Public Issues Food Production
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Sustainable Small Fruit Production and MarketingProject Leader: Sonia Schloemann General InformationFruit farms and vineyards 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 leads to better human health. In addition, lands surrounding agricultural production provide buffer zones for ecosystem management, often providing important open space for native species of plants and animals and corridors for their movement or expansion.For fruit farms to stay in business, it is necessary to preserve and enhance their value. It is, therefore, necessary that they be able to maintain economic viability and environmentally sustainability, so farmers must continually strive to improve production efficiency, expand species diversity, explore marketing opportunities, understand farm ecology, and evaluate profitability. To do this, they must have ready access to current research information on new and alternative species and varieties, advanced horticultural management techniques, marketing and business management strategies, pest-ecology, and pest-management procedures. Research programs in the physiological management of vegetative growth, fruit growth, and post-harvest changes can give farmers important tools necessary to increase production efficiency while enhancing fruit quality. Important studies of pest ecology and control techniques provide approaches to pest management that optimize pest control, reduce chemical use, and increase fruit quality. A successful partnership between Massachusetts fruit producers and UMass Extension will help foster a more secure, diverse and healthful food supply for the Commonwealth. It is clear that a diversity of fresh, high-quality fruits available to the consumer results in high levels of consumption. New varieties of berries (strawberries, bramble fruit, blueberries, grapes, etc.) will give fruit farmers the means of enhancing fruit production, quality, and therefore consumption. Connection to Extension Critical Issue: Food ProductionSince 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 forth 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. The Sustainable Small Fruit Production and Marketing Project has the following priorities: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. 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. Increase Purchases and Consumption of Locally Grown Foods by Individuals, Communities, and Institutions It is clear that a diversity of fresh, high-quality foods (fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy and poultry products, shellfish, syrup) that are 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. Activities
Inputs: Time and Effort
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