About NC Strawberry Association

• Our Online Farm Locator helps connect consumers with pick-your-own strawberry growers in their area. Give it a try!
• The Southeast Strawberry Expo, our annual conference, is the leading source in the Southeast for strawberry information, especially for plasticulture production methods. The conference is held each year in November.
• The Strawberry Grower, our monthly newsletter, keeps our members up to date on production and marketing news and ideas.
• Publications, including the Strawberry Plasticulture Manual, a handbook compiling essential information for growers and Strawberry Time, a coloring/activity booklet for children. These may be ordered from this website.
• NCSA promotions include Strawberry Festivals at state farmers’ markets, harvest-time media campaigns, promotional stickers, and recipe brochures. Promotions are held in cooperation with the NC Dept. of Agriculture. Each year, the Association uses various marketing avenues to promote and increase consumer awareness and the importance of buying locally-grown strawberries.

Research Funding by NCSA

Projects supported by NCSA include breeding new varieties, research into methyl bromide alternatives, micropropagation for a clean plant supply, control of anthracnose and phytophthora, and more. Most grants go to researchers at NC State University, however, the Association welcomes proposals from researchers from other states and institutions. The Association does not pay indirect costs.

In December of each year, the board of directors of the Association develops a set of research priorities and sends out a call for proposals. Proposals are due in late January. They are then reviewed by the Association’s Research Committee, which proposes funding distribution before the full board at its February meeting.

NCSA Annual Awards

Since 1999, the North Carolina Strawberry Association has been presenting awards annually to growers and others who have made significant contributions to the strawberry industry in the state and the region. These awards have always included a “Grower of the Year” award. Awards are also made to suppliers to the industry, extension agents, university extension specialists/research, and others whose work has provided great benefit to the industry. If you are interested in nominating an individual, company, or other entity for a future award, contact any member of the NCSA Board of Directors or email NCSA at info@ncstrawberry.com.

* Indicates Grower of the Year award

2023:  James & Bernie Kenan, Bernie’s Berries* / Peter Kohm, AgroFabrics – Industry Service Award

2022: Mark Waller, Waller Family Farm* / Karma Lee, Buckwheat Farm – Industry Service Award

2021: Dr. Allen Straw – Industry Service Award

2020: Expo cancelled due to COVID

2019: Curtis Smith, TS Smith Produce* / Zvezdana Pesic-VanEsbroeck, NCSU – Industry Service Award

2018: Ron Edwards, Springs Farm* 

2017: Mitchell Wrenn, Wrenn’s Farm – Lifetime Contribution Award

2016: Roy Flannagan, Virginia Cooperative Extension – Outstanding Service 

2015: Michael Beal, Kildee Farm*

2014: John Vollmer, Vollmer Farms* (posthumous award, received by son Russ Vollmer) / Debby Wechsler, Former Executive Secretary – 17 Years of Service to NCSA

2013: Cal Lewis, Lewis Nursery & Farms*

2012: Patterson Farm*, Gil Milteer (VA Dept. of Ag and Consumer Services)

2011: Bob Rouse (U of MD, retired)

2010: Cal Schiemann (Va Tech), Barclay Poling (NCSU) both retiring

2009: Kenneth & Joan Rudd*, Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (NCSU), Rocco Schiavone (NCSU)

2008: James Cooley*

2007: Mitchell Wrenn*; Jim Ballington (NCSU)

2006: Tommy Shingleton*; Debbie Hamrick (NC Farm Bureau)

2005: Karma Lee*; Southern Container Corp. of Wilson

2004: John Vollmer*; Arvesta (Arysta LifeScience); Wick Wickliffe (Cooperative Extension)

2003: Bill Lewis*, Berry Hill Irrigation; Barclay Poling, Ken Sorensen, Frank Louws (all NCSU)

2002: Keith Hill*, Gra-Mac Irrigation; David Dycus (NCDA Agronomic Div.)

2001/2002: Ervin Lineberger*; Coor Farm Supply; Milton Parker (Cooperative Extension)

2000: D. L Tuttle*; Charlie O’Dell (VA Tech); Gordon Miner (NCSU)

1999: Ira Cline*; Reddick Fumigants

Activities of the North Carolina Strawberry Association

In recent years, the total amount of funding has totaled from $60,000 — $65,000, with most individual proposals in the $3,000-$10,00 range. In 2019, the growers voted to increase the rate of the NC Strawberry Assessment from $4/1000 plants to $5/1000 plants. The Association was able to devote over $53,000 to research funding in March 2022. Projects supported by NCSA include breeding new varieties, research into methyl bromide alternatives, micropropagation for a clean plant supply, control of anthracnose and phytophthora, and more.  

The Southeast Strawberry Expo, our annual conference, is the leading source in the Southeast for strawberry information, especially for plasticulture production methods. The conference is held in November each year. See the “Events” section of this website for the date and location of our next Strawberry Expo.

The Strawberry Grower, our monthly newsletter, keeps our members updated on production and marketing news and ideas.

Publications, including the Strawberry Plasticulture Notebook, a handbook compiling essential information for growers and Strawberry Time, a coloring/activity booklet for children. These may be ordered from this website. The Strawberry Farm Directory, a directory of pick-your-own and retail strawberry farms in the state, is published in cooperation with the NC Department of Agriculture and is available online (click here).

Promotions, including Strawberry Festivals at state farmers’ markets, harvest-time media campaigns, promotional stickers, and recipe brochures. Promotions are held in cooperation with the NC Dept. of Agriculture. Each year, the Association uses various marketing to promote and increase consumer awareness and the importance of buying locally-grown strawberries.

Farm-to-School-Lunch Program. Working closely with the NC Department of Agriculture, the NCSA coordinates direct sales by NC strawberry growers to NC school systems.

A voice for strawberry growers at the state and national level. The NC Strawberry Association speaks out for strawberry growers on issues of common concern. In 2003, for example, the association was instrumental in stopping an NC Department of Transportation rule that would have prevented Pick-Your-Own strawberry growers from erecting temporary signs along state highways.

Publications of the North Carolina Strawberry Association

The following publications are currently available from the North Carolina Strawberry Association. Please print the membership/order form from this website, fill it out, and mail it with your check to the address on the form. You do not have to be a member to order these publications.

Strawberry Plasticulture Notebook. 160+ page manual is filled with the latest information on growing strawberries in the platiculture system. Originally compiled by Dr. Barclay Poling and updated by Dr. Mark Hoffmann at NCSU, the booklet contains stunning full-color photographs.  This booklet has all the information you need – from getting started to costs and returns, production cycle information, strawberry varieties, IPM, freeze protection, and much more.  

The Strawberry Grower subscription. Sent to all members, either by U.S. mail or by email (pdf file).  Members, researchers, libraries, and non-profit organizations may subscribe to receive a printed copy of the NCSA monthly newsletter for a $50 annual subscription fee. Voting privileges are only for members of the association.

Strawberry Time Booklet. This 16-page coloring/activity book for children explains how strawberries are raised in our area and includes recipes and activities pages. Designed for preschoolers through 4th grade, it is a good resource for farms that offer school tours, and for teachers, homeschoolers, etc..  (See the “Educators” section of this website to view this publication). The booklets are printed every spring, with quantities based on orders received in advance of publication (usually with a mid-March deadline). If you want a large quantity, please try to order in February/March; smaller quantities are generally available year-round.

North Carolina Strawberry Recipes This 3-panel brochure gives recipes and instructions for picking, storing, freezing, and measuring strawberries. It is updated annually with new recipes and a new look. Single copies are available on request, and larger quantities can be requested for distribution at health fairs, festivals, etc. Growers may purchase bulk quantities for on-farm distribution. New recipes are included each year.

“I Picked Strawberries” – Oval Stickers, 1,000/roll – Not technically a publication, but they are printed.  We offer 1 additional design: “I Love Local” – with are Round stickers, 1,000/roll.