Pesticide Education Program

Project Leader: Natalia Clifton

Project Year: 2008

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 part of the Agriculture & Landscape program

Plant and Soil Diagnostic Services

Project Leader: Bess Dicklow

Report Year: 2008

Plant and Soil Diagnostic Services provides growers with critical information that enhances ecosystems and protects natural resources. Our scientific diagnoses of crop problems and cultural practice recommendations support effective and environmentally sound disease management. Accurate diagnosis ensures that the proper chemicals are applied appropriately and unnecessary pesticide applications are reduced or eliminated.  Fertilizer applications based upon the results of soil tests also reduce unnecessary and inappropriate applications. Project staff contribute to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) field schools that educate vegetable growers on ecologically sound pest management and scouting techniques. Regular monitoring of crop fields and submission of suspect samples to the Diagnostic Lab can lead to the detection, avoidance, and early containment of exotic pests.

This project is part of the Agriculture & Landscape program

Sustainable Cranberry Production

Project Leader: Hilary Sandler

Project Year: 2008

The Sustainable Cranberry Project continues to interact with, support, and educate Massachusetts growers on critical issues facing the cranberry industry. We listened to grower concerns on an individual basis and convened a Cranberry Summit in December 2007 to discuss successes and problems in a group setting. We conversed regularly with state and federal regulatory agencies to maintain an appropriate focus on issues that need to be addressed. Results from applied research projects in entomology, plant pathology, weed science, and nutrition that have reached the implementation stage were presented at the Annual Extension and Research Update meeting. We completed another year of research on our Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant that is focused on developing Best Management Practices for enhancing the canopy microclimate to increase production and reduce pesticide inputs and we began working on another research project focused on enhancing native pollinator habitat. We have successfully competed to obtain additional external grant monies to support our grower- and industry-identified research priorities.

This project is a part of the Agriculture & Landscape program

Sustainable Small Fruit Production and Marketing

Project Leader: Sonia Schloemann

Project Year: 2008

For fruit farms in Massachusetts to thrive, farmers must continually strive to improve production efficiency, expand species diversity, explore marketing opportunities, understand farm ecology, and evaluate profitability. The Sustainable Small Fruit Production Project provides ready access to current research-based information on new and alternative fruit crops and varieties, advanced horticultural management techniques, marketing strategies, and innovative practices to manage weeds, disease and insects.  Through applied research and education programs, we disseminate the most recent and the most reliable information to assist growers in Massachusetts and throughout the region to maintain and enhance the environmental and economic sustainability of their operations. Our efforts are also focused on the increasing the purchase and consumption of locally grown foods by individuals, families and institutions.  Overall, our program has established on ongoing partnership between local fruit producers and UMass Extension to foster a more secure, diverse and healthful food supply for the Commonwealth.

This project is a part of the Agriculture & Landscape program

Sustainable Tree Fruit Production and Marketing

Project Leader: Jon Clements

Project Year: 2008

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. Through applied research and educational outreach, 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 result in important tools for farmers to increase production efficiency while enhancing fruit quality.  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 Vegetable Production and Marketing

Project Leader: Ruth Hazzard

Project Year: 2008

Sustainable vegetable production requires new technical solutions to problems of crop nutrition, soil, water, energy  and pest management. As Massachusetts undergoes cultural and economic changes, both new and established growers must learn to produce crops sustainably and to adapt cropping systems to new market opportunities in Massachusetts. This plan 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