News Flash

Conservation / Planning

2 news items

  • Affordable Housing Trust is seeking a Member!

    Affordable Housing Trust is seeking a Member! 

    South Hadley’s Affordable Housing Trust has an opening for a person currently living in Affordable Housing in South Hadley. The Board of Trustee’s goal is to create and preserve affordable housing opportunities in South Hadley. If you are living at Lathrop Village, Newton Manor, Abbey Lane/Street, or Hubert Place and have an interest in serving on the Trust in this capacity, please contact Planning and Conservation Director Anne Capra at acapra@southhadleyma.gov  or (413) 538-5030 x6128. To learn more about South Hadley's newly formed Affordable Housing Trust, visit their webpage: https://www.southhadley.org/1470/AffordableHousing-Trust  

    Role of the Board of Trustees-The South Hadley Municipal Affordable Housing Trust is governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees responsible for overseeing the Trust’s funds and activities. Guided by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 55C, the Trustees manage the Trust’s assets with the goal of creating and preserving affordable housing opportunities in South Hadley. The Board acts much like a financial steward—authorized to acquire, manage, and invest in real and personal property to further the Trust’s mission. Their powers include accepting and distributing funds, purchasing property, supporting affordable housing development, and facilitating direct assistance programs. Reflecting South Hadley’s commitment to diverse expertise and inclusive representation, the Board’s membership includes one Selectboard member, the Town Administrator (or designee), and five additional appointees selected by the Selectboard. Priority is given to individuals with backgrounds in real estate law, finance, planning, architecture, and banking, as well as one member who currently resides in affordable housing. Trustees are appointed to two-year terms, with staggered initial appointments to maintain continuity. Together, this group provides strategic leadership to ensure the Trust operates effectively, collaborates with local and regional partners, and advances the community’s affordable housing goals.

    Conservation / Planning
    Posted on March 10, 2026

  • 2026 Mass Aggie Sessions for Backyard Growers

    Welcome to Mass Aggies, a series highlighting the agricultural expertise and innovation available through the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Extension Fruit team. Through this series of seminars and workshops the Fruit Team provides a platform for small scale backyard growers and agricultural enthusiasts of all types to come together to learn the latest developments in fruit production. Delve into the cutting-edge information shared in our seminars, curated to empower individuals with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of agriculture. 

    We are pleased to announce the 2026 Mass Aggie Line up! For the first time since 2018 we will be hosting IN PERSON sessions. All IN PERSON workshops will be held at the UMass Cold Spring Research and Education Orchard at 391 Sabin St. Belchertown, MA

    WorkshopsJanuary 17 - Understanding Grape Pruning (Online/In Person)January 17 - Hands-On Grape Pruning (In Person)February 21 - Insects: Pests and Beneficials (Online)February 28 - Home Orchard Pruning (focus on apples) (In Person)March 7 - Ecological Weed Management in the Home Orchard (Online)March 14 - Blueberry 101 (Online)March 21 - Apple Tree Grafting (In Person)April 11 - Orchard Disease Management (Online)April 18 - The Apple Fruiting Wall (In Person)

    Register online here.

    Program Descriptions

    Understanding Grape Pruning: A Hybrid Seminar - $40Dr. Elsa PetitJanuary 17, 2026Online/IN PERSON!10:00am – 11:00am

    This hybrid seminar introduces the fundamentals of grapevine pruning for home growers and beginning viticulturists. Using clear visuals and examples, we will review how grapevines grow, where fruit is produced, and how to identify one-year-old wood. Participants will learn how many buds to leave and how different training systems (head/spur, head/cane, cordon/spur, cordon/cane) influence pruning decisions.The session includes interactive polls and opportunities for questions throughout. This seminar provides the foundation needed to prune confidently.

    Hands-On Grape Pruning Workshop - a Hands-on Workshop - $65Dr. Elsa PetitIN PERSON!January 17, 202611:00am – 1:00pm

    UMass Cold Spring Orchard, 391 Sabin St., Belchertown, MALearn how to prune grapevines with confidence in this fully hands-on field workshop. After a short introduction to grapevine growth and common training systems, participants will practice pruning directly in the vineyard. You’ll learn how to identify one-year-old wood, choose the right canes or spurs, and make clean cuts that support vine health and fruit production.Tools will be available on site, but you are welcome to bring your own. This workshop takes place outdoors; please dress for cold, wet, or muddy conditions.

    Understanding Grape Pruning Seminar + Hands-on Grape Pruning Workshop - $85

    ** Please note there is a 15 person maximum for the hands on work shop. There are currently still spots available so sign up while you can!

    Insects; Pests and Beneficials - $50Dr. Jaime PiñeroOnlineFebruary 21, 202610:00-noonJoin Extension Faculty Dr. Jaime Piñero in this exciting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) workshop and learn how to make beneficial insects and insectary plants your garden’s best allies! With these techniques, you can keep your plants thriving with little to no insecticides. Some materials will be mailed to participants for them to implement IPM at home!  

    Home Orchard Pruning (focus on apples) - a Hands-on Workshop - $65Mr. Jon ClementsIN PERSON!February 28, 20261:00 to 3:00 PM

    UMass Cold Spring Orchard, 391 Sabin St., Belchertown, MAOne of the key steps in successful fruit growing is the act of pruning the trees. This can seem daunting and complicated, but it’s not! Not once you understand the principles involved. Come learn how to properly prune your apple trees. Participants will have the opportunity to conduct actual pruning and gain both experience and confidence in pruning apple trees in order to produce a bountiful crop.* This workshop will focus primarily on apple pruning.

    Ecological Weed Management in the Home Orchard - $50Dr. Maria GannettOnlineMarch 7, 202610:00am - noonDuring this workshop, led by Dr. Maria Gannett, we will consider what weeds are and why you would want to manage them. Hopefully, you will be convinced that it is important to identify weed species and will understand the traits of some of the species you see in your own orchard. Finally, we will talk about ecological weed management and highlight different strengths and weaknesses of several weed control methods.

    Blueberry 101 - $50Mr. John Galvan and Dr. Jianyu LiMarch 14, 202610:00am - noonOnlineBlueberries are among the most popular fruits to grow in the home garden. They are healthful and well suited to growing in New England conditions. Come learn the basics for pruning blueberries for your home landscape. This session will lay down the foundation for Blueberry growers covering horticultural practices, site selection, soil and planting, pruning, fertility, pest management and IPM, and history.

    Apple Tree Grafting - A Hands-on Workshop - $125Mr. Jon ClementsIN PERSON!March 21, 2026. 9:00am to 3:00pmUMass Cold Spring Orchard, 391 Sabin St., Belchertown, MA

    Many people do not realize that all apple varieties are reproduced by grafting - they are not grown from seed. For horticultural enthusiasts, one of the most satisfying techniques to master is grafting. Jon Clements will present a hands-on workshop on ‘bench grafting’ and ‘cleft grafting’ of apple trees. Other grafting techniques will be discussed. Proper tools and sharpening will be included. All participants in the workshop will graft several of their own apples trees to take home. There will be a break for participants to enjoy a BYO lunch.*

    Orchard Disease Management - $50Ms. Elizabeth GarofaloApril 11, 2026Duration: 2 hoursOnlineSometimes the smallest creatures can cause the greatest impact. Join in and learn about disease management for tree fruit. Key disease IPM concepts will be discussed. Identification, biology and management of a selection of common tree fruit diseases will also be presented.

    The Apple Fruiting Wall - a Hands-on Workshop — $125Mr. Jon ClementsIN PERSON!April 18, 2026 9:00am to 1:00pm

    Join Jon Clements as we actually plant an apple “fruiting wall” consisting of five apple varieties and only taking up 50 feet of linear space in your home landscape. Not an espalier, so supporting, training, and pruning of these dwarf apple trees is simplified. Ongoing care and maintenance will also be discussed. Participants may end up taking home several (depending on participation) bare root apple trees to get their own fruiting wall started. *

    *These workshops will be partially outdoors, so please dress appropriately for potentially wet, cold, and muddy conditions. 

    Conservation / Planning
    Posted on January 08, 2026