Extension in Northeastern Massachusetts

Jon Clements, UMass Extension, is quoted in an article about how this year’s late spring freeze and summer flooding impacted apple trees. “We are encouraging people to be patient with the harvest,” he says, adding that the apples still taste great. He reports that there has been a 25% apple crop loss in Massachusetts (with farms in the western and northern parts of the state faring the worst), increased diseases, and more apples in higher branches than lower ones.

Jon Clements, UMass Extension, is quoted in an article about the challenges of climate change on fruit trees. “Right now, with some of the difficulties we’re facing with the changing climate, we have new diseases moving in. We have new insect pests; I have to spend a lot of time just dealing with that and making sure that we can successfully grow what we currently have,” Clements says.

Research led by UMass, UNH, and UConn researchers studied flowering plants to attract syrphid flies as biological control of common crop pests.

There is coverage of a study led by the New England Aquarium that includes researchers from UMass Amherst finding climate change is having an impact on how large whale species, including the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, use habitats in the warming Gulf of Maine. It shows that right whales’ use of Cape Cod Bay has shifted significantly over the last 20 years.

UMass Amherst’s Gloucester Marine Station (GMS): Phase 1 conclusions of a study led by the GMS about the importance and impact of the Blue Economy on North Shore communities found that now is the time for the communities to use their unique strengths to build resilient, sustainable and equitable maritime economic development while also promoting and sustaining ocean ecosystem health.

Tawny Simisky, UMass extension, is quoted in a column discussing the differences between stink bugs and western conifer seed bugs. (Ipswich Chronicle & Transcript, 3/13/21)

The Waltham city council has agreed to the purchase and sale of the formerly active UMass Field Station and Farm. UMass will use some of the sales proceeds to establish a permanent endowment for scholarships for Waltham students attending UMass Amherst. (Wicked Local Waltham, 4/14/20)

At a public event held at UMass Amherst’s Mount Ida campus, Stephen Rich, microbiology, presented information about TickReport, a service his lab runs that allows people to mail in ticks and receive a report about disease-causing microbes the tick may be carrying. (Boston 25 News, 5/14/19; News Office release)

Nonprofit organizations operating on the grounds of a Waltham farm owned by the University of Massachusetts Amherst face eviction by year’s end because of the age and declining condition of the building housing the groups, a school spokesman said. (Globe 3/1/19)

Going beyond traditional Chamber of Commerce activities, the 900-member Cape Ann Chamber is teaming with UMass Amherst’s Gloucester Marine Station and UMass Dartmouth to grow the region’s maritime economy. (Gloucestertimes.com 1/31/19)

Katie Kahl, UMass Amherst assistant professor who heads the school's Gloucester Marine Station, facilitated a discussion about the 'blue economy" with Cape Ann Innovators Collaborative and a panel of local and regional entrepreneurs. Legislators attending included Senator Bruce Tarr and Representative Ann Ferrante along with local business leaders. Blue economy refers to a sustainable, high-technology marine-based economy that experts say requires a regional approach.

Gloucester resident Katie Kahl was named to a newly created position, extension assistant professor in sustainable fisheries and coastal resilience, at UMass Amherst’s School of Earth and Sustainability at the Gloucester Marine Station. Kahl will serve as a contact between community interests and the university’s research resources.

UMass Amherst has pared the applicant pool to three finalists for the extension faculty position to be located at its Gloucester Marine Laboratory. It has established a special seminar series in Gloucester for local stakeholders to meet the three candidates and listen to presentations on their vision for the laboratory. (Newburyport News, 1/18/2017)

An educator from the UMass nutrition program is stationed at Fall River farmer’s market each week. Sue Loughlin,an educator at the UMass Extension Nutrition Education Program, offered free samples of garbanzo summer salad, recipes, and answers questions about nutrition. (Herald News 8/22/16)