Vegetable Program News

  • An image of the introductory slide to a powerpoint presentation, titled "An Introduction to FSA & NRCS Assistance in Massachusetts" with a view of the Connecticut River

    Webinar Recordings Available for MDAR, FSA, and NRCS Assistance Programs

    UMass Extension recently co-hosted an informational webinar on Farm Service Agency and Natural Resource Conservation Service assistance programs for farmers. MDAR also recently held a webinar on their grant programs for farmers. Recordings of both webinars are now available! Check them out for information about eligibility and timelines for technical and financial assistance programs.

  • weed_handout_page_1

    New Weed Factsheet Now Available in English and Spanish: Understanding Weed Life Cycles

    A new fact sheet on lifecycles of common weeds in vegetable production systems is now available from the UMass Extension Vegetable Program. This fact sheet outlines the life cycles of winter annual, summer annual, and perennial weeds, including common examples and recommended control strategies for each, along with photos. This fact sheet is available in English and Spanish.

  • umass_water_series_flyer

    Twilight Meeting Series on Water Issues on the Farm Kicks off this Week

    Join the Vegetable Team and speakers from across the Northeast and beyond to discuss water issues across the farm--from irrigation efficiency for times of drought to tile drainage for times of flood, using sanitizers to ensure safe washing of produce, mapping water resources, and much more. Wednesdays in September from 6-7:30pm! Check the events tab for registration info.

  • Support 2020 Veg Notes: Sponsor or Donate Today!

    The Veg Notes newsletter partially depends on reader and business support every year. Donate to support the production of Veg Notes in 2020 today! Own a business? Sponsor Veg Notes and receive logo placement in the newsletter and on the Veg Notes website!

  • Pesticide Versatility Charts Now Available

    With so many crops to manage on diverse New England farms, growers often ask us which materials are labeled for both fruit and vegetable applications so that they can purchase one pesticide that can be used on all or most of their crops. This project has been on the list to do for years, and this winter our program assistant Genevieve Higgins was able to tackle it. We hope you will find these tables helpful in choosing the most versatile pesticides!

  • Vegetable Program Annual report for 2017

    Our year is coming to a close after making 130 on-farm consultations to 30 farms, conducting and presenting at 33 educational programs for 1,747 people, providing certified produce safety training to 148 individuals, donating over 2,000 lbs of our produce to the local Food Bank, and conducting 11 research trials on 7 farms. See our full annual report for a summary of what we've been up to this year!

  • NE Veg Management Guide cover

    2016-2017 New England Vegetable Management Guide Available Now!

    The 2016-2017 New England Vegetable Management Guide is a comprehensive guide to current production and pest management techniques for commercial vegetable crops. There are in-depth sections on cultural practices, vegetable transplant production, integrated pest management for insects, weeds and diseases, and on individual vegetable crops. Fertility and pesticide information has been fully updated for both organic and conventional production.

     

    Purchase copies of the Guide at the UMass Extension Bookstore. Their updated on-line portal allows you to purchase items directly from their website using a MasterCard or Visa, or by printing your confirmation and mailing it in with a check. You can also order by phone by calling 1-877-UMASSXT (within MA) or 1-413-545-2717.

    Buy the Guide by itself, or as a package with the NE Vegetable & Strawberry Pest ID Guide. The Pest ID Guide contains over 200 full-color images of the weeds, insects, diseases, and disorders that may be affecting your crops, and beneficial insects too. The Pest ID Guide is an indispensable companion to the Veg Guide, and you save big when you buy them together!

     

    Guide pricing:
    • 2016-2017 New England Vegetable Management Guide alone:                $25.00
    • Northeast Vegetable & Strawberry Pest Identification Guide alone:        $15.00
    • Veg Guide & Pest ID combo pack:                                                                   $35.00

     

  • Nutrient Management Regulations

    CMR 31.00 Plant Nutrient Application Requirements for Agricultural Land and Land Not Used for Agricultural Purposes went into effect December 5th, 2015.  

  • 2018 Vegetable Program Survey

    The UMass Extension Vegetable Program looking for your feedback! Your response to our Vegetable Program Survey will help us adapt the program to better meet your needs as growers, farm workers, ag service providers, and home gardeners. The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete.

     

    Click here to take the 2019 Vegetable Program Survey.
  • 2020-21 New England Vegetable Management Guide

    2020-2021 New England Vegetable Management Guide Available

    A collaborative project of the Cooperative Extension vegetable programs in the six New England States, this guide provides both conventional and organic commercial vegetable growers, on small and large farms, with up-to-date production and pest management information.

    Order now from the UMass Extension Bookstore!

  • Hot Water Treatment of Seeds

    Time to think about hot water treating seeds before planting!  See below for information and a full list of treatable seeds, protocols, and which diseases can be eliminated or reduced by treating with hot water.

The Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment and UMass Extension are equal opportunity providers and employers, United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. Contact your local Extension office for information on disability accommodations. Contact the State Center Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 413-545-4800 or see ag.umass.edu/civil-rights-information.