Chapter Activity Reports

Visit to Ocean Spray Receiving Plant

Visit to Ocean Spray Receiving Plant

Originally Posted By Halli M. James

Author: Alpha Zeta/Thursday, February 27, 2014/Categories: Chapter Activity Report Blog

Cook AZ visited the Ocean Spray receiving plant in Chatsworth, NJ on October 16. We were able to tour the facilities and learn about cranberry processing as well as visit one of their experimental breeding sites and a bog. We learned about breeding for genetic resistance to pests as opposed to using pesticides and maintaining genetic diversity while running a monocultural facility. We were able to watch a harvest from the bog and discussed the different machinery developed specifically by the plant to expedite the process. On our way back, we stopped by a government protected area that was previously a cranberry bog. It had been home to many organisms while it was functioning and in an effort to protect the area, when the bog closed, the government left it to return to its natural state. However, much of the biodiversity was then lost. It was a great way to learn about commercial ag and the benefits it can have on the surrounding ecosystems.

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