I cannot believe it has been two years since we ventured toward the cranberry marsh that cranberry farmer Amber Bristow works. With the central roll this uniquely American fruit plays for my family’s holidays (I posted family favorite cranberry recipes for Amber & my families) and so many others, we took some time to catch up.

And there has been a lot going on with Amber! She’s added a cran-baby to the family, and yes, he already likes cranberries. How cool is that? But we talked about a lot more than cranbabies. So much has happened in the last couple of years, so let’s take a rundown on what she’s been up to!

Cranberries and TikTok

We talked to Amber before cranberry juice went viral! Remember that TikTok of the man riding his skateboard, just chilling and drinking cranberry juice? This one video just captured the feeling that everyone was longing for. So much so, that sales of cranberry juice went crazy with folks looking to pick up that vibe.

@420doggface208 ♬ Dreams (2004 Remaster) – Fleetwood Mac

The phenomenon gave Amber the boost she needed to join TikTok, and she very quickly discovered that the folks on TikTok definitely want to see her cranberry videos! It took a little courage because putting herself out there on TikTok was a little outside her comfort zone, but her following just blew up one day after she shared a cranberry harvest video. She’s not too sure how but one video of harvest this year has 6 million plays already! Seems folks love seeing how unique cranberry farming is and the chance to see what a real cranberry marsh looks like!

Please note: links for Stur & cranberry seeds are affiliate links and we may make a small commission on purchases.
There is no change in the price paid though.

Good for the Body

We also explored some new foods Amber is loving that showcase cranberries. She has found some delicious water enhancers called Stur that is great for jazzing up your glasses of water. And the pomegranate cranberry flavor is pretty great. And then there are cranberry seeds. Ocean Spray has partnered to help reduce food waste by turning a byproduct of juice-making into a healthy booster for salads and smoothies. Turns out, cranberry seeds have a lot of great vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, and can be used like chia seeds or flax seeds to boost your favorite foods! I had never even heard of this before, so you can bet I had to order some.

Great for the Planet

Whether you’re in the midwest like Amber and call it a cranberry marsh or you live in the northeast and call it a cranberry bog, cranberry farms can be a great support to the local ecosystem. Many animals take advantage of the cycle that the cranberry marsh follows.

Amber sees so many wild animals on the farm, from the pairs of geese that return year after year, to frogs, raccoons, possums, and now a family of otters! With all of that ecology talk and knowing how kids would be interested, we had to do a lesson plan about growing cranberries! It’s available on TPT if you teach, homeschool or want to purchase for someone who does.

She also helped me understand how climate change is affecting cranberry farmers and how the extension service is coming through for farmers with data and recommendations.

 

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A post shared by Amber (@cranberrychats)

The 2022 Cranberry Harvest

Of course, I can’t share an update without cranberry marsh harvest videos. And no one shoots cranberry harvest videos like Amber does!

 

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A post shared by Amber (@cranberrychats)

 

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A post shared by Amber (@cranberrychats)

You can find Amber on the web and social media everywhere as CranberryChats!  She has several recipes there too!

The post Life Beside a Cranberry Marsh: Smoothies, Ecology and a Cran-Baby (Updated) appeared first on Grounded by the Farm.

Family holiday celebrations wouldn’t be the same without the cranberry salad my grandmom & mom have always served. With that in mind, interviewing a cranberry farmer was a must for the holiday series on Grounded by the Farm. 

Amber Bristow grows cranberries with family in Wisconsin — they are some of the 700 family farm owners of Ocean Spray. Having taken some time away from the farm to work elsewhere, she said cranberry farming was in her blood and eventually she wanted to return to the marshes. She shares her experiences in our interview as well as sharing online via  @CranberryChats on Instagram and Facebook.

Insight from a Cranberry Farmer on Growing the Crop

Amber started her social media channels to share information about how cranberries are grown. Those photos, like the one from harvest above, provide a lot of information. Still, I think a lot of Americans will be surprised that cranberry marshes aren’t flooded with water much of the year. That’s just for harvest!

She walks us through the process for growing cranberries, talks with us about managing the perennial vines, some of the pests that can get in the way and ultimately helps us understand those images of Ocean Spray farmers standing in the middle of a marsh in waders.

This videos shows as the fruit is being combed from the vines.

 

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A post shared by Amber (@cranberrychats)

And this shows the more detailed harvest on a cranberry farm.

 

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A post shared by Amber (@cranberrychats)

Fresh Fruit versus Processed

Cranberries are sold fresh fall and winter, but they are enjoyed year-round thanks to a range of products. Amber says she loves the juices and Craisins, and finds cranberries make a great add to a fruit smoothie. Her family raises cranberries for the processed market so you may one day see Amber’s face on the juice jug at some point! I haven’t really made cranberry muffins but Amber makes me want to!

Links For More Information

A video of cranberries being raked so they float on top of the water and a video of cranberry harvest.

Cranberry Recipes mentioned during this episode — cranberry sauce, cranberry salad and the sangria.

US Cranberry Harvest Explained in Four Charts (National Geographic)

Forward Farming podcast on all things Wisconsin agriculture

The post Not a Stereotypical Cranberry Farmer But Destined to Join the Family Business appeared first on Grounded by the Farm.

As mentioned in the episode where we interviewed Wisconsin cranberry farmer Amber Bristow, both her family and mine have favorite recipes that are made for the holidays every year! I also discovered a new one last year that I may need to enjoy more often. We wanted to share those recipes here.

Amber’s Crandma’s Cranberry Sauce

Amber makes lots of cranberry puns, one is calling her grandma her crandma. Crandma makes a fresh cranberry sauce for the holidays.

4 cups fresh cranberries

2 cups sugar

1 cup liquid (Amber likes orange juice but you can use something else)

optional bit of cloves or cinnamon

Mix, put in a 9 by 13 pan and cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

She points out that the cranberries will remain whole and have a really beautiful glossy appearance.

My Grandmom’s & Mom’s Cranberry Salad

1 can of crushed pineapple (20 oz)

1 lb fresh cranberries (rinsed)

1 cup of pecans (we break into pieces)

1 package of gelatin

2 cups of sugar

1/4 cup of water

Drain pineapple well and bring juice to a brisk boil. Add cranberries and cook until all pop. Turn off the heat and stir in sugar. Dissolve gelatin in water and add to the cranberry mixture. Add pineapple and nuts. Chill. Keeps well.

 

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Cranberry Reindeer 2-2-2 Sangria Recipe

This is a recipe I picked up last year at a great specialty shop called Fezziwig’s in O’Fallon, Illinois last fall as Matt and I were taking in popcorn harvest! It was a perfect holiday drink!

2 Bottles of Cranberry Snow Wine

2 liters of white soda

2 cups of vodka

Float some whole cranberries, orange slices and some ice in it to make pretty while it chills!

The post Cranberry Recipes Tested on Farm and in the City appeared first on Grounded by the Farm.