A cranberry harvest: How is it done? We show you the process involving one of NJ’s most famous crops

The harvest is underway for one of New Jersey's most famous crops: cranberries.

News 12 Staff

Oct 7, 2022, 12:14 PM

Updated 791 days ago

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The harvest is underway for one of New Jersey's most famous crops: cranberries.
There are only about 18 cranberry farms left in New Jersey, including Pine Island Cranberry Company in Chatsworth.
New Jersey is the fourth-largest producer of cranberries in the country. To harvest them, farmers flood the bogs. A machine comes and removes the berries, which float to the surface. Workers than corral the floating berries into a machine, which sucks everything out and onto a truck. The harvest is then taken to the Ocean Spray pickup location. The farm dates back to 1890, with five generations of famers. 
“I am proud and I'm grateful because I wouldn't be able to do the things I've done if my dad hadn't done what he did, my grandfather, my great-grandfather, I'm proud and also very grateful,” says Bill Haines, with Pine Island Cranberry Farm.