IPM News and Events Roundup 01/12/2024

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.

Connect with the Northeastern IPM Center

Northeastern IPM Center News

The Biology and Management of Common Invasive Plants in the Northeastern U.S. and Southern Canada

February 27, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. EST

Register at https://neipmc.org/go/fARB

Presenter: Dr. Antonio DiTommaso

This presentation will focus on the biology and management (both chemical and non-chemical) of ten common invasive plants in the northeastern United States and southern Canada. Species covered include Japanese knotweed, buckthorn, swallowworts, honeysuckles, bindweeds, multiflora rose, and Japanese stiltgrass.

The Use of IPM in Beekeeping to Control Parasitic Varroa Mites

March 11, 2024 – 11:00 a.m.

Register at cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aG2wk8EKSXC2OTvB70BdrA

Presenter: Dr. Robyn Underwood

During this talk, you will learn about the parts of the IPM pyramid as they relate to controlling the parasitic varroa mite, widely the biggest problem in beekeeping. You will learn about breeding for mite resistance, cultural and mechanical controls, and chemical controls that are both organic-approved and synthetic. These items will be presented as a year in the life of a beekeeping operation.

Dr. Robyn Underwood received her BSc in Entomology and Applied Ecology from the University of Delaware and her PhD in Entomology from the University of Manitoba. As Penn State’s Extension Educator of Apiculture, she conducts scientific research projects to study beekeeper-applied questions and brings the results of the projects to the beekeepers through extension products that aim to make beekeeping a more successful venture.

Kosher, Halal and Insects: How do they relate?

March 25, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. (EST)

Register at cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_R0qF_qloSt6k9EsgUWO9UA

Presenter: Dr. Joe Regenstein

Kosher and halal food regulations are an important part of the food industry. Both religious systems are concerned about the practices of modern agriculture including the role of insects and similar animal species. This talk will introduce these dietary laws and then look specifically at how each religion views insects in the food and feed context.

EPA News

EPA Announces New Framework to Assess Eye Irritation in New Chemicals

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new framework for identifying eye irritation and corrosion hazards for new chemicals reviewed under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This framework will provide a standard approach for EPA to use when evaluating new chemicals for potential eye irritation or corrosion hazards leading to improved consistency across final risk assessments as well as improved transparency. This framework also supports EPA’s ongoing efforts to reduce the use of animal testing and make the Agency’s review of new chemicals more efficient, helping to bring new chemicals to market more quickly while protecting human health.

Under TSCA, EPA is required to review new chemicals within 30 or 90 days (depending on the type of submittal), assess the potential hazards to human health and the environment, and make risk determinations. When potential risks are identified, EPA must take action to mitigate those risks before the chemical can enter commerce. Assessing a new chemical’s potential to cause eye irritation or corrosion is one part of the Agency’s review.

Historically, traditional toxicity testing has used tests on living rabbits to determine if a chemical causes eye irritation or corrosion hazards. However, these tests do not provide consistent results, particularly for chemicals that cause mild to moderate irritation, raising questions about how applicable the test results are to humans. With this new framework, EPA will place increased weight on data from non-animal test methods that are more reproducible and provide results more relevant to humans. This will streamline the decision-making process and increase efficiency through a standard process for EPA to use each time it evaluates eye irritation or corrosion hazards test data.

The new framework supports EPA’s mandate under TSCA to promote the development and implementation of alternative test methods and strategies that can provide information on chemical hazards without animal testing. These alternatives, also known as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), reduce, refine, or replace vertebrate animal testing and provide information of equivalent or better scientific quality and relevance for assessing risks of injury to health or the environment. By establishing this framework, EPA expects the decision-making process for identifying potential eye irritation and corrosion hazards concerns for new chemicals to be simplified and streamlined. Transitioning to NAMs can also decrease time and costs for stakeholders by eliminating the need for animal studies.

If you have any questions or would like to send EPA comments about the framework, please contact Renee Beardslee at beardslee.renee@epa.gov.

EPA Issues Advisory on Pesticides Used to Control Varroa Mites in Beehives, Including Coordinated Efforts to Support the Beekeeping Community

Today, EPA is issuing an advisory to clarify what pesticide products and active ingredients are registered to control Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) in beehives, what tolerances or exemptions under the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) apply to those products, and how the Agency views the use of unregistered products to treat beehives for one’s own personal use. Additionally, EPA remains committed to collaborating with and supporting the beekeeping community and is providing an update on those efforts. This includes working with the beekeeping community to register new tools for managing beehive pests and working with our federal and local partners to advance valuable research.

Advisory on Pesticides used to Control Varroa Mites

Varroa mites are parasites that feed on honey bees (Apis mellifera) and transmit numerous honey bee viruses, both of which lead to reduced lifespan of bees. The health and longevity of a honey bee colony can be critically damaged by an infestation of Varroa mites. Once infested, if left untreated, the colony will likely die. Varroa mites are a national threat to bee colonies and in turn to farmers with crops dependent on pollination services provided by bees, and ultimately to food security in the United States.

EPA has recently learned that beekeepers may be using products containing pesticide active ingredients (e.g., oxalic acid, formic acid, amitraz, and thymol) that are not registered pesticides to control Varroa mites in bee colonies. In the advisory issued today, EPA continues to affirm that the use of registered pesticides must comply with labeling requirements under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), that pesticide residues in or on food derived from beehives (e.g., honey, comb, wax, propolis, royal jelly, pollen) must comply with any federal tolerances under FFDCA, that use of unregistered pesticides to control varroa mites cannot extend beyond personal use, and that there may be more restrictive state requirements that must also be followed. EPA remains committed to supporting states with primary enforcement authority to ensure compliance with FIFRA requirements.

Additional Efforts to Support the Beekeeping Community

In the past several months, EPA has registered two new Varroa mite control products (i.e., Varroxsan^™ and Ex-Ox^™ tablets) containing oxalic acid as the active ingredient. Each product allows for easier application of oxalic acid, and in the case of Varroxsan^™, a slower release and longer acting application of oxalic acid in the honey bee colony. In approving pesticide products for use, EPA completes a robust evaluation and determines that uses of these products will not pose any unreasonable adverse effects when used according to the label instructions. EPA will continue to prioritize the registration of pesticides that target Varroa mites and continue to provide helpful information about these products.

EPA also continues to partner with the Interregional Project Number 4 (IR-4) to support the registration of new products to control Varroa mites and to provide guidance to beekeepers. IR-4 works with growers to develop data required by EPA for the registration of pest management tools for specialty crops. IR-4 has been instrumental in developing the required data to support registration of many pest management products allowed in beekeeping. EPA is exploring additional opportunities with IR-4 to further support the beekeeper community to combat Varroa mites and emerging pests of concern (e.g., Tropilaelaps mite), including identifying additional studies that IR-4 could support for efficacy or pesticide residues, leveraging IR-4’s knowledge to help potential applicants through the FIFRA registration process, and facilitating existing or new partnerships across public and private sectors to address challenges confronting the beekeeping community.

EPA, in collaboration with USDA and federal, tribal, and state partners, have been coordinating on several other efforts to help address this nationwide threat. For example, for decades, EPA has also been interacting closely with USDA on understanding and mitigating factors associated with declines in honey bee health. EPA works with USDA to determine the extent to which pesticides, pests, and pathogens may be associated with bee kill incidents. Additionally, EPA and USDA have been involved in research on Varroa mite resistance to pesticides (e.g., amitraz, coumaphos, tau-fluvalinate) and pesticide residues in beehives. Other efforts include prioritizing registration of pesticides, providing compliance support, conducting research on product efficacy, evaluating the factors associated with and mitigating bee kills, and developing models/tools for evaluating bees, integrated pest management approaches, and other guidance.

Please see EPA’s website for a copy of the advisory and additional information on the currently registered pesticide products for controlling varroa mites in beehives.

Advisory for Beekeepers

Update on EPA’s Progress for Implementing the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the Agency’s first year progress on deliverables under the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022 (PRIA 5).

Registration service fees authorized by PRIA fund approximately one third of EPA’s pesticide program activities. In recent years, EPA has received an increased number of applications requiring the Agency to review more scientifically complex topics, including implementation of Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance as part of its regulatory determinations. Fee increases and revised decision review timeframes authorized by PRIA 5 help improve EPA’s performance in its review of new applications and reevaluation of older registered pesticides. In addition to revised fees and decision timeframes, PRIA 5 included new provisions, such as implementation of farmworker protections and health clinician training, bilingual pesticide labeling, targeted funding to address the backlog of non-fee related applications, and development of ESA guidance to registrants. Highlights of EPA’s implementation of PRIA 5 include:

Providing required funding through an interagency agreement between EPA and CDC/NIOSH to support the SENSOR program for pesticide incidence surveillance.
Conducting significant outreach to and seeking feedback from a broad array of stakeholders—including farmworkers and farmworker advocacy groups, the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council, the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee, pesticide companies, states, and EPA regions—on implementation of bilingual labeling including ways to make it more accessible to farmworkers. Outreach activities included hosting a public webinar on ways to make bilingual pesticide labeling accessible to farmworkers.
Publishing a Notice of Funding Opportunity in June 2023 and reviewing applications for the PRIA set-aside “partnership grant” that will be awarded in early 2024 to fund the National Pesticide Information Center.
Centralizing more than 1,000 pesticide guidance documents related to pesticide regulation and pesticide-related resources on a new webpage, featuring an easy-to-use search tool, in June 2023.
Implementing a number of process changes for review of fee-related actions, most notably those relating to the renegotiation of PRIA due dates. These changes will result in improved efficiency and transparency regarding EPA’s review of fee-related actions.
Providing farmworker training and education grants through continuation of existing cooperative agreements, including subawards to non-profit, community-based organizations.
Publishing a Request for Information to solicit stakeholder input on the program design for the Health Care Provider Training cooperative agreement Notice of Funding Opportunity in September 2023.
Issuing guidance to improve the efficiency of EPA’s ESA analyses for new conventional pesticide active ingredient applications and active ingredients undergoing registration review in September 2023.
Awarding a new five-year cooperative agreement for the Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP), which includes environmental justice components such as collaboration between PSEPs and minority serving institutions and translation of pesticide safety materials, in September 2023.
Successfully migrating all divisions within EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs into the new information technology (IT) workflow on the Salesforce platform, thus meeting IT upgrade requirements specified in PRIA 5 in September 2023, three months earlier than required.
Beginning to reduce the backlog of pesticide registration actions submitted outside of PRIA and processing these actions according to their timeframes.
Issuing ESA guidance for review of new outdoor uses of registered conventional pesticides in December 2023.
Establishing the Vector Expedited Review Voucher program that incentivizes the development and submission of applications for new insecticides to control the spread of vector-borne disease in December 2023.
Engaging potential candidates for a third-party assessment of the process for reviewing PRIA pesticide applications. EPA expects to award a contract in the coming months.
Expanding an existing EPA contract to provide training to EPA employees on regulatory responsibilities and policies relating to PRIA. EPA is concurrently developing a competitive grant for training that will be directed to institutions of higher education consistent with PRIA 5 requirements.
Establishing a process for sharing EPA’s review of studies, known as data evaluation records, with the applicant at the time of the regulatory decision.

Research in the News

Hybridization in agricultural weeds: A review from ecological, evolutionary, and management perspectives (bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com | 11/2023)

Anna S. Westbrook, Antonio DiTommaso

Agricultural weeds frequently hybridize with each other or with related crop species. Some hybrid weeds exhibit heterosis (hybrid vigor), which may be stabilized through mechanisms like genome duplication or vegetative reproduction. Even when heterosis is not stabilized, hybridization events diversify weed gene pools and often enable adaptive introgression. Consequently, hybridization may promote weed evolution and exacerbate weed–crop competition. However, hybridization does not always increase weediness. Even when viable and fertile, hybrid weeds sometimes prove unsuccessful in crop fields. This review provides an overview of weed hybridization and its management implications.

Antioxidants of blushed and unblushed sides in relation to superficial scald of ‘NY2’ (RubyFrost®) apples treated preharvest with 1-methylcyclopropene and aminoethoxyvinylglycine (sciencedirect.com)

The effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and harvest date on antioxidant contents at harvest and superficial scald development in ‘NY2’ apple during storage have been studied. Aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG, ReTain®) and 1-methylcyclopropane (1-MCP, Harvista™) were sprayed two and one weeks, respectively, before the first of three weekly harvests.

IPM Scouting and Decision Making (ag.umass.edu)

A regular monitoring program is the basis of IPM decision making, regardless of the control strategies used. By regular monitoring, a scout is able to gather current information on the identity and location of pest problems and to evaluate treatment effectiveness. The following are the basics of scouting programs in New England with growers who participate in Greenhouse IPM Programs.

Oral toxicity of an artificial sweetener sucralose on the German cockroach (Blattodea: Ectobiidae) and its impact on water balance and gut microbiome (academic.oup.com)

Artificial or non-nutritive sweeteners are indigestible by most animals. Some sweeteners are orally toxic to insects and have received recent interest as potential safe insecticides due to their low mammalian toxicity. In this study, we investigated the oral toxicity of sucralose on insecticide-susceptible and resistant German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.).

News

2024 LDD (GYPSY MOTH) TREATMENT PROGRAM ANNOUNCED (nj.gov | 01/04/2024)

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) has proposed treating 1,471 residential municipal acres and approximately 1,500 state-owned acres in Burlington, Cape May, Passaic, and Sussex counties this year to combat the tree-killing Lymantria dispar, dispar (LDD – formerly known as the gypsy moth).

Pest Talks (growertalks.com | 01/08/2024)

Smilax Caterpillar
Turf Insecticides
Turf Fungicides
Turf Herbicides

Pasture Pest in Paradise: Invasive Bug Threatens Hawai?i Cattle Ranching (entomologytoday.org | 01/09/2024)

Hawai?i is commonly perceived as a tropical paradise comprising beaches, volcanoes, mai tais, and surfing. However, these stereotypes overlook Hawai?i’s rich history of cowboys and cattle ranching. An isolated archipelago in the tropics may seem like an unlikely place for cattle to roam, but Hawai?i has a longstanding ranching culture that even predates the cowboy era of the American west.

Constructing a Greenhouse or High Tunnel [video] (extension.unh.edu)

A one-of-a-kind, comprehensive 6-part video series covering the intricacies of greenhouse or high tunnel construction. Developed by the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, these videos meticulously guide the viewer through the entire construction process, offering in-depth explanations, captivating close-ups, and insightful big-picture how-tos. Filmed in collaboration with experts from academia, business, and government, these videos guarantee an accurate and complete guide to greenhouse construction, including best practices, tips and tricks, and the correct order of events to create a functional and lasting greenhouse. This video series is for anyone seeking guidance on a specific aspect or the entirety of the construction process.

Feedback Requested

In 2024, NIFA will be issuing an updated version of the NIFA Federal Assistance Policy Guide. Last updated in 2021, the Policy Guide provides comprehensive guidance on NIFA’s application and review processes, award notification and administration procedures, award terms and conditions, uniform administrative requirements, allowable costs, reporting requirements, close-out procedures and audit requirements.

The 2024 update to the Policy Guide will include updates related to a variety of topics, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200); Build America, Buy America compliance; and reporting requirements and systems (i.e., NRS, REEport). NIFA is working to make the Policy Guide an even better resource for all of our stakeholders. Our primary goal with the next update is to make sure that this resource provides clear, accurate, up-to-date guidance on matters that are most important to you and the work you do.

Please Give Your Feedback

As a part of our effort to update the guide, we are inviting all of our stakeholders to submit ideas and suggestions. If you would like to give your feedback please:

Review the Resources found below, which include the current Policy Guide.
Submit your feedback to PolicyGuide@usda.gov.

Surveys

Farmland Prices and Soil Health

Have you or are you considering buying farmland or working with people who are? We would be interested to hear from you as a farmland owner about your preferences when purchasing or leasing farmland. If you work with farmland owners or tenants, we would greatly appreciate your forwarding our survey to them. The survey is part of a research project focusing on the (potential) relationship between soil health and farmland prices. Through this research, we aim to explore whether farmland owners are incentivized to build healthy soils when planning to sell their farmland. Additionally, we want to explore if there is a theoretical business model of buying degraded farmland, regenerating it, and selling it for a profit. If there is no relationship between soil health and farmland prices, we will look at policy solutions that incentivize farmland owners to build healthy soils. Ultimately, we hope this research helps farmers and landowners who are good farmland stewards to be rewarded for their soil health-building efforts. Through this, we hope to move our agricultural system toward greater resilience, long-term profitability, and sustainability. Please contact Maximilian Bucher-Melcer (mbb266@cornell.edu) for any questions.

Take the survey

Survey on Annual Bedding Plants Supply Chain analysis in the USA (eIRB # 25951)

This project is assessing the U.S. annual bedding plant industry to better understand the supply chain flow patterns and sustainability efforts being conducted throughout the chain. The outcomes of this research will include articles in industry magazines, extension publications, and presentations on usable information at Cultivate and other industry events.
Your response matters! If you participate in the annual bedding plant industry, like growing, buying, selling, or supporting businesses. Your participation is completely anonymous and voluntary. The survey will only take around 10-15 minutes. Please click on the link below to start the survey.
Follow this link to the survey:
Take the survey

General Small Fruit Grower Survey

UMass Fruit Extension is curious to learn about small fruit growers' interests and current problems. A brief general survey has been created to quickly identify topics and practices that require more research, outreach, and education. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey as your answers will be used to inform Extension publications, events, and priorities. The survey will close on 2/16/2024. For any questions or concerns please contact: mbley@umass.edu.

Take the survey

Webinars, Seminars, Meetings, and More

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 2024 What’s Bugging You First Friday schedule is now available on the program’s website, and you can register for multiple events using our registration form. We look forward to seeing you in 2024!

February 2^nd: NYS Plant Regulations | Choosing Native Plants

March 1^st: Changes to Home Garden Insecticide in NY | Tick Blitz

April 5^th: Weed ID | Rats in Vegetable Gardens

May 3^rd: No-Mow May | What to do with Grass Clippings

June 7^th: Tick & Mosquito Yard Treatments | Myth: Mosquito Repellent Plants

July 5^th: Japanese Beetle Management | Aphid-Eating Insects

August 2^nd: Spotted Lanternfly Update | Box Tree Moth Update

September 6^th: Back to School: Bed Bugs | Head Lice

October 4^th: Identifying Pests in Your Home

November 1^st: 2024 Tick Blitz Results | No Spray Needed

December 6^th: Feed the Birds | Repurposing a Holiday Tree

NOFA-NY's 2024 Winter Conference

NOFA-NY’s Annual Winter Conference draws hundreds of farmers, food system professionals, educators, advocates, researchers, homesteaders, and gardeners who are passionate about building a better food system.

Saturday, January 20 – Sunday, January 21, 2024

at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown

Classical Weed Biological Control 101 Short Course

The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) Classical Weed Biological Control 101 Short Course is an asynchronous, professional, online short course that was created to provide you with knowledge about the science, application, and regulation of classical weed biological control. Experts from NAISMA have created this content just for you!

This asynchronous course consists of six sequenced video presentations, along with supplemental materials for in-depth learning and assessment. It takes approximately three hours to complete this online short course. This class was developed by professionals with real world experience managing invasive plants.

Registration Fee:

Free for all thanks to funding from the USDA Forest Service.

Get Outdoors this Winter! SLELO PRISM in collaboration with partners, will hold our annual Virtual Hike Challenge (VHC) happening November 2023, through March 2024. This challenge encourages community members to get outdoors and provides simple instructions to help you keep an eye out for hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). HWA is an invasive forest pest that kills hemlock trees which play an important role in water quality and provide many ecoservices for nature and people. HWA is confirmed to be present in Oswego County and is spreading along the Eastern Lake Ontario shoreline. Participating in the VHC is easy, all you have to do is sign-up, visit your favorite hiking trail (or visit one of our suggested survey sites), look for HWA, report your observations to iMapInvasives, and share your experience on social media! Not only will you have an excuse to get outside this winter, but you’ll be protecting your forests and will win a prize for your efforts!

If you’re interested in a more “hands-on” experience, SLELO PRISM and the Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust are hosting guided walk and talks to train volunteers to survey for HWA. Participants will learn to identify hemlock trees, recognize the signs of HWA, and report observations using a free community science mobile app called iMapInvasives. Below is a list of upcoming hikes occurring November through March (registration is required).

2023-2024 Walk & Talk Schedule (held from 10 AM- 12 PM) Click to Register

2/14/24 Forest Park, Camden
3/13/24 Great Bear Rec. Area, Fulton

Take the Pledge to Protect: Are you looking for an easy and fun way to protect your favorite outdoor spaces now and for generations to come? Take the Pledge to Protect and learn simple and fun ways you can protect your favorite hiking trails, paddle-ways, forests, garden and community from invasive species.

The Pledge to Protect was developed by SLELO PRISM as a resource intended to educate and inspire you to protect your lands and waters from the impacts of invasive species. Upon taking the Pledge, you become a “Protector” and are sent monthly email blogs that provide simple actions you can take to protect your favorite outdoor spaces from invasive species and chances to win prizes by taking the suggested actions. In addition, the Pledge to Protect offers a social media toolbox, and virtual toolboxes themed for 5 pledge categories including: gardens, communities, waters, forests, and lands & trails. Each toolbox provides you with resources relevant to the environmental category and includes, invasives you may encounter, best management practices, regional and state-wide community science opportunities, prevention methods, and many links to helpful apps and other resources. To sign up to take the pledge visit iPledgeToProtect.org.

30-HOUR PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION COURSE AND DEC EXAM - ELMSFORD NY

This program is designed and approved by the DEC to meet the requirements to become a Commercial Pesticide Technician in category 3a or 3b. To become a fully and finally licensed pesticide applicator, after completing this 30-hour course and passing the exam, you will then only need to either have:

• one year of verifiable experience as a

technician with an additional 12 hours of category

• specific recertification training; or

two years of verifiable experience as a technician

(Without the additional recertification training)

Several Classes offered dates ranging from January 22, 2024 – February 1, 2024

Click here to view flyer and see details

SLELO PRISM invites you to attend a series of Zoom webinars to be held beginning in January 2024 through May. The webinars are free and continuing education credits are available. Registration is required to receive a link to the Zoom webinar and recordings will be sent to registrants.

February, 2nd, 1 PM- 2:15 PM- Swallow-wort Biocontrol Research. Hosted by SLELO's Eastern Lake Ontario Swallow-wort Collaborative. Learn how researchers are using natural predators to aid the control of invasive swallow-wort plants and get updates on field applications occurring in the state and beyond.
March, 1st, 1 PM- 2 PM- What You Should Know About Jumping Worms. Jumping worms reduce soil health and can be easily and unknowingly spread by gardeners. Learn how to recognize jumping worms and prevent their spread.
April, 10th, 1 PM-2 PM- Enhancing the Health of Riparian Ecosystems Through Restoration and Invasive Species Management. Get an overview of our multiyear Riparian Restoration Initiative. Learn about the ecological importance of the project areas, invasive species impacts, control & restoration methods used, selected plants, community involvement, and future plans.
April, 10th, 1 PM-2 PM- Enhancing the Health of Riparian Ecosystems Through Restoration and Invasive Species Management. Get an overview of our multiyear Riparian Restoration Initiative. Learn about the ecological importance of the project areas, invasive species impacts, control & restoration methods used, selected plants, community involvement, and future plans.
May 17th, 1 PM-2 PM- Birds as Habitat Health Indicators. Conservation Director of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, Neil Gifford, will discuss a bird banding and tracking program used to determine ecosystem health on the preserve, the impacts invasive species can have on bird habitat, the benefits of invasive species management, as well as ways homeowners and land managers can support birds.

2024 Ronald D. Gardner Food Processing Pest Management Workshop with Post-Workshop Fumigation and Structural Pest Management Sessions

The objective of the Food Processing Pest Management Workshop and post-workshop sessions is to provide information to enable structural and food industry pest control operators and their clientele to improve their pest management skills.

Recertification credits have been assigned for applicators certified in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

Date: February 6, 2024 - February 7, 2024

Time: 7:15 am - 11:30 am

Location

RIT Inn & Conference Center, Henrietta, NY

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow: What to do if neonicotinoids are banned in New York State

Wednesday, February 7, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

The Birds and Bees Protection Act bill (A. 7640/ S. 1856-A) has been introduced in the New York State Senate and Assembly. If passed, this bill will ban use of these products for non-agricultural, turf and landscape purposes by 2027. Join us to learn about the current use of neonicotinoids; the pests they are suitable for, potential impacts to beneficial organisms and optimal use of neonics. Current alternatives to neonics will also be discussed with emphasis on preventative management strategies and curative management. We will also dive into the challenges of finding alternatives to these products and will address where these alternatives may be lacking compared to the neonics.

To register: Webinar Registration - Zoom

Extension Master Gardener Program

The UVM Extension Master Gardener program is currently accepting registrations for their 16-week online signature course starting on January 19. The course covers a wide array of topics, including vegetable, fruit, and ornamental gardening; integrated pest management of insects and diseases; soils; tree care; sustainable landscaping; and more. Two tracks are available: Track 1 for those aiming to become certified UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, with a 40-hour internship requirement, and Track 2 for non-residents and Vermont gardeners interested in home horticulture study without certification. The registration deadline is January 12, with a $400 fee for Vermont residents, $550 for non-residents. Vermont residents can apply for scholarships until December 15. To learn more and register, visit http://go.uvm.edu/mastergardener.

Tristate Greenhouse IPM Online Workshop 2024

Description: Annual greenhouse and high tunnel pest management workshop for growers across ME, NH and VT.

Course Dates: This is a two-part workshop: January 18, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM EST and January 25, 2024, 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.

For questions, please contact Cheryl Sullivan, Department of Plant and Soil Science, via email at cfrank@uvm.edu or call (802) 656-5434.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Agritourism Monthly Webinar Series

Via Zoom

Price: Free

2^nd Tuesdays of the Month

12pm to 1pm

02/13 – Grants for Agritourism Operations

03/12 – Staffing your Agritourism Operation

04/09 – Working with your Local Tourism Office

TO REGISTER: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-GtWRfiPSgakNDObc-AsHg#/registration

Questions can be directed to Lindsey Pashow at lep67@cornell.edu.

Register now for Cornell’s 2024 Hemp Webinar series (starts Jan. 24)

Join us for the 3rd annual Hemp Webinar Series hosted by Cornell University. Beginning January 24, 2024, these talks will explore a diverse set of topics within hemp cultivation, processing and genetics. Viewers will have the opportunity to connect with leading experts in the hemp research community and learn about recent developments in the industry. Each webinar will feature a presentation by a hemp expert followed by an interactive Q&A session.

Hemp Webinar Series Schedule

(Subject to change.)

Jan 24: Production Recommendations for Textile Fiber – David Suchoff, North Carolina State University
Feb 7: Supply Chains and Processing – Trey Riddle, IND Hemp
Feb 21: Expanding the NPGS Collection and Supporting Hemp Industry Development, David Gang, Washington State University
Mar 6: Climate Smart Hemp – Babu Valliyodan, Lincoln University
Mar 20: Fiber Quality Analysis – Wayne Swink, USDA-ARS (Chris Delhom Lab)
Apr 3: Weed Management – Lynn Sosnoskie, Cornell University
Apr 17: Agronomic Practices: Effect on Quality, Yield and Processing – Stefano Amaducci, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
May 1: Feral Germplasm and Genetic Diversity: Shelby Ellison, University of Wisconsin

The webinars will take place from 1pm – 2pm EST every other Wednesday from Jan 24th – May 1st via Zoom.

Registration required. Register now.

On-line Greenhouse Scout School

Cornell University, the University of Vermont and the University of Maine have joined forces to offer a 7-week series in scouting for disease, insect and weed pests of greenhouse ornamentals. 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. This program is offered in two formats – as a webinar series and as a certificate program. PAT credits are awarded!

Please view the following link for more information and to register. https://cals.cornell.edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/events/greenhouse-scout-school

The Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium has six winter sessions scheduled across January, February and March

Link: https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/news-events/northeast-extension-fruit-consortium
Pre-registration is required. The session information:

January 25- Dr. Jon Cline, University of Guelph, will provide information on "New Options for Chemical Thinning"

January 31- Dr. Beatrice Amyotte, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, will share "Strawberry Breeding and Cultivar Update" information.

February 7- Dr. Macarena Faruch, University of Maryland, will discuss the "Use, Efficacy and Cost of Reflective Ground Cover in the Orchard." She will be joined by grower Kristen DeMarree who will share her field experience with reflective ground cover.

March 6- Dr. Jaime Piñero, University of Massachusetts Extension & Stockbridge School of Agriculture, will provide updates on "Mass Trapping for Japanese Bettle Management" .

March 13- Dr. Jessica McBride, University of Connecticut, will discuss "How to Effectively Engage With The Media". Andre Tougas, Tougas Family Farm and Chelcie Martin, Honey Pot Hill Orchard will share their experiences with the press from this year- what worked, what didn't and what they plan to do differently next time.

March 20- Dr. Kerik Cox, Ms. L?ga Astra Kalni?a will discuss “BioControl, Forecast Models and Apple Scab- Finding the Sweet Spot”.

Cornell Small Farms Program

Now’s the time to register for our upcoming block three courses which begin live instruction as soon as next Monday. These courses cover a range of topics any farmer needs to succeed, such as ?soil health?, ?holistic financial planning?, ?sheep production?, ?season extension, and so much more.

Our suite of online courses is offered on a user-friendly platform, which grants registrants permanent access to their course content. Also, courses have tiered pricing based on household size and income to make access to the courses more affordable and equitable for everyone.

Registration is open for all courses, with live content starting mid-January for our third block of courses.

Access to Capital??

Mondays: January 15 – February 19

It can be very difficult to navigate the process of getting grants or loans, especially if you did not come to farming with a background in finance. This course will cover the various aspects of seeking funding for a farm enterprise.

?Vegetable Production II?

Mondays: January 15 – February 19

Continue where Vegetable Production I leaves off - expand upon production from transplanting to harvest, including information on in-season fertility, integrated pest management, weed control options, harvesting strategies, and tips for marketing your products.

?Indoor Specialty Mushroom Production???

Tuesdays: January 16 – February 20

Mushrooms are an emerging niche crop and can easily be grown. This course trains new and experienced farmers in the background, techniques, marketing, and economics of farm-scale indoor commercial production.

?Holistic Financial Planning??

Tuesdays: January 16 – February 20

If you’ve been struggling to make your farm operation profitable without driving yourself into the ground, this financial planning course is for you. You will learn how to make financial decisions toward farm and family values and goals.

?Mercados y Rentabilidad?

Martes: 16 de Enero – 20 de Febrero

¿Tiene una idea para una empresa agrícola pero no está seguro de si es factible? Este curso le ayudará a explorar los mercados potenciales y la rentabilidad de sus ideas, retomando el punto donde lo dejó BF 101: Como Iniciar su Negocios Agrícola. (Si no tomo BF 101, no hay problema, aun así puede tomar BF 102).

??Season Extension with High Tunnels??

Wednesdays: January 17 – February 21

Adding weeks to your growing season can mean attaining a premium for having products available well before (or long after) other local growers. This course will introduce you to unheated plastic-covered “high tunnels,” covering cost, management and more.

????Soil Health?

Wednesdays: January 17 – February 21

Learn how to develop a holistic approach to preserve and build healthy soil. The health and productivity of the soil forms the basis for any farm’s success, profitability, and ecological sustainability.

New additions to our online course suite include "Growing Uncommon Fruit," which will help you determine whether incorporating uncommon fruit into your operation is the right decision for you, "Tree Fruit Scouting" on effective pest management, and "Farm Strategies for Farmer Well-Being" on strategies to make your farm feel more manageable.

IR-4 Project Research Symposium: Food Crops Tuesday

The annual IR-4 Project Research Symposium: Food Crops will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 1-4 pm ET. During this virtual event, presenters will share research results from Integrated Solutions and Product Performance trials on food crops. Results from these trials are used to identify potential pest management solutions for specialty crops and to support product registrations. We hope you’ll join us!

An agenda with presentation topics will be available closer to the event. View the 2023 Research Symposium presentations here.

Join the Northeast RISCC Management Network for our 2024 Invasive Species & Climate Change Symposium!

When:

February 27th, 2024 (11:00 AM – 2:55 PM, Eastern)

February 28th, 2024 (11:00 AM – 2:40 PM, Eastern)

Where:

Virtually via Zoom (FREE!)

What to expect:

Our NE RISCC signature blend of interactive sessions and networking covering terrestrial, freshwater, and marine habitats
Keynote talk by Laura Meyerson (University of Rhode Island, Co-Editor-in-Chief for the journal Biological Invasions and Associate Editor for the journal Neobiota)
Sessions on:
- Challenges and opportunities at early stages of invasion
- Challenges and opportunities at late stages of invasion
- Communicating about climate change and invasive species
- Invasive species impacts on climate change mitigation & adaptation
Lightning talks
Community Action Award—Nominate someone here!
For more details, please see our schedule.

Register here.

Encountering Bed Bugs While Traveling

January 30, 2024 | 2:00 – 4:00 PM ET

As more people travel, there are increasing instances of bed bug encounters domestically and abroad. This webinar will provide participants with comprehensive information on bed bugs including identification, ways they spread, inspections (when and how), preventing exposures, and control measures. Our experts will provide practical information to help you reduce the likelihood of bringing bed bugs home and what to do if you find they’ve followed you home. Enlisting the help of a pest management professional to deal with home infestations will also be discussed.

The webinar registration link is: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3009192236941677661 and is also on the attached outline.

CEUs will only be available for the live webinar on the above date.

Recent Advances in Organic Pest Management of Spotted-wing Drosophila

Join Spotted-wing Drosophila organic pest management team members for a webinar on the recent advances in managing Spotted-wing Drosophila in organic fruit. This webinar will focus on recent efforts to release the classical biological control agent Ganaspis brasiliensis at organic sites nationwide with information from Dr. Jana Lee (USDA ARS), Dr. Kent Daane (UC Berkeley), Dr. Philip Fanning (UMaine) and more

Date & Time: Feb 7, 2024 02:00 PM Eastern Time

Register here: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_efBnBYi8QDSzu2NOGopQBg#/registration

Save the Date!

2024 Spotted Lanternfly Summit

Date: February 27^th – March 1^st

Location: Central Pennsylvania

Key Highlights:

New research findings

Outreach and management discussions

Strategic plan updates

Fellowship Opportunities

USFS Fellowship in Climate and Forest Management

The ORISE Fellow will conduct research contributing to the Forest Climate Indicators project, and will engage in product co-production, outreach, and training at every stage of the project.

Research Project: The ORISE Fellow will engage in research, collaboration, and outreach with the Northeast and Midwest Climate Hubs and partners at Cornell University’s Northeast Region Climate Center on a project called “Using the Applied Climate Information System (ACIS) to Support Adaptation Management and Planning in Forestry Across Multiple Time Scales” (herein called the “Forest Climate Indicators” project). The aim of the project is to align climate change indicators with the needs of forestry stakeholders. Tracking trends in weather and changes in conditions using indicators can help forest managers make decisions. The research team will co-develop relevant indicators with stakeholders and design ways to apply the indicators across various temporal and spatial scales. Identifying and quantifying changes in climatic change affecting forests using these indicators and real-time weather data will guide development and adoption of effective adaptation, resilience, and sustainability practices.

USFS Tribal Climate Equity Fellowship with the USDA Northeast Climate Hub

The ORISE Fellow will engage in research and collaboration on climate equity specifically for Tribes and Tribal communities.

Research Project: The first project will focus on identifying climate equity issues in the region using literature reviews and other research methods. Climate equity ensures the just distribution of benefits from climate resilience efforts and alleviates unequal burdens created by climate change. We will define the scope and scale of these issues, communicate these results to our stakeholders, and collaborate with other scientists, other ORISE fellows, Hub leadership, and partners to determine potential solutions and pathways for achieving climate equity.

This fellow will also engage on our project: “Climate Smart Tools for the Tribal Soil Climate and Analysis Network (TSCAN)”. In 2017, the USDA Northeast Climate Hub worked with USDA-NRCS and the USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs to fund extensions of the automated meteorological stations in the SCAN network onto Tribal lands. Presently, there are 22 TSCAN (Tribal-SCAN) sites with strong interest for additional sites among the 574 Federally recognized Tribes. The goal of this work is to 1) determine needs for additional climate-smart tools that use data from the SCAN and TSCAN networks, 2) to create tools that address these needs, and 3) to provide education and outreach about the use and value of the existing and new tools. Two audiences will be targeted in the needs assessment, tool development, and outreach. The first audience is Tribal members and Tribal staff of the 22 Tribes presently operating TSCAN sites. The secondary audience is current and potential SCAN users such as producers and conservation planners. This ORISE fellow will help engage these key partners through listening sessions and meetings to identify interests and community needs for climate and weather data.

Internship Opportunities

Boyce Thompson Institute hosts two Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs

The USDA and NSF-funded Plant Genome Research Experiences for Undergraduates encompasses a wide variety of plant science research, including bioinformatics. This program involves labs and faculty members at both the Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell University
Click here for more information on the Plant Genome and Bioinformatics REU programs.

The NSF-funded Programmable Plant Systems Research Experiences for Undergraduates is funded through CROPPS, the Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems, and involves trans-disciplinary research that connects engineering and plant science. This program involves labs and faculty members at both the Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell University, as well as at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champain, IL campus.
Click here for more information on the Programmable Plant Systems REU programs.

Employment Opportunities

Assistant Extension Professor of Horticulture and Ornamental Horticulture Specialist (Full-time; Orono, Maine)

University of Maine Cooperative Extension

This position will develop and conduct educational programs and applied research projects throughout the state with an emphasis on Maine’s green industry. Maine agricultural industries of focus include floriculture, nurseries, garden centers, arboriculture, greenhouse production, and clients involved in consumer horticulture. This position works with other extension faculty, advisory boards, and commodity associations to offer programs addressing the educational needs of Maine’s landscape designers, landscape professionals, nursery growers, propagators, arborists, growers, and professional gardeners.

Assistant/Associate Extension Educator for Controlled Environment Agriculture

University of Connecticut

This full-time, 11-month appointment for a non-tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant/Associate Extension Educator in CAHNR to collectively advance Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). The successful candidate is expected to develop strong working relationships with producers throughout the state; interact with UConn faculty, state, and federal agency personnel; and develop interdisciplinary extension programs. This is an off-campus, county-based position. Assignment of office location is negotiable in the northwest or northeast part of the state and requires the individual to travel.

The Department of Entomology at the University of California, Riverside is seeking to fill two tenure-track positions for Assistant Professors/Assistant Entomologists, starting July 1, 2024. These positions are part of a cluster hire in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, aimed at enhancing the research and teaching excellence in the areas of agroecology and sustainable pest management, and genetics and genomics of arthropod vectors of human diseases.

Assistant Professor/ Assistant Entomologist in Agroecology and sustainable pest management

The successful candidate will develop an innovative, fundamental and applied research program on the interface of sustainability, global change biology, landscape ecology, and integrated pest management to develop responses to endemic and invasive arthropods and vector-borne pathogens affecting commercial agriculture and urban farms. Teaching responsibilities may include participation in existing courses in IPM, insect ecology, population biology, and pest management, developing new courses in agroecology, global change and the sustainable pest management sciences, as well as supervision of graduate and undergraduate students. For more details and application instructions, please visit this link.

Assistant Professor/Assistant Entomologist in Genetics/Genomics of Arthropod Vectors of Human Diseases

The successful candidate will develop a strong basic and/or translational research program investigating the molecular, genetic, and/or genomic basis of arthropod vectors of human diseases. Teaching responsibilities may include participation in existing courses on medical entomology, molecular biology, genomics, disease transmission, and population genetics, as well as development of new courses and supervision of graduate and undergraduate students. For more details and application instructions, please visit this link.

Part-Time Program Assistant - Pennsylvania IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Program

The Pennsylvania IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Program, based in the Dept. of Entomology at Penn State, seeks a bilingual (English/Spanish) Outreach Specialist to work in urban communities in Philadelphia and beyond to implement IPM programs and maintain and develop relationships with PA IPM partners. The successful applicant will work as part of a team to support and sustain IPM using face-to-face and online activities to teach the public how to control pests (bed bugs, cockroaches, mice, rats, etc.) in structures in urban communities, including single family homes, row houses, schools, commercial buildings, and other settings. The successful applicant will conduct public outreach including attending community and task force meetings, and events such as health and community events. Latinx residents make up over 15% of Philadelphians, and even higher proportions in some collar-counties (e.g., Latinx make up over 23% of Berks residents). This is an important and growing constituency for IPM outreach and adoption, and will be a major focus for this position. Spanish speaking, reading, and writing fluency is required. Additionally, one must be a trusted worker who is respected by the people they serve and able to apply their own unique understanding of the experience, socio-economic needs, language, and/or culture of the communities served.

Environmental Horticulture Program Manager

The IR-4 Project seeks an Environmental Horticulture Program Manager to join its Headquarters team based on North Carolina State University’s Centennial Campus.

Reporting to the Executive Director, this role will coordinate research and pesticide (bio-based and chemical) registration activities on non-food, ornamental plant species. 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. This is a full-time (40 hours per week), EHRA non-faculty position.

Visit our Careers page to learn more about the role and apply.

Fire Management Specialist

Certified as an NWCG certified Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2) and/or Task Force Leader (TFLD) equivalent with ability to maintain this certification during the duration of employment with the ability to pass moderate (carrying of 25lbs/2 miles in 30 minutes) level work capacity test at a minimum, with the ability to pass arduous (carrying of 45lbs/3 miles in 45 minutes) level work capacity test preferred.
Advanced training in NWCG “S” courses and “RX” courses especially RX-301 – Prescribed Fire Implementation; RX 341- Prescribed Fire Plan Preparation; S212 - Wildland Saws; UTV operation qualified and First Aid and CPR at wilderness first responder qualification level preferred.
B.S. in ecology, conservation biology, forestry or related natural science major.
7 years of relevant experience with core components including prescribed fire programs.

Biologist / Physical Scientist (Assistant Administrator)

The U.S. Geological Survey Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) are hiring Assistant Regional Administrators for the MW and NE regions. The position is a GS-14 pay scale and grade, location negotiable after selection. We are seeking a diverse pool of qualified applicants. Please circulate this outreach notice to as many potential candidates as possible!

APPLY HERE via USAJOBS. This announcement will close on 12/29/2023.

As an assistant regional administrator (ARA) the incumbent assists with the development, negotiation, and implementation of all aspects of regional strategic operations and investigations. Convenes and participate in cooperative partnerships in the region, working closely with university partners, senior executives from state and other federal agencies, and tribal leadership in guiding and managing a collaborative climate adaptation program. Assist in leading the formulation, revision, and implementation of the regional Strategic Plan and all major strategy documents and other guidance materials, and much more.

Orchard Manager

The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) seeks to hire a full-time Orchard Manager at its flagship

Meadowview Research Farms in Southwest Virginia. The Orchard Manager will work both

individually and as part of a team on essential land management tree breeding and seed harvest tasks

year-round. Reporting to the Director of Land Management, the ideal Orchard Manager will bring

skills, knowledge and willingness to learn in areas such as vegetation management, safe operation of

heavy agricultural equipment, handling and organization of biological samples, and natural resource

conservation. Knowledge and experience pertaining to plant biology and breeding is a plus. As a staff

member of Meadowview Research Farms, the Orchard Manager will interface professionally with

members of the public, connecting specific tree breeding and land management projects with TACF’s

overall mission.

Position: Orchard Manager

Position Type: Full-time permanent position with a robust benefits package

Position Location: Meadowview Research Farms, Meadowview, VA

Reporting to: Director of Land Management

Salary Recruitment Range (DOE): $21.19-$23.08 per hour - TACF is a living wage employer.

Many fantastic job opportunities with open calls for applications related to aquatic work happening in and around SLELO PRISM

Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator : The New York State Water Resources Institute (NYSWRI) at Cornell University has as its mission to improve the management of water resources in New York State and the nation. This position will act as an Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator based within DEC Region 5 to proactively advance the management of AIS within this region. Major efforts include: prevention, early detection, facilitating responses, coordinating control and management projects at large-scales, coordinating and collaborating on research projects, and remaining current on invasive species detection and management techniques. This is a full time position located in Ray Brook or Warrensburg, New York. A link to the official opportunity is here. Applications are currently being accepted until January 14^th, 2024. (details attached) A link to the official opportunity is here.
Aquatic Invasive Species Research and Outreach Specialist (Research Support Specialist II)- Ithaca NY: This position represents a partnership between NYSWRI and the Invasive Species Coordination Section (ISCS) of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Lands and Forests. The ISCS is responsible for coordinating New York State’s comprehensive approach to all taxa of invasive species and for supporting programs via partnerships with state and federal agencies, academia, conservation organizations, private organizations, and the public. Major efforts include: prevention, early detection, facilitating responses, coordinating control and management projects at large-scales, coordinating and collaborating on research projects, remaining current on invasive species detection and management techniques, exploring active restoration actions. (details attached) A link to the official opportunity here.
SUNY Oswego and USGS GLSC : In collaboration with the United States Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center, SUNY Oswego is hiring three aquatic biologists who will help support ongoing native fish restoration efforts. The three hires are focused on expanding collaborations with our regional partners, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), to research topics associated with native fish (e.g., Atlantic salmon and coregonines) restoration efforts. If you know of any potential candidates, please share this information with them. The full job descriptions, which include the links to apply, can be viewed via the linked job titles below:
NY iMapInvasives: Two full-time positions open with the Invasive Species/ iMap team at the New York Natural Heritage Program (based out of Albany). Please share with others who may be interested!

iMapInvasives Project Specialist: https://esf.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=170867

iMapInvasives Advanced Data Manager: https://esf.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=170895

Funding Opportunities

Regional IPM Centers Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) RFA's

New IPM Funding for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Available

The Regional IPM Centers today are releasing three new diversity-focused funding opportunities with a total of about $200,000 available nationally. Specifically, the Centers are offering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility grants, fellowships and mini-grants.

The goal of the Regional IPM Centers' DEIA grants and fellowships are to make diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility both essential and commonplace within the IPM community.

Here are the details:

DEIA Grants: $120,000 available with awards up to $20,000 each. Applications will be considered as received, through January 31,2024 or until funds are exhausted.
DEIA Fellowships: Up to eight fellowships of up to $6,000 each will be awarded. Individuals eligible to apply should belong to the faculty, staff or student body of an 1890, 1994, HBCU or HSI institution and should be actively involved in integrated pest management or plant health activities. Applications will be considered as received until funds are exhausted.
DEIA Mini-Grants: Up to $30,000 available with awards of up to $5,000 each. Applications will be considered as received until funds are exhausted.

For all three programs, the proposed work or grant activities must be completed by September 17, 2024.

There was a Zoom meeting held on November 7, 2023 to answer questions and
provide more information. Recorded link: https://youtu.be/sdVAKzO2YJs

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your ideas for this grant prior to applying, please
contact DEIA Director, Dr. Katie Hartmann: kh4@iastate.edu.

Learn more and apply

Specialty Crop Multi-State Program

Program Purpose

The SCMP supports collaborative multi-state partnerships to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through competitively funded projects The focus is to address regional or national level specialty crop issues, including food safety, plant pests and disease, research, crop-specific projects addressing common issues, and marketing and promotion. Projects must enhance the competitiveness of U.S. or U.S. territory-grown specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets.

Project Area Types

Multi-state partners must develop projects that bring together teams for solutions to practical problems that cross State boundaries and address the needs of specialty crop growers in the areas of food safety, plant pests and disease, research, crop-specific projects addressing common issues, and marketing and promotion.

All project area types are 3-year projects with funding ranging between $250,000 and $1,000,000. Available Funding Approximately $10 million will be available to fund SCMP projects in FY 2023.

Eligibility

Entities residing in a participating state must apply through their State Department of Agriculture. Entities residing in a participating state are ineligible to apply directly to AMS.

Entities in a non-participating state may apply to AMS directly or choose to contact an adjacent participating state to apply on behalf of the entity.

Non-profits entities must apply directly to AMS.

All applicants must be domestic entities owned, operated, and located within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Applications for Multi-State Partners to Participating States are due December 22, 2023, and for Participating States to AMS on January, 31, 2024.

Crop Protection and Pest Management

Crop Protection and Pest Management Competitive Grants Program

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 2024 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.

Closing Date for applications: February 15, 2024

Methyl Bromide Transition Program

The Methyl Bromide Transition Program (MBT) addresses the immediate needs and the costs of transition that have resulted from the phase-out of the pesticide methyl bromide. Methyl bromide has been a pest and disease control tactic critical to pest management systems for decades for soilborne and postharvest pests. The program focuses on integrated commercial-scale research on methyl bromide alternatives and associated extension activity that will foster the adoption of these solutions. Projects should cover a broad range of new methodologies, technologies, systems, and strategies for controlling economically important pests for which methyl bromide has been the only effective pest control option. Research projects must address commodities with critical issues and include a focused economic analysis of the cost of implementing the transition on a commercial scale.

Closing date for applications: February 13, 2024

Methyl Bromide Transition Program

We are pleased to announce the CRISP 2024 Request for Proposals to fund priority invasive species projects in the Catskills region! Priorities for funding include:

Stop emerging invasive species through Early Detection and Rapid Response Surveys for Tier 1 or Tier 2 Species beyond what is documented in iMapInvasives and EDDMapS and rapid response for Tier 2 Species found through surveys
Raise public awareness of Tier 1 and Tier 2 Species to address introduction pathways and slow the spread of forest pests, pathogens, or species approaching or spreading within the region. A list of CRISP Invasive Species Tiers is available here: https://www.catskillinvasives.com/crisp-tiers
Improve the scientific understanding of the extent, ecological impact, and effective controls of invasive species in the CRISP region.

We have revised the RFP Scorecard and included 10 points for those organizations that have signed the CRISP Cooperation Agreement

Selected projects will be funded up to $25,000 and must be completed in 2024. The deadline for applications is COB on February 9th. Additional information is available here: https://www.catskillinvasives.com/funding

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.

Closing Date for Applications: February 15, 2024

Estimated Total Program Funding: $44,000,000

Apply For Grant Download RFA Technical Assistance Webinar

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.

Closing Date for Applications: March 7, 2024

Estimated Total Program Funding: $7,500,000

Apply For Grant Download RFA Technical Assistance Webinar