2026 UMass Cranberry Management Update Meeting and Payment form, Station news, 2026 Newsletter signup form
If you would like a PDF version of this newsletter sent to you by email or regular US mail, please contact Robyn Hardy.
2026 UMass Cranberry Management Update Meeting
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Registration fee is $60 per person
4 pesticide credits are available (8:00 AM – Noon)
To register, please contact Robyn Hardy rmhardy[at]umass[dot]edu (rmhardy[at]umass[dot]edu) or 508-970-7635
This will be a hybrid meeting; you can choose to join via Zoom or in-person. Meeting will be held in the AD Makepeace Meeting Room, at the UMass Cranberry Station. In-person seating may fill up fast due to room capacity allowance. Registration deadline is 1/23/26.
TENTATIVE AGENDA
7:30 Check in starts, in-person coffee chat
7:40 Zoom Info Starts – Marty Sylvia
7:50 Station Update – Angie Jagiello
8:00 Insect Challenges in 2025 and options for 2026 – Marty Sylvia
8:45 Virus Review and FDB and fast-moving bloom! – Lindsay Wells Hanson, NJ OS
9:15 Weed Management, Research, and Pesticide Updates – Katie Ghantous
9:45 Coffee and Stretch Break
10:00 Weed Management, Research, and Pesticide Updates – Katie Ghantous
10:30 Disease Management in 2025 and options for 2026 – Leela Uppala
11:00 Late Water and other management options – Salisu Sulley
11:30 Drones in Ag update – Giverson Mupambi, Marty Sylvia and invited growers
12-1 Lunch Break on your own: Zoom takes a break, in-person may want to bring your lunch!
1:00 Deer Management in and around Cranberry – Martin Feehan, Mass Wildlife
1:30 Free Energy Audits – Griffin Pelaia – UMass Ag and Energy Engineer
2:00 Tailwater recovery – Casey Kennedy, USDA-ARS
2:30 New Cultivar and Drone Research - Giverson Mupambi
3:00 Peter Jeranyama
3:30 Dave Millar, USDA-ARS
Station News
2025 HARVEST
The Cranberry Station would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to John Mason, the folks at A.D. Makepeace, and Cody Jones for their assistance with our 2025 harvest. We are grateful for the continued generosity and cooperation of growers throughout the year, which enables us to accomplish many essential tasks. We greatly value these long-standing relationships.
HOLIDAY CLOSURE DATES
The Station will be closed on the following dates:
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Also, there will be reduced staff due to holiday leave over the next several weeks.
MASSACHUSETTS PESTICIDE APPLICATOR ANNUAL RENEWALS AND 3-YEAR AUDITS
Pesticide Recertification is due December 31st. If you are having trouble getting through your pesticide recertification, the eplace portal, or your audit - please contact Marty Sylvia (508-265-6921 or
martys[at]umass[dot]edu (martys[at]umass[dot]edu)) for assistance. The fees are doubled if you wait until after the New Year!
DIRECTOR SEARCH
We are excited to announce the search for the next Director of the UMass Cranberry Station is underway. The Search committee has been formed, and applications are currently being reviewed.
We are looking for a proven leader with a doctorate in an applied biological field (i.e. horticulture, entomology, weed / soil science, etc.) to help expand the portfolio of research at the station. The ideal candidate will have a strong record of attracting and managing talent and
funding, along with demonstrated success in guiding teams and driving results. We place a high value on cultivating a positive and collaborative culture at the Cranberry Station, and the successful candidate will share this commitment.
We will be sure to share updates as the search progresses.
2026 Newsletter Signup
It is that time of year again to renew your subscription to the Cranberry Station Newsletter! Please contact Robyn Hardy rmhardy[at]umass[dot]edu (rmhardy[at]umass[dot]edu) or 508-970-7635 to stay on the mailing list.