From the Center Director
The Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment makes it a priority to reach out to diverse audiences across the state of Massachusetts, our region and the country. The Center strives to offer equal access to educational programs and equal opportunity in employment for people without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, physical ability, religion, sexual orientation and veteran status. The Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment adheres to federal and state statues, regulations and University policies regarding Civil Rights in our role as a cooperator with the United States Department of Agriculture, (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
Information of interest:
- How to Report Concerns around Discrimination refers to the process to be used to raise discrimination-related issues regarding Center for Agriculture programs.
- Federal (USDA) Civil Rights Web Resources provides links to the laws, regulations and policies that govern the conduct of Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment programs and offers an overview of the resources available on campus.
- Equal Opportunity and Non-discrimination: Policies and Notification - Our equal opportunity policy and Non-discrimination statements and how the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment ensures continued notification to the public
- Mailing Lists Policy describes protocols related to list management, including provisions for equal access.
- Required Trainings for Faculty, Staff and Students - Information and how to access trainings for 1) all staff, 2) for faculty, staff and students enaged in the conduct of research, and for individuals serving on faculty searches
- Limited English Proficiency and Language Access Plan - It is the policy of the UMass Amherst Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment to ensure that no person is prohibited from participation based on national origin in any opportunities provided by our units and that that all reasonable steps will be are taken to provide timely, meaningful access and an equal opportunity to participate in Center activities and to access Center publications and resources, to individuals whose first language is not English.
- Accommodation Request - It is the policy of the UMass Amherst Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment to ensure that no person is prohibited from participation based on physical ability in any opportunities provided by our units and that that all reasonable steps will be are taken to provide timely, meaningful access and an equal opportunity to participate in Center activities and to access Center publications and resources, to individuals who require and accommodation to participate. Guidance to employees for submitting a request can be found on the UMass Accessible Workplace website. Center program participants can request an accommodation by submitting an online request form or by contacting Kathleen Geary, Assistant Director for Administration at 413-545-2917 (kmgeary@umass.edu).
I welcome your suggestions or comments on how we can improve our services to assure equal access to programs and look forward to seeing you at the great variety of Extension programs offered throughout the Commonwealth each year.
Sincerely,
Lynne McLandsborough, Director
Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment, UMass Extension, and Mass. Agricultural Experiment Station
The Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment is an equal opportunity provider and employer, United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. Contact your local Extension office for information on disability accommodations. Contact the Center Director’ Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 413-545-4800 or email at ag@cns.umass.edu.
