IPM News and Events Roundup 01/31/2025
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
Corn Earworm Integrated Pest Management Updates for Sweet Corn
February 11, 2025, 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Register at: cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xclHNRj1S3qMKao7bMi-KA
Description
Corn earworm currently is one of the most challenging ear feeding insect pests to manage in sweet corn and a regional team has formed to help develop IPM solutions (more information at CEWIPM.org). This webinar will include two update talks. The first will discuss effectively using baited traps for monitoring adult moths and the second will discuss the benefits of using these traps for managing corn earworm in a Virginia case study.
Presentations
Effective monitoring strategies for corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) management in sweet corn
John Mahas, Christophe Duplais, David Owens, Kelly Hamby, Galen Dively, Anders Huseth, Thomas Kuhar, Helene Doughtry, Brian Currin, and Brian Nault
Evaluating an IPM approach in sweet corn in Virginia
Tom Kuhar and Brian Currin
Presenters
John Mahas
John Mahas is a postdoctoral research associate in Dr. Brian Nault’s vegetable entomology lab at Cornell AgriTech. He earned his B.S. in Biology from the College of Coastal Georgia and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Entomology from Auburn University. His research focuses on developing sustainable crop pest management strategies, with expertise in vector-borne plant pathogens, GIS applications, and crop pest ecology. At Cornell, his work centers on improving management practices for corn earworm in sweet corn through improving pest monitoring, ecological studies, and evaluating management tools.
Tom Kuhar
Tom Kuhar is a Professor in the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech where his research focuses on the integrated pest management of pests of vegetable crops including sweet corn. He has trained over 40 graduate students and has published ~ 160 peer-reviewed papers and 6 book chapters on insect pest management in agricultural crops. A native of Baltimore, MD, he received his B.S. degree in biology from Towson University, Towson, MD, in 1992 and his Master’s (1996) and Ph.D. (2000) degrees in entomology from Virginia Tech.
Brian Currin
Brian Currin is a graduate student at Virginia Tech working on sweet corn IPM. He received his BS in Biology from Radford University.
Project Director
Kelly Hamby
Kelly Hamby is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Entomology at the University of Maryland. Her research and extension program addresses invasive and emerging insect pest issues, evaluating and optimizing pest management programs, and development of sustainable alternative management tactics, primarily in Mid Atlantic small fruit, sweet corn, and grain crop systems. She received her B.S. in Environmental Toxicology, M.S. in Entomology, and Ph.D. in Entomology at the University of California Davis.
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.
Lacey Belanger
Research Assistant, Southern IPM Center
Lacey works with stakeholders to create new and updated Crop Profiles and Pest Management Strategic Plans for the National IPM Database. She holds a B.A. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in business communications from North Carolina State University.
Lorena Lopez
Dr. Lorena Lopez recently completed a strawberry PMSP in the southern region. She specializes in integrated pest management for small fruits and tobacco, and focuses on developing sustainable pest control strategies. Dr. Lorena Lopez’s program centers on the sustainable management of pests affecting small fruits and tobacco through IPM practices. Her extension work involves translating complex scientific findings into practical applications for growers and extension agents, focusing on reducing pesticide reliance and enhancing crop health and productivity.
Hannah Penn
Research Entomologist, USDA-ARS Sugarcane Research
Dr. Penn recently completed a sugarcane PMSP in the south.
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.
Dan Olmstead
Dan Olmstead is the project lead of the Network for Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA; newa.cornell.edu) at New York State Integrated Pest Management. With an MSc in entomology from Cornell University and expertise in decision support systems, digital outreach, and environmental data science, Dan focuses on connecting growers, researchers, and stakeholders with actionable microclimate data. By leveraging over 1,000 public and private weather stations, NEWA delivers accessible tools that enable informed pest and weather risk management across New York State and beyond.
Glen Koehler
Associate Scientist, IPM, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Glen’s areas of responsibility include integrated pest management of tree fruits (primarily apple) and weather-based predictive crop, pest timing and severity models. He contributes to the Northeastern IPM Center and the Maine Climate Council Scientific and Technical Subcommittee.
EPA / FDA / USDA / NIFA News
ARS Scientists Institute "Grove-First" Approach to Combat Citrus Greening
Since the mid-2000s, citrus greening disease or Huanglongbing (HLB), has taken a toll on citrus fruits, causing significant crop and economic losses for citrus growers from Florida to Texas.
Through the project "Grove-First," ARS scientists are working to stop citrus greening from overtaking these vital crops. Grove-First invites fellow researchers, citrus growers, and industry experts to test their scientific models to curb the effects of citrus greening directly in the field. Learn more about this important research.
Research in the news
Differential responses of weeds and rice to shading stress from oilseed rape straw mulch (sciencedirect.com)
Highlights
- Shorter and dry oilseed rape straw provided more shading than longer and wet straw.
- Darkness had little effect on rice germination but greatly inhibited seven weeds.
- Rice grows more leaves than barnyardgrass under 50% shading.
Phosphorus recovery through enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) processes from agricultural wastes holds promise in mitigating the impending global P shortage. However, the complex nutrient forms and the microbial augments, expected to exert a profound impact on crop rhizomicrobiome and thus crop health, remained unexplored. In this study, we investigated the impacts of EBPR biosolids on crops growth and rhizomicrobiome in comparison to chemical fertilizer and Vermont manure compost. Our findings revealed that EBPR biosolid augmentation promoted the best maize shoot growth traits with the least nutrient deficiency, evidencing its agricultural benefits.
Plant Growth Regulator Guide for Annuals Update (e-gro.org)
The 2025 version of the Plant Growth Regulator Guide for Annuals is now available, a project sponsored by Fine Americas. GrowerTalks subscribers will receive a copy in the mail or use
the link in this Alert to obtain a pdf copy.
Pest Prevention Starts at Delivery (e-gro.org)
Inspecting incoming plant material is a crucial step in maintaining a healthy greenhouse environment and preventing pest infestations in floriculture production. As greenhouse growers, we must be vigilant when receiving unrooted cuttings, plugs, or rooted liners to ensure we're not inadvertently introducing pests or diseases into our propagation or production greenhouses. Even the cleanest greenhouse can quickly become compromised if infected plant material is brought in and placed in the propagation or production greenhouse.
Rutgers Scientists Seeking Thousands of Participants for Major Cancer Study (sas.rutgers.edu)
Saliva samples from general population could ‘crack the code’ People across the U.S. can now contribute to critical cancer research without leaving the comfort of their own home.
Rutgers University professors have launched a major study into the underlying genetics of breast cancer that makes it easy for any U.S. resident age 18 or older to participate. All that’s needed is to fill out a brief online questionnaire and mail in a sample of their saliva.
Those simple acts could lead to new breakthroughs in treating a disease that killed an estimated 42,000 U.S. women in 2024.
“You don’t need to go to a doctor’s office, and you don’t need to spend more than 20 minutes,” says Steve Buyske, a professor of statistics in the School of Arts and Sciences. “But you’d be making a significant contribution.”
Favorable Climate Change Response Explains Non-Native Species' Success in Thoreau's Woods (journals.plos.org)
Invasive species have tremendous detrimental ecological and economic impacts. Climate change may exacerbate species invasions across communities if non-native species are better able to respond to climate changes than native species. Recent evidence indicates that species that respond to climate change by adjusting their phenology (i.e., the timing of seasonal activities, such as flowering) have historically increased in abundance. The extent to which non-native species success is similarly linked to a favorable climate change response, however, remains untested. We analyzed a dataset initiated by the conservationist Henry David Thoreau that documents the long-term phenological response of native and non-native plant species over the last 150 years from Concord, Massachusetts (USA). Our results demonstrate that non-native species, and invasive species in particular, have been far better able to respond to recent climate change by adjusting their flowering time. This demonstrates that climate change has likely played, and may continue to play, an important role in facilitating non-native species naturalization and invasion at the community level.
Penn State Guide Details Interseeding Cover Crops in Corn Production (growiwm.org)
Want to introduce cover crops into your farming operation, but are too tight on time in the fall? Interseeding cover crops into standing corn might be a good fit for you.
The benefits that cover crops provide by suppressing weeds and helping with soil erosion and health are undeniable, but implementing them can be difficult due to the crunch of harvest time activities and a short post-harvest growing season.
To combat this problem, Penn State has released a farmer-forward guide titled, “Interseeding Cover Crops in Corn Production, Best Practices for Drill-Interseeding in Mid-Atlantic Crop Systems,” which details how to use drill-interseeding to plant cover crops into standing corn. This two-part guide is intended to help farmers decide if drill-interseeding is the best cover crop planting method for their corn production, and if so, how to choose the best cover crops and herbicide applications for drill-interseeding.
News
Passing of an IPM Icon - Dion Lerman Obituary
For the last couple of decades, Dion was an Environmental Health Program Specialist at the Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management program at Penn State University. The program promotes the least-toxic methods of pest control and seeks to empower individuals and communities to safely manage pests through education and training. Dion developed materials and led many trainings for the National Healthy Homes Center and Network and for the Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA), a nonprofit in Philadelphia that supports household energy conservation and repair initiatives.
January 2025 North Central IPM Issue
- Pollinator-Safe Fungicides,
- Tar Spot Detection and Modeling,
- The successful eradication of the Northern giant hornet
Finding a preventative solution to a billion-dollar poultry problem (magnoliareporter.com)
The poultry industry loses up to $6 billion annually due to necrotic enteritis, a preventable intestinal disease in poultry, including broiler chickens.
An Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station poultry science researcher is evaluating a new possible solution using a novel vaccine combined with a bile acid regimen.
Why Fungus-Growing Termites Prove Challenging to Control (entomologytoday.org)
An analysis of recent biological and control studies on fungus-growing termites, published in November in the Journal of Economic Entomology, has identified key challenges to game-planning their management and suggests improvements that could make it easier to control them. The authors, Chun-I Chiu, Ph.D., of Chiang Mai University in Thailand and Hou-Feng Li, Ph.D., of National Hsing University in Taiwan, predict that the insights gained by the study “are critical for developing more effective termite control strategies.” Fine-tuning the selection of chemical controls and a better delivery system for them would be a marked improvement, they say.
Spotted lanternflies could cost NYS grape industry millions (news.cornell.edu)
Researchers estimate that, if left unchecked, the spotted lanternfly – which decimated vineyards in Pennsylvania when it arrived in 2014 – could cause significant economic losses to the New York state grape industry.
Using data from two key regions – the Lake Erie region, the largest Concord grape producer in the world, and the Finger Lakes region, the largest wine producer in the state – researchers found that losses could reach $1.5 million, $4 million and $8.8 million in the first, second and third years of infestation, respectively.
The study, (in last week’s Roundup) published Jan. 20 in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management, underscores the importance of proactive management and preparedness, as well as continued research on best practices for controlling the pest.
2024 State of the Rodent Control Market
Exploiting Chaos to Build Business
» Strategies for Selling Rodent Control Services
» Tools of the Trade
» Rethinking Rodenticides
» Exclusive Research
WNY PRISM is currently accepting boot brush station applications for 2025!
Boot brush stations are an effective and cost-efficient means to prevent the spread of invasive species along trails and in natural areas. They also serve as a great way to educate the public on both the threat of invasive species and the small steps they can take as individuals to spread the word, not the species. WNY PRISM’s Boot Brush Station Program provides partners with the supplies and materials necessary to install a boot brush station on their property. Partners are expected to install the stations and to check on and maintain them.
Partners are encouraged to apply regardless of their participation in this program in the past. If applications exceed our supply of boot brush stations, applications will be prioritized based on gaps in coverage and proximity to early detection species. To learn more about the program and apply, visit https://www.wnyprism.org/programs/boot-brush-stations/.
Surveys
The Environmental Horticulture Program’s research priorities are driven by stakeholder input. There are multiple ways to tell us about your pest management needs. First, the biennial Grower and Extension Survey (below) gathers input on key pest challenges growers are facing around the country. The survey responses also help IR-4 understand regional needs. If you are experiencing (or observing) pest management challenges on ornamentals and lack the proper tools to mitigate them, the survey (linked below) is a great place to start.
If you have a product in mind to potentially manage a pest issue on a particular crop, please complete the Project Request form (below).
Or, if you’d like to connect directly with the IR-4 team to discuss your crop protection needs, we encourage you to contact your Regional Field Coordinator (RFC).
The Grower & Extension Survey is the best way to tell us which pest problems you have difficulty managing due to insufficient tools. Your input helps shape discussions at the biennial Environmental Horticulture Workshop, and helps our team understand the needs of growers in this vital sector. As of fall 2024, we have transitioned the survey to a Google form. You may fill out and submit the form here.
The deadline for submitting a survey for 2026/2027 research is August 29, 2025. Thank you for your input!
Call for Abstracts & Exhibits
SLELO PRISM is inviting abstracts for presentations and requests for exhibits to be held at our Eastern Lake Ontario Invasive Species Symposium on June 12th, 2025, at SUNY Oswego’s Sheldon Ballroom in Oswego, NY.
The Symposium provides an opportunity to share your expertise, connect with field professionals, and expand your knowledge of invasive species management. This is a free event that is well attended attracting invasive species management and conservation professionals from state and non-state agencies as well as the public.
This year’s theme is Adaptive Approaches for Terrestrial and Aquatic Invasive Species Management, with a focus on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), Climate Change, and Restoring Biodiversity. Submission categories include a 20-minute presentation, a lightning round presentation, an exhibit, or poster.
The deadline for submission is 11:59 PM on Sunday, February 23rd, 2025. Early submissions are highly encouraged, as reviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
National Invasive Species Awareness Week
Enhancing North American Biosecurity to Protect Against Invasive Species
NISAW is led by The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) which supports local, state, tribal, federal, regional, and national organizations.
Educational Invasive Species Webinars
NAISMA hosts educational webinars on priority invasive species issues the week of NISAW. Speakers and topics will include:
- US Geological Survey
- US Army Corps of Engineers
- Environmental Protection Agency
- OH-SMART/One Health
- VIDA Intergovernmental Response Framework
- USDA APHIS
Congressional Briefings
Individual Meetings
Local Events and Awareness Weeks or Months
Outreach and Communications
Social Media
NISAW Toolkit
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) news and updates
Newly featured this issue
New York State continues to take proactive measures through monitoring and encouraged testing to prevent highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and facilitate early detection, particularly as the State continues to see HPAI in the wild bird population. Just last week, Putnam County Department of Health announced a detection of HPAI in a wild goose found in Brewster. In addition, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services Laboratories has recently confirmed the presence of HPAI in a poultry farm in Suffolk County. The State is reminding commercial and hobby poultry farmers to increase their biosecurity measures to help prevent the spread of the disease. The State is also reminding the public that the risk to humans is low.
Avian Flu found in dead geese near Seneca Lake (NY) following testing
A few weeks ago concerned residents in Seneca County reported a high number of dead geese in their vicinity. On January 10th, New York State DEC collected several goose carcasses and transported them to Cornell University where they later tested positive for Avian Flu (HPAI).
Bird Flu Basics From a Rutgers Health Infectious Disease Expert (rutgers.edu)
David J. Cennimo, an associate professor of medicine and pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, spoke to Rutgers Today about what people should know about the disease and its likely course going forward.
Recently, H5N1 was detected in both NYS poultry1 and wild birds.2 There is no genomic or epidemiologic evidence that wild birds are spreading H5N1 to cattle.3 The B3.13 strain found in dairy cattle in other states is different from the strains recently detected in wild birds.
- Since H5N1 arrived in the US in 2022 it has been detected in 472 wild birds spread out over 50 NY counties. Wild birds can be infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and show no signs of illness. As the spring migration ramps up, there will very likely be more wild bird detections.
- H5N1 poses a significant health risk to commercial poultry and can infect other domestic and wild animals. USDA APHIS recommends we prevent our poultry from contacting migratory waterfowl or other wild birds and secure feed bins and water sources to prevent wildlife contamination. Other HPAI precautions to protect poultry flocks can be found at USDA APHIS Defend the Flock Resource Center.4
If multiple dead birds are found, notify NYSDEC via their Avian Influenza Reporting Form or by calling the regional wildlife hotline (585-226-5380) during normal business hours. The public should not handle dead birds without proper PPE. Domestic animals should be prevented from contacting dead birds.
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1Suffolk County Government suffolkcountyny.gov/News/ArtMID/583/ArticleID/12926/Suffolk-County-Health-Officials-Announce-Avian-Influenza-Detected-in-Poultry-at-Local-Farm |
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3USDA 2024 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) – Michigan Dairy Herd and Poultry Flock Summary www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/hpai-h5n1-dairy-cattle-mi-epi-invest.pdf |
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4Defend the Flock www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/defend-the-flock/resources |
Previously featured
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
Webinars, seminars, meetings, and more
In Pursuit of Prevention: NYSDOH Tick and Tick-borne Disease Surveillance and Research Updates from the Lab and Field
Join Melissa Prusinki, Senior Research Scientist, Laboratory Supervisor and Deputy Director of the Vector Surveillance Unit with the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control for the next NYSIPM academic seminar. Her research efforts have recently helped to document Heartland and Bourbon viruses for the first time in NYS ticks, describe the emergence and spread of anaplasmosis, babesiosis, hard tick relapsing fever and Powassan virus in Upstate NY.
Melissa Prusinki will report tick-borne disease case numbers, trends observed, and newly emerging pathogens in New York State, and will summarize recent NYSDOH tick and tick-borne pathogen surveillance results that are shared with medical providers, local health departments, property managers, and other stakeholders. The samples generated by NYSDOH vector surveillance efforts are used to study tick and pathogen population genetics, test prospectively and retrospectively for emerging pathogens, and form the basis of laboratory experiments on pathogenesis, pathogen-host interactions, co-infection dynamics, and other related vector ecology studies. Melissa will also provide a brief overview of this recent and ongoing research and describe how the NYSDOH uses the information generated by surveillance and research to improve education messaging and guide interventional campaigns to help prevent tick-borne disease.
Date: February 19th, 2025
Time: 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Eastern
Location: Virtual, register to attend.
Previously featured
2025 CCE Winter Cut Flower Webinar Series
Tuesday 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 5: 2/4/2025
1:00 PM Cut out cut flower diseases!*
2:00 PM Bad bugs bothering blooms*
* NYSDEC pesticide application credits will be provided.
Cost: $20 per session and $60 for all five sessions
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.
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
The highly anticipated 2025 Vegetable Expo is set to take place on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at Jordan Hall in Geneva, NY. This full-day event will feature a dynamic lineup of industry experts, researchers, and farmers sharing the latest innovations and strategies in vegetable production, sustainability, and pest management. Registration is now open for you to secure your spot here: https://nysvga.org/expo/information/.
Corn Earworm Integrated Pest Management Updates for Sweet Corn
February 11, 2025, 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Register at: cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xclHNRj1S3qMKao7bMi-KA
Description
Corn earworm currently is one of the most challenging ear feeding insect pests to manage in sweet corn and a regional team has formed to help develop IPM solutions (more information at CEWIPM.org). This webinar will include two update talks. The first will discuss effectively using baited traps for monitoring adult moths and the second will discuss the benefits of using these traps for managing corn earworm in a Virginia case study.
Learn about rice farming opportunities for New York and the northeastern U.S. Join us for a 3-session online workshop series (via Zoom):
- 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
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.
- 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
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
2025 Mass Aggies Seminar Series
Mass Aggies, a series highlighting the agricultural expertise and innovation available through the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Extension Fruit team. Through this series of seminars and workshops the Fruit Team provides a platform for small scale backyard growers and agricultural enthusiasts of all types to come together to learn the latest developments in fruit production. Delve into the cutting-edge information shared in our seminars, curated to empower individuals with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of agriculture.
Register online (link is external)
Online registration will close the Friday prior to each event.
Insects; Pests and Beneficials
Dr. Jaime Piñero
Join Extension Faculty Dr. Jaime Piñero in this exciting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) workshop and learn how to make beneficial insects and insectary plants your garden’s best allies! Discover eco-friendly pest control tips that blend nature’s own predators with smart gardening strategies, including cultural controls like trap cropping. With these techniques, you can keep your plants thriving with little to no insecticides. Perfect for homeowners and orchard enthusiasts, this fun, hands-on session will show you how to create a healthy, vibrant garden and keep pests at bay—naturally! Some materials will be mailed to participants for them to implement IPM at home!
February 15, 2025
10am – noon
Upcoming Webinars
February 22 - Ecological Weed Management in the Home Orchard ($45)
March 1 - Orchard Sustainability Through IPM ($45)
March 22 - Orchard Pruning ($45)
March 29 - Home Orchard Establishment ($45)
Click here for the detailed schedule and to register.
Registration for the 2025 Invasive Species Forum is open and spots are filling up fast. By registering, you'll make sure that you get a virtual front-row seat for the more than 50 presentations being delivered by invasive species experts from Canada, the United States, and beyond.
The Invasive Species Forum is an annual event that brings attention to invasive species issues, research, and advances in prevention and management occurring across Canada, in neighboring U.S. States, and more broadly.
Feb 18 - 20
Zoonoses in a Changing World (Live 2.19.25)
Summary: For centuries, zoonotic diseases have impacted humans in many ways. This presentation will focus on vector-borne pathogens by discussing the vectors and trends with geographic distribution, temperature effects, and habitat management since the late 1890’s through today and potential future impacts. We are seeing in real time, the expansion of geographic range of certain tick and mosquito species. Between climate changes and globalized travel, the etiology of spread is sometimes clear but can also be difficult to diagnose. As the world has changed and continues to change, zoonotic diseases remain impactful.
Objectives: At the end of the webinar, participants will be able to...
- Identify historical trends and issues with vector-borne and other zoonotic diseases.
- Summarize One Health concepts and applications to zoonotic pathogens.
- Identify issues and solutions for vector-borne disease prevention in underserved populations.
Live Web Event on 02/19/2025 at 12:00 PM (CST)
NYSIPM Academic Seminar Series
Sign up to attend these virtual seminars via the link above.
2/19/25. 11:15am–12:15pm EST
In Pursuit of Prevention: NYSDOH Tick and Tick-borne Disease Surveillance and Research Updates from the Lab and Field (See above for registration)
Melissa Prusinski, New York State Department of Health
3/19/25. 11:15am–12:15pm EST
Vacant Land as an Environmental Resource for Conservation and Community Building
Mary M. Gardiner, The Ohio State University and
4/9/25. 11:15am–12:15pm EST
The Threat Posed by ‘Inert’ Ingredients to Bees.
Edward Straw, Trinity College Dublin
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.
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
Internship Opportunities
Undergraduate Research Experience Internships
Plant Genome Research Program Internship (NSF REU)
Bioinformatics (NSF REU)
Innovative Agricultural Technologies (USDA REEU)
Programmable Plant Systems (NSF REU)
High School Research Internships
Since 2001, BTI has provided High School students the opportunity to participate in hands-on real world research projects for 7 weeks each summer. The goal of the program is to introduce students to plant science and computational biology during the summer of their junior year to provide them with valuable insight about their future career and major. If you are interested in spending the summer engaged in full-time research for 7 weeks at BTI and Cornell, please review the program information, eligibility, and application tips here.
High School Workforce Advantage Program Internships
Join BTI for an immersive seven-week internship for high school students and work alongside a mentor while gaining valuable work experience that lays the foundation for career exploration.
As an intern, you will gain hands-on experience working in a world-class plant science research institute while exploring the departments that make scientific discoveries possible. Our internship program pairs you with a staff mentor who will work alongside you as you learn essential job functions and insight into what it’s like to work in an independent nonprofit research environment and hone skills that will benefit you in your future career. You’ll also participate in workshops where you’ll learn from guest speakers about important topics like credit cards, taxes, interest rates, resume building, and career search.
Employment Opportunities
The Department of Environmental Science & Technology (ENST) at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD, (UMD) is pleased to offer three Postdoctoral Associate positions.
Two of the Postdoctoral Associate positions will be led by Dr. Stephanie Lansing. One position will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team that is developing an app for food diversion and will oversee adding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions values for diversion strategies. The second will work with a team on food waste and grass co-digestion at the county-level and oversee a life cycle assessment (LCA) of food waste and yard waste diversion. For more information and to apply please click on the following link: (2) Post-Doctoral-Associate Positions_JR100632
Ecologist (Research Scientist)
The New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) is a program of the Research Foundation for the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) whose mission is to facilitate the conservation of New York's biodiversity by providing geospatial information, database applications, and scientific expertise on rare species, invasive species, and natural ecosystems.
Summary: Conduct field surveys to document and map natural communities using the methods and techniques developed by the Natural Heritage Network and other experts with a focus on forest communities statewide and old growth forests on state land in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains.
Application Deadline: Although applications will be accepted until the position is filled, candidates should submit their application by February 17, 2025 to ensure optimal consideration.
RootED 2 Program Educator - Binghamton, NY
This position will serve as a Lead After-School Program Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County in support of the RootED 2 Program and will provide comprehensive 4-H youth development opportunities for youth in grades 2-5 in the Binghamton City School District. This position will provide established guidance and direction for program participants and after-school activities, including club and life skills. This position will provide instruction utilizing established 4-H curriculum in the areas of environmental science and natural resources, science, technology engineering, art/agriculture and math (STEAM). This position will utilize existing program resources and materials in program work, assist in the creation of program lesson plans, utilize a variety of delivery methods, and assist in delivering established innovative educational programs as assigned. This position will also provide staffing and/or programming coverage, as needed, for summer camps, and other scheduled association/program activities. This position will assist program supervisor with oversight and direction of the RootED After-School program.
Beginning Farmer Program Educator - Binghamton, NY
The Beginning Farmer Program Educator is responsible for the programmatic direction and coordination of agricultural programs that support new, beginning, and aspiring farmers in Broome County. This includes support and technical assistance through farmland and enterprise assessments, business planning and other educational initiatives, connections to resources, and creating a support network for beginning farmers in the county. Additionally, the role will focus on building connections with stakeholders in the community who also support beginning farmers, including but not limited to, Broome County Farm Bureau, USDA agencies such as the Farm Service Agency and Soil & Water Conservation Districts, the Small Business Development Center, and financial partners, such as Farm Credit East. Programmatic efforts will include assistance with program development, delivery and evaluation. This individual represents Cornell Cooperative Extension’s programs to the public, community leaders, government officials and Cornell University as part of program delivery.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:
PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING
All applicants must apply online by close of day on February 3, 2025 to be considered for this position. All applicants must submit a complete application online, which includes cover letter, resume and three (3) references.
Previously featured
WNY PRISM is Hiring! All 2025 Summer Positions are Open!
Join the WNY PRISM team and spend the summer gaining valuable experience in invasive species management! Multiple positions are open with varying responsibilities, timeframes and necessary qualifications, so take a look and see what interests you!
For more information, including full job descriptions and to apply, visit https://www.rfhiring.com/jobs.asp.
2024 - WNY PRISM Field Crew Leader - Buffalo, New York - Sponsored Program of The Research Foundation for The State University of New York Closing Date is Friday, February 7, 2025!
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.
Assistant Professor-Tenure System
The Department of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University invites applications for a full-time 12-month tenure-system Assistant Professor position (with a 50% Research, 40% Extension, and 10% Teaching assignment) to lead an internationally recognized, innovative and competitively funded research and extension program in weed science and ecology to support Michigan’s fruit and vegetable industries. The position start date is anticipated to be August 16, 2025.