Partners in Massachusetts Agriculture Education
Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources
Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Forestry Program
Spring 2007 Newsletter
Agricultural Summer Graduate Course Returns
During a workshop at Coonamesset Farm in East Falmouth, participants explored the hydroponics and aquaponics operation.
Last summer Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, in collaboration with Fitchburg State College, launched a summer, three-credit graduate course, with grant assistance from Agway Foundation and Northeast Farm Credit Ag Enhancement. Twenty-one teachers attended the agricultural literacy course, which was held on farms across the state. Each attended seven farm workshops, kept a journal of their agricultural journey and developed and presented a related unit for their classroom. We thank the sponsors, farm hosts, instructors and the participants who made this trail blazing course a success.
This year’s Summer Institute is entitled “Growing Agriculture in the Classroom.” We will meet on Wednesday June 27 and Wednesday August 15 at the Brigham Hill Community Farm in North Grafton from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each participant will also: attend six additional workshops during the summer (selected from fifteen workshops on various topics offered across the state), keep a journal and spend ten hours developing a classroom project.
The course offers agricultural literacy training through fun, hands-on study and investigation of agricultural education resources. It will assist new educators and those who want to expand their classroom offerings as they learn how to integrate agriculture into the classroom to create lessons and reinforce MCAS concepts. Participants will learn how to create community partnerships; link the classroom to the farm; expand math, science, social studies and other educational knowledge using agricultural examples, and explore technology and engineering techniques.Participants may select from our six regular summer workshops on the farm or choose from a supplemental list of nine additional summer workshops on the farm. These are described at Click here.
The fee for this eight-day course is $425 and includes all materials; farm workshops; some meals, and three graduate credits or 67 professional development points from Fitchburg State College. Participants will be paired with a MAC board member to give long-term access to agricultural resources and support.
In 2006, we initiated a three-credit Summer Graduate Course for educators in conjunction with Fitchburg State College. It was very well received. Twenty-one teachers from across the state spent the summer visiting farms, trying out agricultural activities for the classroom, preparing lesson plans and generally immersing themselves in agriculture. Soon we will be surveying these teachers to evaluate how helpful their summer studies were during their school year. A new group of teachers is now signing up for the 2007 Summer Graduate Course.
We will welcome a few new board members at our April meeting. This year we have co-presidents for the first time. The agenda will cover minutes, financial reports and committee reports during the first hour. The second hour will be devoted to discussion about the future.
We wish to express thanks to Jim Munger of Dartmouth who has been our president for the past three years. Jim has provided us with some great ideas. He promises to remain involved in the Mini-Grant Program and the Heirloom Tomato Plant Sales, in which he has been instrumental. We appreciate that Jim made sure that these ideas had a chance to blossom. About a year ago he began talking about a “line item” in the state budget. Who knows where that may lead us!
Agriculture in the Classroom exists because so many of you include various education components in your businesses. Thank you. We always like to hear from you and keep up your good work.
Marjorie Cooper and Ed Bourgeois, Co-Presidents
Media sources have been describing wide-spread instances of honey bee “Colony Collapse.” Some populations have completely disappeared, and in others just a cluster of worker bees and a queen remained. in individual hives.
Al Carl, the Chief Apiary Inspector for Massachusetts, offers the following report. Since the detection of honey bee tracheal mites in 1984 and varroa mites in 1987, honey bee colonies have diminished by the thousands and feral colonies have all but disappeared. The current “colony collapse disorder” seems to occur when unchecked varroa mite populations vector excessive amounts of honey bee viruses, mainly chronic paralysis virus, between larvae, pupae, and adult bee stages while feeding on the bees.
These viruses cause extensive stress on honey bee immune systems. The act of feeding via a piercing sucking mouth part also leaves openings for opportunistic insect pathogens. As varroa mite populations grow, bee populations eventually crash, leading to colony collapse. Commercial migratory beekeeping also places significant stress on hives even without the presence of varroa mites.
Observations in apiaries located in Hampshire, Franklin, and Middlesex Counties, show that colonies that have been adequately prepared for winter continue to thrive. The varroa mite control measures had been effective and supplemental feeding in the winter, when needed, prevented starvation.
He also reports good news for Mass. cranberry growers. After consultation with three of four migratory beekeepers in Florida and Louisiana who pollinate cranberries, he found that none of their hives are suffering from “colony collapse disorder” or “parasitic mite syndrome.”
from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Newsletter .
MAC board member, James Munger will, once again, raise heirloom tomatoes seedlings to support MAC. Jim will sow the seeds of these popular plants, transplant them, and have them ready in May or June for those who wish to sell them at their farm, school or business as a benefit to MAC. Check our website for more information on how to order your heirloom tomatoes. Click Here for a list of Heirloom Tomatoes.
Americans have a long love affair going with their lawn, and rightly so. The lawn provides a setting for family and friends to meet, socialize and play. It offers open space, a safe surface for recreation, and a green foil for flower beds, shrub borders, woodland edges, pools and patios. In the front yard, the expanse of green sets off the home adding a welcoming countenance. Behind the house the green carpet is utilized for more personalized family activity.
Lawn History
The origin of the American lawn was derived from a combination of our agrarian roots and the 18th century English “Natural” landscape ideals. In 1690, the sunken fence or “ha ha” was developed. This fence, actually a trench running perpendicular to the line of view, created the perception that the property ran unimpeded to the horizon. It also provided an invisible barrier between the cultivated and wild landscape which kept grazing livestock from wandering off the property or into gardens.
In early 18th century England, stirred by writers like Alexander Pope, a movement emerged away from the formal French landscapes towards the “Natural” or “Pictorial” and the ha ha was used extensively. Lancelot “Capabilbility” Brown (1716-1783) brought these natural landscape to prominence, turning more that 200 estates into landscaped parks on thousands of acres across central and southern England. He removed yew hedges, allees of trees, garden features and even buildings to contour perfectly smooth land with great expanses of sweeping lawns.
The colonists brought these ideas about nature and the lawn aesthetic with them to the New World. Grass was also important to sustain sheep and cattle. Since grazing land was scarce, forests were cleared to create new pastures. Each town had a public common where animals grazed, safely protected from predators. While the moderate temperatures and frequent rain in England were well suited to turf, the soil, climate and vegetation conditions were more challenging for colonists.
Prior to mid-19th century, U.S. homes were built fronting the street, or with a small fenced front yard consisting of bare ground or garden plots. The Industrial Revolution transformed the American economy. Along with a new middle class came the “rural” cemeteries, parks and suburban cottages. Green areas were added around these suburban houses, because it was believed that plants created reservoirs of clean air. These lawns, with their English connotations of nature, became symbols of prestige.
Early suburbanites relied on hired help to scythe the grass or sheep to graze the lawn. In 1830, the first lawn mower was invented by Englishman Edwin Budding. He made it possible for homeowners to maintain their own lawn. Additional inventions and knowledge about plant nutrition, water requirements, fertilizers, insects, disease and plant breeding made lawns even more accessible. Technology also brought about the development of the lawn care industry.
Lawn Impact
In addition to their landscape value, lawns have many benefits. Grass surfaces wear well and provide a cushion for recreational activity. It is believed that turf can trap some pollen and pollutants that cause allergies. The green surface reduces some glare and noise especially in urban areas. Grass also prevents soil erosion and in some areas serves as a firebreak. The low-growing aspect of lawn provides visibility near doorways and entrances that may discourage crime.
Lawns also require a great deal of upkeep and maintenance. Turf grasses grow fast and must be mowed frequently. Since turf grasses are not native to the US they need supplemental water, nutrition and preparation of soil in order to thrive. Lawns are monocultures, composed of just one or two species, where insects and diseases can quickly spread requiring treatment.
The way you care for your lawn can impact the environment. Common lawn-care practices impact community water supply, water quality, air quality, noise pollution, flooding and wildlife habitat. When possible use practices that conserve and protect these important natural resources.
Water Supply
Lawn grasses require just one inch of water per week. In most cases this is supplied through rainfall, and no supplemental water is needed. Over-watering creates a weaker plant and also drains our reservoirs and aquifers. The EPA estimates that thirty to sixty percent of urban fresh water is used for watering lawns.
Water Quality
The quality of local water is greatly impacted by lawn-care practices. Rain and supplemental watering washes anything on lawns, driveways and roads into nearby storm drains. It then travels into local streams, rivers and lakes where it can degrade water quality and harm wildlife. It is estimated that residential application of pesticides is at a rate twenty times that of farmers per acre. These excess chemicals, along with any poisons contained in fertilizers and pesticides, and gasoline and chemicals spilled on lawns and driveways all wind up in our waterways.
Fertilizers that contain phosphorus are especially detrimental to water quality. One pound of phosphorus can produce 10,000 pounds of weeds and algae in lakes and ponds. This reduces clarity and visibility and some forms of blue-green algae are toxic. Repeated algae blooms kill fish, cause loss of cold-water habitat, add a foul taste and smell to drinking water and produce poor water quality for fish, wildlife and humans.
Air Quality
Emissions from lawn mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers and other outdoor gasoline-powered equipment account for over 5 percent of urban air pollution according to the EPA. These small engines emit high levels of carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless, poisonous gas. They also emit hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, that contribute to the formation of ozone. Ground-level ozone impairs lung function, inhibits plant growth, and is a key ingredient of smog.
Careless handling of fuel and improper maintenance of power equipment also contribute to pollution. Any spilled gasoline is absorbed into the atmosphere and waterways. The EPA and power equipment industry are working to bring to market cleaner technology for small engines.
Flooding & More
Lawns have less than ten percent of the water absorption capacity of natural woodland, a major cause of urban flooding. Additionally, leaves and grass clippings that are washed into and clog storm drains impact street flooding. Once in streams and ponds, they will increase phosphorus levels.
Twenty percent of municipal solid wastes such as lawn clippings wind up in landfills. Lawns offer little value to wildlife, since they are cut very low and not allowed to go to seed. Power equipment also contributes to hearing loss and neighborhood noise pollution. Just a few changes in your lawn care practices can make a huge difference in local environmental quality.
The historical information was taken from “Redesigning the American Lawn: A Search for Environmental Harmony.” Statistics are from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Most lawn grasses in New England are cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and fescues. They grow best in the spring and fall when the weather is cool.
The roots of these grasses prefer temperatures between 55-65 degrees F. Shoots grow best between 67-75 degrees F. In early spring, the roots break dormancy and begin growing, even before the grass becomes green.
The combination of long days, cool temperatures and usually adequate moisture produces a flush of growth in the spring. In a normal year, 60 percent of grass growth comes during the six weeks in spring.
Spring is a good time to seed and fertilize bare spots in the lawn from winter damage. But fertilizing healthy lawn at this time just increases top growth at the expense of root growth. The lush, succulent growth encouraged by spring fertilization makes plants more susceptible to insects and diseases.In summer, growth slows and lawns require less frequent mowing. The combination of warm temperatures and lack of moisture can cause cool-season grasses to go dormant and turn brown during dry summers. In most cases, the grasses haven’t died. At the same time, warm-season weeds such as crabgrass will thrive. Roots can be damaged by soil temperatures higher than 85 degrees F.
Cool-season grasses will green up and grow again in fall when cool weather returns and soil moisture is replenished. Supplemental watering amounting to one inch of water per week will keep cool-season grasses green all summer.
Fertilize in the fall with a slow-release fertilizer. Nutrients primarily support root growth, building up plant reserves to get through winter and green up in spring. About two weeks after the last mowing, apply one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Water the lawn after fertilizing to get material into the ground. Lawns should have a slightly acid pH, between 6.0 and 7.0. If soil tests fall outside of this range, add lime or sulfur as needed.
Start mowing in the spring when the grass reaches 4.5 inches or higher and remove only the top ⅓ of the grass. Stop mowing in fall as growth slows. Set the lawn mower to trim grass to a 3-inch height or higher.
Roots underground mirror the shoots on top, the shorter you mow, the smaller the root systems. Small root systems leave the lawn vulnerable to drought, insects and invasive weeds and also require more frequent fertilization. Longer grass cools the soil surface, reducing water loss and decreasing competition from warm-season weeds.
From Cornell University Gardening Resources on lawns at www.gardening.cornell.edu/lawn/
- Gasoline-powered landscape equipment account for over five percent of urban air pollution.
- A lawnmower pollutes as much in one hour as does driving an automobile for approximately 20 miles.
- Thirty to sixty percent of urban fresh water is used for watering lawns depending on city.
- $5,250,000,000 is spent on fossil fuel-derived fertilizers for U.S. lawns.
- 67,000,000 pounds of synthetic pesticides are used on U.S. lawns.
- 580,000,000 gallons of gasoline are used for lawnmowers.
- $25,000,000,000 is spent for the lawn care industry.
- $700,000,000 is spent for pesticides for U.S. lawns.
- Powered mowers and other lawn equipment contribute to noise pollution and hearing loss.
- 60,000 to 70,000 severe accidents result from lawnmower usage.
The information above comes from the EPA Greenacre handbook: www.epa.gov/greenacres/ wildones/handbk/wo8.html
You can make a difference by adopting practices, either large or small, that will help protect the environment now and in the future. Here are just a few suggestions that will reduce your impact:
Lawn Equipment: Keep lawnmower blades sharp, by filing them regularly. Replace damaged blades. Dull blades wound grass plants causing them to lose water, require additional irrigation and be susceptible to pathogens.
For small lawn areas, try a non-powered, reel push mower and hand tools for trimming; it’s great exercise and generates no emissions. Electric equipment is cleaner than gasoline powered, however, the generation of electric does produce pollution. Newer, cleaner power equipment are now being developed. Some propane and solar options are available.
Keep mowers in efficient operating condition. Change oil and replace filters regularly; use the proper fuel/oil mix; get periodic tune ups and winterize. Take old power tools to a recycling center so they can be converted into raw material for use in cleaner products.
Watering Practices: Water your lawn only when necessary. Including rain-fall, a healthy lawn needs only an inch of water a week. Use a rain gauge or empty can to measure weekly rainfall and then supplement only to 1 inch. During extended drought, stop watering and let the grass to go dormant.
Water between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. when grass leaves dry quickly. Never water at night; wet leaves cause disease. Try a hose timer to apply just the amount needed. Avoid watering driveways and patios. Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation on planted beds; they save 50% or more compared with sprinklers.
Measure your soil's infiltration rate. Cut off both ends of a coffee can and insert it several inches into the soil. Pour about 1 inch of water into the can and time how long it takes to soak into the soil completely. To prevent runoff, your irrigation rate should not exceed your infiltration rate.Mowing Practices: Mow high and leave the clippings. Proper mowing gives grass a competitive advantage over weeds and helps keep the lawn healthy. Never remove more than one third of the grass blade. Set the mower at 3 inches and mow when grass reaches 4.5 inches.
Leave the clippings on the lawn; they do not cause thatch. They quickly dry out and work their way down to the soil surface where earthworms help incorporate them, returning nutrients to the soil and improving the ability to hold water. Mulching mowers chop clippings finely to speed the process. Don’t leave clippings or leaves where they will wash into the storm drains. They are high in phosphorus. Remove fall leaves and compost them.
Fertilizer: Apply fertilizer only if needed. Get a soil test to check pH and soil nutrition. UMass Extension offers soil testing services. Visit the website: www.umass.edu/plsoils/soiltest/.
If you decide to use a synthetic fertilizer, apply it just once a year, in the fall about two weeks after the last mowing. Apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Use a fertilizer that is about 70 percent slow-release nitrogen and phosphorus-free. In addition to supplying nitrogen over a longer period of time, slow-release sources have a lower risk of burning plants and a lower potential to pollute water than water-soluble sources. The tradeoff is that slow-release is usually more expensive.
Use a drop spreader, rather than a rotary spreader, it will help you be more exact about where the fertilizer lands. Be careful loading the spreader and clean up any spills. To protect water quality, never apply fertilizer to frozen or saturated soil, or on top of snow. Water the fertilizer into the soil after spreading.
Natural fertilizers supply nitrogen in complex organic forms that are not immediately available to plants. They require warm, moist soils for microbial activity to release N and are best applied during warm summer months when the potential for burning plants with high-salt synthetic fertilizers is higher.Lawn Chemicals and Other Pollutants: Use pesticides only if absolutely needed. Lawns are home to many insects; few of them are harmful, and many are even beneficial. Use IPM practices to monitor any insect or disease outbreak and see if damage levels justify treatment. Choose non-chemical methods such as removal of weeds or pest first. For weeds, use a hand puller before they go to seed. If you decide to use a pesticide or herbicide, follow the label to use the right product at the right time at the right concentration. Use extra caution when refueling equipment. Clean up after your pet. Pet waste contain phosphorus. Dispose of all containers properly.
Plant the Right Grass: Plant right for your site and choose grass species that require less water, such as fescues. Try an ecology mix containing several plant species. Select disease and pest resistant varieties.
Green Industry in Massachusetts
These Massachusetts businesses offer healthy and hardy, locally grown plants and services. Be sure to buy locally.
The Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association (MFGA) was established in 1947 to promote the state’s floriculture industry. With over 200 members, the nonprofit is comprised of flower growers and associated tradesmen. It represents the state’s commercial industry with leadership in the areas of legislation, promotion and education. Information on their scholarship and a directory of businesses can be found on the web at www.massflowergrowers.com.
The MFGA is sponsoring the 2nd Annual “Love My Garden Contest.” The contest runs until September 1 and gives home gardeners across the state a chance to showcase their flower gardens and win one of many prizes including a $500 gift certificate good at local independent retail garden centers and farm stands. Details are available on the website.
Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA) is a volunteer, nonprofit organization whose members are businesses and individuals involved in the production, sale, and handling of nursery stock in Massachusetts. MNLA members work to promote the environmental well being of our state as well as the highest levels of business ethics within their profession. MNLA members provide quality native-grown nursery stock, garden or lawn products, and expertise backed by over 80 years of experience, training and research. For more information and a list of nurseries visit www.mnla.com.
MNLA’s Foundation for Educational Excellence Scholarship is available to resident of Massachusetts who is a major in a course of study in Horticulture or related sciences. Details are on the website.
Ecological Landscaping Association (ELA) is a nonprofit organization of landscape professionals, individual gardeners and educators who are committed to educating themselves and others about ecological landscaping. ELA offers an annual conference and publications, go to www.ecolandscaping.org.
A healthy lawn begins with healthy soil that is high in organic matter. Increase the organic content of your soil by leaving the grass clippings on the lawn, or mulching with chopped leaves or with a layer of compost.
Compost enriches the nutrient content of soil, increases its water holding capacity and suppresses insects and diseases. This reduces or even eliminates the need for fertilizers, pesticides and supplemental watering.
Compost has also been shown to prevent pollution. It binds heavy metals preventing them from migrating to waterways, while also degrading and eliminating pesticides, wood preservatives and hydrocarbons.
Additionally, composting organic yard and kitchen wastes reduces contributions to land fills and emissions from waste incinerators. Yard trimmings and food wastes together make up about 24 percent of the U.S. waste stream, about 56.2 million tons of waste or 700 pounds per household.
Composting is a biological process during which naturally occurring microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, along with, insects, snails, and earthworms break down organic matter into a soil-like material. It’s a natural way of returning nutrients to soil.
It is also inexpensive and easy to do. MA Department of Environmental Protection offers resources and services at www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/index.htm and click on Waste and Recycling. A pile approximately three foot by three foot will work best. Be sure to layer collected leaves with food wastes or soft plant materials for fast and complete break down. Turn occasionally to speed decomposition.
Do compost: animal manure; cardboard rolls; clean paper; coffee grounds and filters; cotton rags; dryer and vacuum cleaner lint; eggshells, fireplace ashes; fruits and vegetables; grass clippings; hair and fur; hay and straw; houseplants; leaves; nut shells; sawdust; shredded newspaper; tea bags; wood chips; wool rags and yard trimmings.
Don’t compost: leaves and twigs from the black walnut tree; coal or charcoal ash; dairy products; diseased or insect-ridden plants; fats, grease, lard, or oils; meat or fish bones and scraps; pet wastes, or yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides.
While lawn grasses are green plants that photosynthesize, they are not considered to be good resources for carbon sequestering according to the Rodale Institute A temperate forest will store about 12,650 pounds of carbon per acre. This is reduced by 60 percent in lawn turf. Mowing, fertilizing with fossil fuels and use of other natural resources can offset any gain by adding CO2 emissions into the environment. Choose lawn care practices that reduce impact; try some of the following alternatives.
Tolerate weeds and a greater variety of plants in the lawn – they will stay green during droughts. Add plants, such as clover, to the lawn to fix nitrogen. Add spring bulbs for color.
Reduce the lawn to the minimum size needed. Add flower borders filled with perennials, woody shrubs, bulbs, or natural plantings.
Plant a sedge lawn. Sedges (Carex) are related to grasses and look like them. They require little or no mowing, fertilizing, or chemicals. Some require less water and others tolerate wet, moist areas, and many thrive in shade.
Mulch around the base of trees using about 3 inches of wood, bark or stone mulch. Make stone, gravel or bark mulch paths to concentrate traffic and wear, keeping it off the grass.
Plant ground covers. Grass needs a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight; six if it gets much wear. These ground covers will thrive in shade and you can walk on some: Ajuga; Asarum; Bergenia; Convallaria majalis; Dicentra eximia; Euonymus fortunei ‘Kewensis’; Epime-dium; Gallium vernum; Hedera; Hosta; Lamium; Pachysandra; Pulmonaria; Vaccinium vitis-idaea and Vinca. Moss is also a great choice for the shade.
Ground covers for the sun: Alchemilla mollis; Arctostaphylos uva-ursi; Armeria; Coreopsis; Dianthus; Fragaria vesca; Geranium; Heuchera; Inula ensifolia; Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’; Phlox subulata; Potentilla tridentata; Sedum, Thymus and Vaccinium angustifolium
Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association
8 Gould Road
Bedford, MA 01730-1241
781-275-4811
www.massflowergrowers.comMass Nursery & Landscape Association
P.O. Box 387
Conway, MA 01341
www.mnla.comMass. Department of Environmental Protection
Composting Program
1 Winter Street 9th Floor
Boston, MA 02108617-292-5834
www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/reduce/composti.htm
Ecological Landscaping Association
60 Thoreau Street # 252
Concord, MA 01742978-874-1373
www.ecolandscaping.orgU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/compost
www.epa.gov/reg3esd1/garden/lawn.htm
www.epa.gov/greenacres/wildones/handbk/wo8.html
Rhode Island Wild Plant Society
Transportation and Air Quality
Cornell University Gardening Resources
Green Lawns - Clean Lakes - Indiana DEM
UMass Extension - Agriculture & Landscape
Organic Gardening - Rodale Press
Books
Lawn Care for Dummies, Lance Walheim, IDG Books, 1998.
Smart Yard: 60 Minute Lawn Care, Jeff and Liz Ball, Fulcrum Publishing, 1996..
The Natural Lawn and Alternatives, Janet Marinelli, ed., Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1993.
The Wild Lawn, Stevie Daniels, MacMillian Company, 1995.
Information for this newsletter was taken from the resources listed above.
Join us for one of more of our summer workshops and try out some hands-on activities for the classroom while you explore local farms. Each workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offers classroom-ready educational activities and focuses on a different area of agriculture with exploration of the work that takes place at that farm. The fee of $30 includes pdp’s, lunch for most workshops and all materials.
- Thursday, June 28, takes us to Ward's Berry Farm in Sharon. Sample a variety of activities from the USDA Food Safety curriculum with classroom teachers Linda Rohr from Silver Lake Middle School in Kingston and Sharon Schuschen from Shrewsbury. Following a farm lunch, Bob Ward will take us on a hayride to tour the vegetable fields, small fruit plantings, greenhouses, farmstand and learn about the education programs on this dynamic family farm. (A USDA Food Safety curriculum and video is included). Lunch included. (Lunch included)
- Friday, June 29th takes us to Spring Rain Farm in East Taunton, where cranberry farmers Mary and Bill McCaffrey will introduce you to all the many aspects of raising cranberries in Massachusetts today. The overview will include growing cranberries, tools and equipment for cranberry farming, Integrated Pest Management, economics, bogs and natural wetlands, water quality, associated plant and animals habitats, health and benefits of cranberries. Tour the cranberry bogs and the pick-your-own strawberry operation and try out some activities for the classroom. (Bring your own lunch)
- Spend Thursday, July 5, at Tranquil Lake Nursery in Rehoboth, learning about annuals, perennials, herbs and botany. Debi Hogan will take you through the gardens, greenhouses and growing fields showing a variety of plants and hands-on activities that are sure to be a hit with students in the classroom or garden. We'll also take a closer look at Healthy lawn practices and lawn alternatives. Nursery owners Warren Leach and Phil Boucher will also offer an overview of the nursery industry, the fields filled with 3,000 varieties of daylilies at peak bloom and a garden design business. (Lunch included.)
- John King, family and consumer science teacher at the Edith Nourse Middle School in Lowell, will offer a workshop on incubating in the classroom. At his own farm in Townsend, he will set up an incubator, raise chicks and talk about the various breeds. We will look at technology and how to use data loggers to monitor the temperature of the incubator. We will also look at how to create a picture window egg. I will show how to candle eggs and have different stages in the incubator to show the different stages. John will offer an overview of the his own poultry breeding program and following lunch, we will travel to a breeder of rare and exotic breeds of poultry and see first hand the variety of birds that you can hatch in your classroom. (Bring your own lunch).
- Travel to Verril Farm in Concord on Thursday July 12. Converted from a dairy operation 18 years ago, this farmstand and bakery, vegetable farm and horse stable is managed by Steve Verrill and daughter Jennifer, who will share it with us. Laura Grabski and the staff of Dole and Bailey of Woburn will offer the morning presentation on Sustainable Agriculture and Local Foods. This company is dedicated to providing fresh, local free-range meat for restaurants, farmstands and up-scale markets. A lunch of local foods including Northeast Family Farm pasture raised beef is included. (Lunch included)
- On Friday July 13th travel to Smith's Country Cheese in Winchendon. Dave and Carol Smith milk Holstein cows and make Gouda, Cheddar and Havarti award winning cheeses. The cheeses are sold at the farm, at Farmer's Markets and by mail order. Recently their son, Jim, and daughter, Jen, have joined the business. The Smiths have created a coloring book that will help you understand the business and a video of the cheese making will be presented to you at the workshop. In the afternoon dairy farmer Marjorie Cooper will present many facts about that wonderful animal, the cow, including the importance of good nutrition and the economics of figuring the price of a gallon of milk. (Lunch included.)
- Spend Wednesday, July 18, at Hartman’s Herb Farm in Barre, learning about growing and using herbs and botany. Lynn Hartman will take you through the gardens, greenhouses and growing fields showing a variety of herbs and hands-on activities that are sure to be a hit with students in the classroom or garden. Enjoy an herbal lunch followed by a tour of the farm and the story of this unique family run herb and catering business. (Lunch included)
- Visit Coonamesset Farm in East Falmouth on Thursday, July 19th. Located on 160-acre Coonamesset Pond on Cape Cod, this 20-acre farm and research location has been in operation since 1987. There are five greenhouses with aquaponics and hydroponics, farm animals and 10-acres of pick-your-own vegetables, berries, herbs and flowers. We'll spend the morning learning about the hydroponics and aquaponics operation which produces lettuce, greens, bok choi and other oriental greens for sale at the farmstand and the koi program. Following the lunch we'll tour the farm and learn about the education program with farm educator Lori Lieberman. You'll have the opportunity to view the "Little Sprouts" garden program for children ages 4 to 10, where children plant, maintain, and harvest their own garden while participating in various farm activities. (Lunch included)
- Monday, July 23 takes us to Weston, where we’ll tour Gateways Farm and learn about this greenhouse operation, where Julie and Peter Hyde have been raising tomatoes hydroponically here for more than 25 years. Then travel to nearby Land’s Sake. Hydroponic farmer Jim Munger will provide an overview of the chemistry and process of hydroponics and will offer activities for the classroom. Make your own small hydroponics unit. Following lunch, we’ll tour Lands’Sake, an environmental non-profit organization dedicated to responsible stewardship of farmland and forests. Education Coordinator, Mary Spaulding will describe sustainable agriculture efforts, organic farm crops and pick-your own flowers. Meet the farm camp participants and learn about the education programs. (Bring your own lunch.)
- On Tuesday, July 24 explore Nuestras Raices, Inc. in Holyoke. This sixty acre farm is an urban haven where youth garden and raise farm animals with an emphasis on those native to the Caribbean. Alice Armen who works at the farm under a grant from Umass will offer a chicken and embryology education program in the morning. Following lunch, youth educator Eric Toensmeir will introduce us to the youth, the animals, garden and the education programs. (Lunch included)
- This workshop takes us to Nourse Farm in Whately, we’ll explore Modern Plant Propagation Methods. Learn how the small fruits and vegetables are produced, stored, packed and shipped across the country. You'll try your hand at tissue culture and tour the cold-storage packing, shipping and greenhouse facilities. Following lunch, we'll tour the 400 acres of growing fields and pick-your-own strawberry operation with owners Mary and Tim Nourse. (Bring your own Lunch)
- Visit Manda Farm in Plainfield where owners Anna Hanchett and Michael Kalagher will introduce their variety of farm animals, focusing on raising and preserving rare heritage breeds. Discover the role of local and sustainable agriculture in the future of our food supply and the health of the environment. Learn how a small sustainably run farm can provide you with a wealth of lessons in every subject of study. Meet the Americorps group from neighboring Hawley and learn about their work in conservation and teaching. Help gather and create a delicious lunch from food raised at Manda Farm. Dress in clothes suitable to participating in some farm chores. (Lunch included)
- On Wednesday, August 1, travel to Red Fire Farm in Granby. We'll spend the morning focusing on vegetable farming, farm animals, identifying and managing weeds, organic agriculture, wetlands and environmental connections to the farm with activities for the classroom with Lenore Paul, fifth grade teacher from nearby Veterans Park Elementary School in Ludlow. In the afternoon, we'll tour the organic farm and farmstand with owner Ryan Voiland, learning about Community Supported Agriculture, organic farming, marketing and the more than forty types of vegetables and fruits, including fifty varieties of heirloom tomatoes, grown on this fifty-acre farm. (Lunch included)
- Join us on Tuesday, August 7 at Seeds of Solidarity Farm and Education Center in Orange. Deborah Habib will introduce local food and renewable energy. Experience solar greenhouses, no-till farming that builds healthy soil, solar electric and hot water systems, renewable fuels, energy efficient construction, and activities to integrate local food and energy into the curriculum. (Lunch included)
- On Tuesday, August 14th travel to Cook’s Valley Farm in Wrentham. We’ll spend the morning focusing on beekeeping and pollination with activities for the classroom with Ken Oles, beekeeper and retired 5th grade teacher. Following a farm lunch, investigate this twelfth- generation, 90-acre farm, originally a grant from the crown to the Cook family. Meet owners Warren and Marilyn Cook as they tell the farm’s history, transition from dairy and chicken farm to a farmstand with 30 acres of vegetable, small fruits and fruit trees. (Lunch included)
The 2007 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference will be held June 6 to 9 at the New Orleans Marriot at the Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The theme this year is: “Spice Up Your Ag in the Classroom.” The conference includes a variety of hands-on workshops, mini-workshops, traveling workshops, make-and-take sessions and a special ag-designated teacher store. For more information, visit the National website at www.agclassroom.org/conference/.
Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar Photo Contest
Calendar Photo Contest. Photos must be at least 4” by 6” and no larger than 8” by 10” and must have been taken in Massachusetts in the past three years. Send photos of local rural scenes, farm animals or produce by June 1 to Photo Contest, Mass. DAR, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114. For more information, call Rick LeBlanc at 617-626-1759 or send an e-mail to Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us. The twelve winners will be featured in the 2008 MA agriculture calendar.
Massachusetts Harvest For Students Week
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Farm to School Project, the first "Massachusetts Harvest for Massachusetts Students Week" will begin Monday, September 24, 2007. Every school in the Commonwealth, kindergarten through college, is encouraged to serve locally grown food to their students during that week. Special regional events, a school food service cookbook which highlights local vegetables and fruits, and promotional resources for food service directors are some of the plans being made. Or enlarge the scope of the Week through classroom or farm field trip activities. For more information contact Kelly Erwin at kelerwin@localnet.com
- May 20, Plant Society Sale, Elm Bank, Dover, www.masshort.org
- May 26-27, 33rd Sheep & Wool- craft Fair, Cummington, $6 per car. www.masheepwool.org/aboutus.htm
- May 31, Second Annual Specialty Food Show, Northampton. For information, contact Herb Heller at herbh@fccdc
- June 2, Plant Sale at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston. Heir-loom tomato sales support MAC. Visit www.towerhillbg.org
- July 21, Summer Festival at Tranquil Lake Nursery, Rehoboth. Food sales support MAC. 508-252-4002 or www.tranquil-lake.com
- August 10-12, NE Organic Farming Association Conference, Amherst. Visit www.nofamass.org
- September 14-30, Eastern State Exposition in Springfield. Visit www.thebige.com
Resources
- The National Agriculture in the Classroom website offers science projects, webquests and resource lists, www.agclassroom.org/teacher/index.htm
- Gardening Grants and resources available from the National Gardening Assoc. at www.kidsgardening.com
- Use the Web Soil Survey from the USDA to view a local soil map at http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/
- Check out a new resource, The Farm-based Education Association at www.farmbasededucation.org
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources sponsored this newsletter by funding the printing costs of this newsletter. The Massachusetts Flower Growers Association sponsored the postage.
Mission: Massachusetts Agriculture ion the Classroom is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) educational organization with the mission to foster an awareness and learning in all areas related to the food and agriculture industries and the economic and social importance of agriculture to the state national and the world.
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Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom
P.O. Box 345
Seekonk, MA 02771
(508) 336-4426 Fax: (508) 336-0682
