Fruit Program News

Could Western Mass. be to food’s future what Boston is to biotech? UMass is betting on it with $120 million.
With the global population projected to hit nearly 10 billion by 2050, the future of food is all about access

UMass Amherst is launching a $120 million effort to address real-world concerns as the global food system faces critical challenges related to climate change and sustainability, food safety and a growing population expected to reach 10 billion people by 2050. 

U.S. lawmakers push for spotted lanternfly invasive species status
A group of USA lawmakers is pushing for the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) to be officially recognised as an invasive species, highlighting the significant risk it poses to the country's agricultural sector. The proposed legislation identifies SLF as a priority biosecurity issue and calls for increased investment in research and management to support long-term control and mitigation.

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect originally from China and Vietnam. It typically thrives in urban areas, where it covers benches and trees in a sticky substance called honeydew. But in rural areas, the species is infamous for sucking the sap out of hops and stone fruits such as peaches and plums, and most commonly grapes.  

Program covers weather related losses from 2023-2024

Applications are now available for farmers who suffered losses in 2023 and 2024 due to weather may be eligible for this one-time loss-recovery program. Crop, infrastructure, timber, and other losses totaling more than $2,500 may be eligible.

What are the biggest insect pest concerns facing apple and peach growers in the eastern United States? A newly published study surveyed growers across the region to identify the pests causing the greatest challenges, the IPM tools growers are using, and where research and Extension efforts are needed most. The findings provide valuable insight into priorities for future pest management research and how growers prefer to receive new information.

The American Relief Act, 2025, provides more than $16 billion in disaster relief payments to producers who suffered revenue, quality or production losses to crops, trees, bushes, or vines due to qualifying disaster events in calendar years 2023 and 2024.

The Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) will be administered in two stages. Producers can receive payments in both stages, if applicable, and for one or both years, depending on losses.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced it will host a roundtable on the herbicide paraquat this summer.

A hybrid between two fan-favorite apples is poised to be the next big variety once it arrives in grocery stores.

The Apple Grower of the Year award recognizes growers who have reached outstanding levels of success through their efforts in innovative production, marketing, horticultural, and management practices. These high standards have been in place for nearly four decades. We recently announced the 2026 Apple Grower of the Year overall winner as Robert (Bobby) Brown of Orchard Dale Fruit Co.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Spotted Lanternfly Survey Team has reported that spotted lanternfly egg masses have started hatching in Massachusetts, with small black nymphs now active in some areas of the state. Hatch is expected to continue over the next several weeks, depending on weather conditions, so there is still time to find and destroy unhatched egg masses.

May 8, 2026:

Today, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared worsened drought conditions in several regions of Massachusetts. The Connecticut River Valley, Central, and Northeast Regions and Nantucket County are now in a Level 2 - Significant Drought. The Western and Southeast Regions and Dukes County have moved to a Level 1 – Mild Drought. During March, Massachusetts received approximately 3 to 5.5 inches of precipitation, which is normal for this time of year. Some areas – like Essex, Middlesex, Dukes, and Nantucket Counties – got less than normal, about 0.5 to 1.5 inches below average. 

Join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday May 20, 2026 at 2 PM ET for a public webinar on an overview of the draft Fungicide Strategy. EPA released its draft Fungicide Strategy that identifies practical protections that fungicide users can take to ensure protections for federally endangered and threatened species. The draft Strategy provides flexibilities for states and growers and proposes a more efficient, science-based approach to meet EPA’s obligations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). 

UMass Extension Small Fruit Educator John Galvan has been awarded a Northeast SARE Research and Education Grant to support blueberry growers across Massachusetts and the Northeast. His project, “Blueberry School,” was one of only 7 proposals funded out of 95 submissions and received $137,000 in support.

Growers should be watching temperatures closely tonight into Tuesday morning. Check NEWA for the nearest weather station to your farm. 

Check out the most current tree fruit bud stages!

Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared the Normal conditions have returned to the Southeast and Western Regions of the state. The Connecticut River Valley, Central, Northeast, and Nantucket County Regions have improved to a Level–1 Mild Drought. The Cape Region remains in a Level 2–Significant Drought.

The UMass Extension Fruit Team’s Lunch Bunch Zoom Series returns this season as a companion to the Healthy Fruit newsletter, offering informal lunchtime discussions on timely pest and horticulture issues for tree and small fruit growers.