A seminar hosted by the Pinelands Research Institute

Speaker: Dr. Peter Oudemans, Director of the Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research
Date: Nov. 5, 2026 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: Pinelands Alliance, 17 Pemberton Road, Southampton, NJ 08088

Cranberry cultivation has played an important role in the agricultural, economic, and cultural history of the New Jersey Pinelands for nearly two centuries. Native to North America, cranberries possess a remarkable combination of biological characteristics, including natural preservatives and protective compounds, that contributed to their historical importance as a food source and continue to influence their commercial value today.

This presentation traces cranberry agriculture's evolution from early wild harvesting to the establishment of commercial cultivation in the nineteenth century. Along the way, we will explore the contributions of pioneering New Jersey growers, the development of harvesting and processing technologies, and the emergence of a national cranberry industry. We will pay particular attention to the individuals and families whose ingenuity and persistence helped establish cranberry production in the Pinelands.

The presentation will also highlight the important role of scientific research, including the establishment of the Rutgers cranberry research program, early investigations into plant diseases, and the development of improved cranberry varieties. Together, these advances transformed cranberry cultivation from a largely empirical enterprise into a modern agricultural industry. Looking forward, continued innovation in plant breeding, crop protection, and sustainable production will be essential to preserving this distinctive component of New Jersey's agricultural heritage.

Background on the Marucci Center –
The Philip E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension is a substation of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station of Rutgers University located in Chatsworth, NJ (Burlington County). Its mission is to ensure the continued production and availability of high-quality blueberries and cranberries through basic and applied research with particular emphasis on the causes of disease and controls on disease in the crops.

This presentation is free and open to the public! RSVP below.