New Opportunities in National Pest Management Program

On May 19, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) released their Request for Applications (RFA) for the 2014 Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM) Program that targets integrated pest management (IPM) in a variety of systems from crops to urban areas. Program areas include Applied Research and Development Program (ARDP), Extension Implementation Program (EIP), and Regional Coordination Program (RCP). Each area has a different structure, but all support projects that address high priority IPM challenges at local, state, regional, and national levels.

The Northeastern IPM Center is one of four regional IPM centers located across the country with a mission to foster the development and adoption of integrated pest management, a sound, sensible approach to dealing with pests using methods that protect human health and the environment while reducing costs. The Center engages with stakeholders in agricultural, urban, and rural settings in a collaborative effort to identify and address regional priorities, whether for research, education, or outreach.

So, what does the 2014 CPPM RFA mean for the Northeastern IPM Center and its stakeholders across the region? First, the Regional IPM or RIPM grants as referred to previously have been re-structured into the ARDP, which means more money for either state or multistate projects. Under this new structure, the administration of not just the funds, but also the projects will be done through NIFA headquarters with projects in each region reporting to the respective IPM Center. In the past, these projects were submitted and administered through the Northeastern IPM Center.

Second, more funds will be available for the RCP, which has supported a majority of the Northeastern IPM Center operations, including staff and their mini-grant, training, evaluation, and communication programs. Because the Northeastern IPM Center works across a diverse and large geographic region, it is anticipated that newly increased funding levels will enhance our ability to carry out current programs and develop new partnerships.

This new RFA from NIFA is a response by the agency to meet the changing interests of stakeholder groups and address region-wide and national IPM issues. NIFA is being proactive in how they address challenges associated with IPM adoption and implementation. The Northeastern IPM Center recognizes that our stakeholders and partners may have some concerns about the restructuring of past programs in this new RFA. Therefore, we encourage people to contact Steve Young, incoming director of the Northeastern IPM Center, and share your thoughts and questions.