North Carolina Strawberry Association

The NC Strawberry Association is a non-profit association to encourage strawberry production and marketing. Their aim is to be a voice for strawberry growers at the state and national level. The association is governed by a board of directors elected by the members. The nine members of the board are elected for three-year terms. Officers must be strawberry growers. The NCSA funds strawberry research by awarding at least $20,000 to research projects that help the strawberry industry and producers.

NCSA promotions include Strawberry Days at state farmers’ markets, harvest-time media campaigns, promotional stickers, and technique brochures. Promotions are held in cooperation with the NC Dept. of Agriculture. In 2005, the Association revealed a new logo and slogan–Just Ripe for you –as part of a campaign to increase consumer knowledge and purchase of locally grown strawberries. About NC Strawberry Association Strawberry Recipes, Plantation Information, and more NC Strawberries Each year, the NC Strawberry Association funds strawberry research. In recent years, the total amount of money has been around $18,000 — $20,000, with most individual proposals in the $1,500-$4,500 range. In 2010, after cultivators voted to increase the rate of the NC Strawberry Assessment from $2/1000 plants to $3/1000 plants, the total the Association was capable to assign to research funding increased to over $30,000. Projects supported by NCSA consist of breeding new varieties, research into methyl bromide alternatives, micro propagation for a fresh plant supply, control of anthracnose and phytophthora, and more. In 2009, the board of directors committed to funding strawberry upbringing research at $10,000/year for five years. Most grants go to researchers at NC State University; however the Association welcomes offers from researchers from other states and institution.