UMass Extension Public Issues

A Five-year Plan (2009-2013) for Addressing:

Food Production

Summary/Description

The capacity to produce food locally is an important component of our quality of life and food security; it fosters sustainable, land-based economic development and reduces transportation-related energy consumption. Maintaining food production capacity includes viable and sustainable agriculture, commercial fishing, shellfish harvesting, maple sugaring, as well as the maintenance of agricultural land whether or not it is currently being used to produce food.

Situation & Priorities

Since 1997, the overall number, acreage and cash receipts of Massachusetts farms have declined (by 17%, 10% and 21% respectively). Of the remaining farms (more than 6,000), 80% are still family owned and most of these fit the definition of “small farms” as expressed by the US Department Agriculture. Massachusetts is the third most densely populated state and loses about 40 acres per day to development. Given this pressure on farmland, it is not surprising that Massachusetts ranks fourth in the United States for farmland value at $9, 234 per acre and also for net income per acre at $327.

Farmers in Massachusetts invest nearly $212 million statewide on farm inputs such as feed, seed, livestock, fertilizer, electricity and fuel. Agriculture generates $21 million in income tax revenue annually in Massachusetts. Massachusetts farms employ nearly 5,000 year-round and more than 9,000 seasonal workers and paid $81.6 million in wages in 1997.

The average farm in Massachusetts is only 85 acres. Farmers therefore need to manage for high returns on their investment per acre. Aside from traditional agricultural products, Massachusetts farmers have expanded their offerings to include farmstead-made cheeses, maple syrup, wine, cranberries and exotic livestock, which together present tremendous, statewide financial growth potential.

Aquaculture in Massachusetts is comprised predominantly of the cultivation of shellfish. Overall, nine species of shellfish and 15 species of finfish are cultivated in the state. According to the 2002 USDA Census of Agriculture, aquaculture ranked tenth within Massachusetts in terms of revenue with nearly $9.5 million in sales of products cultivated at 140 farms.

Farms and other food production operations can add significantly to the quality of life in Massachusetts and New England. The most obvious contribution is to open space through their scenic and historic vistas, but it is also well known that regular consumption of fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products leads to better human health.

Within this context, the UMass Extension Program will focus its research and outreach capacities in the area of food production on the following priorities over the next five years:

1. Maintain and Improve Environmental Quality through Integrated Crop and Animal Management.
   For farmers and other food producers to stay in business, it is necessary that they maintain long-term environmental sustainability by striving to expand species diversity and better understand farm ecology. UMass Extension can provide access to current research information on new and alternative species and varieties, advanced horticultural management techniques, pest ecology, and pest management procedures. Important studies of pest ecology and control techniques provide approaches to pest management that optimize pest control, reduce chemical use, and increase crop and animal quality.
2. Provide Resources to Maintain or Improve the Economic Sustainability of Agriculture.
   We are facing intense global competition for the products that are grown or produced in Massachusetts. Improved production efficiency, new marketing opportunities, and constant evaluation of profitability are needed to ensure survival. Farmers and other food producers must have ready access to current research information on marketing, post-harvest efficiencies, packaging and business management strategies. In addition, research programs in the physiological management of crops and animals can give food producers the tools that are necessary to increase production efficiency while enhancing crop and animal quality.
3. Increase Purchases and Consumption of Locally Grown Foods by Individuals, Communities, and Institutions.
   It is clear that having a diversity of fresh, high-quality foods (fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy and poultry products, shellfish, syrup) available to the consumer results in higher levels of consumption. Such products also provide a buffer from competing globally imported products. New varieties, new crops, and improved production, handling, and local marketing practices will give food producers a means of enhancing crop and animal quality and therefore consumption. For example, commercial wine and table grape production offers Massachusetts farmers a high-value crop with unique, local appeal. Existing vineyards primarily sit along New England’s southeastern coast, but this activity may be expandable to inland Massachusetts. Enhanced understanding of grape production in a cooler climate, along with its relationship to wine quality, will give critical information to farmers exploring the possibility of expanding into this profitable aspect of agriculture. UMass Extension will collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to expand farm-to-institutions (e.g., food banks, colleges, schools) opportunities for use of locally grown food products.

The following Projects will address Food Production. Click on each project to see additional details.

• Sustainable Tree Fruit Production and Marketing
• Pesticide Education Program
• Plant and Soil Diagnostic Services
• Sustainable Vegetable Production and Marketing
• Sustainable Cranberry Production
• Sustainable Small Fruit Production and Marketing