Publications
The UMass Extension Fruit Advisor offers a variety of print and electronic publications.
Annual March Messages
The Annual March Message to Massachusetts Tree Fruit Growers began in 1979, under the leadership of world renowned tree fruit entomologist and IPM innovator, Dr. Ronald J. Prokopy. Dr. Prokopy led this effort, writing most of the extensive publications, for 26 years until his passing in 2004. The March Message was reborn 15 years later in 2019.
The March Message attempts to address a variety of topics of current concern to Massachusetts and other northeastern fruit growers. The March Message has as its underlying goal to provide growers with cutting-edge research-based information on pest control, with a look at the most recent research and potential future directions. It also discusses IPM issues within and outside the USA, which we consider to be relevant to growers.
Orchard BMP Manual
Best Management Practices (BMPs) can be defined as those farming operations which provide efficient use of resources, optimized economic returns to the farm, provide the greatest possible safety for workers and consumers, and reduce adverse effects on the environment surrounding and within the farming operation. This manual contains best management practices for orchards.
Small Fruit BMP Manual
Best management practices (BMPs) can be defined as those farming operations which provide efficient use of resources, optimized economic returns to the farm, provide the greatest possible safety for workers and consumers, and reduce adverse effects on the environment surrounding and within the farming operation. This manual contains best management practices for small fruit.
New England Tree Fruit Management Guide
The Guide is a joint project between the New England Extension faculty and professionals and Cornell University to provide the best information available for the management of commercial tree fruit in the region.
New England Small Fruit Management Guide
The guide is intended for commercial farmers to provide information on pest management practices for small fruit crops in New England.
Fruit IPM Guidelines
- In operation for over 30 years, the current IPM emphasis is to develop techniques to incorporate all pest management practices with all horticultural practices used in the production of apples, strawberries, blueberries, brambles, and grapes, and advance non-pesticidal ways of managing key pests (insects, diseases, weeds and sometimes wildlife).
- Tree Fruit IPM Project
- Small Fruit IPM Project
Fact Sheets
for Tree Fruit, Small Fruit, General Fruit Growers, and Homeowners
Newsletters
You can subscribe to the following newsletters by 
downloading the form here and mailing it in with your payment.
- Fruit Notes
Prepared by the UMass Department of Plant, Soil & Insect Sciences. Subscription rates: $35 per year for the email version. All payments must be made in United States currency. Contact Jaime Piñero at (413) 545-1031 or jpinero@umass.edu.
- Healthy Fruit
Healthy Fruit is a timely newsletter that includes information on tree-fruit horticulture, pest management, and related topics. The primary target reader is the commercial grower, but anyone growing fruit trees will benefit. Healthy Fruit is published weekly or biweekly from April through September and periodically throughout the rest of the year.
- Berry Notes
Massachusetts Berry Notes concluded publication in 2018 with its 30th volume. Archived issues are available.
>> Starting in 2019 Berry information will appear in the Healthy Fruit Newsletter. We encourage you to become a subscriber of Healthy Fruit! <<
>> SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE <<
- New England Grape Notes
New England Grape Notes includes relevant information on grape production, pest management, and related topics. Short articles on recent research results are also often included. Information about all types of production practices including IPM, organic, and conventional management is provided. For additional information, contact Elsa Petit at epetit@umass.edu
