Cranberry Harvest Underway at A.D. Makepeace Company in Massachusetts
Cranberry harvest season in Massachusetts is underway as workers arrive at the A.D. Makepeace Company in Carver during early morning temperatures close to freezing, reported on Oct. 7. The operations face a slightly down year following a heavy nor’easter that dumped nearly 10 inches of rain.
Harvest Operations at the Big North Bog
Workers wearing waist-high waders use long plastic booms to corral Mullica Queen cranberries into large circles across the flooded Big North Bog in Carver. The arduous work continues all day on a single bog before crews move to another location. The Mullica Queen variety is characterized by its larger-than-average size and redder pigment, making them common ingredients for Craisins in salads and baked goods.
The A.D. Makepeace Company was founded in 1854 by Abel Denison Makepeace and operates as the largest cranberry grower in the world. Its 1,800 acres of farmland are located primarily in Plymouth, Carver, and Wareham. Gavin Bartlett, assistant general manager of cranberry operations, surveyed the bog and noted the contrast with the previous season. “We had a fantastic year last year, but we might be a little down this year,” Bartlett said. He added that the recent nor’easter and its heavy rainfall negatively impacted growing conditions by causing fruit rot and delaying color development.
Workers Siphon Cranberries into Tractor-Trailer Trucks
Once workers corral the floating berries, they direct them into a siphon positioned just below the waterline. Steffany Lemmertz, a 41-year-old mother of three, guides the swirling cranberries into the siphon. The berries travel up a hose into waiting tractor-trailer trucks, where Mark Whalen oversees the loading process from an elevated wash plant truck. “After this truck is loaded, we’ll take a break,” Whalen shouted over the loud sound of the water pump.
Cranberries develop their dark red color and optimal quality when autumn nights are cool and days are sunny. These weather patterns shut down chlorophyll production, similar to changing foliage on trees. Bartlett explained that growing several distinct varieties allows the company to balance changing weather conditions from year to year.
Viewing the Harvest and Historical Sites
Makepeace began harvesting crops on Sept. 14, with operations scheduled to continue until the second week of November. Many company bogs are visible from nearby roads during the harvest, and staff provide directions for visitors. The company is located at 158 Tihonet Road in Wareham, which also houses a cranberry history museum. The museum operates for free from Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a contact phone number of (508) 295-1000.