IPM Resources

Brochures and Posters

Land grants partner with the food industry on IPM. Major food distributors have begun urging suppliers to actively support more sustainable environments in the production of food. As suppliers and growers explore ways of moving toward greater sustainability, some are looking to land grant institutions for guidance. Regional IPM Centers, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, U.S. EPA, and land grant specialists created a brochure to help land grant personnel respond. Available for download, this publication offers examples and tips on how to help growers, suppliers, and the industry.

Raising IPM awareness of customers in greenhouse and garden centers. Margaret Skinner (Univ. of Vermont) and other northeastern Extension personnel are working with growers to increase public awareness of IPM by displaying posters in greenhouses and garden centers. The eye-catching posters describe IPM in simple terms to clientele who are often unfamiliar with the concept (in a recent survey, over 80% of customers had never heard of IPM). More than 6,000 posters have been distributed, and growers display them enthusiastically. The poster is accompanied by brochures that provide more details about IPM. Once the customers surveyed understood the term, more than 65% said they would be willing to spend 10–20% more for IPM-grown plants. Marketing plants as IPM-grown represents an added value to growers, and through this public/private initiative more customers are learning the value of IPM. For more information and copies of these materials, contact Skinner: Margaret.Skinner@uvm.edu, 802-656-5440.

Promoting green lawns to the public. Several publications will accompany a sustainable lawn-care display at the U.S. Botanical Gardens this summer. The “Green Lawns” materals include a brochure on IPM lawncare tips, an eco–score card, and a poster. View the full set at GrowingGreenLawns.org, and order single copies from the IPM Center (contact Angela DeFelice). We expect to reach more than 750,000 visitors through this display, which will run until Columbus Day.

On the Internet

No such thing as a stupid question! Maryland's Home and Garden Information Center serves the northeastern region with information on plant diagnostics, pest management, invasive species, and more. When HGIC’s frequently-asked-questions database grew to more than 20,000 questions with detailed responses (many with digital photographs), specialists on staff knew users would need a convenient way to tap into this wealth of information. They made the database searchable, so that visitors with repeat questions could find IPM solutions quickly. Clients can browse general categories or search by key word and/or date range. All answers have been screened by HGIC specialists for accuracy. The searchable database can be found under the “Send a Question––FAQ” link on the site.

Got IPM news to share? We release the Northeastern IPM Monitor to nearly 1,000 IPM professionals and practitioners. This e-newsletter links readers to news briefs on IPM research, extension, workshops, funding opportunities, and job openings. Northeastern IPM Center staff prepare the Monitor, posting IPM-related news items from partners throughout the Northeast. If you have news to share or would like to receive monthly Monitor postings via email, contact Amy Galford.