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Agro-Environmental
Technology Grants Awardees for Year 2002 Projects
1.
CAPE COD CRANBERRY
GROWERS ASSOCIATION, East Wareham – “Cranberry Bog Conversion
Into A Partitioned Aquaculture System Fish Farm: Demonstration And Feasibility
Testing”. In and effort to provide alternative agricultural opportunities
to cranberry farmers, this project will demonstrate the feasibility and
profitability of converting an existing cranberry bog into a fish farm.
The Partitioned Aquaculture System is a new fish farming technology
developed for pond fish culture in warmer climates. $36,000
2.
FINS TECHNOLOGY,
LLC, Turners Falls – “Development of Cost-Effective Water Reclamation
System to Improve the Economics and Environmental Performance of Aquaculture”.
This project will lead to the development of a water reclamation system
in freshwater and marine aquaculture. The system will allow producers
to operate virtually closed-loop production, significantly expanding the
types of fish that can be cultured while reducing the consumption of water,
heat, chemicals and electricity. $23,894
3.
MASSACHUSETTS
FRUIT GROWER’S ASSOCIATION, INC., Shelburne – “Ribes Cultivar Screen For
White Pine Blister Rust Disease Immunity And Documentation of Current
Ribes Restrictions in New York and New England”. The process of reviewing
the criteria for the continued restriction of current and gooseberry production
in Massachusetts will begin in this project. Data on the performance of
new disease “immune” cultivars will be presented as well as documentation
on the status and rationale behind the regulations in neighboring states.
$1,820
4.
WESTON CRANBERRY
CORPORATION, Carver – “Automated
Weather And Watering Systems In Cranberry Production”. This project will
develop a secure, cost effective and reliable network to monitor and automate
cranberry bog irrigation pumps and monitor weather conditions from remote
locations, using a PC and Palm Pilot or other wireless devices. $17,064
5.
NEW ENGLAND SMALL
FARM INSTITUTE, Belchertown – “Direct Cut Vacuum Grass Silage: An Economic
and Environmental Option For Massachusetts Livestock Producers”. Direct Cut Vacuum Grass Silage is a technology
that can reduce forage costs and labor associated with forage production.
In this project, six livestock farmers will investigate this technology
in terms of forage quality and overall “workability”. $15,840
6.
UNIVERSITY OF
MASSACHUSETTS, Amherst – Commercial Soil-less Production of Rhododendrons
For Export Marketing”. This project is to develop a hydroponics production
of rhododendrons in perlite or other soil-less media for export marketing
of small rhododendron plants. Research
will develop protocols for production facilities and timing of production
cycles. $17,064
Total amount awarded in 2002: $ 111,684. |
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