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Campus researchers from Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences will share $481,500 of more than $2.7 million in agricultural innovation grants announced May 20 by state leaders.
The funds, which are intended to help Massachusetts farmers compete in the marketplace, were the first awarded through the state’s new Agricultural Innovation Center, a “virtual” office that uses grants to build partnerships with industry trade and support organizations to develop economically viable and environmentally sustainable agricultural enterprises.
The grants were announced by Gov. Deval L. Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray and Ian Bowles, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
 Professor Stephen Herbert is leading two of the grant-funded projects. The first, which received $185,000, will study how to better grow grain in New England so diary and livestock farmers can reduce their dependency on feed crops from the Midwest.
Herbert is also involved in a $170,000 effort focused on developing tool and management practices to create high-quality pastures for livestock foraging. The study will entail determining which forage species are suitable for various soil conditions and assessing feeding and watering systems.
 Associate professor Anne Averill is leading a $71,500 project on sustainable pollination strategies for cranberry production. Working with the state’s chief apiary inspector, Averill will focus on concerns about a die-off of honeybees in various parts of the country that could impact the effectiveness of migrant beekeepers employed by the cranberry and other crop industries. Although Colony Collapse Disorder has not yet been reported in Massachusetts, cases have been recorded in New York and Connecticut. Averill’s study will examine pollination alternatives in the event of a catastrophic loss within the honeybee population.
A demonstration small-scale farm wine, cider and juice production facility is being led by Professor Duane Greene, who says that interest in growing grapes is increasing. The demonstration facility, which is being supported by a $55,000 grant, will give growers a chance to see what works before building their own production plants.
 Staff from the Cranberry Experiment Station in East Wareham are also expected to be involved in a $1.5 million effort to renovate cranberry bogs. The grant to the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association is supporting a competitive process for growers to receive money for rehabilitating their crops areas.
UMass Amherst "In the Loop"
http://www.umass.edu/loop/
May 31, 2007
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