Research & Partnerships

Advancing
Cranberry Science

Our marshes serve as a living laboratory for research that benefits growers, consumers, and the environment.

A Tradition of Collaboration

Elm Lake Cranberry has a long history of working with researchers from UW–Madison, Rutgers University, Ocean Spray, and other institutions.

We believe that supporting research is one of the most important things we can do for the industry. The insights gained from scientific study help all growers make better decisions and prepare for future challenges.

Our location, facilities, and willingness to experiment make Elm Lake an ideal site for field trials and applied research projects.

Our Partners

Research Collaborations

UW–Madison

Working with university researchers on plant pathology, entomology, horticulture, and agricultural engineering projects.

Rutgers University

Partnering with the Rutgers cranberry breeding program and hosting their variety test plots to evaluate new cultivars in Wisconsin conditions.

Ocean Spray

Participating in cooperative research initiatives focused on quality, yield optimization, and sustainable production practices.

Focus Areas

Current Research Areas

Variety Trials

Testing new cranberry cultivars developed by breeding programs, evaluating their performance in Wisconsin conditions including yield, fruit quality, and disease resistance.

Physiology Studies

Understanding how cranberry vines respond to environmental factors, stress conditions, and management practices to optimize growing techniques.

Pest & Disease Research

Collaborating on studies to understand pest biology, develop monitoring tools, and evaluate new management strategies that reduce environmental impact.

Technology Evaluation

Serving as a testbed for new agricultural technologies—from sensors and drones to AI-powered analytics—assessing their practical value for cranberry operations.

Research Site

Why Elm Lake?

Our farm offers unique advantages as a research site. Researchers choose to work with us because we provide:

Diverse Conditions

Multiple bed types, soil conditions, and microclimates for comprehensive testing.

Detailed Data

Our sensor network and record-keeping provide rich baseline data for research.

Engaged Management

We're active participants in research, not just hosts—we understand the science and ask good questions.

Long-term Commitment

We value ongoing relationships and support multi-year studies that require patience.

Interested in Research Collaboration?

We're always open to discussing new research partnerships. If you're a researcher with a project that could benefit from a working cranberry farm, we'd love to hear from you.

Advancing Cranberry Science