Strawberries

Kayla Cook & Madison Gilbert

 GMOs were not
History of Domestication used until the 20th
century due to a
lack of technology
Hunter-gatherers pick wild strawberries
and
1300-1500s: French understanding!
Wood strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
Musky strawberry (Fragaria moschata)
1600s - Europe
Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)
1700s-1800s popular in England
3 to 30 new varieties (through cross breeding)
1714 - France
French spy brings Chilean strawberry (Fragaria
chiloensis)
Pros: VERY large fruit
Cons: favors mild coastal climates
Agricultural Hearth (Historic)
The Modern Strawberry

Fragaria Fragaria
virginiana X chiloensis

Fragaria
ananassa
Charles Hovey James Wilson

1834 1851

1st American Hovey x other

variety varieties
Planned cross More productive,
firmer, hardier
Grown on any soil
Perfect flowered
E.C. Howard

Howard 17
1909
Tolerance to leaf spot, leaf scorch,
virus diseases
Commercial use & breeding

Before 1920
Strawberry breeding done
by growers
Since then
Varieties developed by
official breeders
Federal or state level Professor Gojko Jelenkovic
(official strawberry breeder)
 Growth Cycle of the Strawberry Most strawberry plants arent
grown from seeds; they grow
1. Beginnings from runners!
a. Seed- genetically different from parents;
sprouts in late winter/spring
b. Runners- vegetative part of the plant;
creates identical daughter plant that extend
thru runners of established plant; sprouts
later in spring/fall
2. Maturation
a. Roots grow; Runners mature faster than
seedlings; Fully matured by late summer;
Roots/Leaves extend from crown Lifespan: 5-6 yrs
3. Multiplication and Expansion
a. Multiply quickly thru runners Death: After 3 yrs they lose vigor and
4. Seeds production declines. They become extremely
a. Also produce seeds; form in the crown susceptible to disease & eventually
decompose.
Climatic Considerations
Strawberries are grown in temperate climate regions, and require full-day
sunlight with 1 in water/week for highest yields.

Three Types
1. June-Bearing- produce 1 large crop; warmer
climate; commercial agriculture; larger
strawberry & many runners; fruit-spring
2. Everbearing - multiple small crops; smaller
strawberry & few runners; fruit-spring,
3. Day-Neutral - multiple small crops; smaller
strawberry & few runners; fruit-late summer
Climatic Considerations (continued)
Strawberries are a type of market
gardening crop.
Located on the closest ring to the
central city on the Von Thnen Model
fragile, perishable, and susceptible to
disease.
Have become a part of intensive
commercial agriculture nowadays
refrigeration, efficient transportation, &
GMOs
Environmental Concerns AMR is considered the MOST
Advanced technology has made it sustainable & environmentally
possible for strawberries to be friendly because there is not a
grown in colder climates significant amount of soil loss
SOME cold climate farming AND it does not use non
methods are controversial biodegradable plastic.
CMR (conventional matted row) &
CCP (cold climate plasticulture)
Rely on fumigation & pesticides to
protect plants
Use plastic sheeting to limit
weeds
AMR (advanced matted row)
Weed growth is reduced by a
protective vegetative layer
A cover crop is planted and
mowed down
Case Study: Spain Las fresas
Because strawberries are labor
intensive, they are grown year
de Espaa!
round
The agricultural landscape
suffers
Depletes the groundwater
Wildlife suffers from a lack of water
HOWEVER strawberry exports
make up a huge percentage of the
economy
Creates a debate
farmers/companies v.s.
environmentalists
Uses of the Strawberry
The strawberry is both a food and a raw material.
Food-source of fiber, potassium, and Vitamin C. One of
the most popular berry fruits in the world.
Raw Material - Strawberries are manufactured and processed so that it can be used in
many different products such as sodas, hand creams, and gummies.
Medicine- Strawberries contain antioxidants that could prevent cancer, and
researchers study strawberries to treat Alzheimers.
Economic Impact
Commercial strawberry farmers are putting local farmers out of business.
Many jobs are available in the strawberry fields, but these jobs are given
to migrant workers and immigrants.

This is both a national and global problem.

Ex. United States & Spain

Spain United States

Illegal Mexican immigrants
10% = guest migrant
and migrant workers
workers
California
Minimum wage
Often experience abuse,
Creates xenophobia
hardships, discrimination,
due to job conflicts
etc.
Strawberries: United States
The United States is
the largest producer
of strawberries
globally.
The states of
Florida & California
are the top two
strawberry
producing states in
the U.S.
 Developed & developing countries
play roles in the strawberry
economy/trade, but undeveloped
countries do NOT.
Strawberries require a large
investment; they are NOT cheap!

Spain is the largest exporter of

strawberries
The U.S. produces a vast amount
of strawberries
Canada is the largest importer
of U.S. strawberries
Current Production Areas
Flows To Consumption Areas of Strawberries
Strawberry
Producers
The U.S. is by far the
largest producer of
strawberries
worldwide.

This is due to:

More consumer
demand
Healthier diets
are popular
Organic food on
the rise
Use in various
amounts of
products/foods
 Cultural Considerations
Toponymy: Strawberries are incorporated in the United
States toponymy
3 US states have a
town named
Strawberry!
CA, AZ, AR

Strawberry fields are found

throughout the world,
especially in the top
strawberry-producing
countries (USA, Spain, etc)
which shows how
strawberries affect the
cultural landscape.
Strawberries in the popular
culture:
Strawberry Shortcake started
as a character featured on
greeting cards. In 1980,
Strawberry Shortcake games,
toys, and books became
popular. Today she even has
her own TV show.
Strawberries & Religion
The strawberry is attached to many positive
meanings through symbolism & folklore.
Norse Mythology- spirits of children
enter afterlife by hiding in strawberries
that are taken to heaven by the Norse
Goddess of Love
Paganism - trifoliate leaves represent
the Earth/Mother Goddess
Christianity - symbolizes righteousness
& spiritual merit in Christian art;
trifoliate leaves=the Trinity; appear in
renaissance paintings late 14th century Madonna of the
Strawberries
Human Rights Concerns
Migrant workers in California are forced
to work long hours in harsh conditions
Guest workers in Spain face
discrimination on a daily basis due to the
xenophobia Spaniards have towards
them
Migrant workers & immigrants are
trapped
They are paid little for their work
But they are the only ones they can get
Businesses prefer them because they work
harder than legal citizens
Xenophobia
Quick Quiz
Where is the agricultural hearth of strawberries?
Which country is the largest global producer of strawberries?
Why are strawberries produced mostly in MDCs?
Where are strawberries located on the Von Thnen Model?
Name one way strawberries are incorporated into culture.
Give an example of a religion that incorporates strawberries?
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