Project Plans FY09

Sustainable Greenhouse Management

Project Leader: Tina Smith

Participating Staff:

• Tina Smith
• Paul Lopes
• Bess Dicklow

Participating Faculty:

• Douglas Cox, Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences
• Robert Wick, Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences

Project Year: 2009

Brief Description

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.

Activities

• SARE Site visits
• Website maintenance, web blog and email
• Floral Notes and Mayflower Newsletters
• Applied research trials using composted cranberry pomace
• New England Greenhouse Conference
• Teach PLSOIL 397F Integrated Pest Management of Greenhouse Crops,
• Durfee Conservatory Advisor
• Greenhouse Trade Magazine Column –GMPro
• Team Leader- Liaison
• Train EPA officials about greenhouse industry issues
• Pesticide education training
• New England Greenhouse Floriculture Guide; A Management Guide for Insects, Diseases, Weeds and Growth Regulators
• Educational Conferences - using biological control in greenhouses, alternative greenhouse crops conference, winter greenhouse program, MFGA/MNLA Summer Field Day

Inputs: Time and Effort

Outcomes:

This Project will document progress towards the following:

• Participants adopt practices that ensure economic viability of agricultural-based businesses.
• Participants increase their knowledge and skills in sustainable practices in operating their agricultural businesses.

This project is part of the Agriculture & Landscape program