit to monitor cooling process  Within 24 hrs of harvest they are loaded onto a refrigerated truck  And delivered to stores and buyers across the country

 Growers ensure that the crop site is safe from potential problems  Such as contaminated soil  Take steps to sustain cleanliness of the crop site through ground preparation  Fumigating the soil and covering planting bed with solid plastic  Harvest season is the most demanding in terms of food safety  Follow guidelines about irrigation, water quality, pesticide use, etc.

 Some are sold as fresh market berries › Most are processed into sliced and whole frozen berries  Others are used for puree/concentrate and then added to: › Jams, jellies, syrups  Still others are used in ice cream, yogurt, beverages, and baked goods

 Oregon’s List of Agricultural Products: Strawberries are ranked 23 in Oregon  In terms of Oregon’s percentage grown: Strawberries are ranked 32 in the nation Oregon produces 2% of the nations strawberries  Revenue for strawberries totals $16,768,000 yearly in Oregon

Growing Regions  Strawberries are grown in cool, marine climates west of the Cascade Mountains  Most strawberries grown in Oregon are from the northern Willamette Valley  The strawberry growing area extends north from Oregon through Washington to the Fraser Valley in British Columbia  Don’t forge

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