 |
 |
Sustainable Small Fruit Production and Marketing Project Leader: Sonia Schloemann Project Year: 2009 Fruit 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. To remain a vital part of the Massachusetts' economy, both new and established growers must learn to produce crops sustainably and to adapt production systems to new market opportunities. The Sustainable Small Fruit Production and Marketing project provides farmers with 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. In addition, important studies of pest ecology and control techniques provide approaches to pest management that optimize pest control, reduce chemical use, and increase fruit quality. These tools will forge a successful partnership between Massachusetts’s fruit producers and UMass Extension that will in turn help foster a more secure, diverse and healthful food supply for the Commonwealth. A diversity of fresh, high-quality fruits available to the consumer results in higher levels of consumption and will help fruit farmers to remain competitive economically. New varieties also give fruit farmers the means for enhancing production, quality, sales and consumption. This project is a part of the Agriculture & Landscape program |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
Sustainable Cranberry ProductionProject Leader: Hilary Sandler Project Year: 2009 The cranberry industry in Massachusetts faces many challenges. In the past ten years, growers have gone from receiving record high prices for their fruit to record low prices. Although the industry has rebounded, the focus to remain economically competitive and environmentally sustainable has sharpened. It is anticipated that the industry may lose some acreage due to attrition and that smaller growers may sell their land. As with all farmers, energy costs are rising quickly, impacting the bottom line. Growers must develop and adopt innovative technology to remain competitive. They must understand the biology of cranberry pests to properly utilize new management tactics. Additionally, they must contend with increasing urban pressure on the farm's margin as many parties compete for resources. The goal of the UMass Extension Sustainable Cranberry Project is to provide cranberry growers with pertinent and timely information so they may sustain their operations in Southeastern Massachusetts. The Cranberry Team works closely with a broad coalition that includes growers, consultants, professional associations, private vendors, non-profits, state and federal agencies, legislators, local officials and citizens. Extension staff, researchers, and partners consider options and focus efforts on the most critical needs and logical avenues. The Cranberry team convenes stakeholders to share information in a variety of formats that promote discussion and analysis of past, current and future issues in cranberry production and research. This project is a part of the Agriculture & Landscape program |
|
Read more...
|
Sustainable Vegetable Production and Marketing Project Leader: Ruth Hazzard Project Year: 2009 Vegetable farming in Massachusetts and New England has remained vital in recent decades through constant and creative change: more direct marketing, diversification, selection of high value crops, and adoption of new technologies. The twenty thousand Massachusetts acres used to produce vegetables (worth over $80 million in farm-gate value and over $240 million retail value) are a resource for food, open space, environmental quality, economic vitality, and quality of life in the Commonwealth. Vegetable farmers are key players in the state's 100 plus farmers markets, 150 farmstands, 50 plus Community Supported Agriculture farms, and the wholesale food distribution system. Dairy, livestock and fruit farmers are diversifying by growing more vegetable crops. Sustainable vegetable production requires new technical solutions to problems of cropping systems and rotations, crop nutrition, soil health, water use and conservation, energy sources and needs, and pest management. As Massachusetts undergoes cultural, economic and climactic changes, both new and established growers must learn to use practices that are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable, and to adapt cropping systems to new market opportunities in Massachusetts. The Sustainable Vegetable Production and Marketing project will undertake research and extension to address key problems and opportunities facing the industry and the public. This project is a part of the Agriculture & Landscape program |
|
Read more...
|
Plant and Soil Diagnostic ServicesProject Leader: Bess Dicklow Project Year: 2009 Maintaining a healthy local economy is a major concern for many communities in Massachusetts. The success of the Environmental Horticulture industry - also known as the “Green Industry” is important to the health of many local economies across the state. Reliable information is the backbone of best management practices in the Green Industries. Landscapers, turf managers, the floriculture industry and vegetable growers rely on diagnostic tools to remain competitive and prevent unnecessary risks. UMass Extension Plant and Soil Diagnostic Services provide accurate identification of pest, disease, and weed problems. The program also provides analysis of soil and tissue nutrient levels which leads to precision fertilizer applications. Fertilizer applications based upon soil and tissue analysis prevent unnecessary applications of fertilizers which have the potential to negatively impact water resources. Diagnostic analyses also determine nutrient toxicities and deficiencies that can negatively impact plant growth and performance. In addition to providing these technical services, diagnostic staff also work educate the horticultural industry through presentations at grower meetings, invited presentations, participation in UMass Green School and Winter School for Turf Managers, and by contributing to an array of publications, newsletters and technical manuals. This project is part of the Agriculture & Landscape program |
|
Read more...
|
Pesticide Education ProgramProject Leader: Natalia Clifton Project Year: 2009 Pesticides are vital tools for controlling pests and maintaining an adequate food supply. If used improperly, pesticides can also threaten human health and the natural environment. Inexperienced applicators, accidents, inadequate protection and equipment continue to be areas of concern that increase the potential for negative personal and environmental impacts from pesticide exposure. The Pesticide Education Project works closely with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to educate pesticide users about safe application, state regulation and proper use of pesticides in Massachusetts. The UMass Extension Pesticide Education team is also part of a New England Pest Management Network that collaborates to gather information on pest management and pesticide use for important crops and sites throughout New England and to identify pest management needs and inform state regulations. This project helps natural resource-based businesses stay competitive and relevant through education on new pests and new pest management strategies, environmental issues that affect their industry, and continued notice of updates to local and federal laws and regulations. This project is part of the Agriculture & Landscape program |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
Sustainable Tree Fruit Production and MarketingProject Leader: Jon Clements Project Year: 2009 Fruit farms and orchards 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, while 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 in Massachusetts to maintain their economic viability and environmental sustainability, farmers must continually strive to improve production efficiency, expand species diversity, explore marketing opportunities, understand farm ecology, and evaluate profitability. The UMass Extension Sustainable Tree Fruit Production and Marketing Project provides 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 foster a more secure, diverse and healthful food supply for the Commonwealth. This project is a part of the Agriculture & Landscape program |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Public Issues 
