PLYMPTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Governor Maura Healey declared October as Massachusetts Cranberry Month on Tuesday to highlight the crop’s importance to the local economy and support local farmers.
“Cranberry growing is an iconic part of our state’s agricultural history,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Our dedicated farmers engage in this labor of love year-round, using both wet and dry harvesting methods to boost our agricultural economy.”
As the number one agricultural commodity in Massachusetts, the cranberry industry raked in more than $1.7 billion last year and provided more than 6,400 jobs, according to the state.
“Few crops are as instantly recognizable and tied to Massachusetts as the mighty cranberry, so it’s only fitting that we celebrate this superfood in October when the harvest is at its peak,” said Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle.
She said that growing conditions for cranberries are becoming “more volatile”. Therefore, it is important to give “cranberry growers resources that will allow them to adapt and thrive in a changing environment,” Randle said.
With climate resiliency in mind, the MDAR has given millions of dollars in grants since 2020 for bog renovation projects.