Menu
Log in

NEWS

  • June 24, 2022 12:15 PM | Diane Johnson (Administrator)


  • June 10, 2022 5:28 PM | Diane Johnson (Administrator)

    According to The Advocate

    The Massachusetts Glyphosate Commission released the Phase I report that was earlier commissioned by MDAR to begin the process of complying with legislature’s scientific review of the popular herbicide. Eastern Research Group (ERG), the same contractor that assisted the Commonwealth on the recently concluded Mosquito Control for the 21st Century Task Force, completed the 20-page overview of available information, key assessments, identification of stakeholders for future consultation and next steps. Since the funds made available by the legislature were far less than what the market demanded for a complete review, the commission divided the task into two phases. Once phase I is complete, the commission plans to ask the legislature for sufficient funds to complete the study.

  • June 10, 2022 5:26 PM | Diane Johnson (Administrator)

    https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/landscape-message-june-10-2022

  • May 20, 2022 12:42 PM | Diane Johnson (Administrator)

    As you know products that contain neonicotinoids and have certain use patterns will have a classification change from General Use to Restricted Use on July 1, 2022.  In order to help inform the manufacturers, dealers, sellers and applicators of which products will be changing from general use to restricted use, the Department has created the list of neonicotinoid products that currently are and will become restricted use beginning July 1st.  You may find the list at the link below.  Please note that this list is subject to change.

    Additionally, MDAR is anticipating that there will be more of a need for companies to follow the Direct Supervision regulations with this change.  Therefore, MDAR has updated its Direct Supervision Frequently Asked Question document as well. 

    https://www.mass.gov/doc/list-of-neonicotinoid-pesticides/download

    https://www.mass.gov/doc/direct-supervision-frequently-asked-questions-faq/download

    Taryn LaScola-Miner, Director, Crop and Pest Services Division

  • May 07, 2022 1:35 PM | Diane Johnson (Administrator)

    MASSACHUSETTS | Nantucket Town Meeting Passes Fertilizer Ban

    A citizen petition on the town warrant that would ban the use of fertilizer on lawns passed overwhelmingly at Town Meeting on Tuesday evening. This effort reflects the town’s desire to escape from the requirements of the Massachusetts nutrient management law which requires that anyone using fertilizer in the Commonwealth abide by best management practices published by UMass Amherst. 

    Bob DaCosta, a local scallop fisherman and former selectman, offered an amendment to go back to the original language of the article, claiming fertilizer applications are polluting Nantucket in spite of the fact that this harbor receives more raw sewage from boats than any other harbor on the east coast. The scallop industry on the island has been in steep decline for years. The measure passed on a 347-105 vote. 

    This home rule measure must now pass muster with the state attorney general’s office. Chapter 262 of the General Laws preempt local regulation of fertilizer, and it is expected that the measure will not be approved on that basis. If it is indeed approved, legislation will need to be filed by both the Senator and Representative representing Nantucket in the General Court, and due to the late date and other priorities it is unlikely that the legislature will act on this issue. NALP joins with the Green Industry Alliance and green industry associations in opposing this issue and will engage as appropriate as events unfold. 


  • April 30, 2022 12:38 PM | Diane Johnson (Administrator)

    fROM THE aDVOCATE - aPRIL 29

    H-2B Supplemental Cap Update

    This is frustrating. As an industry, we were elated when the Biden Administration announced the release of 35,000 supplemental H-2B visas back in late March.  This marked the most supplemental H-2B visas ever released in a fiscal year and the announcement coincided with the April 1st real date of need.  We did know when the announcement was made that the rule was not finalized but an agreement had been made on numbers and we were told a couple of weeks or definitely by the end of April.  Well it’s April 29th and we now know that the rule has slipped to the first week of May.  Ongoing conversations with DHS indicate that the rule will publish in the middle of next week.  It’s very disappointing, unfortunately the rule making process goes through several bureaucratic and legal hurdles, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has actually been very supportive and a champion for this release.   At his been typical for the actual rule to lag approximately a month after the announcement for historical context. 

     At this point emailing your elected officials to urge them to pressure DHS will not impact the timing of the release and we would rather hold our grassroots might for FY 23 as we will ramp up efforts on the appropriations process in the coming weeks heading into the critical mark-ups in June and July. 

    As soon as we see the rule we will provide an analysis and detail the process.


  • March 19, 2022 11:54 AM | Diane Johnson (Administrator)

    Northeast IPM Virtual Conference

    2022 Research Update Conference, March 24, 10:30 am ET

    The rapid style conference will feature 5-minute pre-recorded presentations in which the speakers will discuss 1 or 2 highlights from their projects followed by a live Q&A. The purpose of the conference is to increase collaboration and awareness about current IPM-related research and extension in the Northeast in a fun way.


  • February 18, 2022 1:37 PM | Diane Johnson (Administrator)

    UMass Amherst Extension Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry upcoming programs

    Get Ready for Spring Greenhouse Program March 1

    Community Tree Conference March 3

    State Regulations Pertaining to Invasive Plant Management March 10

    Principles and Fundamentals of Weed Science Mar 17 and MORE!

     


  • December 20, 2021 9:40 PM | Diane Johnson (Administrator)

    https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/newsletters/hort-notes/hort-notes-2021-vol-3210


  • December 19, 2021 4:53 PM | Diane Johnson (Administrator)

    Yesterday, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) gathered together to discuss the transition to Zero Emission Equipment (ZEE) and ban the sale of all Small Off-Road Engines (SORE) gas powered landscape equipment beginning 2024.  The meeting went on for nearly 6 hours starting with CARB staff presenting the item and their proposal to the Board.  CARB staff provided the board with some of the concerns stakeholders have expressed and what the staff responses were in regard to the concerns.

Cape Cod Landscape Association
  PO Box 460
Centerville, MA 02632-0460
Phone: 508-317-1533
Email:  ccla1999@comcast.net

Cape Cod Landscape Association is a 501 c3 – registered non-profit
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software