Project ID: 2002NY8B

Title: Greenhouse BMP's: Transforming Principles into Practice Year Two

Project Type: Information Transfer

Focus Categories: Agriculture, Non Point Pollution

Keywords: greenhouses, nurseries, nonpoint source management, nutrients, pesticides

Start Date: 03/01/2002

End Date: 02/28/2003

Federal Funds: $0

Non-Federal Matching Funds: $6,637

Congressional District: NY 26

Principal Investigators:
Jana Lamboy
Cornell University

Thomas Weiler
Cornell University

Mary-Lynn Cummings
Cornell University

Abstract

Problem: The 2001 Directory of New York State Certified Nurseries, Greenhouses, and Plant Dealers lists 1,967 operations. Many of these businesses discharge wastewater directly to the ground surface or through drains to surface water. Greenhouse and nursery wastewaters are likely to contain some contamination from the legal and appropriate use of pesticides and fertilizers. New York growers need simple and direct resources explaining how to construct safe storage facilities for pesticides, and why and how they should monitor their nutrient solutions.

Objectives: The goal of this project is to increase awareness and implementation of best management practices for minimizing the discharge of nutrient- and pesticide-contaminated wastewaters from commercial greenhouses and nurseries in New York State. The target audience includes commercial greenhouse owner/operators, extension educators, and horticultural students. The project will satisfy three primary objectives:

· Develop an Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program for commercial greenhouses.

· Teach horticulture students and CCE educators how to evaluate current practices.

· Reach industry leaders to enlist their support to increase adoption of BMP principles.

Methods: The current Cornell Research Greenhouse BMP Plan addresses several areas of greenhouse environmental stewardship in depth but it was not written for commercial establishments. In 2001 we learned about grower concerns and prepared introductory materials for the industry. We are ready to revise the BMP Plan within the framework of AEM.

Progress/Completion Report PDF