Stockbridge School of Agriculture
2-year and 4-year career-minded degrees through hands-on learning
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Stockbridge News
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UMass Ranked Top One Percent for Online Bachelor Degree Programs
For 2023 U.S. News & World Report assessed online programs at more than 1,800 colleges and universities and ranked 1,730 online bachelor's and master's degree programs, the most in the survey’s history. Overall, all UMass online bachelor’s degree programs ranked 16th nationally, up from 19th last year, cementing our place in the top one percent. Stockbridge established, and continues to offer, the nation's largest fully online bachelor degree program in sustainable agriculture. Over 300 students are currently enrolled in Stockbridge courses online. The degree can be completed online, or student may transfer courses upon admission to our on-campus degree program. -
Stockbridge Contributes to First Healthy Soils Action Plan for Massachusetts
The soil that covers the five million acres of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the foundation for our food, our forests, our drinking water, and the biodiversity of our many unique ecosystems. The quality of our soil is also increasingly important in helping us to adapt to the impacts of climate change. 2023 marks the release of the state's first Healthy Soils Action Plan (HSAP), a comprehensive approach to reducing impact from climate change and restoring our ecosystems. Faculty from Stockbridge, and other parts of the University, contributed their expertise to the development of this novel policy document. -
New "5th Year" Masters Program Graduates First Students
Last year, Stockbridge announced a new "5th Year" Accelerated Masters Degree program in Plant and Soil Sciences. This year, we are pleased to celebrate the first three students to graduate from the program. The "5th Year" program allows students earning a bachelor degree to get a head start on some of the higher level courses required to earn a Masters degree. Such acceleration can makes students more competitive in job markets, sooner. Their research topics continue themes long associated with the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. -
Lord of the Flies John Stoffolano Retires After 54 Years of Service
John Stoffolano, affectionately known as the Lord of the Flies, began teaching at UMass in 1969, when the radio played "Hot Fun in the Summertime" by Sly and the Family Stone, "Let the Sunshine In" by the 5th Dimension, and "It's Your Thing" by the Isley Brothers. Stoffolano's thing was the physiology and behavior of synanthropic (non-biting) flies. Upon his retirement this year, Stoffolano is expected to receive emeritus status from the University. -
Turfgrass Science Professor Emeritus Scott Ebdon Is First Recipient of NTEP Distinguished Service Award
The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) is pleased to announce that the first recipient of the NTEP Distinguished Service Award is Dr. Scott Ebdon, Professor Emeritus of Turfgrass Science, at Stockbridge School of Agriculture. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the turfgrass industry through cooperation with, or support of NTEP. Because of his research on water use and drought tolerance in turfgrasses, Dr. Ebdon is a recognized expert on how grasses utilize water and in understanding drought tolerance mechanisms. -
Om Parkash Dhankher Receives Highest Recognition from Crop Science Society of America
Plant/agriculture biotechnologist Om Parkash Dhankher was named as a CSSA Fellow, the highest recognition bestowed by the Crop Science Society of America. To be eligible for recognition as a Fellow, one must have a minimum of 7 years active membership in CSSA, and must have made “outstanding contributions in an area of specialization, whether in research, teaching, extension service, or administration…” Fewer than 0.3% of the Society’s membership attain this rank.
Professor Lisa Depiano Awarded $30,000 Grant to Host Climate Adaptation Learning Lab On Campus
Stockbridge professor Lisa Depiano founded the UMass Carbon Farming Initiative, which for five years has trained students at our Agricultural Learning Center (ALC) in the use of agroecology, regenerative food production and climate mitigation techniques.
Carbon farming, in which carbon is sequestered into soil stocks and above-ground biomass, reduces the harmful release of carbon into the atmosphere that comes from commercial farming.
Instructors Lisa Depiano and Nicole Burton, along with our Sustainable Food & Farming students, also manage the university's first Chestnut/Sheep Silvopasture, in which trees and livestock are used to enrich soil productivity without the use of powered tractors.
The new grant, awarded to Depiano by the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Partnership, will fund a new site at the ALC to teach "alley cropping," the integration of trees among farm crops, giving students additional hands-on learning opportunities to practice climate mitigation and sustainable farming techniques proven by science.
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