News from the Center

Dairy Event

February 11, 2016

Are you wondering if a robotic milking machine is right for your farm? If so, be sure to attend a one-day conference on Wednesday, February 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at UMass Crop and Animal Research and Education Center in South Deerfield. This event will share perspectives from both farmers and industry representatives on robotic milking to help you decide whether or not robotic milking is a viable option for your farm. Come and speak with farmers who have the system in place. In addition, presenters from a multi-state collaboration will discuss some options for improving productivity and profitability of forage production. Attendees will enjoy interactive presentations, panel discussions, lunch and refreshments with presenters from UMass, UVM, and UMaine faculty and Extension educators. Email Kelly at kkraemer@umass.edu to register, fee is $20 per person; including lunch.

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Community Tree Conference: Work Safe, Stay Safe

January 12, 2016

Got trees? Plan to attend a one-day conference on Tuesday, March 8 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Stockbridge Hall, UMass Amherst. This conference is designed for tree care professionals, volunteers, and enthusiasts including arborists, tree wardens/municipal tree care specialists, foresters, landscape architects and shade tree committee members. The theme of this year's conference will pertain to safe work practices. Topics will include: OSHA and the Tree Care Industry, Climbing Tips for Long-term Physical Health & Safety, and PPE, Deer Ticks and Their Management in the Landscape.

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Massachusetts Local Food Plan Action Completed

December 15, 2015

The Mass. Local Food Action Plan has been completed, and has been accepted by the Massachusetts Food Policy Council. After two years of work, and input from more than 1,500 people, the plan offers a set of goals and recommendations to increase production, sales and consumption of Massachusetts-grown and -made foods, create good jobs within the food system, protect natural resources, and reduce hunger. Now, it's time to make the plan a reality.

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Make Plans for Climate Change

November 24, 2015

AMHERST, Mass. – Now it is easier than ever to make plans to adapt to climate change. A coalition of research institutions, including the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the state’s fish and wildlife agency, this week unveiled a new online tool for use by local decision-makers, conservation managers, land trusts, regional planners, landowners and community leaders in Massachusetts who are interested in taking action in response to climate change.

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UMass ECO Professors Ryan and Harper Receive Awards

November 9, 2015

Conway, NH--A new award minted the 'Dr. H. Dennis P. Ryan III Award’ was presented to its charter recipient, Dennis Ryan, of the UMass Department of Environmental Conservation (ECO), before an audience of over 200 tree care professionals, enthusiasts and researchers. This award is the highest honor bestowed by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), New England. Rick Harper was also presented with the International Society of Arboriculture’s Award of Achievement for outstanding contributions to ISA.

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2016 Massachusetts Envirothon: High-tech devices complement field-based learning

November 5, 2015

The 29th annual Massachusetts Envirothon kicked off in high gear on November 4 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus. Over 200 high school students from 22 Massachusetts communities gathered to attend educational workshops led by UMass professors, graduate students and leaders from environmental organizations throughout the state. Many of the 26 workshops were centered on this year's topic: invasive species.

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Massachusetts Food System Plan released and open for comments

October 27, 2015

Massachusetts state officials released a plan for boosting locally grown food – the first such plan since 1974. This plan (still in draft form) presents goals, recommendations, and actions for our state’s food system that have been developed through an extensive public process directed by the Massachusetts Food Policy Council. Final edits and a thorough review is still in process. Your feedback is important. Comments will be received until Friday, November 6 at 5:00 pm. Comments will be included with responses as part of the final document when it is presented to the Council in December.

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End of Season Wrap-Up for Landscapers: Updates from UMass Extension

October 27, 2015

This season presented new and recurring hurdles for the maintenance of healthy and attractive landscapes. Factors such as variable weather and pest outbreaks have compelled changes in day to day approaches as well as modifications to longer-term management plans. Join UMass Extension educators on November 12 at their home base – the UMass Amherst campus – for a detail-oriented day of learning about the latest management challenges and pest problems.

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UMass Amherst Faculty and Staff Present Programs at Boston Public Market

October 19, 2015

AMHERST, Mass. – This fall faculty and staff from the University of Massachusetts Amherst are presenting educational programming at the new Boston Public Market (BPM), a 28,000-square-foot, self-sustaining market featuring all locally sourced food. The market, which opened July 30, is the first of its kind in the nation and offers products that are produced or originate from New England. Participating faculty and staff will present in BPM’s demonstration kitchen, a community engagement area that offers classes, workshops and events.

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National Award Recognizes Excellence of Rootstock Research

September 24, 2015

Dr. Wesley Autio of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst leads tree fruit research trials at the UMass Cold Spring Orchard Research and Education Center in Belchertown, Mass. Professor Autio’s efforts are an important component of an ongoing large multi-state tree fruit research program supported by the National Institute for Food and Agriculture at the U.S. Department of Agriculture that began in 1976. The project was recently awarded the 2015 Excellence in Multistate Research Award from U.S.D.A.’s Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy at a Washington D.C. ceremony.

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Berkshire County 4-H celebrates 75 years

September 16, 2015

The fair “run by youth for youth” just reached a milestone: fostering youth development for three-quarters of a century. On August 15, 2015, several hundred attendees experienced classic 4-H fair events featuring goat-milking, rabbit-judging, an equestrian competition and an exhibit of local agricultural photography, among others.

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Congressman Jim McGovern: Farm Tour 2015

August 27, 2015

Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA 2nd District) has an appetite for ending hunger. In late August, 2015, he took time from his hectic schedule to tour 13 small to medium-sized farms in his district. Among agenda items, he wanted to learn what was happening with local agriculture, how people are getting fed and how he could be helpful with issues faced by farmers. McGovern easily pulls together threads of connection between healthy food as medicine, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries and sustainable agricultural economies. An aspect of several local farms that interested him is their contribution of local produce to food banks and survival centers with some farms offering discounted CSA shares to low-income people.

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Massachusetts Water Resources Research Center’s (WRRC) 50th Anniversary

August 25, 2015

To help make one-half century of water research at the University of Massachusetts, the public is invited to attend WRRC’s 50th anniversary dinner and a weekend of water-related talks and presentations. The dinner is Friday, September 11th, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm in the Gunness Student Center, Marcus Hall, UMass Amherst Campus. Although dinner is free, registration is required.

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Turf Research Field Day Brings Professional Community to UMass Facility

July 30, 2015

Every two years, a Turf Research Field Day is hosted by the UMass Turf Program at the UMass Joseph Troll Turf Research Facility in South Deerfield, Massachusetts. This year’s program, held on July 15, featured discussions and demonstrations of ten ongoing research projects. Over 200 municipal turf managers, lawn care professionals, school field superintendents and others from the “green industry” spent the day under the shadow of Mount Sugarloaf learning about new research developments.

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4-H’ers Try 3D Printing at On-Campus Camp

July 8, 2015

Remember the Replicator on Star Trek? This summer’s 4-H campers are a little young to remember that (they’ll have to wait for next year’s Star Trek Beyond movie to be released). Ok, while we may not yet have that Replicator, we are definitely getting closer. 3D printing technology is rapidly becoming commonplace at work, in schools and at home. 4-H campers discovered this for themselves during their recent Science, Environment and Technology (SET) Camp at UMass Amherst.

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New Massachusetts Plant Nutrient Regulations in Effect

June 20, 2015

Agricultural producers as well as turf and landscape practitioners in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are advised to keep informed about nutrient management regulations. Statewide plant nutrient regulations are now in effect for turf care and are scheduled to take effect for agricultural production on December 5, 2015.

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Slovenian Bee Expert Visits UMass Amherst to Promote World Bee Day

June 18, 2015

Janko Božič, professor of animal behavior and beekeeping at Ljubljana University, Slovenia visited the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst on June 15, 2015. Professor Božič recently met with officials at the United Nations about bee conservation and to establish a World Bee Day in recognition of the importance of these insect pollinators to food crops and agriculture around the globe.

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UMass Agricultural Field Day set for June 24

June 17, 2015

AMHERST, Mass. — The UMass Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment will be hosting their annual Agricultural Field Day on Wednesday, June 24th from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. It will be held at the University of Massachusetts Crop and Animal Research Center located at 89-91 North River Road, South Deerfield, MA University of Massachusetts has a 358-acre agronomy and vegetable farm that conducts research on vegetable crops, agronomic and bioenergy crops, organic agriculture and pasture. The farm has a both a student-run vegetable project as well a project that researches cattle, offering students hands-on experience with livestock. Faculty, extension staff, and graduate students conduct applied research and are assisted by technicians, field staff and undergraduate students.

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Ruth Hazzard, Longtime Extension Educator for Vegetable Farmers, to Retire

May 27, 2015

When Ruth Hazzard’s name is invoked on farms across the Commonwealth, the very image of a dedicated agricultural specialist comes to mind. Since she joined UMass Extension in 1989, her commitment to the work of UMass Extension’s Vegetable Program has grown and evolved as techniques and new developments have emerged and evolved as the nature of Extension itself has changed. During these decades full of change, what has remained constant is Extension’s ability—and Ruth Hazzard’s commitment--to serve an industry with science-based research and education.

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Massachusetts 4-H Foundation Celebrates 60 years

May 26, 2015

Since 1955, the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation has been focused and clear about their mission: fostering youth development. During their 60th annual meeting held this May, a gathering of staff, trustees, volunteers, supporters and 4-H club members took the opportunity to applaud the work of six decades. Board Chair Kent Lage, conducted annual Board business, and then acted as Emcee for this festive event. Joanne Brown received special recognition for her boundless energy and enthusiasm as a volunteer working with two 4-H clubs as well as regional and statewide organizations. All five summer 4-H camps were awarded monetary gifts from The Yawkey Foundation. And those who benefit directly from efforts of MA 4-H Foundation were there: participating students. Plant-A-Smile 4-H Club members from Newton wowed the audience with a presentation about their tech-savvy GIS mapping project.

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