We’re very excited to announce that the first edition of the Cranberry Back to Basics course is now available online.  This project is a new and innovative way of offering outreach publications.  We describe it as a “digital magazine” – each topic includes a short, written description and a link to professionally produced videos featuring cranberry experts and growers.  In the printed version, the video is accessed via a QR code.  In the online version, the video can be accessed by simply clicking on the picture for each topic.

Nine modules are included in the digital magazine:

• In-season production
• Insect management
• Weed management
• Disease management
• Harvest management
• Pesticides and resistance management
• Overwinter management
• New directions in cranberry production
• The importance of genetics in cranberry production

The first edition includes 34 videos.  The original intended audience included those new to the cranberry industry, such as new employees and summer help, that often come from non-agricultural backgrounds and want a short primer on the “how and why” of cranberry production.  Interestingly, in early distribution we’ve also noted a significant additional audience – those not associated with agriculture but want to know more about how cranberries are grown.  This audience includes the general public, those living around cranberry production, public agency personnel, K-12 and higher education students, and buyers and customers of cranberry products.  The videos help emphasize the complex, unique and progressive nature of cranberry production.

One of the benefits of the digital magazine approach is that we can change out and add videos or topic modules as desired.  As such, we’d appreciate your feedback on this first edition as well as your input on additional topics and videos that would be useful to the industry!

This article was posted in Cranberry, Other News and Resources and tagged courses, Cranberries, Jed Colquhoun, resources.