IPM News and Events Roundup 01/10/2025
A weekly collection of IPM news, webinars, employment, funding opportunities, and more from the Northeastern IPM Center
If you have IPM-related research, events, or other IPM news you would like to have included, please email Jerrie Haines at jlh472@cornell.edu. If you would like to subscribe to the weekly Roundup, please email northeastipm@cornell.edu. Past Roundups are archived on our website.
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Northeastern IPM Center News
The December 2024 issue of IPM Insights.
- Save the Date: 11th International IPM Symposium
- UConn Extension IPM and Sustainable Landscapes Programs
- Encountering Bed Bugs While Traveling
- CABI: Partners in IPM
Building the Backbone of IPM: PMSPs, Crop Profiles, and the National IPM Database
February 13, 2025 – 11:00 a.m. (eastern)
Register at cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-vprPJ4VSiaNMBy4DPlOXQ#/registration
Description
Effective integrated pest management (IPM) starts with comprehensive, well-structured data. In this presentation, Lacey Belanger will detail the creation and coordination of Pest Management Strategic Plans (PMSPs) and Crop Profiles, alongside the development of the National IPM Database. Guest speakers will share their real-world experience of developing PMSPs and the advantages that have come from them. Attendees will learn about the critical role these resources play in informing pest management decisions, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Join us to see how these documents enhance IPM efforts nationwide and ensure the tools needed for success are at your fingertips.
Risk Forecasting and Evaluation Using the NEWA Platform
February 18, 2025 – 11:00 a.m. (eastern)
Register at cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_G3y1vDpjS7W7nAw74QUw-Q#/registration
Description
The NEWA platform provides practical tools for weather-based risk forecasting, helping users make informed decisions about pest and crop management. This talk will cover how NEWA combines high-resolution weather data, predictive models, and user-friendly tools to assess risks like freeze events, disease outbreaks, and crop loss. We’ll discuss how these features support monitoring and forecasting of microclimate-driven risks to aid in planning and management.
EPA / FDA / USDA / NIFA News
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the monarch butterfly ( Danaus plexippus ), the iconic orange and black butterfly, as a threatened species and designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We propose to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species with protective regulations under section 4(d) of the Act (a “4(d) rule”). Finalizing this rule as proposed would add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the species. We also propose to designate critical habitat for the monarch butterfly under the Act. In total, approximately 4,395 acres (1,778 hectares) in Alameda, Marin, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Ventura Counties, California, fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. We also announce the availability of an economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for the monarch butterfly. We also are notifying the public that we have scheduled two informational meetings followed by public hearings on the proposed rule.
DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before March 12, 2025.
Public informational meetings and public hearings: We will hold two public informational meetings followed by public hearings. The first meeting and hearing will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., eastern time, on January 14, 2025. To accommodate those in western time zones, the second meeting and hearing will be from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., eastern time, on January 15, 2025.
DEC is seeking feedback on the draft list of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) for the 2025-2035 State Wildlife Action Plan. SGCN are species native to and present in New York that are under threat and likely to decline if conservation actions are not implemented within the next 10 years. The freshwater fish list not only includes familiar species such as lake sturgeon, muskellunge, and American eel, but also lesser known species such as bluebreast darter and comely shiner. In addition to the list, there are associated status assessments (PDF) available that describe what is currently known about each fish species. If you have comments or ideas for other species that may have been missed, email nyswap2025@dec.ny.gov by January 14, 2025.
USDA Now Accepting Applications for the 1890 National Scholars Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at 1890 land-grant universities to pursue career paths in food, agriculture, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. The application deadline is March 1, 2025.
Young people around the country are invited to complete and submit their applications online through an e-application. Administered through USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is available to eligible high school seniors entering their freshman year of college as well as rising college sophomores and juniors.
Learn more and apply online at USDA 1890 National Scholars Program. For more information, contact partnerships@usda.gov.
EPA Issues First Voucher to Incentivize the Development of Novel Mosquito Control Products
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued its first voucher under its Vector Expedited Review Voucher (VERV) Program as a result of a recent approval by EPA of a new active ingredient - Wolbachia wAlbB strain. The VERV Program, which is required by the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022 (known as “PRIA 5”) and announced in December 2023, aims to incentivize companies to develop novel or unique mosquito control products to help prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, and Zika.
For more information about the VERV Program, visit EPA’s webpage. The final registration decision and supporting documents for WB1 Males are available at docket ID EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0028 on www.regulations.gov.
EPA Releases Draft Biological Opinion for Carbaryl for Public Comment
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing and seeking public comment on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) draft biological opinion for the insecticide carbaryl. Carbaryl is a pesticide used on a variety of crops, including field vegetables and orchard crops.
After the 30-day public comment period, EPA will provide FWS with the comments received for consideration before FWS finalizes the biological opinion. Following the release of the final FWS biological opinion, EPA will implement the measures described in the FWS final biological opinion.
The FWS draft biological opinion is available for public comment for 30 days in docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0579 at www.regulations.gov.
EPA is announcing the December 12, 2024, final settlement relating to the implementation of the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP). The final settlement terms include EPA’s commitment to several action items to assess the potential effects of conventional pesticide active ingredients on human health. As part of the settlement agreement and to increase transparency related to the EDSP effort, EPA is also announcing a new tracking website to provide updates on Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Data Call-In (DCI) Notices issued to registrants of a group of high priority conventional pesticides. These pesticides, referred to as Group 1, demonstrated potential impact to the estrogen or androgen pathways and may need additional data to inform endocrine-related assessments. EPA’s tracking website includes updates on the release and response to these DCIs including DCI notice number, the issuance date, the acknowledgement of receipt date, the company name and number, the 90-day response date, and the required date of data submission.
Welcome to the Early Access rollout of Rem?die!
What is Rem?die?
Rem?die is an innovative mobile application that was developed by Throughline, LLC and tailored for DoD vector/pest management professionals. With >20 years of curated chemical and product listings, Rem?die puts the power of knowledge in your hands, ensuring you have access to safe, effective, and legal pest management solutions, even in disconnected environments.
What is included in this version?
The Beta version of Rem?die includes:
- Search for products based on specific pests - including insects, vertebrate animals, plants, and many more.
- Find the appropriate product from an initial list of 500+ EPA, DoD, and other internationally approved products.
- Evaluate the relevant options using filters to evaluate safety, lifecycle, and control goals.
- Access detailed product information, including chemical composition and safety information.
No account or signups are required, only an initial network connection to install the app on your device at https://app.remedievc.com/.
This mobile application is intentionally designed to operate with and without network access when installed on your mobile or tablet device (iOS and Android) or on your desktop when connected to a network.
Please note that during this phase, the application will continue to receive updates, including enhancements to existing features and additional data.
EPA Adds Nine Additional PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the automatic addition of nine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to the list of chemicals covered by the Toxics Release Inventory.
TRI data is reported to EPA annually by facilities in designated industry sectors and federal facilities that manufacture, process, or otherwise use TRI-listed chemicals above set quantities. The data include quantities of such chemicals that were released into the environment or otherwise managed as waste. Information collected through TRI allows communities to learn how facilities in their area are managing listed chemicals. The data collected is available online and helps to support informed decision-making by companies, government agencies, non-governmental organizations and the public. Adding new chemicals to the TRI advances the Biden-Harris Administration’s environmental justice commitments by improving accountability and transparency for families, workers, and communities across the country.
Tularemia — United States, 2011–2022
Tularemia is a rare nationally notifiable zoonosis, caused by the tier-1 select agent Francisella tularensis, that has been reported from all U.S. states except Hawaii. Clinical manifestations typically include fever and localized symptoms that vary by route of infection. The case fatality rate of tularemia is typically <2% but can be higher depending on clinical manifestation and infecting strain. Tularemia is treatable with antibiotics. During 2011–2022, a total of 47 states reported 2,462 tularemia cases, but four central states (Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma) accounted for 50% of all reported cases. Incidence was highest among children aged 5–9 years (0.083 per 100,000 population) and adult males aged 65–84 years (range = 0.133–0.161). Incidence among American Indian or Alaska Native persons (0.260) was approximately five times that among White persons (0.057). The average annual incidence of tularemia in the United States during 2011–2022 (0.064) was 56% higher than that reported during 2001–2010 (0.041), largely resulting from increased reporting of probable cases.
Mexico screwworm case triggers US emergency response (avma.org)
The recent discovery of a New World screwworm (NWS) infection in a cow in southern Mexico has prompted action by the federal government to prevent the deadly parasitic pest from entering the country.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced December 13 that it will release $165 million in emergency funding to protect U.S. livestock, pets, and wildlife.
EPA Updates Process for Developing Maps to Protect Endangered Species
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking another step to reduce potential impacts to farmers from implementing endangered species protections while continuing to protect endangered species by publishing a process it will use to develop maps for protecting species designated as threatened or endangered (listed) by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and their designated critical habitats. These maps allow EPA to protect listed species from the use of pesticides through geographically specific mitigations. The process identifies areas where listed species are likely to be located and areas where they are not, which ensures that additional measures to protect listed species are only required in these areas.
Additional information can be found in the core map development process document. Visit EPA’s website to learn more about how EPA’s pesticide program is protecting endangered species.
EPA is publishing new resources and updating existing ones to help pesticide registrants with the translation of pesticide labels into Spanish. The Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022 (PRIA 5) requires the safety and health portions of pesticide product labels to be translated into Spanish. Spanish is the primary language for most American farmworkers. This effort advances environmental justice by making health and safety information on pesticide labels more accessible, fostering better understanding and compliance with label instructions.
Bilingual Labeling Registrant Tracking Proposed Plan as Draft Pesticide Registration Notice:
Bilingual Labeling Tracking pre-Publication Notice:
News
Dr. Jim Farrar Keynote Speaker at the IPM Symposium! Early Bird Savings Ends Next Week!
We’re thrilled to announce Jim Farrar, Ph.D., as the keynote speaker for the 11th International IPM Symposium, happening March 3–7, 2025, in San Diego, CA!
Dr. Farrar, director of the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, brings unparalleled expertise in practical IPM solutions for agriculture, communities, and natural areas. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a leader shaping the future of sustainable pest management!
Early Bird Registration Ends January 15!
Time is running out to secure your spot at the 11th International IPM Symposium and save on registration fees.
Why Register Now?
? Save Money: Early bird rates expire January 15.
? Exclusive Content: Access dynamic panels, workshops, and field trips.
? Connect with Experts: Network with top IPM professionals, including Dr. Farrar.
? Special Short Course: Add a short course like Managing Rodents in an Ever-Changing Environment Short Course (March 6) to enhance your experience.
We've put together a RISCC session for the 2025 NEAFWA meeting (NH April 21-25). Abstracts are due soon and we're missing our forest pest speakers! Anyone interesting in giving a talk on HWA and EAB or another invasive pest? Our session is entitled, "Addressing the combined impacts of climate change and invasive species to improve fish and wildlife management". More details can be found here:
NEAFWA Annual Conference - NEAFWA
Climate Change Threatens Global Food Supply: Scientists Call for Urgent Action (btiscience.org)
“We’re in a race against time,” explained Silvia Restrepo, president of the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) and one of the paper’s co-authors. “The crops we depend on for food are increasingly struggling to survive extreme weather, from heat waves to droughts and floods. Meanwhile, our current approaches to developing tougher, more resilient crops simply aren’t moving fast enough.”
Highlights:
- Monarch Butterfly Listing Decision Details
- Urban Agriculture Working Group Successes,
- Help with Bulletins Live 2 website in Michigan
- Spotted-Wing Drosophila Impact Survey
The Challenges of Managing Non-Target-Site Herbicide Resistance (growiwm.org)
Our most-viewed video of the year presents a detailed breakdown of different roller crimpers, from their various uses for termination and residue management, to how best to operate them before, during, and after planting.
Academic Seminar—Neighborhood Rat Reduction in New York City (youtube.com)
“In case you missed the webinar…it’s worth seeing!” Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, PhD
The NYSIPM Program hosts a monthly Academic Seminar. In December 2024, we heard from Caroline Bragdon, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on the topic: “Neighborhood Rat Reduction in New York City”
Pesticide Mitigations, Labels and Bulletins
North Central IPM Center
There’s a national effort to provide better protection for species listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. What does this mean for landowners and pesticide applicators? Find out in this Pests and Progress webinar, recorded November 23.
Pest Talks (growertalks.com)
New BTM Quarantine
Entrapment Insecticide
Seeds on Stakes
Spring Sanitation
Heavy Rains Deliver Largest Amounts of Fertilizer-Derived Nitrogen Pollution to the Gulf of Mexico (morningagclips.com)
As opposed to a constant flow from sources above and below ground, periods of heavy rain and runoff deliver the greatest amounts of fertilizer-derived nitrogen through creeks, rivers, and storm drains into the northern Gulf of Mexico, a team of scientists led by Boston College researchers reports today in the journal Communications Earth and Environment.
Invasive flies have never been worse in Chester County’s mushroom capital, homeowners say. But eliminating them is a challenge. (inquirer.com)
When Brendan Nerney wakes up, it’s not the sound of his alarm clock he dreads, but the dull buzzes from bug zappers strung throughout his Chester County home.
Throughout the historic Avondale property, flies gather in black masses across the windows, while flypaper traps, once a crisp white, are instead blotted out with hundreds of the tiny insects.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) news and updates
Keeping Our Farms Safe
Protecting Against H5N1
H5N1 Resource Website for Extension
The purpose of this website is to provide Cooperative Extension professionals with resources made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other partners regarding H5N1 and human health.
- H5N1 Current Information
- Cooperative Extension Resources
- Media and Print Resources
- Supporting Websites for General Information
- UDSA Action and Regulations
- Worker Protection
- On-Farm Biosecurity Recommendations and Training
- Food Safety
Avian Influenza Outbreak: Should You Take Down Your Bird Feeders? (allaboutbirds.org)
This particular strain of avian influenza virus affects a wide variety of wild birds, including hawks, eagles, falcons, owls, crows, vultures, shorebirds, game birds, seabirds, and especially waterfowl such as Canada Geese and Mallards (see list of species with HPAI detections, below). The virus is shed in the saliva, mucus, and feces of infected birds and is transmitted to other birds via ingestion or inhalation.
The bird flu outbreak keeps getting more worrying (businessinsider.com)
The burgeoning global bird flu outbreak continued its flight path across the country, with two major developments that point to the virus' spread.
Since the state first identified the H5N1 avian influenza virus in cattle in late August, California's agriculture department has confirmed 645 infected dairy herds.
Louisiana reports first H5N1 bird flu death in U.S. (aha.org)
The Louisiana Department of Health announced that a patient hospitalized last month for H5N1 bird flu has died, becoming the first U.S. death from the virus. The agency said the individual contracted the virus after exposure to a combination of a backyard flock and wild birds.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that no person-to-person transmission has been identified. As of Jan. 7, the CDC said, there have been 67 confirmed human cases of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. since 2022 and the risk of bird flu to the general public remains low.
Webinars, seminars, meetings, and more
Protecting Hemlocks from Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is an invasive forest pest that has decimated forests in the southeastern United States and has been threatening forests in the southeastern region of the Adirondacks for several years. “Protecting Hemlocks from Hemlock Woolly Adelgid” is a webinar for anyone who is interested in learning about the important ecological role hemlocks play and what efforts are underway to protect them from HWA. Two experts. Caroline Marschner, Outreach Coordinator for the New York State Hemlock Initiative, and Jason Denham, Supervising Forester with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, will provide an overview of hemlocks, basic information on chemical and biocontrol management, how hemlock sites are selected for management in the Lake George region, and how HWA treatment is performed. Ari Giller-Leinwohl, the Terrestrial Invasive Species Manager for the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, will then teach attendees how to identify hemlocks and HWA, and how to adopt a trail to monitor through APIPP’s volunteer Forest Pest Hunters program. In 2024, Forest Pest Hunter volunteers adopted 42 trails and spent a collective 350 hours conducting HWA surveys, with 834 non-detections and 106 detections. Those efforts are essential to managing HWA in the Adirondacks, and we need your help/. Sign up today to help protect Adirondack forests from invasive pests!
Wednesday, Jan. 22
10:00-11:30am
Register here
Integrated Pest Management Webinar Series
The EPA Center for Integrated Pest Management hosts free webinars featuring experts relaying educational and practical strategies for establishing and improving IPM programs in your facilities and environments. Dates and topics below.
- January 14: Trees for Bees and Other Pollinators
- January 28: Reducing Pests in Schools with IPM with Dawn Gouge and Marcia Anderson"
- February 11: IPM for Four Key Greenhouse Pests
- February 26: Myths about Urban Trees and Soils
- March 19: Ticks - New Threats, Precautions and IPM Solutions
- April 22: Promoting Pollinators through Plant Selection
- May 13: Protecting the Public from Illegal and Unregistered Pesticides
The Eastern New York Spotted Lanternfly Workshop
The Eastern New York Spotted Lanternfly Workshop will be hosted at Benmarl Winery in Marlboro NY on February 4th and 5th 2025.
Feb 4th will feature updates and overviews of the work done by state regulators and researchers. We invite anyone involved in SLF management, whether through municipal agencies, extension outreach, or research, to join the conversation and share experiences and questions.
Feb 5th is oriented towards the growers, wineries, and the grape industry. Presentations will cover basic biology of this pest and practical guidance for vineyards, along with other topics. Attendees will be eligible for pesticide recertification credits.
Register for one day or both at https://enych.cce.cornell.edu/event_preregistration_new.php?id=2018
Rice Growing Workshop Series: January 24 - March 7, 2025
Learn about rice farming opportunities for New York and the northeastern U.S. Join us for a 3-session online workshop series (via Zoom):
- A Feathered Fortress: The Duck-Rice Aigamo System for Flood-Resilient Agriculture
Friday, January 24 / 2:30-4:30pm EST - Sourcing Rice Farming Equipment for American Small Farms
Friday, February 7 / 2:30-4:30pm EST - Growing Rice as a Vegetable: Drip-Irrigation Methods versus Flooded Fields
Friday, March 7 / 2:30-4:30pm EST
Tristate Greenhouse IPM Online Workshop 2025
Description: Annual greenhouse and high tunnel pest management workshop for growers across ME, NH, and VT.
Course Dates: This is a two-part workshop: Thursday, January 23, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM EST and Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM EST.
Group Registration (IMPORTANT): You will also have the ability during this registration process to register multiple individuals. If registering as a "group," please provide the complete contact information for EACH attendee to ensure pesticide applicator re-certification credits are awarded!
Price: $50 per person and covers attendance at one or both sessions.
Payment Terms: All payments are final. No refunds will be issued.
Previously featured
For more than four decades, the NOFA-NY Winter Conference has convened farmers, food system professionals, educators, advocates, homesteaders, and gardeners who are passionate about building a better food system. Mutual support and the generous exchange of knowledge is a hallmark of the NOFA-NY community as we remain true to our vision of a just and resilient farming system grounded in a diverse community now and for future generations.
Saturday, January 18, 2025 at SUNY Morrisville
2025 30-HOUR PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION COURSE
January 22, 2025; January 24, 2025; January 27, 2025; January 29, 2025; January 31, 2025
This program is designed and approved by the DEC to meet the requirements to become a Commercial Pesticide Technician in category 3a,3b,or 25 after passing the exam. We will cover many topics including how to read a pesticide label, personal protective equipment, integrated pest management, common pests and disease in turf and ornamentals as well as vertebrate pests.
Flyer and registration: 30_hour_course_final_with_25-9-18-24.pdf
2025 CCE Winter Cut Flower Webinar Series
Tuesdays, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4/2025
All sessions are provided via Zoom. Advanced registration is required to obtain the Zoom links.
Webinars will be recorded, and all the recordings will be sent to registrants for future review.
Session 2: 1/14/2025
1:00 PM Growing early season flowers in high tunnels
Speaker: Jennifer Marks, Owner, Farmer and Florist of Trademarks Flower Farm, Clifton Springs, NY
2:00 PM Cover crops for sustainable flower production
Speaker: Dr. Joseph Amsili, Extension Associate, Soil Health Program, School of Integrative Plant Science Soil, Crop Science Section, Cornell University
3:00 PM Cover crop trials on flower farms
Speaker: Dr. Jingjing Yin, Regional Commercial Horticulture Educator, Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension
Session 3: 1/21/2025
1:00 PM The art of drying and pressing flowers with Old Tavern Farm
Speaker: Lena Bruursema, Head Flower Farmer of Old Tavern Farm, Saratoga Springs, NY
1:30 PM New varieties for 2025 that will help you stand out in the market
Speaker: Dave Dowling, Cut Flower Specialist, Ball ColorLink
2:00 PM Improving postharvest longevity of dahlia and zinnia cut flowers
Speaker: Dr. Ana Maria Borda, Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Plant and Environmental Science Department, Clemson University
Session 4: 1/28/2025
9:00 AM The challenges of lisianthus commercial cultivation in Taiwan
Speaker: Dr. Yen-Hua Chen, Associate Researcher, Floriculture Research Lab, Crop Science Division, Taichung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, Ministry of Agriculture, Taiwan
10:00 AM Wildcrafting and Ethical Use of Invasive Plants, Vines, and Shrubs
Speaker: Rebekah Rice, Owner and Farmer of Nine Mile Farm, Delmar, NY
11:00 AM Growing cut flowers in containers
Speaker: Mark Yadon, Vice President and Head Grower of Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, Williamsville, NY
Session 5: 2/4/2025
1:00 PM Cut out cut flower diseases!*
Speaker: Dr. Margery Daughtrey, Plant Pathologist, School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section, Cornell University
2:00 PM Bad bugs bothering blooms*
Speaker: Daniel Gilrein, Entomologist and Associate Agricultural Program Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County
* NYSDEC pesticide application credits will be provided.
Cost: $20 per session and $60 for all five sessions
There is a partial scholarship available for Cornell Cooperative Extension and other state Extension Educators - contact Dara Boudreaux, 518-765-3518 or tff24@cornell.edu for assistance.
Registration link: https://pub.cce.cornell.edu/event_registration/main/events_landing.cfm?event=2025CutFlowerWebinarSeries_201
If you need assistance with registration, please call 518-765-3518 or email cce-caahp@cornell.edu.
Greenhouse Scout School Certificate Program and Webinars
Cornell University is partnering with the University of Vermont and the University of Maine to offer a 6-week webinar series in scouting for disease, insect and weed pests of greenhouse ornamentals, although the principles will apply to other crops. Learn how to identify the major pests of greenhouse floriculture crops, make scouting faster and easier, communicate with growers and owners, and find resources to help.
Sessions will be led by Stephanie Burnett, Margery Daughtrey, Betsy Lamb, Elise Lobdell, John Sanderson and Cheryl Sullivan.
February 13, 2025 - March 27, 2025
IR-4 2025 Industry Technology Session
The 2025 Industry Technology Session (ITS) will be held virtually (via Zoom) on Thursday, February 20. We anticipate a schedule of 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, but exact timing is subject to change. This annual event invites companies to present updates on products already in IR-4 research, as well as new technologies designed to meet the pest management needs of specialty crop producers. We have shifted the ITS to occur earlier in the year (February rather than July) to better accommodate stakeholders’ busy summer schedules and allow more time before the Project Clearance Request submission deadline of July 1, 2025.
CERTIFIED TREE STEWARD TRAINING 2025
April 22, 2025; April 23, 2025; April 25, 2025; April 28, 2025; April 30, 2025; May 2, 2025
The Tree Steward Program is a comprehensive workshop dealing with arboriculture. Through both classroom learning and outdoor exercises, the participants will learn all about tree biology, identification, pruning, planting, rigging and much more. Personal protection as well as tree protection will be emphasized.
Flyer and registration: 2025 Westchester County Tree Steward Training
Registration is now open for the 11th International IPM Symposium!
Register Now, be sure to register soon to secure the best deal.
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- Full Conference or Single-Day Attendance: Whether you plan to join us for the entire symposium or just a day, we have flexible registration options to suit your schedule.
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- Attend over 100 presentations, panels, and workshops: Engage in conversation with top experts on cutting-edge IPM research and innovation covering hot topics including Agriculture, Public Health, Built Environments, Landscape, and Forest/Conservation.
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- Field Trips: Sign up for one of our three excursions and explore the IPM practices of the Port of San Diego, the Midway Naval Museum, or UC San Diego.
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- Professional Development Workshops: Expand your expertise with our Thursday afternoon IPM Evaluation Workshop or Rodent Short Course!
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- Student Discounts: We are pleased to offer discounted registration rates and exclusive activities for students.
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- Visit our website for more detailed information about our program, speakers, webinars, travel.
If you have any questions or you’d like to get involved, contact us at ipmsymposium@ipminstitute.org.
What’s Bugging You First Friday is a monthly virtual series that explores timely topics to help you use integrated pest management (IPM) to avoid pest problems and promote a healthy environment where you live, work, learn and play. IPM is a wholistic approach that uses different tools and practices to not only reduce pest problems, but to also address the reasons why pests are there in the first place. Each month, our speakers will share practical information about how you can use IPM.
The 2025 What’s Bugging You First Friday schedule is available on the program’s website, and you can register for multiple events using our registration form.
February 7: Proper storage of pesticides & household chemicals | Misuse of moth balls
March 7: Considerations for hiring a pest pro | Choosing a tick repellent
April 4: Pest rats explained | Myth: cats for rat control
May 2: Spongy moth caterpillar management | Feeding Friendly Insects: Plan to prep your soil
June 6: Spotted lanternfly update | Recognizing wild parsnip
July 4: Grow green lawns with overseeding | Beech leaf disease
August 1: Making a mosquito bucket trap | Feeding Friendly Insects: Pick plants
September 5: Top 5 rodent exclusion tips | Feeding Friendly Insects: Get ready to plant
October 3: Winterize your home orchard | Feeding Friendly Insects: Fall is for planting
November 1: Understanding indoor cockroaches | Invasive tawney field cockroach
December 5: IPM for clothes moths and pantry moths
Employment Opportunities
WNY PRISM is seeking a Field Crew Leader to assist with the successful implementation of WNY PRISM field activities and to provide supervision for seasonal staff. WNY PRISM works on high priority invasive species management projects involving prevention, early detection and rapid response, management, and habitat restoration for both terrestrial and aquatic species. Projects involve multiple partners and represent the diversity of environmental interests and unique habitats across the region. The WNY PRISM Field Crew Leader will work with the Terrestrial Program Manager, and additional Program Managers, to coordinate and implement invasive species management projects involving invasive species surveys, site monitoring, invasive species removal and habitat/native plant restoration projects throughout the 8-county WNY PRISM region.
The Field Crew Leader will be primarily responsible for ensuring the successful implementation and tracking of WNY PRISM field activities including invasive species surveys, removal projects, and habitat restoration efforts. To achieve this, they will supervise and work with the WNY PRISM Crew, a three-person seasonal stewardship team that works May – September.
This is a full-time, temporary position with an expected timeframe of March 31 – October 10, 2025 (40 hours/week, $23.00/hour), with the possibility of extension contingent upon funding. Occasional weekend and evening hours will be required, and some projects may require 10-hour days – will not go over 40 hours/week. Some overnight travel, as well as use of personal vehicles, will also be required.
Environmental Horticulture (Ornamentals) Program Manager
IR-4 Project Headquarters at NC State University seeks an Environmental Horticulture (Ornamentals) Program Manager to join our team. This is a vital role to our organization, and we have renewed our efforts to find the best candidate with an updated job posting.
The IR-4 Project Environmental Horticulture (Ornamentals) Program Manager position will be tasked to coordinate research and pesticide (bio-based and chemical) registration activities on non-food, ornamental plant species within the IR-4 Project. Specifically, this position will direct:
- The establishment of research priorities via a biennial stakeholder priority setting workshop.
- Oversee the establishment of the annual research program including development of research protocols, working with Regional Field Coordinators to identify research cooperators.
- Interface with representatives from registrants, trade associations, and regulatory agencies.
- Critically review results of field trials, assess if there is adequate data to support regulatory actions and/or use recommendations.
This position is aligned with the IR-4 Project mission to facilitate regulatory approval of sustainable pest management technology for specialty crops including ornamental crops and other environmental horticulture uses.
Visit our Careers page to read the full job posting and apply through NC State!
Small Fruit Extension Educator III
UMass Extension is recruiting a Small Fruit Specialist to join our Fruit Team. Currently, our Fruit Team consists of a faculty entomologist, a faculty fruit and vegetable specialist, an Extension Educator specializing in tree fruit horticulture, and an Extension Educator with tree fruit pathology and IPM expertise. We are searching for someone to specialize in small fruit (strawberry, blueberry, brambles, grapes, and others) to complete our team. Please note that cranberries are not included here as they are covered by our specialists at the Cranberry Research Station in Wareham.
The Small Fruit Specialist will develop Extension educational programming and publications and conduct applied research to meet the needs of small fruit growers statewide. They will work to enhance the economic, human, and environmental health of the small fruit industry in Massachusetts. They will provide unbiased, research-based information, publications, and education programs in the areas of small fruit production, cropping systems and diversification, crop health, and Integrated Pest Management. Our primary goal is to facilitate the improvement of small fruit production in Massachusetts and provide new opportunities to growers to expand competitive, quality offerings to their markets, e.g., supermarkets, farm markets, roadside stands, and u-pick operations.
The ideal candidate should be team oriented and independently motivated. They should also be able to converse and build relationships with fruit growers. The position will be based on the UMass Amherst campus; however, the candidate must be willing to travel state-wide and open to collaborating with colleagues throughout the Northeast and possibly beyond.
We look forward to having a Small Fruit Specialist join our fruit team! The job description and application instructions can be found at https://careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-us/job/525901/small-fruit-extension-educator-iii Priority application deadline is January 31, 2025. Questions may be directed to jon.clements@umass.edu.
Aquatic Restoration and Resiliency Coordinator
Do you have experience managing invasive species and conducting restoration? Do you enjoy working outdoors, collaborating with partners, and implementing conservation projects? Join our team!
The St. Lawrence and Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (SLELO PRISM), in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, is hiring an Aquatic Restoration and Resiliency Coordinator (ARRC).
Job Overview: The ARRC will develop, coordinate, and advance conservation initiatives and implement aquatic invasive species prevention and management programs that support the objectives of SLELO PRISM and The Nature Conservancy.
Funding Opportunities
Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative
The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) seeks to solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research, education, and extension activities. The purpose of this program is to fund projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products. Priority concerns include biological, physical, and social sciences, including economics. The OREI is particularly interested in projects that emphasize research, education and outreach that assist farmers and ranchers with whole farm planning by delivering practical research-based information. Projects should plan to deliver applied production information to producers. Fieldwork must be done on certified organic land or on land in transition to organic certification, as appropriate to project goals and objectives. Refer to the USDA National Organic Program for organic production standards.
The technical assistance webinar related to this FY 2025 funding opportunity is now scheduled. Please see details about the webinar, including the registration link, date, and time, via the technical assistance webinar button below. The recording and supporting documents will also be posted to this page after the event.
Funding: $44 million
Closing Date: February 13, 2025
Crop Protection and Pest Management
The purpose of the Crop Protection and Pest Management program is to address high priority issues related to pests and their management using IPM approaches at the state, regional and national levels. The CPPM program supports projects that will ensure food security and respond effectively to other major societal pest management challenges with comprehensive IPM approaches that are economically viable, ecologically prudent, and safe for human health. The CPPM program addresses IPM challenges for emerging issues and existing priority pest concerns that can be addressed more effectively with new and emerging technologies. The outcomes of the CPPM program are effective, affordable, and environmentally sound IPM practices and strategies needed to maintain agricultural productivity and healthy communities. ?
The technical assistance webinar related to this FY 2025 funding opportunity will be scheduled soon. Please visit again for more information.
Apply For Grant
Funding: $2,450,000
Closing Date: March 6, 2025
Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program – Organic Transitions
The overall goal of the Organic Transitions Program (ORG) is to support the development and implementation of research, extension and higher education programs to improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crop producers, as well as those who are adopting organic practices. NIFA administers the ORG program by determining priorities in U.S. agriculture through Agency stakeholder input processes in consultation with the NAREEEAB. ORG will continue to prioritize environmental services provided by organic farming systems in the area of soil conservation, pollinator health, and climate change mitigation, including greenhouse gases (GHG), as well as the development of educational tools for Cooperative Extension personnel and other agricultural professionals who advise producers on organic practices, and development of cultural practices and other allowable alternatives to substances recommended for removal from the National Organic Program’s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. It is expected that all projects will integrate research, education and extension activities, as appropriate to project goals, although some projects may be weighted more heavily than others in one or more of these areas. However, all proposals should have activities and impact in research and at least one of the other areas: education and extension.
The technical assistance webinar related to this FY 2025 funding opportunity is now scheduled. Please see details about the webinar, including the registration link, date, and time, via the technical assistance webinar button below. The recording and supporting documents will also be posted to this page after the event.
Funding: $7,500,000
Closing Date: March 6, 2025
Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems (A1712)
This program area priority is designed to rapidly deploy strategies and fill knowledge and information gaps to protect the nation’s food and agricultural supply chains, from production through consumption, during and after extreme weather and disasters.
All applications must directly address 1) effects associated with an extreme weather event or disaster and 2) one or more of the following emphasis areas:
- Agroecosystem Resilience
- Food Safety, Nutrition Security, and Agricultural Commodity Security
- Health, Well-Being, and Safety
This priority area seeks applications that focus on critical and urgent solutions in rapid response to extreme weather and disaster impacts on the nation’s food and agricultural systems and that clearly describe short-term deliverables (within 3 months of award receipt), including a plan for their adoption/use.
This priority area encourages projects to have well-developed extension and/or outreach activities. In project narratives and other application materials, applicants must be able to provide a clear, strategic approach to reaching end users.
Grant Types
- Standard and FASE (Strengthening Standard): Applications must be submitted within 45 days of an extreme weather event and disaster. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a continuous basis.
Project types:
- Extension
- Integrated (extension and research)
The grant duration 12 months for Standard and FASE (Strengthening Standard) projects. The maximum award amount, including indirect costs, is $300,000.
Grant Funding Available to Eligible NY Landowners for Establishing Large Forests
There is $4.5 million in grant funding now available to eligible New York landowners through the Establishing Large Forests (ELF) Grant Program. Private landowners (or their representatives) with five or more acres of unforested land in New York State may apply for a minimum of $30,000 up to a maximum of $750,000 to reimburse costs for establishing new forests. Eligible projects need to have a planting component and may also include any associated site work to boost the project’s success, such as preparing sites, removing competing or invasive plants, and protecting new plantings from deer browse with fencing. Applicants must work with a forester or a qualified natural resource professional to develop their project and must agree to maintain the new forest for at least 15 years. ELF builds on New York State’s Regenerate NY Grant Program and supports the state’s progress towards its goal of planting 25 million trees by 2033.
Previously featured this issue
We are pleased to announce the CRISP 2025 Request for Proposals to fund priority invasive species projects in the Catskills region! We will offer funding for those projects that best meet the following CRISP priorities that were identified in the CRISP Strategic Planning:
- Early Detection/Rapid Response for Tier 1 or Tier 2 Species
- Raise public awareness of Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 Species
- Improve the scientific understanding of the extent, ecological impact and effective controls of invasive species in the CRISP region.
Selected projects will be funded up to $18,900 and must be completed in 2025. The deadline for applications is 5:00PM on January 15th, 2025.
Additional information is available here
WNY PRISM Crew Assistance Program
WNY PRISM’s Crew Assistance Program was established to help improve invasive species management across the region by assisting partners with priority projects involving invasive species surveys, removal, and habitat restoration. It offers valuable opportunities for partners to work alongside WNY PRISM’s experienced staff and trained seasonal crew to learn about invasive species management and gain experience implementing management strategies and using removal methods and equipment. Since 2016, WNY PRISM has worked with 36 different partners to complete 111 projects.
WNY PRISM is currently accepting proposals for the 2025 Crew Assistance Program! To learn more about the Crew Assistance Program including proposal requirements, eligibility, priorities and review criteria, please view the full WNY PRISM Crew Assistance Program 2025 Request for Proposals (RFP). Be sure to read through the entire RFP as it provides necessary information and instructions to support your proposal. We ask that partners reach out with any questions before the finalized project proposal is submitted. Applications that do not include all the required proposal components may not be considered. For more information, see the WNY PRISM Crew Assistance Program Frequently Asked Questions. You can also read about some of our past projects below! Questions may be submitted to Brittany Hernon, Terrestrial Program Manager at hernonba@buffalostate.edu. Proposals must be received by 5:00 PM on Friday, January 31, 2025.
The Capital Region PRISM is seeking Request for Proposals (RFP's) for the 2025 calendar year. The PRISM has a dedicated amount of funding for partner organizations throughout the Capital Region for invasive species related projects. Awarded projects must be located or serving areas within the ?boundary of the CR-PRISM. The CR-PRISM is hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County and funded through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) via the Environmental Protection Fund. As part of the agreement with the NYS DEC, we are pleased to announce another round of funds to be released for contract on behalf of the CR-PRISM. The CR-PRISM Steering Committee has requested that the proposals align with the CR-PRISMs Five Year Strategic Plan 2023-2027 Goals, Objectives, and Priority Actions. For more information visit our website.
- Application Posting: December 2nd, 2024, at 9:00am
- Application Deadline Closes: January 15th, 2025, at 9:00am
- Tentative Award Notification: March 7th, 2025
Nationwide Equity and Accessibility Funding Opportunities
Nationwide Equity and Accessibility
The four Regional Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Centers champion the development and adoption of integrated pest management, the science of managing pests, while protecting people, the environment and economy. To help increase equity and accessibility within the IPM community, the Regional IPM Centers are providing two funding opportunities: Equity and Accessibility Grants and Equity and Accessibility Mini-Grants.
These Equity and Accessibility funding opportunities will be awarded to projects that allow recipients to make progress towards IPM goals, while prioritizing equity and access to IPM tools and resources.
Examples of equity and accessibility projects that have been funded are available. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your ideas for this grant prior to applying, please contact Dr. Katie Hartmann: hartm783@crk.umn.edu.
Equity and Accessibility Grants
The Equity and Accessibility Grant program actively supports equity and accessibility initiatives by offering assistance to organizations and communities led by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including, but not limited to: Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, immigrants, migrants, neurodiverse individuals, Veterans, beginning and women farmers, and members of the disability community, as well as faculty, staff, and students. This grant program also welcomes proposals related to training, education, and collaborations promoting equity and inclusion. Proposals should:
- · Focus on IPM
- · Deliver benefits to communities and stakeholders
- · Enhance the cultural competency of staff
- · Identify gaps in IPM resources and propose ways to improve access
- · Conduct needs assessments for the communities being served.
Funding Available: $80,000 with awards of up to $20,000 each
Period of Performance: End date no later than 9/17/25
Application deadline: Open until funds are depleted
Download the Equity and Accessibility Grant RFA
Equity and Accessibility Mini-Grants
The Equity and Accessibility Mini-Grants program is a smaller-scale funding opportunity for individuals or groups who have innovative ideas but require a smaller budget to execute their projects.
Funding Available: Awards of up to $5,000 each
Period of Performance: End date no later than 9/17/25
Application deadline: Open until funds are depleted
Download the Equity and Accessibility Mini-Grants RFA
Enjoy Your Day!
Jerrie