Sustainable Greenhouse Management

Project Leader: Tina Smith

General Information

In MA, nursery and greenhouse production has increased 46% since 1992 and is ranked first among the state’s agricultural commodities (MA Dept. of Ag Resources, NASS). Much of this increase is attributable to farmers transitioning to greenhouse crops in their businesses to increase income. Plant sales generate an estimated $763 million in Massachusetts. Floriculture 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 impact to the economy of Massachusetts. The industry also affects our quality of life and the environment.

The Floriculture industry faces many challenges including:

• Increasing costs of production i.e. energy including oil, gas and electricity and labor and other production associated inputs (growing media, plastics)
• Global production and importation of crops increases the competitiveness within the industry and the risk of introducing insects, diseases and invasive weeds.
• Limited supplies and restrictions on the use of water for horticulture production and consumer use.
• Complex agricultural, environmental and social issues and governmental regulations.
• Lack of educated and trained labor force
• Diversity of crops and additions of new crops to the market requires up-to-date production information
• The need for safe and effective pest management strategies
• Land development pressure.

To remain viable this industry must address these issues and have access to current information on best management practices, water and energy conservation, renewable energy options and effective marketing strategies.

Activities

• SARE Site visits
• Website maintenance, web blog and email
• Floral Notes and Mayflower Newsletters
• Educational Conferences - Greenhouse Tomato, Growing and Marketing Greener, Fall and Winter Greenhouse, MFGA/MNLA Summer Field Day,
• 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

Inputs: Time and Effort

Outcomes:

This Project will document progress towards the following:

• Participants adopt practices that ensure the economic viability of natural resource-based businesses.
• Participants increase their knowledge and skill for practices that increase the economic viability of natural resource-based businesses
• Participants adopt sustainable resource management and environmental best management practices for operating Natural Resources-based businesses
• Participants develop the knowledge and skills to adopt sustainable resource management and environmental best management practices for operating Natural

Extension program related to this project: Agriculture & Landscape