Farm Progress

A $158,391grant from the National Strawberry Sustainability Initiative, funded by the Walmart Foundation and administered by the University of Arkansas Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability, spurs Texas A&M AgriLife research.

December 3, 2013

1 Min Read
<p>Strawberries, grown under a high tunnel, can be productive well after a frost on the Texas High Plains near Lubbock.</p>

Most everybody loves strawberries, but with less than 150 acres of commercial production recorded in Texas, few have ever enjoyed a Texas-grown variety.

Now, thanks to a $158,391grant awarded last May, from the National Strawberry Sustainability Initiative, which was funded by the Walmart Foundation and administered by the University of Arkansas Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability, Texas A&M AgriLife personnel are on the fast-track to change that.

Dr. Russ Wallace, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service vegetable specialist at Lubbock, heads the Texas Strawberry Project Team, whose goal is to make strawberries a mainstream Texas produced delicacy.

He said horticulturists with AgriLife Extension and Texas A&M AgriLife Research are using the grant for their statewide strawberry collaborative effort to address grower, retailer and consumer concerns through five regional teams who are currently investigating and addressing strawberry production issues.

 

If you are enjoying reading this article, please check out Southwest Farm Press Daily and receive the latest news right to your inbox.

 

“Our project emphasis includes expanding sustainable strawberry production throughout the state by introducing high tunnel and plasticulture technology to growers in under-served regions, and increasing the knowledge of strawberry production and consumption to consumers across Texas,” Wallace said.

 

Also of interest on Southwest Farm Press:

Celebrating specialty crops, Strawberry Fest attracts huge crowds

NMSU studies strawberries as potential alternative crop for Northern New…

Ripe blackberries luring tourists to pick-your-own farms

Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters

You May Also Like