IPM News and Events Roundup 03/01/2024
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
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | IPM Insights Newsletter | Impact Statements | Find a Colleague | Northeast Priorities | Annual Reports
Northeastern IPM Center News
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.
April 11, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT)
Register at cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qX9x7pqRRRKl0x7vFKQl9g
Presenter: Dr. Brian Nault
Large-scale commercial onion production is reliant on synthetic chemical inputs like fertilizer and pesticides to ensure its profitability. Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) is a major pest that threatens the sustainability of onion production. The potential exists for reducing onion thrips infestations in onion by decreasing levels of fertilizer applied at planting and insecticides applied to foliage during the season. Brian Nault will share the results of his multi-year study with 20 New York commercial onion fields on the viability of reducing synthetic fertilizer and insecticide inputs without compromising onion bulb yields. The onion growers in the study successfully reduced their synthetic chemical inputs resulting in greater profits and a reduction of chemicals in the environment.
Table of Contents
|
|
Webinars, Seminars, Meeting and More
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FDA, Industry Actions End Sales of PFAS Used in US Food Packaging
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is announcing that grease-proofing materials containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are no longer being sold for use in food packaging in the U.S. This means the major source of dietary exposure to PFAS from food packaging like fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, take-out paperboard containers and pet food bags is being eliminated.
USDA Announces Progress on Newly Authorized Climate Programs
The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the report, Intent to Establish the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program (PDF, 248 KB), authorized under the Growing Climate Solutions Act (GCSA). The GCSA was signed into law on December 29, 2022, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
This report justifying the Secretary’s intent to establish the program follows USDA’s earlier publication of A General Assessment of the Role of Agriculture and Forestry in U.S. Carbon Markets, which found that voluntary carbon markets offer a promising tool to achieve greenhouse gas reductions from the agriculture and forest sectors and support producer livelihoods. By adopting science-based practices to reduce emissions or sequester carbon on their land, farmers, ranchers, and private landowners can access a new income stream through carbon credit sales while also combatting climate change.
New Discovery Speeds Scientists’ Push for HLB-Tolerant Citrus
It’s one thing for a hybrid citrus tree to tolerate citrus greening disease (a.k.a. Huanglongbing) and quite another if it also produces orange-like fruit—especially if the juice makes for a delicious breakfast beverage! Now, that holy grail of traits could be closer at hand, thanks to the chemical and genetic sleuthing of a team of Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) scientists.
Huanglongbing (HLB) was first detected in Florida’s Miami-Dade County in 2005. The disease has since spread throughout Florida, threatening a citrus industry there that contributes nearly $7 billion to the state’s economy and employs more than 32,000 individuals. The disease also poses a threat to other U.S. citrus-growing areas, including California, Louisiana and Texas.
The IR-4 Project's 2023 Annual Report
The IR-4 Project's 2023 Annual Report is now available to read and download on our website. The report catalogs our research and regulatory outcomes over the previous year, acknowledges our collaborators, lists our team members' publications, and more.
Some of IR-4's 2023 accomplishments include:
- 1,613 potential new product uses on food crops
- 657 environmental horticulture field and greenhouse trials
- 35 Integrated Solutions projects
- Hosted 4 USDA FAS Borlaug Fellows
Community-level assisted migration for climate-appropriate prairie restoration
Climate change threatens the long-term survival of highly fragmented habitats such as North American tallgrass prairie. De novo plantings into former agricultural sites can contribute to efforts to conserve prairie biodiversity, but past planting practice (including our own) has focused on the use of local species and genotypes. Climate change makes this “local-only” practice obsolete because of rapidly shifting species’ ranges. We propose that new prairie plantings incorporate assisted migration at the community
level: all species and genotypes that are viable in the changed climate and potentially could reach the site in an unfragmented landscape should be considered for inclusion. Selecting and sourcing species for climate-appropriate restorations is possible with minimal additional cost or expertise. Based on best-available estimates of current and future climate, species richness of future prairie plantings at our Minnesota study site could be increased by over one-third (26 new species). Potential risks to such extensive use of assisted migration are offset by the drastic conservation challenge of highly fragmented communities under climate change.
Buzz on the High Seas: Navy Entomologists and the Unlikely Challenge of Honey Bee Swarms (entomologytoday.org | February 28, 2024)
While the term “swarming” can be used to refer to a military tactic, for United States Navy entomologists it is something different altogether. When it comes to pest control aboard naval vessels, entomologists typically deal with cockroaches, bed bugs, and rodents, to name a few, but they are also called upon to remove swarms of honey bees, both during and outside of the typical swarm season!
Flame-Retardant Chemicals May Increase Risk of Preterm Birth, Higher Birth Weight (rutgers.edu | February 29, 2024)
Pregnant women exposed to specific classes of flame-retardant chemicals may face an increased risk of preterm birth, especially for baby girls, or higher birth weights, according to a Rutgers Health researcher.
Emily Barrett, professor and vice chair of the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the Rutgers School of Public Health and a member of the Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, took part in a study that was published in Environmental Health Perspectives and funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program at the National Institutes of Health.
?Can gardeners identify ‘future invaders’?
It is estimated that there are 30 million gardeners in Britain, who could play a crucial role in being the ‘first contact’ for reporting ornamental plants in gardens with invasive potential. Invasive species are one of the five drivers of the global nature crisis, many of which were originally introduced through ornamental horticulture. Ornamentals confined to gardens and those which have already naturalized, but are not yet shown to be invasive, represent a ‘pool’ of species with invasive potential – ‘future invaders’. An online survey asking gardeners to report ornamentals they had noticed invading or taking over their garden resulted in 251 different taxa being reported (including cultivars).
Frost events have resulted in huge economic losses in agriculture. Apple flower buds are susceptible to being damaged by cold weather in early spring, leading to reduced apple production. Applying heat is one of the most effective methods to prevent apple flower bud damage. However, growers generally determine when and how to apply heat in orchards based on their experiences and available labor force, leading to either insufficient heating or energy waste. In this study, a frost protection cyber-physical system (CPCPS) was developed to make heating decisions based on real-time ambient temperature and wind direction data. The CPCPS consisted of a real-time temperature sensing system, an angle auto-adjusted heater, and an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) to move the heating system. The results show that the CPCPS improved protection performance during the field tests.
North Central IPM Center Updates
Highlights include:
-2024 NCIPMC Grant Awards,
-Asian Longhorned Tick webinar
-Hemp Pest Guide
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Marks National Invasive Species Awareness Week with Update on Spotted Lanternfly and Box Tree Moth Management (mass.gov | February 26, 2024)
In recognition of National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW), the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is reminding residents to observe and report any sightings of invasive species that they might find. NISAW, which runs from February 26 to March 3, calls attention to invasive species, the threats they pose, and what can be done to prevent their spread. This year, MDAR is taking the opportunity to highlight the agency’s work managing infestations of spotted lanternfly and box tree moth.
UF/IFAS unveils online tool: Stay ahead of termite risk with an interactive distribution map (blogs.ifas.ufl.edu | February 20, 2024)
Termites cause billions of dollars a year in damages to homes, trees and other wooden structures across America.
In Florida, termite infestations are a year-round risk for properties and trees. While they are not swarming year-round, they consistently forage and develop new colonies, leaving signs of their presence.
Fortunately, scientists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) have developed ways to show your risk with an online interactive termite distribution map. This tool helps residents, property owners and pest control operators know risks of infestations and how to limit that risk through proactive science-based approaches.
The Entomological Society of America's Better Common Names Project (entsoc.org)
The Entomological Society of America's Better Common Names Project aims to ensure that insect common names are respectful, inclusive, and accurately descriptive.
In 2021, ESA adopted new policies for insect common names to be accepted into the ESA Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms List. The updated criteria bar names referencing ethnic or racial groups and names that might stoke fear; the policies also discourage geographic references, particularly for invasive species.
The criteria are applied to all newly adopted insect common names, and the Better Common Names Project is tasked with reviewing existing insect common names and guiding adoption of new names to replace those that no longer meet ESA's current common name policies.
National Invasive Species Awareness Week - Resource Toolkit (nisaw.org)
Agencies, organizations, educators, businesses, and individuals: Nobody knows your community’s invasive species challenges and solutions like you do. We hope you make NISAW your own!
NYS Spotted Lanternfly Outreach Zoom Meeting,
10AM Tuesday March 26th, 2024.
It has been a while since our last meeting so it’s time to get caught up on the new locations SLF has been found, recent work in the state, and what we might expect this growing season.
Zoom Link for the March 26th meeting. https://cornell.zoom.us/j/93530523142?pwd=ZE9POTluSUhZMlRJdjNUNlZPZmV1QT09
(A reminder with an agenda and full Zoom invitation will be sent via this listserv in March.)
New SLF webinar recording available:
Review of Spotted Lanternfly Updates and Findings in PA Vineyards
Penn State has a team of research and extension specialists that have collaborated for several years to learn more about SLF's biology, population dynamics, feeding hosts, and impacts. This webinar provides a review of SLF in the context of recent research and observations and impacts on grapevine health and commercial vineyard management.
View webinar here: https://psu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/SLF+Webinar/1_kcx2kikz
NRCS Seeks Public Comment on 8 Conservation Practices
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to eight national conservation practice standards. Comments are due March 4, 2024.
Proposed revisions to the national conservation practice standards include:
- Field Border (Code 386)
- Filter Strip (Code 393)
- Grazing Management (Code 528)
- Hedgerow Planting (Code 422)
- Mulching (Code 484)
- Seasonal Water Management for Wildlife (Code 646)
- Structure for Water Control (Code 587), and
- Wetland Restoration (Code 657).
Proposed text can be found on this NRCS webpage. Changes are included in this notice on the Federal Register. Comments should be submitted via regulations.gov or via mail by March 4, 2024.
Tickborne disease prevention survey
A master's student in the integrative biological diversity program at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT. Is conducting their thesis with the tickborne disease prevention laboratory looking at the effects of mowing frequency, including not mowing, on the behavior of blacklegged ticks. Currently, they are conducting a 5-minute survey on the mowing practices of CT residents to help inform their study design.
The survey is found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ctlawn
How soil health is a factor in the determination of farmland prices
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.
The link to the survey is here: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6kS2mTbjF1aIKvY
National Needs Assessment: DEIA programming in IPM
Katie Hartmann is the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) for the North Central IPM Center at Iowa State University. She is conducting a national needs assessment of IPM professionals to understand their efforts regarding DEIA topics. The purpose of this study is to understand the IPM programs being facilitated in the country and IPM professionals’ level of comfort and/or needs in regard to incorporating DEIA into their work. So, if you are an IPM professional please consider taking part in her survey.
Webinars, Seminars, Meetings, and More
Save the Date!
The 11th International IPM Symposium
March 3 – 5, 2025
San Diego, CA
This is an excellent opportunity for state IPM program directors and ARDP PDs to meet USDA NIFA presentation requirements.
The Symposium is a key conference that cuts across IPM issues and offers much in the way of highlighting current issues in IPM, presentations on current research and developments, and valuable networking for stakeholders.
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!
March 1st: Changes to Home Garden Insecticide in NY | Tick Blitz
April 5th: Weed ID | Rats in Vegetable Gardens
May 3rd: No-Mow May | What to do with Grass Clippings
June 7th: Tick & Mosquito Yard Treatments | Myth: Mosquito Repellent Plants
July 5th: Japanese Beetle Management | Aphid-Eating Insects
August 2nd: Spotted Lanternfly Update | Box Tree Moth Update
September 6th: Back to School: Bed Bugs | Head Lice
October 4th: Identifying Pests in Your Home
November 1st: 2024 Tick Blitz Results | No Spray Needed
December 6th: Feed the Birds | Repurposing a Holiday Tree
- 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.
The Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium has winter sessions scheduled in March
- Link: https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/news-events/northeast-extension-fruit-consortium
- Pre-registration is required. The session information:
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”.
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.
Joint Spring Meeting of NH Arborists Association, NH Landscape Association, and UNH Extension
Tuesday, March 19, 2024, Concord, NH
A full day of educational sessions, networking, and fun at the Joint Spring Meeting. Learn about the latest updates in tree pests and diseases, shoreland protection rules, ANSI standards, and OSHA regulations. Hear from tree care and landscape industry colleagues on topics including construction planning and damage mitigation, right plant/right place, and integrated landscape design.
For more information and to register.
Email Amy Papineau at amy.papineau@unh.edu with any questions.
2024 Webinar Series for Greenhouse, Nursery & Garden Center Professionals
Join UNH Cooperative Extension and other experts to sharpen and refresh plant production skills. These monthly webinars on a variety of topics are intended to provide practical training for greenhouse, nursery and garden center professionals, although all are welcome to attend. One New England pesticide applicator recertification credit has been applied for each event.
Register for one, multiple or all of the interactive, Online Classes
2024 Class Dates:
March 26 - Mixing a Spray Tank - Jonathan Ebba
April 30 - Mycorrhizae - Dr. Anissa Poleatewich
June 25 - Growing Media (types, components, attributes) - Jonathan Ebba
July 30 - Considerations for Growing with Wood Fiber - Jonathan Ebba & Mark Sanford
August 27 - Thielaviopsis Control - Dr. Bo Liu
September 24 - Injecting a Drench - Jonathan Ebba
October 29 - Renewable Energy Sources for Greenhouse Environmental Control - Dr. Md Sazan Rahman
November 26 - Mealybug - Dr. Amber Vinchesi-Vahl
December 17 - Fertilizer Selection Basics/Water Analysis - Jonathan Ebba
If you have questions or would like assistance registering for or accessing the webinars, including language access, please contact Jonathan at Jonathan.Ebba@unh.edu
2024 International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certification Training
Dates:
Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
This training program is designed to assist green industry professionals in obtaining the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist designation. All Sessions are in person and include a snow-date. (See Dates and Sessions Descriptions Below)
Attendees of this program will gain an increased knowledge of practices pertaining to the care of trees including tree biology and identification, proper pruning, and safety, soils, tree health and diagnosis. ISA Certified arborists may also attend select sessions for review and qualify for Continuing Education Units (CEUs). DEC Pesticide recertification credits have been applied for but have not yet been granted for sessions. This training may be eligible for Landscape Architect CEUs. A Certificate of Attendance will be issued. Contact the NYS Dept. of Ed for further information.
LOCATION: Carmel, NY (Putnam County)
Registration: Registration Options (donorperfect.net)
Invasive Plant Management Workshop
Register here: Planting Westchester Invasive Species Workshop Registration (arcgis.com)
Date: March 20, 2024
Time: 8:30am until 12:30pm
Location:
Westchester County Center
198 Central Ave
White Plains, NY 10606
8:30am to 9:30am- Matthew Aiello-Lammens
In this talk, he’ll be going over basics of invasive species, some impacts of invasive species, the invasion curve that shows how cost of management increases as in invasion spreads, etc.. Examples I use are pretty high level, but include glossy buckthorn (near and dear to my heart), kudzu, barberry (because of the connections to lyme disease), and likely SLF and EAB. He talks about the impacts of climate change and fragmentation, and he wraps up on some planning tools that are available to managers to help decide which invasive species and/or land areas to prioritize.
9:45am to 10:45am -Kristy King
Public engagement in habitat restoration and invasive species management in NYC
10:45am to 11am- Blind Brook High School
Case Study on removing invasives from Blind Brook HS property
11:15am to 12:15pm- Taro Ietaka
Early Detection/Eradication of Invasive Plant Species in Westchester County with the following examples:
- Incised fumewort along the Bronx River
- Yellow Archangel @ Silverlake
- Chocolate vine and Kalopanax at Read Sanctuary
- Paper mulberry and Western Ragweed at Croton Point (ongoing)
- (ongoing) Toringo Crabapple at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
- Fanwort at Cranberry Lake (currently a failure but it hasn’t spread. Yet.)
Talk would include how we survey, partner with outside organizations esp. LHPRISM’s Invasive Strike Force, work within County’s restrictions on pesticide use, etc.
12:15pm to 12:30pm- Q&A all speakers
Plant Propagation Workshop Series (via Zoom)
Learn basics of sexual propagation, vegetative propagation, and micropropagation taught by Dr. Mark Bridgen, Professor of Horticulture at Cornell University and teacher of plant propagation & micropropagation for over 30 years.
Dates/Times: Wednesdays, February 28-May 8, 2024 (no class on March 20 and April 17)
2-4pm (EST)
3 modules, with 3 two-hour sessions within each module
Participants can attend all modules or register for individual modules.
Fee: $150 per person/per module. All three modules: $400. Save $50!
Participants must have access to Zoom to participate in real time. Lectures will be recorded and available to participants after live sessions.
Module #1 – Sexual Plant Propagation: March 6 & 13
Description: Introduction to plant propagation, biology of plant propagation, terminology,
and the propagation environment including microclimatic conditions (relative humidity,
temperature, light, & gases), edaphic factors (propagation media, nutrients, and water), and
biotic factors. Also, basics of seed propagation and seed dormancy including exogenous
dormancy, physical dormancy, seed scarification, chemical dormancy, endogenous dormancy,
physiological dormancy, seed stratification, morphological dormancy, and double dormancy.
Module #2 – Vegetative/Asexual Plant Propagation: March 27, April 3 & April 10
Description: Introduction to vegetative propagation, terminology, rooting hormones, cutting
propagation, management of stock plants, treatment of cuttings, environmental manipulations
of cuttings, propagation media, stem cuttings, (hardwood, semi-hardwood, softwood,
herbaceous), grafting (types of grafts), propagation by specialized stems & roots (bulbs,
corms, tubers, tuberous roots, rhizomes, etc.), layering, division, and separation.
Module #3 – Plant Micropropagation: April 24, May 1, & May 8
Description: What is plant tissue culture, uses of plant tissue culture, what is plant
micropropagation, history of micropropagation, media components and preparation,
laboratory supplies, equipment and design, stages of micropropagation: Stage 0 (stock plant
selection and preparation), Stage 1 (initiation & establishment in vitro), Stage 2
(multiplication), Stage 3 (in vitro rooting and conditioning), and Stage 4 (acclimating &
hardening off).
Online registration at: https://plantpropagation.securepayments.cardpointe.com/pay
For more information contact Shari Romar at sr369@cornell.edu or 917-747-2286.
NEVBD is accepting applications to the 2024 Vector Biology Boot Camp! This no-cost program provides hands-on training in tick and mosquito biology, behavior, ecology, taxonomy, and more. Ideal program applicants include non-academic professionals with limited experience in key components of tick or mosquito surveillance and/or control, whose job duties specifically involve vector surveillance and/or control.
Applications are required. Lodging and meals provided. Attendees responsible for own travel; assistance may be available on an individual basis.
WHEN: Tuesday May 21 – Thursday May 23, 2024
WHERE: MaineHealth Vector Ecology Lab, 81 Research Drive, Scarborough, ME 04074
HOW TO APPLY: Submit an application by Friday March 1, 2024. There is no fee to apply or register.
You can access the application form here or visit our Vector Biology Boot Camp website at https://www.neregionalvectorcenter.com/vector-biology-boot-camp.
Resilient Long Island Symposium • March 7-9 (15% off discount code: IPM)
At the Resilient Long Island Symposium, community members, researchers, and professionals are invited to learn how to foster resilient ecological communities. After learning about native plants, invasive species management strategies, restoration practices, and more, attendees will be inspired to take action. Hosted by the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area and Long Island Native Plant Initiative, expect three action-packed days of presentations, interactive workshops, a poster session, and more! Remote option and CEU Credits Available! Learn more and get tickets here: https://liisma.org/resilientli-2024/
MUSEUMPESTS WORKING GROUP PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
We are excited to meet with in-person again this year. We are grateful to Jessica Pace and NYU Libraries for their ability and willingness to host us in New York.
The program is scheduled for 2.5 days, beginning with a half-day of presentations and a behind the scenes tour of Bobst Library on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 20th. On March 21 and 22, 9-5:00 U.S. Eastern we will focus on developing online content for the MuseumPests.net website and planning a virtual presentation session with UK Pest Odyssey colleagues. Our goal is to integrate a few online Zoom check-ins with colleagues who are unable to attend in-person. Projects and goals for the work sessions will be posted on the MuseumPests.net Blog with more details provided after registration.
As in past years, there is no fee for attending the program, but participants are responsible for their own travel, room, and board. RSVP’s will be accepted through March 8, 2024 or until spots are filled. Priority will be given to returning participants on a first-come, first-served basis and to new participants who are actively involved in an IPM program in their institution. Please RSVP via Google Forms.
Please note: The MPWG meetings do not teach IPM and are only appropriate for individuals working with an active IPM program. For more information on the working group meetings please contact MPWG Co-Chairs Adam Osgood or Rachael Arenstein at chair@museumpests.net with “MPWG 2024 Meeting” in the subject line.
Penn State's Southeast Agricultural Research & Extension Center - Summer Research Assistant
The SEAREC Internship is a comprehensive experiential learning program. Each summer, 3 to 6 individuals are invited to work beside educators and faculty to conduct research and produce crops from May through August.
Participants in the program support vegetable, small fruit, floriculture, industrial hemp, field crop and environmental research and education. Students matriculated at any college or university may apply for the position.
Enrichment programming is provided through invited guest lectures, field trips, professional development, and events throughout the summer. Past topics have included environmental health and safety, self-mentorship, plant nutrition, biological control, permaculture, resume building, and ag careers. Past interns have gone on to successful positions in natural resource management, non-profit farm management, floriculture, agricultural industry support, public service, and post-graduate study.
Employment Opportunities
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.
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
- 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:
Director - UMass Cranberry Station / Extension Associate/Full Professor
The University of Massachusetts is seeking an experienced scientist, innovative leader and Extension educator to serve in a full-time, 12-month appointment as Extension Associate or Full Professor and Director of the UMass Cranberry Station located in East Wareham, Massachusetts. The Director will provide: 1) vision, support, and coordination in planning, developing and implementing departmental programs in research and extension in accordance with the Land Grant Mission; 2) leadership in recruiting and fostering academic growth and professional development of faculty, staff, and students; 3) administration of human, physical and financial resources; and 4) promotion of external funding opportunities. The successful candidate will report to the Director of the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment.
Please submit applications by March 1, 2024 in order to ensure priority consideration. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Questions about the position may be directed to averill@eco.umass.edu.
Postdoctoral Associate – Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS) – Plant Bioengineering Team - Ithaca • Van Eck Laboratory
A postdoctoral associate position is available at The Boyce Thompson Institute, located on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, NY. The postdoctoral associate will be part of an exciting NSF-funded Science and Technology Center (CROPPS) (
) that is an interdisciplinary and interinstitutional initiative focused on innovative technologies and approaches for two-way communication with plants to be realized.
The postdoctoral associate will be part of a team involved in development of innovative, efficient, and high-throughput plant genetic engineering methodologies, including robotics and automation approaches, especially for the crops (tomato, cotton, maize) that are the focus of CROPPS. A high priority goal is development of in-planta (non-tissue culture) transformation and gene editing approaches that do not require plant tissue culture methods. In parallel with this effort will be investigation of novel plant cell delivery methods. The successful candidate will have opportunities to collaborate with groups at the participating institutions along with gaining leadership and mentoring skills as part of CROPPS. Projects will involve collaboration with a vibrant group of engineers and biologists, including roboticists (https://www.mae.cornell.edu/faculty-directory/robert-f-shepherd), biomolecular engineers (https://chemistry.cornell.edu/christopher-alabi) and researchers whose work builds on synthetic biology.
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Entomology
Applied Entomology Laboratory at the University of Maine is looking to hire a postdoctoral research associate to conduct research on insects of economic importance to the potato industry. Responsibilities include performing field, laboratory, and greenhouse experiments on the University of Maine campus in Orono and on Aroostook Research Farm in Presque Isle, curating and analyzing data, and preparing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Education associated with a Ph.D. degree in Entomology, Biology, Zoology, or related field is required by date of hire. This position is grant-funded for one year, with an extension possible for a total duration of up to 4.5 years, depending on satisfactory performance and funding availability.
Detailed job description and application instructions are available at https://umaine.hiretouch.com/job-details?jobid=83758. Screening of applications will start on March 15 and continue until a suitable applicant is found. For questions about the search, please contact search committee chair Andrei Alyokhin at alyokhin@maine.edu or 207-581-2977.
WNY PRISM is currently seeking a new Aquatic Invasive Species Program Manager to join our team!
The Aquatic Invasive Species Program Manager (Program Manager) will work to engage the public and partners in aquatic invasive species spread prevention and management. The primary role for the Program Manager is to coordinate WNY PRISM’s Watercraft Inspection Stewardship Program which includes up to 13 public boat launches staffed weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Program Manager will be responsible for all aspects of WISP including partner communications, permissions, hiring, training and supervising Boat Stewards, data management, and reporting. Additional program responsibilities will include early detection and response efforts, additional AIS survey and removal efforts, facilitation of the WNY Water Chestnut Working Group, and collaboration with partners on regional priorities.
For more information, to view the full job description, and to apply, please visit: https://www.rfhiring.com/JobDesc.asp?JobID=237.
This is a full-time position located in Buffalo, NY. The position will remain open until filled. Please follow all applications instructions as failure to do so may disqualify you from the position.
Questions about this position may be directed to Andrea Locke, WNY PRISM Coordinator, at lockeas@buffalostate.edu. No phone calls, please.
Virginia Tech - Invasive Species Working Group (ISWG)
Virginia Tech is seeking applicants for seven tenure track positions associated with the Invasive Species Working Group (ISWG). These new faculty positions will be housed within several colleges and academic units across campus as part of a large university wide interdisciplinary investment (Destination Area Phase 2) to make Virginia Tech a center of excellence in the science, policy, and management of invasive species at state, national, and international levels.
The collaboration amongst new hires and existing faculty is paramount, and will enhance flagship programs in a broad range of disciplines and build on the broad foundation developed by the ISWG. This long-term vision will create a strong interdisciplinary team of Virginia Tech faculty working on one of the top five global threats, addressing invasive species research, teaching, and outreach. We are seeking individuals who possess the skills to bridge disciplinary divides, drive innovative solutions, and engage in team science to apply for the following positions (associated college homes are indicated).
Please note that positions will be announced throughout the 2024 calendar year.
Environmental Law and Policy – Closes March 15th, 2024
Invasive Species Research and Extension – Closes April 8th, 2024
Community Science Coordinator, Native Plant Trust (Wayland, MA)
Native Plant Trust
We seek a Community Science Coordinator to work with two of Native Plant Trust’s core initiatives—the New England Plant Conservation Program (NEPCoP) and the Plant Conservation Volunteer (PCV) program—which engage professional and community volunteers in rare species monitoring, habitat management, reintroduction and augmentation projects, and long-term conservation planning. We work closely with Natural Heritage programs and conservation organizations in all six New England states.
Position Summary
The Community Science Coordinator is responsible for developing and administering the Plant Conservation Volunteer (PCV) program and managing data on the conservation of plants in New England.
WNY PRISM is Hiring! All 2024 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, time frames 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.
Education and Outreach Assistant
The WNY PRISM Education and Outreach Assistant will work closely with WNY PRISM staff and partners to implement and expand our education, outreach and community science programs, and will report directly to the WNY PRISM Community Science and Engagement Program Manager. Education efforts are essential to the success of the partnership and are integrated into nearly all aspects of WNY PRISM’s work. The selected candidate will help maintain the WNY PRISM social media accounts and Listserv, prepare e-newsletters, develop invasive species educational materials and content for the website, upload and organize photos, organize and lead education events, maintain detailed records, and communicate with partners. In addition, the Education and Outreach Assistant will assist with invasive species management activities such as invasive species surveys, removal and habitat restoration projects, as needed.
The deadline for applications is Friday, March 15, 2024.
Invasive Species Management Assistants
The WNY PRISM Invasive Species Management Assistants (3) will work closely with the WNY PRISM Terrestrial Program Manager, Field Crew Leader and partners to implement invasive species prevention, early detection, management, and habitat restoration projects within the 8-county WNY PRISM region. The selected candidates will conduct invasive species surveys and assessments, assist with priority invasive species removal and restoration projects, provide project reports and may assist with outreach events such as tabling at farmers’ markets. Invasive species removal efforts will include use of both manual and chemical (herbicide) methods. This is primarily a field position, and the selected candidates can expect to spend the majority of their time working outdoors in remote locations and will experience inclement weather conditions.
The deadline for applications is Friday, March 22, 2024.
Watercraft Inspection Steward/Environmental Educators
The WNY PRISM Watercraft Inspection Steward Program is designed to prevent the transport, spread and establishment of aquatic invasive species while increasing public awareness of this threat. WNY PRISM Watercraft Inspection Steward/Environmental Educators (Stewards) are an essential component of this program and will represent WNY PRISM while working toward improving environmental health. Stewards will interact daily with the public at boat launches performing boat inspections to remove visible aquatic plants and animals from all types of watercraft and will be responsible for public education and distribution of educational materials. Removal of aquatic plants and animals will help to prevent the transport and spread of aquatic invasive species. Stewards will also have the opportunity to assist with invasive species survey and removal projects, such as early detection/rapid response and control efforts, to monitor and reduce established populations of both aquatic and terrestrial invasive species. This is a field position and candidates should expect to spend the majority of their time outdoors.
WNY PRISM is hiring 11 Stewards and 2 Lead Stewards. Lead Stewards will assist the Program Manager with training, scheduling, supervision and reporting for the Watercraft Inspection Stewardship Program.
Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Applications will be reviewed beginning Friday, March 22, 2024.
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 April 15 – November 1, 2024 (40 hours/week, $23.00/hour). 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. Position is dependent upon final approval of funding.
Position comes with paid holidays and sick leave and is based out of the WNY PRISM Office on the SUNY Buffalo State University Campus in Buffalo, NY.
For more information, to view the full job description, and to apply, please visit: https://www.rfhiring.com/jobDesc.asp?JobID=241.
The deadline for applications is Friday, March 15, 2024.
Want to work for the EPA? The agency is preparing for a substantial hiring push in 2024
The Environmental Protection Agency is looking to bring on 1,000 new employees and interns this year as it attempts to continue growing its rolls after years of staffing reductions.
The agency launched a new campaign—”BeEPA”—and is holding a series of outreach events throughout the country this week to raise awareness of the job postings. EPA has openings at its Washington headquarters and each of its 10 regional offices, officials said, and the roles include scientists, engineers, grant managers, attorneys and IT professionals.
Invasive Species Strike Team Technician
The Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) is looking to hire 3 motivated & reliable Invasive Species Strike Team Technicians to join us in controlling invasive species throughout the Catskills this season:
One Aquatic Strike Team Technician & 2 Terrestrial Strike Team Technicians.
Postdoctoral Scholar- Lieurance Invasion Science Lab
We are hiring a postdoctoral scholar in the Lieurance Invasion Science Lab at Penn State University to work on projects related to improving our understanding of the invasion risk of nonnative species to enhance the way we inform invasive species prevention and management. My research program utilizes techniques to measure plant chemistry, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and other traits to advance our understanding of why some nonnative species become invasive and how biological invasions are affected by climate change. This is a term appointment in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management funded for one year from date of hire, with excellent possibility of funding for a second year.
Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program – Organic Transitions
The overall goal of the Organic Transitions Program (ORG) is to support the development and implementation of research, extension and higher education programs to improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crop producers, as well as those who are adopting organic practices. NIFA administers the ORG program by determining priorities in U.S. agriculture through Agency stakeholder input processes in consultation with the NAREEEAB. ORG will continue to prioritize environmental services provided by organic farming systems in the area of soil conservation, pollinator health, and climate change mitigation, including greenhouse gases (GHG), as well as the development of educational tools for Cooperative Extension personnel and other agricultural professionals who advise producers on organic practices, and development of cultural practices and other allowable alternatives to substances recommended for removal from the National Organic Program’s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. It is expected that all projects will integrate research, education and extension activities, as appropriate to project goals, although some projects may be weighted more heavily than others in one or more of these areas. However, all proposals should have activities and impact in research and at least one of the other areas: education and extension.
The technical assistance webinar related to this FY 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: March 7, 2024
Estimated Total Program Funding: $7,500,000
Apply For Grant Download RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program Pre-Applications
NIFA requests pre-applications for the ECDRE program to address priorities identified by the Citrus Disease Sub-committee (CDS) of the National Agricultural Research, Education, Extension and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board through projects that integrate research and extension activities and use systems-based, trans-disciplinary approaches to provide solutions to U.S. citrus growers.
The overarching goals and desired outcomes for the ECDRE program are:
- To combat Huanglongbing (HLB) and its disease complex in order to continue to be able to farm citrus in a financially sustainable way through collaborative approaches and knowledge;
- Transition from component-focused research to deploying research outcomes and conclusions on farms; and
- Encourage research teams to bring knowledge together to find grower solutions to combat and prevent HLB infection.
The ECDRE program will address these needs through the promotion of collaboration, open communication, the exchange of information, and the development of resources that accelerate application of scientific discovery and technology to farm-level solutions for HLB.
Proposals funded by the ECDRE program in FY 2024 will provide a plan for addressing one or more of the nine priority needs (priorities listed in order of importance) to target grower needs with a focus on producer implementation.
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.
Apply For Grant Download RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
|
Partnership and Graduate Student Research Grant Programs Call for Proposals Two Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant programs are calling for 2024 proposals. Northeast SARE’s Administrative Council has allocated $750,000 for Partnership Grants and $500,000 for Graduate Student Research Grants. Northeast SARE – including funding decisions – is guided by its outcome statement: “Northeast agricultural communities honor the holistic connection among land, water, air, and all living beings. Agriculture in the Northeast is accessible, sustainable, and just, addressing historic and current inequities so all farmers and farm employees can steward resources to ensure sustainability, resilience, economic viability, and a high quality of life.”
Partnership Grants fund researchers, educators and agricultural service providers working in direct partnership with farmers in the Northeast. Funded projects will design and implement innovative solutions to agricultural sustainability challenges, and strengthen connections between farmers and agricultural service providers. Partnership Grant proposals are capped at $30,000; about 30 projects will be awarded. Proposals are due April 9, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EST. View the Partnership Grant Call
Graduate Student Research Grants fund students conducting research under the supervision of a faculty advisor on sustainable agriculture topics of importance to Northeast farmers, agricultural researchers, and farm support professionals. Graduate Student Research Grant proposals are capped at $15,000; about 30 projects will be awarded. Proposals are due April 16, 2024,5:00 p.m. EST. View the Graduate Student Research Grant Call
Live question and answer sessions for both the Graduate Student Research and Partnership grant programs will take place throughout March and into April. These sessions are a great opportunity for potential applicants to learn if a Northeast SARE Grant is right for them. They are also a chance to build understanding around how to successfully write and manage Northeast SARE grants.
Partnership Grant Q&A sessions will take place March 5, 13, 19, and 27 from noon-1:00 p.m. EST. Register for a Partnership Grant Q&A Session
Graduate Student Research Grant Q&A sessions will take place March 12, 20, 26, and April 3 from noon-1 p.m. EST. Register for a Graduate Student Grant Q&A Session
|