Project Plans FY09

Sustainable Landscape Management and Nursery Production

Project Leader: Kathleen Carroll

Participating Staff:

• Kathleen Carroll
• Randall Prostak
• Dan Gillman
• Roberta Clark
• Bob Childs
• Deborah Swanson

Participating Faculty:

• Brian Kane
• Dennis Ryan

Project Year: 2009

Brief Description

According to a 2005 economic study by the University of Florida and the University of Tennessee, the nationwide boom in housing and other construction associated with urban development is driving one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture. The $147 billion environmental horticulture industry - also known as the “Green Industry" - is not only one of the nation's fastest-growing businesses, but according to University of Florida economist Dr. Alan Hodges, continues to expand even during recessionary periods.

Locally, the Green Industry is a major sector of agriculture in Massachusetts.  According to a 2006 survey conducted by the New England Nursery Association, in Massachusetts, there are more than 4,520 firms involved in production (nurseries, greenhouses, herbs, cut flowers, turfgrass) retail, (garden center florists), and landscape services (landscape design, installation, maintenance, lawn care, tree care) with an estimated value of $2.2 billion in gross income for 2004.  At least 58,800 people are employees in these industries in Massachusetts and an additional 13,000 are needed. This industry is helping to keep more than 79,000 acres in agriculture, of which 58 percent is open space and 29 percent is in land preservation programs. The majority of income (85 percent) comes from in-state sales and services. Businesses in this industry paid almost $190 million in taxes in 2004. 

To foster and prolong the growth of the industry in Massachusetts, the Sustainable Landscape Management and Nursery Production project teaches integrated pest management practices and environmental stewardship strategies to municipal and private landscape professionals, nursery growers and home gardeners.  Participants learn to be responsive to client horticultural problems and to collaboratively find workable short and long term solutions to pressing problems. Participants will also understand their role as environmental stewards focused on reducing negative environmental impact by using best management practices. 

Activities

• Write technical articles for Hort Notes and Garden Clippings newsletters
• Scout for pests in the landscape and write report for Landscape Message
• Conduct Technical Presentations to organized association groups, non-profit agencies and private companies
• Write fact sheets and update photos for umassgreeninfo web site
• Conduct research on Winter Moth project
• Conduct research project on switchgrass trials
• Workshops and meetings on environmentally sound grounds management practices and products
• Write and produce 2009 Garden Calendar
• Update Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist training manual
• The New England Great Ideas exhibit (for New England Grows)
• Respond to technical inquiries by target audience as needed
• Organize and speak at School IPM Conference
• Act as research and technical advisor for non profit, government and private groups
• Organize and conduct education program for the MNLA/MFGA Summer Field Day
• Teach Nursery Management Course for Department of Plant Soil and Insect Sciences
• Teach Turf Winter School
• Update 'Insect Tutorial' CD
• Design and publish Insect, Disease and Weeds on Woody Ornamentals Picture Identification Manual
• Develop web based consumer directed insect ID and management resource
• Organize and teach green school
• Conduct hands on insect laboratory workshop
• Organize and conduct Green Industry Research Review Conference
• Conduct research related to Green Industry issues
• Develop Weed Herbarium CD
• Professional development responsibilities/opportunities
• Write and publish fact sheets on invasive plants
• Alternative weed control products fact sheet

Inputs: Time and Effort

Outcomes:

This Project will document progress towards the following:

• Participants acquire the knowledge, skills and motivation to adopt practices that reduce risk of exotic pests, diseases and invasive species.
• Participants have the knowledge and skills to promote, implement or adopt sustainable resource management and environmental best management practices for operating Natural Resources-based businesses
• Participants increase their knowledge and skill for practices that increase the economic viability of natural resource-based businesses

This project is a part of the Agriculture & Landscape program