In South Jersey, a tradition of cranberry cultivation dates back to 1857, predating the establishment of Thanksgiving as a national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. The Darlington family, now in its fifth generation of farmers in Pemberton Township, has been integral to this agricultural legacy. Despite recent dry conditions, cranberry production and market prices have not been adversely impacted, confirms Kate Leonard, a spokesperson for Ocean Spray, a grower-owned cooperative.
The Darlington family began their cranberry operation by converting bogs, previously utilized for strip-mining iron, into productive agricultural land. This year, the lack of rainfall necessitated an additional 10 days for farmers to adequately flood their bogs for harvesting, a crucial step in the process. This was confirmed by a representative from the State Department of Agriculture. John Darlington mentioned the need to source water from as far as 2 miles away to meet the needs of his 300-acre farm, highlighting the extra effort required this season.
New Jersey is a leading state in cranberry production, ranking third in the United States with a harvest of nearly 580,000 barrels from 1,173.59 hectares of wetlands last year. The state's production is significant, with Burlington County being the second-largest cranberry-producing county in the nation. The historical importance of cranberries in the region is underscored by the establishment of Whitesbog Village, a company town founded by the Darlington family and now a preserved historical site. The village showcases the agricultural heritage of the area, including cranberry bogs and blueberry fields.
Elizabeth Coleman White, another member of the Darlington family, played a pivotal role in the development of the highbush blueberry, further contributing to New Jersey's agricultural output. White's contributions to cranberry and blueberry cultivation have been recognized with her induction into New Jersey's Hall of Fame.
The harvest process, a visually striking event, begins with flooding the bogs, allowing the berries to float to the surface for collection. This method not only facilitates harvesting but also prepares the bogs for winter by protecting the vines with recycled water. The end product of this laborious process, the cranberry, continues to be a staple of Thanksgiving dinners across the country.
Source: Courier Post