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Crop Conditions
This week marked an unwelcome return of winter jackets and beanies, as temperatures have plunged back down into the 40’s. As unpleasant as it might feel for us, plants are also suffering from the cold and wet conditions and we have seen lots of leggy, yellowed plants and signs of cold damage and water logging on tender tomatoes and cucurbits—if covering these plants over the next few cold nights is an option it will help prevent more damage if temps below 45°F are forecast. The good news is that the forecast does look warmer and sunnier next week and if their roots are strong and growing points are not injured, plants can grow out of this kind of damage. If you have gotten a lot of rain and plants are looking sad, consider side-dressing to replace nutrients that may have been leached away. Along with the dismal weather, we saw a lot of new pests on farms across MA this week, see pest alerts below. Nevertheless, folks are pulling a lot of beautiful looking crops out of the ground; asparagus is trucking along, radish bunches are ready, tomatoes and cucumbers from heated tunnels are starting to come in and the earliest strawberries are ripe now. Plant sales are strong and folks are gearing up for first markets and CSAs in early June.
Each week we visit farms to check on crop progress and pest pressure and see how folks are doing. We do our best to cover the whole state and visit as many farms as possible but if you haven't heard from us yet and would like to be added to our list of fields to visit please consider joining our pest scouting network by answering a few simple questions here. Hope to see you in the field soon!
Contact Us
Contact the UMass Extension Vegetable Program with your farm-related questions, any time of the year. We always do our best to respond to all inquiries.
Vegetable Program: 413-577-3976, umassveg[at]umass[dot]edu (umassveg[at]umass[dot]edu)
Staff Directory: https://ag.umass.edu/vegetable/faculty-staff
Home Gardeners: Please contact the UMass GreenInfo Help Line with home gardening and homesteading questions, at greeninfo[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu (greeninfo[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu).
Pest Alerts
Alliums
Allium leafminer. We are approaching the end of the first flight and are seeing minimal new oviposition in allium leaves. Covers can now be removed from susceptible crops.
Onion thrips We saw the first thrips this week on onions at multiple sites in Hampshire County. Thrips are pests with rasping mouthparts that they use to feed on foliage, leaving behind silvery damage which allows for entry of bacterial pathogens, leading to bacterial bulb rots later in the season or in storage. Scout the base of leaves at the center of the plant for tiny, elongate insects about 2 mm long that crawl around leaves and hide deep within the growing point or drop to the ground when disturbed. Gently pull leaves apart to reveal any thrips hiding between leaves. Insecticide treatments are warranted if 1-3 thrips per leaf are found. Organic growers should use the lower 1 thrips/leaf threshold. We haven’t yet seen numbers above treatment thresholds, but this will change as eggs hatch and the number of nymphs increases. See the article in this issue for more info including research-based pesticide options for organic and conventional systems.
Brassicas
Brassica flea beetles are continuing to cause pinhole damage on uncovered brassicas which will expand into larger holes as leaves grow. High pressure can lead to stunting of plants. Make sure to scout various brassica crops including the preferred non-waxy brassicas (e.g. arugula, mustard, bok choy), though beetles can also feed on young waxy brassica transplants (e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage). Heavy infestations may call for treatment (see our flea beetle fact sheet or the New England Vegetable Management Guide for insecticide recommendations). Spinosad (e.g. Entrust) is the most effective OMRI-listed material. Kaolin clay (e.g. Surround) will also deter flea beetles but must be reapplied to protect new growth or after rain.
Cabbage root maggot: We’re now seeing the results of cabbage root maggot activity earlier in the season in transplanted crops. Maggots feeding on brassica roots cause stunting, wilting, and death of affected plants, appearing as poor stands in brassica fields. Check for damage to roots to confirm the cause of damage.
Imported cabbageworm adults are still laying eggs (yellowish, oblong, ~3mm long, laid singly on the top or bottom sides of leaves), and we are seeing the earliest caterpillars hatching and beginning to feed on brassica leaves. Small caterpillars are yellow-green and look like small maggots, while larger caterpillars are greener and slightly fuzzy. If you plan to use pesticides, make sure you have them on-hand now. Labeled conventional products include spinosyns (e.g. Radiant), pyrethroids (e.g. Warrior, Mustang, many others), diamides (e.g. Verimark and Coragen for soil applications and Exirel, Harvanta or Coragen for foliar applications), Proclaim, Avaunt, and Torac. Diamide products are more expensive but are systemic, have long residuals, and will also protect against flea beetles and other leaf-feeding pests. Bt products (e.g. Dipel, Xentari) are an effective option that can be used on conventional and organic acreage. If flea beetles are also present, Spinosad (Entrust SC) can control both pests. Use a spreader-sticker to help materials adhere to waxy brassica leaves.
Chenopods
Spinach leafminer eggs are hatching, and we are seeing considerable damage caused by larvae tunneling inside leaves of spinach, beets, and Swiss chard. Infested leaves can be removed and destroyed to ensure that larvae don’t pupate and contribute to the second generation of flies, which occurs in late-June. Rotate successions of chenopod crops far from each other. Flies can be excluded from new plantings using row cover, as long as the field doesn’t have a recent history of infestation. Adults are still laying eggs, and fresh unhatched eggs can still be treated to prevent further damage. Treatment with a systemic insecticide may also prevent further damage from larvae. For labeled materials, see the beet and Swiss chard or spinach insect control section of the New England Vegetable Management Guide. For organic growers, spinosad (e.g. Entrust) is the most effective material—it needs to be applied when eggs are first seen so that hatching larvae will consume the material as they mine into the leaf. Adding a pesticidal oil can improve control by enhancing penetration of Entrust into the leaf and by smothering eggs, suffocating the living pest inside.
Nightshades
Colorado potato beetle (CPB) adults were observed mating and laying eggs on tomatoes at a site in Hampshire County. These pests emerge from overwintering sites in soil and brushy borders near last year’s crops, searching for potato and eggplant fields, but they will lay eggs on other solanaceous crops if that is all that is available. Crop rotation is essential to effective management, as CPB adults are poor flyers and do not travel far from overwintering sites near last year’s crops (>200 yards). Eggs are bright yellow-orange and are laid in clusters on the top and bottom sides of leaves. They hatch in 7 to 10 days depending on temperature, and reddish-orange larvae begin feeding heavily on leaves. Newly hatched larvae are most susceptible to insecticides while larger larvae cause 85% of feeding damage to the crop and adults are highly tolerant to pesticides, so early management is critical. Make sure to rotate pesticides, as populations quickly develop resistance to any frequently used products, and don’t use the same thing you used on your population of CPB last year. There are enough options for conventional growers to do this, see the New England Veg Management Guide here for a list. For organic growers Entrust SC is the most effective but should only be used on the spring generation—make sure to get the most out of your two allowed applications by waiting for the eggs to start hatching and making another application 1 week later.
Solanaceous flea beetles have been spotted on tomatoes causing minor chewing damage to seedlings and in-fields crops. This pest prefers eggplant over other solanaceous crops but will cause damage to tomatoes and potatoes as well. Like brassica flea beetles, solanaceous flea beetles (FB) chew tiny holes in leaves that are magnified as the leaves grow and appear as larger holes later in the season, though this is less of a concern on crops where leaves are not the marketed product. Seedlings, nightshade crops like managu whose leaves are the marketed crop, and crops in tunnels and greenhouses are more susceptible to damage from this pest. Treat newly set transplants if they have 2 FB per plant, seedlings 3" to 6" tall if they have greater than 4 FB per plant, and plants over 6" tall if they have 8 FB per plant. Most insecticides registered to control Colorado potato beetle, including spinosad and systemic insecticides applied to the soil at planting, will also control FB. Avoid using the same chemical group for both soil and foliar treatments.
Early blight was confirmed on tomato seedlings in Middlesex County. The pathogen (Alternaria solani) can be seed-borne and also overwinters in residue of crop and weed hosts including potato, tomato, eggplant, horsenettle, and eastern black nightshade. Leaf wetness is required for the pathogen to infect plants, growing tomatoes in tunnels or greenhouses using drip irrigation can minimize spread and severity of disease. Speeding up drying of plants by pruning, planting in full sun and with the wind, and increasing plant spacing can also help. Some varieties have been bred to have resistance to this disease e.g. Defiant, Juliet, Plum Regal, and Mountain Magic. Regular, preventive fungicide sprays can also keep this disease at bay.
Cold damage was also seen on tomato seedlings this week, with reports from across the region. Irregular blotches of leaf tissue will look wilted, grayed, water-soaked, and eventually tan and papery once the tissue dies. As long as the roots are strong and the growing point is not damaged the plants can rebound.
Sweet corn
European corn borer: Pheromone traps were set up last week, and we have not yet received reports of any ECB trap captures. ECB begins emerging from overwintering sites in crop residues at 374 GDDs base 50°F, and we are currently between 280 and 320 GDDs in most of the state, so we expect to see ECB flight begin in the next few weeks. Corn earworm historically does not overwinter in the Northeast, and is instead blown northward from southern overwintering sites, arriving here in mid-July. However, pockets of overwintering populations have been identified in NY and are suspected in MA as well. Last year, we did not see any early CEW trap captures (which would indicate an overwintering population), but we’re trapping early again this year to monitor for this kind of activity.
Focus on Fungicides: Elumin
Elumin is a relatively new fungicide for control of diseases caused by oomycetes. The active ingredient, ethaboxam, belongs to FRAC group 22. Currently, the only other active ingredient in this group is zoxamide, which is found in Zing! and Gavel. Fungicides in FRAC group 22 work by preventing microtubule assembly (a process essential for fungal cell division), thereby interfering with spore production. Elumin may be a valuable rotational partner with other products for oomycete diseases.
Elumin has translaminar and local systemic activity and carries a low to medium risk of resistance development. It is labeled for control of several oomycete diseases on brassicas, cucurbits, and solanaceous crops. These include downy mildew and Pythium damping off of brassicas, downy mildew and Phytophthora blight on cucurbits, Phytophthora blight on pepper and eggplant, pink rot (Phytophthora erythroseptica) and Pythium leak on tuberous and corm crops, and Phytophthora parasitica on ginseng.
The maximum number of applications allowed per season is two. The re-entry interval (REI) is 12 hours. The pre-harvest interval (PHI) is 2 days for brassicas, cucurbits, pepper, and eggplant, and 14 days for ginseng. No PHI is given for tuberous and corm vegetables as the first application is done at planting and the second within 25 days of planting. Elumin is labeled for use in all 6 New England states but not in New York. It is not currently labeled for greenhouse use.
--written by Angie Madeiras, UMass Extension Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
Critical Period of Weed Control
For many disease and insect pests there are well-established thresholds to help determine the most critical management times to avoid yield loss. These thresholds are the backbone of an Integrated Pest Management program, helping growers reduce pesticide applications or other pest management practices by only managing pests when economically necessary.
Fewer threshold models have been developed to help make decisions on when to take weed control actions, with even more limited adoption1. This is due to several factors:
- An entire weed community, composed of many species, is competing directly with the crop for the same resources (light, nutrients, water) throughout the growing season.
- Weed species compete with each other for the same resources that they are competing with the crop for.
- Crop-weed competition is highly variable, depending on both the crop and the weed species.
- Soil seedbank dynamics, which are a legacy of previous weed control efficacy, complicate threshold development. This becomes even more complicated since seed from different weed species survive and germinate in different environmental conditions.
- There is a non-linear relationship between weed density and yield loss.
Perhaps the most widely accepted weed-control threshold model is the Critical Period of Weed Control (CPWC)2. The CPWC is defined as the timeframe within a crop growth cycle, during which weeds need to be controlled in order to maintain crop yields3.
How the CPWC is Determined
The CPWC is determined from two separate, but related, timeframes. Somewhat confusingly, they all have similar names, but I will try to help you keep them organized in your mind.
The first concept is called the Critical Timing of Weed Removal (CTWR) (Fig. 1). It is the maximum amount of time after planting your crop that weed competition can be tolerated until the crop begins to experience unacceptable levels of yield loss from weed competition. It determines the beginning of the CPWC. I like to think of it as an answer to the question: How long after planting can I wait before I need to start weeding?
The second concept is called the Critical Weed-Free Period (CWFP) (Fig. 2). It is the minimum amount of time after planting that the crop must be maintained weed-free before the crop will no longer experience unacceptable levels of yield loss from weed competition. It helps determine the end of the CPWC and answers the question: When can I stop weeding after planting?
Combining these two timeframes gives you the shortest period of time that is most critical for preventing competition from weeds (Fig. 3).
Constraints
The factors that make developing thresholds for weed management complicated are all still at play in the development of the CPWC, so it is important to emphasize that this period is only suitable as a guideline for when to prioritize weed management efforts. Just weeding during the CPWC will be more or less effective at maintaining crop yield on your farm depending on many factors, the most influential being: your weed species composition, weed density, environmental conditions, past management, and soil fertility. It is also less useful for managing perennial weeds, which have large underground storage structures, so thinking about perennial weed management is necessarily longer-term4. With that caveat in mind, below is a list of critical time thresholds for several different crops. Sometimes the authors calculated the CTWR or the CWFP instead of the CPWC. Some authors also explored factors that may be especially influential for the critical time threshold for that crop. For example, carrots have a much longer CWFP when planted early in the season than when they are planted late in the season. You may also notice that for annual crops, the CPWC is calculated based on growing degree days or time since being planted, but for perennials, it is calculated based on the time of year. These critical timeframes can also be calculated based on crop growth stage.
Table 1. List of critical timeframes for given crops. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Crop | Time | Type of Period | Impacting variables |
Apples | May – July5 Just before bloom – variable end date6
| CPWC | Planting date |
Broccoli | 15 DATa (only one weeding event performed during the trial)7
| CTWR |
|
Carrots | Sown in April: 930 GDDb base 5°C (12-leaf stage) Sown in mid- to late-May: 414 – 444 GDD base 5°C (4-leaf stage)8
| CWFP | Later planting reduced the CWFP |
Dry beans | 3 – 5 or 6 WAPc 9
| CPWC |
|
Lettuce | fertilized at 87 lbs P acre-1: 4.6 WAP fertilized at 175 lbs P acre-1: 3.4 WAP fertilized at 261 lbs P acre-1: 2.3 WAP10
| CPWC | Phosphorous fertility |
Sweet potatoes | 2 – 6 WATd 11 | CPWC | Later planting led to higher yields and may reduce the CPWC
|
Sweet corn | Planted early: 160 – 320 GDD base 10°C (18 DAEe – V8f growth stage) Planted late: 662 – 134 GDD base 10°C (53 DAE – V3g growth stage)12
| CPWC | Later planting reduced the CPWC |
Tomatoes | Grafted: 2.2 – 4.5 WAT Non-grafted: 3.3 – 5.8 WAT13 | CPWC | Grafting shifted the CPWC 1 week earlier, but did not affect the length of the CPWC |
aDAT: Days After Transplanting bGDD: Growing Degree Days cWAP: Weeks After Planting (direct seeded) dWAT: Weeks After Transplanting eDAE: Days After Emergence fV8: Corn with eight visible collars gV3: Corn with three visible collars | |||
Works Cited
- Wilkerson, G. G., Wiles, L. J. & Bennett, A. C. Weed Management Decision Models: Pitfalls, Perceptions, and Possibilities of the Economic Threshold Approach. Weed Sci. 50, 411–424 (2002).
- Nieto, H. J., Brondo, M. A. & Gonzalez, J. T. Critical Periods of the Crop Growth Cycle for Competition from Weeds. Pest Artic. News Summ. Sect. C Weed Control 14, 159–166 (1968).
- Knezevic, S. Z., Evans, S. P., Blankenship, E. E., Acker, R. C. V. & Lindquist, J. L. Critical period for weed control: the concept and data analysis. Weed Sci.50, 773–786 (2002).
- Ramesh, K., Kumar, S. V., Upadhyay, P. K. & Chauhan, B. S. Revisiting the concept of the critical period of weed control. J. Agric. Sci. 159, 636–642 (2021).
- Breth, D. & Tee, E. Critical weed control requirements in young high-density apple orchards. NY Fruit Q. 25, 3–9 (2017).
- Gut, D., Barben, E. & Riesen, W. Critical period for weed competition in apple orchards: Preliminary results. ISHS Acta Hortic. 422 273–278 (1996) doi:https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1996.422.49.
- Latif, A. et al. Evaluation of critical period for weed crop competition in growing broccoli crop. Sci. Hortic. 287, 110270 (2021).
- Swanton, C. J., O’Sullivan, J. & Robinson, D. E. The Critical Weed-Free Period in Carrot. Weed Sci. 58, 229–233 (2010).
- Burnside, O. C. et al. Critical Periods for Weed Control in Dry Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). Weed Sci. 46, 301–306 (1998).
- Odero, D. C. & Wright, A. L. Phosphorus Application Influences the Critical Period of Weed Control in Lettuce. Weed Sci. 61, 410–414 (2013).
- Seem, J. E., Creamer, N. G. & Monks, D. W. Critical Weed-Free Period for ‘Beauregard’ Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas). Weed Technol. 17, 686–695 (2003).
- Williams, M. M. Planting date influences critical period of weed control in sweet corn. Weed Sci. 54, 928–933 (2006).
- Chaudhari, S. et al. Critical Period for Weed Control in Grafted and Nongrafted Fresh Market Tomato. Weed Sci. 64, 523–530 (2016).
--Written by Maria Gannett, UMass Extension Weeds Specialist
Onion Thrips
We are starting to see the first onion thrips in allium crops now. We don't expect them to increase in numbers quickly during this cool period, but populations can increase quickly once warm weather returns. Onion thrips are common pests on alliums as well as a broad range of other crops including beans and brassicas. They are tiny insects, only up to 1/16” in length, that spend the winter as adults in crop remnants, alfalfa, wheat, greenhouses, and weeds along the border of crop fields. Adults lay eggs singly in the epidermis, nymphs feed on leaves, and pupation occurs in the soil. All life stages may be present by early- to mid-spring and there are at least three generations per year in the Northeast. Populations are favored by hot, dry weather. Heavy rain or overhead irrigation can lower populations.
Crop Injury:
In onions, thrips feeding occurs in protected, succulent areas where new leaves are emerging, deep between the leaf blades. Adults and nymphs have rasping mouthparts, which they use to pierce the plant epidermis and cell walls and feed on plant juices. Damage may appear as silver lines, white patches, tip dieback, curling and twisting of leaves, slowed growth, reduced bulb size and yields, or if severe enough, can result in plant death. The irregular and blotchy whitening of the plants is known as 'blast'. Plants are most sensitive when bulbs are forming. Scallions are particularly sensitive because the whole plant is marketed. Healthy, vigorous plants can tolerate moderate populations.
Onion thrips damage may also occur on brassicas including cabbage, broccoli, kale, and collards, especially fall plantings near a maturing onion crop. On cabbage, thrips feed on inner leaves of the head, which are difficult to target with sprays. Damage appears as rough, golden or brown scars on the undersides of open leaves, scars and discolored layers within cabbage heads, and generally reduced vigor in plants. Thrips damage can be confused with oedema, a physiological disorder that causes small, bump-like protrusions to form on leaf surfaces.
In addition to direct feeding damage, onion thrips can damage crops by vectoring viral pathogens such as tomato spotted wilt virus, impatiens necrotic spot virus, and iris yellow spot virus. Wounds caused by thrips feeding can also create pathways for infection by fungal and bacterial pathogens, leading to increased occurrence of diseases such as purple blotch (Alternaria porri) and bacterial bulb rots.
Monitoring & Thresholds:
Scout across susceptible fields weekly, starting in late-May, to determine if populations are increasing, especially on plants along field margins where infestations build early. Gently part the leaves of each plant and look closely between the leaves to find the light-yellow nymphs or darker-colored adults. Though tiny, they can be seen moving on leaf surfaces when leaves are parted. Count the number of adults plus nymphs per plant and note the number of leaves per plant to determine the average number per leaf. A pesticide application is warranted if thrips numbers reach 1 to 3 per leaf. Thrips feeding that occurs during the period of rapid bulb expansion causes the greatest loss in yield. Use the lower 1 thrips/leaf threshold during this period, or if expected efficacy of the insecticide to be used is low, water availability is limited, or other conditions reduce the overall health of the plants. Growers using OMRI-listed materials should also use the lower threshold.
Cultural Controls & Prevention:
- Practice good field sanitation at the end of the season.
- Avoid using last year’s onions for sets.
- Avoid imported transplants from southern areas that may be infested with thrips or their eggs.
- Eliminate volunteers.
- Use straw mulch to deter thrips.
- Alternate onion rows with carrot rows.
- Avoid planting onions and fall brassica crops near each other or near alfalfa, wheat or clover, as these crops can harbor large populations of thrips. Thrips may migrate to onions when these crops are cut or harvested.
Tolerant varieties are the most cost-effective means of controlling thrips in cabbage but are generally not available in other brassicas or onions. Cabbage varieties that have shown tolerance in trials (see here for a summary of 2009 Cornell trial data) and are still available include Capture, Celebrate, Benelli, Cairo, Bravo, Cheers, Huron, and the various Vantage varieties. The Cornell Organic Production and IPM Guide for Cole Crops has an extensive list of cabbage varieties and their thrips tolerance.
Biological Controls:
Lacewing larvae, minute pirate bugs and predatory thrips and mites are important natural enemies of onion thrips. To conserve natural enemies, avoid use of broad-spectrum insecticides. Intercropping onions with barley has also been shown to suppress numbers of onion thrips by increasing numbers of hover flies whose larvae feed on both cereal aphids and thrips.
Chemical Controls & Pesticides:
Cornell Cooperative Extension publishes in-depth onion thrips pesticide program recommendations, taking into consideration material efficacy, mode of action, and the need to rotate between IRAC groups. See Figure 1 for an example spray program and Table 1 for recommended materials. Click on figure to enlarge.
Trade Name | Active Ingredient | Recommended rate/acre (Maximum rate/crop/season) | IRAC1 Group | Action Threshold (Avg # Thrips/Leaf) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Movento | spirotetramat | 5 fl oz (Max: 10 fl oz) | 23 | 0.6 - 1.0; or pre-bulbing3 |
Senstar2 | spirotetramat + pyriproxyfen | 10 fl oz (Max: 20 fl oz) | 23 + 7C | 0.6 - 1.0; or pre-bulbing3 |
Agri-Mek SC (and generics) | abamectin | 3.5 fl oz (Max: 12.25 fl oz) | 6 | 0.6 - 1.0 |
Minecto Pro | abamectin + cyantraniliprole | 7.5 – 10 fl oz (Max: 20 fl oz) | 6 28 | 1.1 - 2.0 |
Exirel | cyantraniliprole | 13.5 – 20.5 fl oz (Max: 61.6 fl oz) | 28 | 1.5 - 2.5: 13.5 - 16 fl oz 2.6 - ≥4.1: 20.5 fl oz |
Radiant SC | spinetoram | 8-10 fl oz (Max: 30 fl oz) | 5 | 1.5 - ≥4.04 |
Warrior II with Zeon Technology (and generics or other pyrethroids) | lambda-cyhalothrin | 1.92 fl oz (Max: 15.36 fl oz) | 3A | 0.6 - 1.0 Only use in tank mix with Lannate LV |
Lannate LV | methomyl | 48 fl oz (Max: 12 pt) | 1A | 0.6 - 1.0 Only use in tank mix with a pyrethroid like lambda-cyhalothrin |
1IRAC: Insecticide Resistance Action Committee – Mode of Action. 2Senstar requires 14 days between applications, whereas Movento applications can be spaced 7-10 days apart. 3Movento and Senstar do not work very well when the onion plant is bulbing. To take advantage of this highly effective chemistry, make the first application either at threshold or at the pre-bulbing crop stage, whichever comes first. 4Radiant should be used at a moderate to high rate (8 – 10 fl oz/acre) when population averages 1.5 – 2.5 thrips per leaf; for populations known to be highly susceptible to Radiant SC, the same rate can be used at a threshold of 2.6 – ≥ 4.0 per leaf. | ||||
--written by UMass Extension Vegetable Program
News
MDAR Food Ventures Program
MDAR seeks proposals for funding projects that will advance the Massachusetts Food Ventures Program that helps to implement the objectives of the Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan and provide economic opportunities that promote job creation enterprises or new businesses. MDAR is seeking to award grants statewide, primarily in communities of low or moderate income, to individuals or entities with experience developing and supporting food businesses. Click here for more information.
Application deadline: May 28, 2025 by 4:00pm.
MDAR Climate Smart for Agriculture Program (CSAP)
MDAR is now accepting applications from agricultural operations interested in participating in the Climate Smart for Agriculture Program (CSAP), a combination of previous funding programs including the Agricultural Climate Resiliency & Efficiencies Grant (ACRE), the Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program Grant (AEEP) , the Ag-Energy Program Grant (ENER), the Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP), and the Agricultural Composting Improvement Program (ACIP). By consolidating these programs, MDAR aims to simplify access and enable more agricultural operations to pursue impactful improvements in food safety, climate resiliency, energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and composting practices.
The CSAP grant supports farmers in adapting to changing climate conditions through practices that:
- Improve soil health
- Ensure the efficient use and availability of water
- Prevent impacts on water quality
- Reduce energy use and reliance on fossil fuels
- Strengthen on-farm food safety
- Encourage composting and nutrient recycling
- Promote innovative technologies that improve overall resource efficiency
Interested operations are encouraged to review the Request for Response (RFR) on the program’s website for complete program details. Applicants may submit questions regarding the RFR and application process by email to MDARGrants[at]mass[dot]gov (MDARGrants[at]mass[dot]gov). The deadline to submit questions is 4:00pm on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Answers to all submitted questions will be posted on the CSAP webpage.
Application deadline: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
USDA Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)
ECAP is a one-time payment program administered by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). It targets producers of eligible commodities who faced significant financial challenges in 2024 due to market uncertainties and increased production costs. The program offers per-acre payments based on planted and prevented planted acres, ensuring farmers receive support proportional to their operational scale. Payments cover 100% of planted acres—used for harvest, grazing, haying, silage, or similar purposes—and 50% of acres prevented from planting due to circumstances beyond producers’ control.
To be eligible, producers must meet the following requirements:
- Be actively engaged in farming.
- Have an interest in input expenses for a covered commodity.
- Have reported acreage of eligible commodities to FSA for the 2024 crop year planted and prevent plant acres to FSA on and FSA-578, Report of Acreage form.
- Have reported acres that were prevented from being planted to FSA for the 2024 crop year on an CCC-576 Notice of Loss form (if applicable).
Click here for more information on eligibility, payment rates, and how to apply.
Application deadline: August 15, 2025
Events
Twilight Meeting at Clark Farm - Cut Flowers
When: Wednesday July 2nd, 2025, 4-6 pm
Where: Clark Farm, 185 Concord St, Carlisle, MA 01741
Registration: Free
Clark Farm is a small "Real Organic Project" certified diversified farm. 75% of farm revenue comes from CSA membership. Increasingly, cut flowers have become more important to the farm. Flower CSA shares, bouquets, PYO flowers, and flower workshops are a growing revenue source. Come learn how Assistant Manager Mary Liz manages all aspects of the cut flower operation.
Twilight meeting hosted by EMass CRAFT. Event is free, no registration required.
Twilight Meeting at Small Farm - Irrigation and Climate Adaptation
When: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Small Farm. 184 Gleasondale Rd., Stow, MA 01775
Last year the team at Small Farm tried out a simple, relatively low-cost tool for monitoring soil moisture—Watermark sensors. Hear about their experience using the sensors, what they observed, and how the sensors have impacted irrigation practices in both the high tunnel and the field. UMass Extension staff will discuss other ways to optimize production, manage weeds, and mitigate the effects of climate change in sensitive crops like tomatoes, lettuce, and roots in the tunnel and field.
Twilight meeting hosted by EMass CRAFT. Event is free, no registration required.
Questions? Contact Sue Scheufele, sscheufele[at]umass[dot]edu (sscheufele[at]umass[dot]edu)
Twilight Meeting at Night Owl Farm - Building a Diversified Farm Business in the first five years + Pest Walk
When: Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Night Owl Farm. 49 Prospect St, Franklin, MA 02038
This Twilight workshop will focus on building a sustainable farm business, particularly in the critical first years, and diversifying market channels to maximize success. Night Owl Farm leans into Ali Oakley's background as a former teacher and runs a summer program for kids, a wide range of public workshops, a seedling sale, CSA, and online store.
We will also be joined by Susan Scheufele, a vegetable production specialist from UMass Extension, who will lead us in some pest identification and discussion of pest life cycles, one of the keys to managing pests without pesticides.
This twilight meeting is hosted by SEMAP.
Questions? Contact Sue Scheufele, sscheufele[at]umass[dot]edu (sscheufele[at]umass[dot]edu)
Twilight Meeting at Appleton Farms - Pest and Disease Management
When: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Appleton Farms, 219 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938
Join us at Appleton Farms to learn more about pest management. Sue Scheufele of UMass Extension will talk about some of the most prolific and problematic pests and diseases in organic farming systems, including tips on scouting and pest identification. Learn to see the farm with fresh eyes!
Twilight meeting hosted by EMass CRAFT. Event is free, no registration required.
Questions? Contact Sue Scheufele, sscheufele[at]umass[dot]edu (sscheufele[at]umass[dot]edu)
Twilight Meeting at Four Town Farm - Irrigation and Pest Management in Sweet Corn
When: Thursday, July 31, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Four Town Farm, 90 George St, Seekonk, MA 02771
Chris Clegg grows 45 acres of sweet corn for sale at his farmstand and wholesale accounts. UMass Extension staff will discuss pest management in sweet corn focusing on weeds and insects, and Chris will explain how they have learned to control their biggest pest—BIRDS! Chris and his crew use netting on all 45 acres of sweet corn to keep out birds as well as corn earworm, come see how it works. We will also hear about the multiple water sources and irrigation tools Chris utilizes to keep crops watered across the many disparate fields that make up the farm, and how to manage food safety risk associated with different water sources.
This twilight meeting is hosted by SEMAP.
Questions? Contact Sue Scheufele, sscheufele[at]umass[dot]edu (sscheufele[at]umass[dot]edu)
Upcoming Food Science Extension Courses for Food Processors
Preventive Controls for Human Food Training
When: Wednesday-Friday, June 25-27, 2025
Where: UMass Amherst, Chenoweth Laboratory, 102 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, MA 01003
Do you need training to learn how to develop food safety plans? UMass is hosting an in-person Preventive Controls for Human Food training, on June 25-27th at UMass Amherst. Small processors that register by May 31st will get $100 off the registration by using the promo code: 2025PCQI. For details go to: Preventive Control for Human Food | Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment.
Basic GMP & Sanitation Controls Practitioners In-Person Program (SCPP)
When: Tuesday, July 15th, 2025
Where: University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
Enhance your food safety skills with this hybrid program that includes self-paced online modules, a hands-on workshop, and virtual coaching sessions. Register now to build your competencies in sanitation practices! Use promo code “SCPP25” before June 30th can receive $50 off. Save the date! Registration will open soon!
Pathogen Environmental Monitoring Program (PEMP)
When: Wednesday, July 16th, 2025
Where: University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
Gain practical knowledge in regulatory expectations, sanitation controls, hygienic zoning, and environmental sampling. Ideal for QA/QC, sanitation, production personnel, and regulatory professionals. Save the date! Registration will open soon!
Special training combo offer!
Small-scale processors that register and attend both the SCPP & PEMP on July 15th and 16th and receive a 50% tuition reimbursement! Contact Nicole Richard for details: nicolerichard[at]uri[dot]edu (nicolerichard[at]uri[dot]edu)
Acidified Canned Food Safety Training
UMass is considering hosting an in-person training Nov 3 & 4 at the Worcester Food Hub in Worcester, MA but we need at least 12 people to host this event. Please complete this form if you are interested. This is a 2-day, in-person course that helps satisfy the training requirement for operators processing foods that fall under 21CFR114 Acidified Foods. The program cost is $615 per person (includes registration fees, program book, lunch, exam fees and training certification fees).
Contact Amanda Kinchla, kinchla[at]umass[dot]edu (kinchla[at]umass[dot]edu) or 413-545-1017 about any of these courses.
Vegetable Notes. Maria Gannett, Genevieve Higgins, Lisa McKeag, Susan Scheufele, Alireza Shokoohi, and Hannah Whitehead, co-editors. All photos in this publication are credited to the UMass Extension Vegetable Program unless otherwise noted.
Where trade names or commercial products are used, no company or product endorsement is implied or intended. Always read the label before using any pesticide. The label is the legal document for product use. Disregard any information in this newsletter if it is in conflict with the label.
The University of Massachusetts Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer, United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. Contact your local Extension office for information on disability accommodations. Contact the State Center Directors Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 413-545-4800.
