Outreach & Services

Outreach, primarily through UMass Extension, is another important aspect of our Department, and complements our excellence in academics and research. Our Outreach educational services and research programs affect all aspects of agriculture, including farmers, homeowners, landscape managers, golfcourse superintendents, sports turf managers, pesticide applicators, etc. Our community service programs also reach out to educators and the general public, and invite them to share in our knowledge and vast resources. Below are links to some of our specific programs. We invite you to browse the page, or to use the quick links to find the programs you are interested in.

Quick Links
For K-12 Teachers, Students, Classes and Children's Groups
Home Gardener Information l Durfee Conservatory
The Insect Collection l UMass Soil Characterization Lab
Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory
Plant Problem Diagnostics & Insect Identification
Lyme Disease Diagnostics l Pesticide Education Program
Cold Spring Orchard Research and Education Center
Other Outreach and Extension Services Links
Fruit Notes l UMass Fruit Advisor
The UMass Genomics Resource Laboratory
The Medicinal Plant Program

Department Programs, Services and Special Attractions

• Durfee Conservatory
  The original Durfee Plant House was erected in 1867, and was the first greenhouse at Massachusetts Agriculture College (now UMass Amherst). The present Durfee Conservatory, built in 1954, has evolved beyond its original academic and research functions. Tucked away in a hustling and bustling campus, this arboretum is a sanctuary of calm and serenity. Many native and exotic plant species grace the abororetum, and are available for public viewing. In sunny weather students sit and read in the outside gardens. In the biting cold of winter, many take a few minutes on their way to class, to warm themselves in the 'rainforest' room.
  
  
• The Insect Collection
  The Department keeps an extensive collection of entomological specimens, and some of our most interesting and beautiful ones are on public display. Everyone, especially children, enjoy the butterfilies. The collection can be found in the second floor hallway of Fernald Hall at UMass Amherst.
  
  
• Soil & Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory
  The Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory provides fee-based test results and recommendations that lead to the wise and economical use of soils and soil amendments
  
  
• UMass Soil Characterization Laboratory
  This fee-based laboratory specializes in soil characterization and in Title 5 septic analysis. Call Mickey at 413-545-5215 for more information.
  
  
• Plant Problem Diagnostics Laboratory
  Many of our Department's Faculty and Staff participate in the UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab. Services are fee-based, and include diagnostics on turf, vegetables, floriculture, trees, and shrubs. The Laboratory can also identify insects associated with plant problems.
  
  
• Lyme Disease Diagnostics
  UMass Extension, in cooperation with PSIS researchers, will assess black legged ticks (deer ticks) for Lyme Disease. This is a fee-based service.
  

• Pesticide Education Program
  Find accurate information regarding the regulation and use of pesticides in Massachusetts and throughout the country
  
  
• Cold Spring Orchard Research & Education Center
  The UMass Cold Spring Orchard in Belchertown, MA is a working research facility of UMass Amherst, a place to buy delicious fruit, and a great spot to enjoy a spectacular view of the Holyoke Mountain Range.
  
  
• Fruit Notes
  Fruit Notes is a quarterly journal (in paper and electronic forms) presenting results from our many fruit research and demonstration projects. Crops include apples, peaches, cherries, wine & table grapes, and beach plums. Articles include scientific data, but presented in a way that is accessible to all.
  
  
• UMass Fruit Advisor
  The Umass Fruit Advisor is the entry point to all UMass information on fruit crops. Included are newsletters for tree-fruit and small-fruit crops, meeting notices, special factsheets, and other items important to growing fruit crops.
  
  
• The UMass-Amherst Genomics Resource Laboratory
  The Genomics Resource Lab (GRL) offers a variety of services and/or equipment-use to members of the campus community, as well as to off-campus contractors on a limited basis. The goal of the GRL is to facilitate genomics research by offering affordable, high-quality data acquisition for medium throughput projects.  The primary services available are nucleotide sequencing, qPCR, and genotyping. The GRL is staffed with a full time doctoral level managing consultant who can help with everything from study design to training laboratory personnel.
  
  
• The Medicinal Plant Program
  The Medicinal Plant Program is a consortium of faculty and staff at UMass Amherst, including some members of the Department of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences. The program conducts education, research, and outreach related to all aspects of medicinal plants.

Outreach and Extension Information & Programs
Outreach at UMass
University of Massachusetts Extension
Agriculture & Landscape Program
Integrated Pest Management
Fruit
Vegetable
Turf
Floriculture
Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry
Cranberries
Crops, Dairy and Livestock
Community Agriculture Education
Pesticide Education Program
Urban and School IPM

Home Gardener Information
Although members of the Department of Plant, Soil & Insect Sciences are not able to directly respond to home grower inquiries, UMass Cooperative Extension has information online at: http://www.umassturf.org/resources/gardener_info.html

Resources for K-12 Teachers, Students, Classes and Children's Groups

Online Resources:

Like bugs? Need some cool information? Check out Bug Net MAP (Mentor Assisted Project) ONLINE. This is a distance learning project based on the different regions of the state of Massachusetts. Its focus is on the insects and other arthropods of each region. These may be of agricultural, medical, or veterinary importance. There are special sections designed just for Teachers and for Kids. Check out these other ONLINE sites too:

University of Arizona Center for Insect Science Education Outreach:
Using Live Insects in Elementary Classrooms for Early Lessons in Life

Classroom Connect: Learning Resources for K-12 Educators and Their Students

How about fruits? The UMass Cold Spring Orchard has some really nifty Online resources for teachers, and Online interactives that children will enjoy as well. Check them out at http://ccbit.cs.umass.edu/coldspringorchard/.

Field Trip for Kids:

How about a field trip to UMass to study bugs up close and personal? The Department has an interactive one hour program entitled, "Insects in the Hallway," which gives young children an opportunity to see a large insect collection, see and handle live insects and other arthropods, plus to talk to individuals who are Entomologists or training to become Entomologists. To arrange for a field trip, contact the PSIS main office at 413-545-2004.

Are plants more your thing? How about a field trip to Durfee Conservatory on the Umass Amherst Campus? Many native and exotic plant species grace this historical abororetum. The Durfee Staff can customize a field trip to suit your class or organization. For more information, please call the Durfee Conservatory at 413-545-5234.

The UMass Cold Spring Orchard is a real "working farm." During the fall, the farm crew harvests the fruit that they have cared for all year. Visitors can see workers picking the fruit, tractors bringing fruit to the storage area, and many other types of farming equipment and activities. Perhaps you will see red spheres hanging from trees, cone-shaped insect traps, or a "scary eyeball" used to frighten away birds. These are just a few techniques that farmers use to decrease fruit damage. Amidst all these exciting activities, schools or community groups are encouraged to come for a visit. All tours are tailored to the age and interest of the group. A variety of educational themes are available. Farming, Fruit Harvesting & Storage Techniques, Integrated Pest Management, or "Good Bugs/Bad Bugs" for the younger children are examples of our offerings. Tours are given from the first week of September through the second week in October. Please call (413) 323-6647 to leave your name, phone number, number of people in group, and the desired date.

Educating Teachers:

In addition to educating children, the Department believes that education of the K-12 teachers is just as critical. In fact, the multiplication factor of education occurs. For every teacher educated about insects, 20-30 children each year are educated. The Department offers an ONLINE course for inservice teachers and undergrads planning to enter the teaching profession. The Entomology Graduate course, ENTOMOL 671 Using Insects in the Classroom and Outdoor Setting is available through Continuing Education. Please contact the Division of Continuing and Professional Education at 413-545-3653.