Sustainable Agricultural Green Industries

Summary

Agricultural green industries provide employment opportunities, income, products and services that support our local economies and meet the diverse needs of our citizens. Landscapers, arborists, nurseries, lawn services, greenhouses and recreational livestock farms also play an important role in helping to manage our natural resources and maintain open space.  Agricultural green industries need to be economically profitable to survive. They also need to generate products and manage landscapes in a manner that is environmentally sustainable. UMass Extension’s strength in agricultural sciences and natural resources is essential in addressing opportunities and priorities related to economic productivity of these businesses in ways that are environmentally sustainable.

Situation and Priorities

According to the New England Nursery Association, Massachusetts has more than 5,100 firms involved in production, retail and landscape services in the agricultural green industries.  In 2007 the income generated by these businesses was in excess of $2.6 billion.  More than 68,000 individual are employed by these industries in Massachusetts and an estimated 14,000 additional workers are needed. The long-term sustainability of these businesses is largely dependent on the stewardship and preservation of the natural resources (land, soil and water) upon which they rely. At the same time, healthy agricultural green industries contribute to the economic vitality and the quality and esthetic character of life in Massachusetts. 

Maintaining a healthy local economy, while conserving natural resources, is a major concern for many communities in Massachusetts.  UMass Extension supports agricultural green industry professionals through educational programs, informing policy decisions, and generating applied research that is critical for helping businesses in Massachusetts improve their competitiveness while minimizing environmental and human health risks. Businesses and communities both benefit from the development and adoption of technologies that reduce the cost of crop production and management, reduce the risks of contamination, increase marketability, and improve the health of soil, air and water. Thriving agricultural green industries can provide economic development and other critical public benefits while preserving natural resources and community character for current and future generations. 

UMass Extension has identified the following priorities for addressing Sustainable Agricultural Green Industries in Massachusetts:

1. Profitable Plant Production - Firms can enhance their efficiencies and expand their marketing opportunities, tapping into a tremendous statewide growth potential for their products and services.  New business owners need support and education to help them develop successful enterprises and sustain the profitability of the industry.
2. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - Extension Educators and UMass Faculty are recognized nationally for the development and promotion of IPM practices. IPM is a systems approach based on accurate pest identification and monitoring and suitable control measures in an ecologically compatible manner, to maintain pest population levels below those causing economically-significant injury.  The use of IPM in the agricultural green industries can reduce management and production costs, reduce the risk of contamination, increase marketability, and improve the health of soil and water. 
3. Workforce Development - Workers in the agricultural green industries need training opportunities to help them operate their businesses efficiently and in ways that are safe for both people and the environment. 
4. Energy - Renewable energy production can help agricultural and green industry businesses to be more profitable and environmentally sustainable while helping our county create a pathway to energy independence. The widespread use of biofuel crops, such as switchgrass, present a potential new industry for Massachusetts, while promising pilot programs that help farmers conserve energy are already being disseminated through educational outreach to farms, green industry and forestry businesses

The following Projects addressed Sustainable Agricultural Green Industries in 2009. Click on "plan" or "report" for additional details.

• Sustainable Landscape Management and Nursery Production: Plan | Report
• Pesticide Education Program: Plan | Report
• Sustainable Turf Management and Production: Plan | Report
• Sustainable Greenhouse Management: Plan | Report
• Sustainable Cranberry Production: Plan | Report
• Sustainable Greenhouse Management: Plan | Report
• Sustainable Small Fruit Production and Marketing: Plan | Report
• Sustainable Tree Fruit Production and Marketing: Plan | Report
• Sustainable Vegetable Production and Marketing: Plan | Report
• Plant and Soil Diagnostic Services: Plan | Report