“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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