A Legacy Rooted in Oregon Agriculture
Strawberries have long been part of Oregon’s agricultural identity — dating back to early cultivation along the Oregon Trail and even earlier to Native American harvesting traditions.
Today, that legacy continues through generations of family farms that have refined the craft of growing strawberries suited to Oregon’s unique climate.
The Oregon Strawberry Commission plays a central role in supporting these growers — ensuring that tradition is paired with innovation.
Established in 1967 as Oregon’s first berry commission, the organization focuses on:
- Promotion of Oregon strawberries
- Research to improve production and quality
- Education for growers and industry partners
Oregon is now the fourth-largest strawberry-producing state in the U.S., reflecting both the scale and importance of the industry.
Growing for Both Tradition and Market Demand
While Oregon strawberries are known for their quality, the industry serves two distinct markets:
- Processing strawberries (used in products like jam, yogurt, and ice cream)
- Fresh market strawberries (sold directly to consumers)
The majority of Oregon’s crop is grown for processing — supporting well-known regional and national brands.
But fresh market strawberries present a different challenge. They are more delicate, more variable, and more dependent on consumer preference. This creates a need for deeper research — not just in how strawberries are grown, but in how they are experienced by consumers.
Where Research Meets Consumer Preference
To better understand the fresh market opportunity, the Oregon Strawberry Commission led a series of research initiatives focused on improving strawberry variety selection and market alignment.
These efforts explored:
- Growing practices
- Harvesting and post-harvest handling
- Marketing strategies
- Relationships between growers and buyers
But more importantly, they introduced something critical: direct feedback from consumers.
Collaboration Across the Pacific Northwest
This work was not done in isolation. The Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research partners with organizations like the Oregon Strawberry Commission, land-grant universities, and industry stakeholders to coordinate research efforts across the region.
This multi-state approach allows for:
- Shared expertise across institutions
- More efficient use of research funding
- Broader impact across commodities and markets
This research is part of a broader collaborative effort across the Pacific Northwest — ensuring that innovation is shared, scalable, and regionally relevant.
Featured Research: Identifying the Right Strawberry Varieties
In 2017, the Oregon Strawberry Commission collaborated on a project designed to help growers identify the best strawberry varieties for fresh market production. This included on-farm trials and consumer taste testing.
Explore researchers contributing to NCSFR-supported work: NCSFR Researcher Directory
On-Farm Trials
Field trials were conducted to evaluate strawberry varieties under real growing conditions. Researchers assessed plant vigor, yield, pest and disease resistance, and overall plant health.
Varieties tested included:
June-bearing
- Hood (standard)
- Charm
- Marys Peak
- Puget Crimson
Day-neutral
- Sweet Ann
- Seascape
- Aromas
- Albion (standard)
Consumer Taste Testing
After harvesting, Oregon State University conducted consumer taste tests at the Food Innovation Center and New Seasons Market locations. These tests helped measure flavor preference, purchase intent, and perceived quality — bridging the gap between what grows well and what consumers actually want to buy.
From Research to Real-World Decisions
This research gives growers a critical capability: the ability to align production decisions with market demand. Instead of choosing varieties based solely on yield or tradition, growers can now consider consumer preference, marketability, and long-term profitability.
Explore related research outcomes and fact sheets: NCSFR Funded Research
This type of applied research ensures that growers are not just producing strawberries — but producing the right strawberries.
Why This Collaboration Matters
The Oregon Strawberry Commission’s work highlights an important shift in agriculture: success is no longer defined by production alone — it is defined by alignment between growers, markets, and consumers.
By combining field research, consumer insights, and industry collaboration, the Commission helps create a more resilient and responsive strawberry industry. Through its partnership with NCSFR, these insights are not limited to Oregon — they contribute to a broader regional understanding across the Pacific Northwest.
Connecting Research to Opportunity
Research is part of a larger ecosystem that includes funding, collaboration, and continued innovation. For growers, researchers, and institutions interested in participating in future work:
NCSFR funding opportunities are available through the ARIEL research platform: Access Funding Portal
Learn More About the Oregon Strawberry Commission
To learn more about how the Oregon Strawberry Commission supports growers and advances the strawberry industry, visit their official website.
