Episode 78: Inside the Working Cranberry Marsh
“In a lot of ways, they are farming water as much as they are farming cranberries, which always really fascinates me about cranberry.”
“Growers figured out that if you flood the beds and you strip the berries out of the vine with the harvester, the berries would float, which makes it really easy to corral them all and then just use a pump to lift all the berries and collect them.”
A conversation with Professors Leslie Holland and Amaya Atucha (University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension) about cranberry production, water use, recycling, and enjoyment. Released November 14, 2025.
guests on the show
Leslie Holland
Dr. Leslie Holland is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, specializing in fruit crop pathology. Her research group focuses on understanding the biology, epidemiology, and management of pathogens affecting Wisconsin’s fruit crops, including cranberries, apples, grapes, and strawberries. Leslie works closely with growers to develop sustainable, integrated disease management strategies that enhance productivity and minimize environmental impact. Through field trials and molecular diagnostics, her program delivers science-based solutions to emerging disease challenges. Her extension efforts provide practical tools and education to support the long-term success of fruit producers.
Amaya Atucha
Dr. Amaya Atucha is a Professor and the Gottschalk Endowed Chair for Cranberry Research in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her research program addresses a broad set of questions in perennial fruit crop systems, with emphasis on crop ecophysiology, plant nutrition, and fruit quality. Her work as a plant physiologist connects fundamental studies of plant function with applied strategies to address challenges in fruit crop production. The goal of her extension program is to deliver research-based information that enhances the productivity, profitability, and long-term sustainability of the fruit industry in the Midwest and beyond. She also contributes to the teaching mission of the department, integrating research and applied perspectives into the classroom.
TRANSCRIPT
Coming soon!