Citizen Planner Training Collaborative

Project Leader: Michael DiPasquale

Project Year: 2009

The vast majority of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts have volunteer planning boards and zoning boards of appeal. These boards have significant decision-making power over zoning, development, natural resource protection, and other important land use issues. With the complexity of changing state regulations and without dedicated professional staff, many board members struggle to stay informed of new developments, and the tools and techniques that can promote better decisions or avoid unnecessary or costly appeals.

The Citizen Planner Training Collaborative (CPTC) provides local planning and zoning officials with up-to-date learning tools to make effective decisions regarding their communities' current and future land use. CPTC offers a series of Fall Workshops, an annual Spring Conference and On-Demand Training. Information is also delivered through the CPTC website, and a through and an innovative web-technology (webinars) that allows users to participate in distance learning programs. The Citizen Planner Training Collaborative (CPTC) is the only comprehensive training option targeted specifically to the citizens (mostly volunteers) that serve on boards in the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts.

This project is a part of the Natural Resource & Environmental Conservation program

Sustainable Greenhouse Management

Project Leader: Tina Smith

Project Year: 2009

According to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, nursery and greenhouse production is ranked first among the state’s agricultural commodities. The industry consists of wholesale growers and grower retailers, including a rising number of diversified farms that are adding greenhouse crops to their businesses strategies. Plant production is also the basis for many associated horticultural industries such as plant and seed propagators, product suppliers and service industries. Combined, these companies provide a considerable economic and environmental impact to Massachusetts.

The Extension Floriculture Team provides research and educational opportunities for best management and sustainable practices for the greenhouse industry in Massachusetts. The goals of the program are to maintain economic viability for the Green Industries while reducing environmental impacts. Programs on greenhouse crop production, integrated pest management, water and nutrient management, waste management (cranberry pomace) and energy are delivered through a variety of educational opportunities that include newsletters, websites and blogs, publications, workshops, conferences, training programs, diagnostic services and research.
 

This project is part of the Agriculture & Landscape program

Sustainable Cranberry Production

Project 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

Sustainable Turf Management

Project Leader: Mary Owen

Project Year: 2009

In the highly populated northeastern United States, turf-covered surfaces collectively comprise an integral part of our communities. Turf management practices have broad implications for water resources, property values, the safety of youth and adult sports participants and the economic viability of businesses and communities. In addition, turf management materials present potential risks from human and non-target exposure. Professional turf managers in all segments of the turf industry are challenged to meet shifting customer demands while meeting safety and quality expectations and protecting the environment. The development, communication and adoption of best management practices are critical for maintaining the quantity and quality of open space and can positively impact ecosystem integrity in Massachusetts.

The UMass Extension Sustainable Turf Management Project helps turf managers and other interested individuals, organizations and communities meet these challenges by providing research based information disseminated through a comprehensive array of workshops, courses, newsletters, websites, educational presentations, field days, and site consultations.  These activities serve to convene state and regional partners to focus on building the skills and knowledge that are needed for maintaining and enhancing turf landscapes, while protecting human health and conserving water and other natural resources.  

This project is a part of the Agriculture & Landscape program

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

Pesticide Education Program

Project 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 a part of the Agriculture & Landscape program

Sustainable Tree Fruit Production and Marketing

Project 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

Sustainable Landscape Management and Nursery Production

Project Leader: Kathleen Carroll

Project Year: 2009 

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.

This project is a part of the Agriculture & Landscape program