Pesticide Education Program
Project Leader: Natalia Clifton
Project Year: 2009
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
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Plant and Soil Diagnostic Services
Project Leader: Bess Dicklow
Project Year: 2009
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
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Sustainable Cranberry Production
Project Leader: Hilary Sandler
Project Year: 2009
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
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Sustainable Freshwater Aquaculture
Project Leader: Craig Hollingsworth
Project Year: 2009
Commercial aquaculture is a valuable and growing industry in the U.S. and around the world. Two major factors are driving the industry's expansion: increasing public demand for high quality fishery products and reduced yields from harvest of wild stocks. In Massachusetts, aquaculture can play an important role in the states ecology and economic development. Aquaculture can provide farmers with alternative source for generating income and opportunities for capital investment. Small farm freshwater aquaculture can serve a number of markets: home consumption, bait fish, providing sport fish for stocking, fee fishing, local restaurants and food markets, and ornamentals for hobbyists. Hatcheries are also an important management tool used by state and federal fish and wildlife agencies to enhance and restore freshwater fisheries for public benefit. Cultured fish play a major role in providing and enhancing recreational fishing opportunities, augmenting existing fish stocks, and restoring fisheries resources.Extension is seeking to support this industry across by training growers in the fundamentals of aquaculture. Potential new entrants into this market need accesses to the resources and technical assistance provided by Extension to fully realize the value of this emerging industry.
This project is a part of the Agriculture & Landscape program
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Sustainable Small Fruit Production and Marketing
Project Leader: Sonia Schloemann
Project Year: 2009
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
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Sustainable Tree Fruit Production and Marketing
Project Leader: Jon Clements
Project Year: 2009
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
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Sustainable Vegetable Production and Marketing
Project Leader: Ruth Hazzard
Project Year: 2009
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
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