IPM News and Events Roundup 04/12/2024
A weekly collection of IPM news, webinars, employment, funding opportunities, and more from the Northeastern IPM Center
If you have IPM-related research, events, or other IPM news you would like to have included, please email Jerrie Haines at jlh472@cornell.edu. If you would like to subscribe to the weekly Roundup, please email northeastipm@cornell.edu. Past Roundups are archived on our website.
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Northeastern IPM Center News
The Biology and Management of Common Invasive Plants in the Northeastern U.S. and Southern Canada with Dr. Antonio DiTommaso Recorded February 27, 2024
This presentation focused on the biology and management (both chemical and non-chemical) of ten common invasive plants in the northeastern United States and southern Canada. Species covered include Japanese knotweed, buckthorn, swallowworts, honeysuckles, bindweeds, multiflora rose, and Japanese stiltgrass.
The Use of IPM in Beekeeping to Control Parasitic Varroa Mites with Dr. Robyn Underwood Recorded March 11, 2024
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.
Kosher, Halal and Insects: How do they relate? with Dr. Joe Regenstein Recorded March 25, 2024
Kosher and halal food regulations are an important part of the food industry. Both religious systems are concerned about the practices of modern agriculture including the role of insects and similar animal species. This talk will introduce these dietary laws and then look specifically at how each religion views insects in the food and feed context.
EPA / FDA / USDA News
Biden-Harris Administration Takes Action to Cut PFAS from U.S. Government Custodial Contracts
April 8, 2024, in a move aimed at better protecting the health of custodial staff, federal employees, and the environment, the Biden-Harris Administration is directing government contractors to purchase cleaning products for federal buildings that are free of toxic “forever chemicals.” This change is the result of a collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to implement President Biden’s Federal Sustainability Plan, which directs federal agencies to prioritize the purchase of sustainable products and services including products without added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” The change is reflected in GSA’s custodial specification. Contractors will be required to use products certified to ecolabels such as EPA’s Safer Choice which meet strict criteria for human health and the environment by using effective, safer chemical alternatives, as well as certain Green Seal® certifications.
“Everyone deserves protection from the harmful effects of forever chemicals, including the workers who use cleaning products, federal employees, and those who visit government buildings every day,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA has well recognized and established tools to help our partners in the federal government identify cleaning products that use safer ingredients and do not contain intentionally added PFAS to keep people safe and healthy.”
“As the largest single buyer of goods and services in the world, the federal government can play a big role in helping reduce PFAS through its purchasing,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “Changing the requirements in our contracts is a way to answer President Biden’s call for the federal government to lead by example in buying sustainable products and services.”
Currently, GSA’s Public Building Service has more than 600 contracts for custodial services at more than 1,500 U.S. government-owned buildings at a cost of more than $400 million per year and expects that most of these contracts will include the new specifications within five years. The updated specification requires that contractors use cleaners and hand soaps must be certified to the EPA Safer Choice, Green Seal® GS-37, Green Seal® GS-41, or Green Seal® GS-53 certifications, which do not allow intentionally added PFAS in product formulations. This is in addition to meeting federal statutory requirements, including the minimum biobased content requirement set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s BioPreferred Program.
To assist federal buyers, program managers and vendors working with federal agencies, EPA and GSA collaborated on several steps to make it easier to identify and buy products, such as cleaning products, that do not contain PFAS, including:
- GSA’s SFTool (Sustainable Facilities Tool) Product Search has a “PFAS Addressed” filter to browse for products certified to ecolabels and standards that are required for use in federal purchasing.
- GSA’s Advantage shopping and ordering website is now enhanced to make it easier to find products that are Safer Choice-certified.
- EPA’s Safer Choice Program is offering a webinar on April 9, 2024, from 2-3 p.m. ET, on how updates to federal purchasing and GSA Advantage provide further incentives for businesses to acquire and maintain Safer Choice certification for their products, as well as how product manufacturers can feature their product benefits in GSA Advantage. Product manufacturers and purchasers are encouraged to attend.
Learn more about GSA’s National Custodial Specifications.
Learn more about EPA’s Safer Choice program.
Learn more about EPA’s recommended standards and ecolabels and how they address PFAS.
About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing approximately $100 billion in annual contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow @USGSA.
April 10, the Biden-Harris Administration issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as ‘forever chemicals.’ Exposure to PFAS has been linked to deadly cancers, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children. This final rule represents the most significant step to protect public health under EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap. The final rule will reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses. Today’s announcement complements President Biden’s government-wide action plan to combat PFAS pollution.
Through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, EPA is also making unprecedented funding available to help ensure that all people have clean and safe water. In addition to today’s final rule, EPA is announcing nearly $1 billion in newly available funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states and territories implement PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems and to help owners of private wells address PFAS contamination. This is part of a $9 billion investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help communities with drinking water impacted by PFAS and other emerging contaminants – the largest-ever investment in tackling PFAS pollution. An additional $12 billion is available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for general drinking water improvements, including addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan will join White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory to announce the final standard today at an event in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In 2017, area residents learned that the Cape Fear River, the drinking water source for 1 million people in the region, had been heavily contaminated with PFAS pollution from a nearby manufacturing facility. Today’s announcements will help protect communities like Fayetteville from further devastating impacts of PFAS.
“Drinking water contaminated with PFAS has plagued communities across this country for too long,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “That is why President Biden has made tackling PFAS a top priority, investing historic resources to address these harmful chemicals and protect communities nationwide. Our PFAS Strategic Roadmap marshals the full breadth of EPA’s authority and resources to protect people from these harmful forever chemicals. Today, I am proud to finalize this critical piece of our Roadmap, and in doing so, save thousands of lives and help ensure our children grow up healthier.”
Range-wide genetic analysis of an endangered bumble bee (Bombus affinis, Hymenoptera: Apidae) reveals population structure, isolation by distance, and low colony abundance (academic.oup.com)
Declines in bumble bee species range and abundances are documented across multiple continents and have prompted the need for research to aid species recovery and conservation. The rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) is the first federally listed bumble bee species in North America. We conducted a range-wide population genetics study of B. affinis from across all extant conservation units to inform conservation efforts. To understand the species’ vulnerability and help establish recovery targets, we examined population structure, patterns of genetic diversity, and population differentiation. Additionally, we conducted a site-level analysis of colony abundance to inform prioritizing areas for conservation, translocation, and other recovery actions. We find substantial evidence of population structuring along an east-to-west gradient. Putative populations show evidence of isolation by distance, high inbreeding coefficients, and a range-wide male diploidy rate of ~15%.
New video on sampling berries for spotted wing drosophila to guide your IPM program (canr.msu.edu)
Managing spotted wing drosophila is a critical component of integrated pest management (IPM) programs for most berry growers. The initial response to this invasive species was to adopt calendar spray programs to protect berries, but there is growing awareness of the potential for reducing sprays to times when we are confident the fruit are at risk. This requires information on the level of fruit infestation. A simple berry sampling method has been developed that can indicate when berries are free of spotted wing drosophila or are starting to be infested. This information can guide informed decisions to delay the start of spraying or stretching spray intervals. It might also be used to make product selection decisions.
To help train people on how to prepare and process berry samples to detect spotted wing drosophila, Michigan State University Extension has prepared a short video that explains the approach to use. The video is just over 8 minutes long, and can be seen here: Filter method for sampling for spotted-wing drosophila larvae - MSU MediaSpace
Greenhouse disease and insect management recommendations for 2024 (canr.msu.edu)
The MSU Extension floriculture team has updated their "Greenhouse Insect Pest Management 2024" guide. It provides a list of recommended products for controlling the most common insect and mite pests found in greenhouse floriculture production systems. Products are presented in a table format that includes the trade name, active ingredient, mode of action (MoA) group, and restricted entry interval (REI). This format is intended to deliver quick and easy access to the information that growers need to manage pests effectively.
Growers of greenhouse vegetables and greens can use the guide "Recommended Insecticides for Common Greenhouse Pests on Vegetables, Herbs, and Leafy Greens" when considering an insecticide application. The guide provides the names of the products, active ingredients, labeled crops and the pests they control. For more information on the guide, see the MSU article "Insecticides for Common Pests on Greenhouse Vegetables and Transplants."
Nighttime Applications of Germicidal Ultraviolet Light (UV-C) to Suppress Cercospora Leaf Spot in Table Beet (apsjournals.apsnet.org)
Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by the hemibiotrophic fungus Cercospora beticola, is a destructive disease affecting table beet. Multiple applications of fungicides are needed to reduce epidemic progress to maintain foliar health and enable mechanized harvest. The sustainability of CLS control is threatened by the rapid development of fungicide resistance, the need to grow commercially acceptable yet CLS-susceptible cultivars, and the inability to manipulate agronomic conditions to mitigate disease risk. Nighttime applications of germicidal ultraviolet light (UV-C) have recently been used to suppress several plant diseases, notably those caused by ectoparasitic biotrophs such as powdery mildews. We evaluated the efficacy of nighttime applications of UV-C for suppression of CLS in table beet. In vitro lethality of UV-C to germinating conidia increased with increasing dose, with complete suppression at 1,000 J/m2.
Foliar urea applications to apple trees increase yeast assimilable nitrogen, amino acids, and flavor volatiles in fruit and hard cider (sciencedirect.com)
Highlights
- Foliar urea can benefit cider apple orchards by increasing fruit nitrogen content, as well as improving general tree health.
- The total fruit yield and fruit efficiency did not differ among foliar urea treatments.
- Foliar urea applications did not affect total phenolics, titratable acidity, pH, soluble solids concentration, fruit ripeness, or fruit size.
- Fermentation kinetics, amino acids, and yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) in juices increased with the number of foliar urea applications.
- The differences among treatments were sensorily distinguishable by untrained panelists.
Boxwood Blight Risk Model (uspest.org | via Betsy Lamb)
“USPEST Boxwood Blight Risk Model App, just type in your zip code and you will be able to see a forecast. You can also go to uspest.org and put in your zip code to get growing degree day information and a variety of different pest models. There is an option for push notifications which will send you an email, and a mypest page where you can choose which information you want to see when you visit the website. For the latter, go to https://uspest.org/wea/ “
Single Green Female: Did One Praying Mantis Give Rise to an All-Female Species? (entomologytoday.org | April 11, 2024)
If you sweep a net in just the right spot in grassy fields along the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts—from eastern Texas to central North Carolina—you might encounter something peculiar: the only all-female species of praying mantis.
That’s precisely what three researchers from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, did in 2016 and 2017. The results of those research road trips, published in March in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America, may finally solve the puzzle that is the praying mantid Brunneria borealis, which reproduces entirely asexually.
Pest Talks (growertalks.com | April 8, 2024)
Redheaded flea beetle
- Impact
- Seasonal Activities
- Scouting
- Control of Adults
- Control of Larvae
Following Integrated Pest Management and Global Good Agriculture Practices Training, Bangladesh Catalyzes Mango Export Potential (agrilinks.org)
In just one year, Bangladesh’s mango export volume nearly tripled in size, from 279 tons in 2021 to 791 tons in 2022. But despite that, Bangladesh is the world’s seventh biggest producer of the stone fruit, the country’s $1.5 billion global mango trade is small compared to what it could produce.
One of the greatest barriers to intensifying Bangladesh’s global mango trade is limited application of Good Agriculture Practices (GAP), a prerequisite for exporting mango to foreign super chain shops and markets. The introduction of GAP — a series of safe food practices that lead to certification — at all stages of farm production, processing and packaging, as well as sanitation and quarantine protocols, would be vital for increasing the country’s global market share.
In 2023, the Feed the Future Bangladesh Integrated Pest Management Activity (IPMA), led by Virginia Tech’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Innovation Lab, established a partnership with two private sector entities to support Bangladesh’s implementation of GAP and support the country in reaching its export potential.
Climate change and its impact on invasive pests: A case study (cipm.ncsu.edu)
Climate change is widely recognized as having a global impact on people and the environment. This may occur in multiple ways, including increased air temperatures, changes in precipitation and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, among others, which consequently has an enormous influence on all human activities, particularly agriculture. In recent decades, on the other hand, the intensification of international commerce and agricultural trade has led to invasive species being introduced to new areas, away from their indigenous range. Further, shifts in the geographical distribution of invasive pests, including arthropods, pathogens, and weeds, poses a significant challenge on pest management thus endangering crop production.
Caterpillar 'noses' are surprisingly sophisticated, researchers find (phys.org | April 10, 2024)
Caterpillars have the ability to consume copious amounts of plant materials in a short time. Caterpillars use their antennae to scan their surroundings in order to eat safely in a hostile environment. Researchers of Wageningen University & Research discovered that the tiny caterpillar 'nose' is also surprisingly advanced. This insight can serve to help protect crops without the use of harmful pesticides.
"The 'nose' of the large white caterpillar (Pieris rassicae) has only 34 neurons, while the same insect has about 300,000 neurons when it reaches the stage of adulthood as a butterfly," says entomologist Alexander Haverkamp. "Nonetheless, the organ's functioning and the way information is processed in the brain is equally complex to that of an adult butterfly."
Fungus eating beetle discovered in tomato greenhouse (hortidaily.com | April 11, 2024)
In a Czech tomato greenhouse, a tiny beetle with the ability to consume fungus was discovered. Questions arise regarding its efficacy and potential as a spore vector, prompting further research. Václav Psota with Farma Bezdínek talks about the findings, and the possibilities for integrated crop protection.
"Two years ago, a very tiny beetle was discovered in our tomato crop", says Václav with the Czech greenhouse company Farma Bezdínek. "We observed adults in the mycelium of Cladosporium fulvum (tomato leaf mold). Following the observation demonstrated the beetle ability to consume Cladosporium fulvum tissues."
The taxonomic identification was done by associate professor Jan Bezd?k, an entomologist from Mendel University in Brno, and resulted in species of Sericoderus lateralis.
Maine Farmers Receptive to Seaweed Feed (unh.edu)
New England’s dairy sector continues to evolve in response to significant market challenges associated with higher input and land costs, decreased availability of a skilled labor force and decreasing demand for milk. The dairy farmers who remain—a small fraction of the more than 10,000 who were in the region in the 1950s—must balance production costs and new and innovative marketing opportunities, such as targeting certified organic milk markets, which can set their dairy products apart from conventionally produced milk and garner higher prices. There is also evidence that organic dairy farming can provide environmental benefits—such as reducing methane release—which could further differentiate their products as well as help qualify farms for new government initiatives to reduce methane emissions through innovative management practices, such as adding seaweed to animal feed. The catch? The feed additives can be expensive, which can throw off the careful economic balancing act.
e-GRO Electronic Grower Resources Online
- Hydrangea Leaf Distortion: 2024 Sponsors Hydrangea Ringspot Virus confirmed
- PGRs: Where to Start
- Biostimulants for Greenhouse Ornamental Crop Production
Call for Volunteers!
11th International IPM Symposium Needs You!
We’re looking for volunteers for these committees:
Awards
Students & Early Career Scientists
International
Posters
Silent Auction
Program
Details below!
Be a Part of the Change
Additional volunteers are needed for symposium committees! Responsibilities are outlined here. We will need to move fast to finalize program topics and field trips and begin calls for sessions and awards, so we plan to convene committees in March.
Your Commitment + Reward
The time commitment will be one to ten hours per month depending on the assignment. Past volunteers have found this experience to be professionally and personally rewarding with excellent opportunities for networking and thought leadership!
Where We Stand with Planning IPM Symposium 2025
Our Steering, Finance, Program and Industry Partnership Committees are already in progress and have secured a venue at Paradise Point in San Diego, California for March 3 – 6, 2025.
These committees have worked with engagement specialists Naylor Association Solutions to outline task timelines, begun developing key program topics centered around regional IPM Center priorities, fielded industry input on programming, completed a prospectus for and initiated outreach to potential funders, and begun construction of the new Symposium website.
Thank you for your consideration! Please feel free to reach out to ipmsymposium@ipminstitute.org with any additional questions.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is soliciting public input on a petition submitted by Bayer U.S.-Crop Science (Bayer) to deregulate a corn cultivar developed using genetic engineering. The cultivar is designated as MON95379. It was modified to resist feeding damage caused by target lepidopteran pests, including fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), sugarcane borer (diatraea saccharalis), and corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea). The input we receive during the public comment period will help us identify issues and potential impacts we should consider in our review and determine the appropriate environmental documents to prepare to document our decision.
We are evaluating MON95379 corn under USDA’s legacy regulations (formerly, 7 CFR § 340.6) because Bayer submitted the product for review prior to implementation of our current biotechnology regulations. The legacy regulations focused on whether a plant pest was used in the product development and if there are potential increased plant pest risks compared to conventional counterparts. Under the legacy regulations, APHIS first solicits public input on the petition for 60 days. The comments we receive on the petition aid the Agency in preparing appropriate environmental documents. A second opportunity for public involvement will come when we publish either a notice of availability of a draft environmental assessment and draft plant pest risk assessment or a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement in the Federal Register.
The petition will be available for a 60-day public comment period. Beginning Monday, March 4, members of the public will be able to submit comments through May 3, 2024 at the link below.
Proposed Changes to the USDA Organic Regulations: Mushroom and Pet Food Standards
Open for Comment
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to amend the USDA organic regulations. The rule proposes specific standards for organic mushroom production and organic pet food handling, creating more consistent standards for these markets. The proposed changes are based on public input and NOSB recommendations.
For organic mushrooms, this proposed rule would:
- Clarify which existing crop production standards apply to organic mushroom production.
- Create a mushroom-specific standard for organic compost production.
- Require operations producing organic mushrooms to:
- Use organic materials for the uncomposted portions of production substrate when commercially available.
- Use organic spawn media when commercially available.
- Use organic mushroom spawn when commercially available.
For organic pet food, the rule would:
- Clarify how existing organic labeling requirements should be applied to organic pet food.
- Allow organic meat and slaughter by-products in organic pet food.
- Describe what ingredients can be used in organic pet food.
- Add synthetic taurine (an amino acid) to the National List and allow its use in organic pet food to meet some pets’ nutritional needs.
The public comment period is open and closes on May 10, 2024. Be part of the policymaking process and make your voice heard—click on the link below to read the proposed rule and submit a comment.
Read and Comment on the Proposed Rule
Previously featured
Cornell University Cooperative Extension is working on a NYFVI grant to collect Cash Rent and Custom Harvest Fee survey data from farms across New York. To date, there is limited information available about rental rates and fees for crop harvesting. Farms can use this valuable information for their farm business planning to help improve decision making and profitability.
https://farmbusiness.cornell.edu/cashrates/
Here we will include survey updates and resources as we continue to go along. Additionally, there are helpful outreach materials including printable surveys, newsletter versions, social media posts, email blurbs, and more. Please feel free to use any and all of the materials there.
We’re asking for help in distributing this survey through your newsletters, media outlets, farmer contact lists, agribusiness groups, presentations, social media, and word of mouth. The data that we collect, and the subsequent reports/findings/resources will be helpful for all of us to answer that call of “what’s the average rental rate in my area” and “how much do people charge to combine oats”.
We appreciate your help in spreading the word and will continue to populate the site with additional marketing materials!
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
Environmental justice research with citizen science: the case of heavy metals in soils
Abby Kinchy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Department of Natural Resources & the Environment
Tuesday, April 16, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Fernow Hall G24 Cornell Ithaca Campus or Zoom
Finding the needle in the haystack
Environmental DNA (eDNA) and its role in detecting and managing pest insects
Speaker: Professor Julie Lockwood
This event is part of the New York State Integrated Pest Management academic seminar series which is designed increase awareness of new research and techniques that advance Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) and its adoption in all types of pest management settings.
Date: April 17, 2024
Time: 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Location: Zoom
MANAGING FUNGAL DISEASES FOR ORNAMENTAL PLANTS (90-minute webinar)
Ornamental plants, such as flowers and shrubs, bring beauty to their surroundings. However, imported varieties of these beautiful plants can also bring new plant diseases into the United States. The spread of these diseases can infect and potentially kill other plants, significantly impacting the domestic ornamental plant and landscape industries. In this?free?webinar, participants will be introduced to common fungal diseases of ornamental plants and learn how to manage and prevent them. Our presenter will describe the importance of integrated pest management, including the role of best practices in distribution outlets like wholesale nurseries, non-chemical controls (such as irrigation management, plant spacing, and fertilizer management), and the selective use of fungicides. Current?research and experiences of commercial ornamental plant growers will also be shared.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Learn about the origin and impact of fungal diseases in ornamental plant production, including what causes them to spread within plant production facilities; Learn how to identify common fungal diseases; Discuss ways?to remove fungal pathogens from soil using sterilization and pasteurization; and Learn about integrated pest management strategies that have been developed to This webinar will provide the attendees an opportunity to obtain continuing education credits from the following state agencies and organizations: * State Lead Agencies (SLAs): AZ, CT, DE, FL, ID, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MT, NC, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TX, UT, WY * State Department of Health/Sanitarian: AZ, MN * Organizations: New Jersey Community & Urban Forestry (NJUCF); Society of American Foresters (SAF)
Tuesday, May 7, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM EDT
Previously featured
Cover Crop Breeding Field Walk – Join us!
The Cover Crop Breeding Network breeds fall-sown cover crops for traits like fall emergence, winter survival, spring vigor, high biomass, hard seed, and non-shattering pods.
Join us to walk the trial fields, talk about what we’re seeing (and not seeing), hear
about past years’ results, and learn about CCB lines approaching commercialization.
• Advanced line trials - Crimson clover, hairy vetch, winter pea, and winter canola
• Planting date trials - Cereal rye and winter pea
• Breeding nurseries - Cereal rye and winter pea (across the road & optional!)
Hosted by Ginny Moore, Asst. Professor, Plant Breeding & Genetics, Cornell, and Solveig Hanson, CCB Network Coordinator.
We’ll meet rain or shine, and we’ll have beverages and snacks!
RSVP (optional!) and find more information about the Cover Crop Breeding Network at covercropbreeding.com.
If you’d like to receive a calendar invitation for one or both dates, please email Solveig at ccbn@cornell.edu.
Tuesday, April 23 – 3-5pm
Wednesday, May 1 – Noon-2pm
Homer C. Thompson Vegetable Research Farm
133 Fall Creek Rd. Freeville, NY 13038
Follow signs at the intersection of Fall Creek & Ed Hill Rds.
SLELO PRISM invites you to attend a series of Zoom webinars to be held beginning in January 2024 through May. The webinars are free and continuing education credits are available. Registration is required to receive a link to the Zoom webinar and recordings will be sent to registrants.
- 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.
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.
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!
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
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:
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
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.
Smithsonian Gardens - This internship provides the opportunity to promote a better understanding and hands-on experience of Integrated Pest Management techniques, urban ecosystems, and proper identification of pest species in a garden.
- Learn to efficiently scout and monitor for pest problems
- Learn to diagnose disease and pest problems for a wide variety of plants and landscapes
- Learn to write reports on findings and develop pest management programs
- Assist with release of biological controls and beneficial insects
- Develop communication skills with the public and horticultural staff about pest management strategies
- Learn about ways to promote and support urban ecosystems and pollinator conservation
- Gain hands-on experience by increasing practical entomological skills and pest management techniques
This internship meets the needs of a student who is interested in sustainable pest management strategies and seeks hands-on experience with urban ecosystems in the museum setting. The intern will work under the supervision of the Plant Health Specialist and Arborist. Interns are encouraged to take advantage of the abundant resources of the Smithsonian Institution.
Duties & Responsibilities
Assist with scouting and identification of insect pests, diseases and fungi associated with plants. Collect samples for working in conjunction with pathology and soil laboratories. Release beneficial insects to help pest populations. Record data and develop management strategies for different types and levels of pest populations. Communicate results of scouting reports with staff. Assist with outreach events and educational public interactions. The intern may have an opportunity to work on specialized projects such as invasive species or pollinator service surveys.
Integrated Pest Management Intern
Hoch Orchard & Gardens - LaCrescent, MN
Integrated Pest Management plays a key role in our organic production system. Identifying and monitoring pests, record keeping, logging weather data, and computer modeling make up the major components in our pesticide application decisions. We blend state of the art technologies with new and old certified organic products in order to produce high quality fruit in our challenging Midwestern environment.
Our overall concept is to enhance the environment and provide a balance between beneficial and pest insects. We use many approaches to keep pest populations low and to soften the natural spikes and drops in populations. We then use certified organic products to repel, kill, confuse, or inhibit the mating of pests.
Assistant or Associate Professor of Urban Plant Ecology
The successful candidate will be a tenure-line faculty member of the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and will be based in Ithaca, NY in the School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS).
Responsibilities:
This position has an effort split of 60% research and 40% teaching.
Research (60%)
Possible topics might include breeding and selection of urban landscape plants, root biology in urban environments, ecophysiological modeling of urban tree ecosystem services, urban landscape management, ecotoxicology, resporation and remediation of damaged landscapes, development or exploitation of plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors and related topics. There are extensive opportunies for collaboration across the College and University.
Teaching (40%)
Expectations include teaching an undergraduate course on sustainable landscape management, a seven week modular course on plant identification in natural environments, and co-teaching an undergraduate course on urban plant biodiversity that includes woody plant identification and establishment in urban landscapes.
The successful candidate will assume an active role in advancing the Green Cities initiative, an informal group of Cornell faculty, staff, and students who contribute to improving urban ecosystem services and quality of life.
The successful candidate will also be positioned to collaborate with numerous colleagues throughout several Cornell colleges and units.
Apiary Inspector I, Westchester County
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
Apiary Inspectors travel to and inspect honeybee colonies to ensure the health and vitality of honey bees in New York State. Apiary Inspectors ensure that beekeepers follow State laws and regulations; recommend appropriate measures for the prevention, treatment, and control of honeybee diseases, and the management of colonies; and ensure that bee colony transports are consistent with agreements with other states. Apiary Inspector positions are temporary and seasonal, they work within a defined season beginning in April and ending in November. Pay ranges from $22.33 to $24.99 hourly and the deadline to apply is April 14, 2024.
Horticulture & Volunteer Manager
Pine Hollow Arboretum
Position Description:
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Horticulture & Volunteer Manager is responsible
for maintaining and developing the Arboretum by managing all horticultural and
volunteer aspects pertaining to the grounds and maintenance, the collection, and the
overall wellbeing of the entire arboretum, operating in a safe and environmentally
friendly manner.
This is a full-time position, that is on-site at the Pine Hollow Arboretum (34 Pine Hollow
Rd. Slingerlands, NY 12159). The salary range is $59,000 - $65,000, plus health
insurance and generous PTO. Some weekend and evening work may be required.
SUPERVISORY ENTOMOLOGIST/NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic is currently seeking a highly qualified individual to serve as the Applied Biology Branch Head (Entomologist/Natural Resource Specialist) within the Environmental Conservation Division.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supervise the Applied Biology Branch, providing top-tier pest management consultation services.
- Manage the Applied Biology program and offer senior-level consultation for pest management issues.
- Review and approve installation integrated pest management plans, technical reports, and training materials.
- Brief senior leaders and stakeholders on pest management matters and recommend corrective actions.
- Develop, review, and implement environmental policy and guidance.
The successful candidate will have a strong background in entomology or a related natural resource field, coupled with the ability to manage complex programs and communicate effectively with various stakeholders.
For more details and to apply, please visit the job announcement on USAJOBS: Supervisory Entomologist/Natural Resource Specialist Position.
Field Assistant S08, Cornell AES Homer C. Thompson Vegetable Research Farm, Freeville, NY
As the S08 Field Assistant, you will provide direct support for research, teaching and extension in accordance with the Land Grant Mission. Key responsibilities include:
- Provide technical and general labor support for conventional and organic field research trials in a broad range of vegetable crops.
- Assist with field tillage preparation, fertilizing, planting, harvesting, mowing, stone picking and data collection.
- Adhere to and participate in personal safety training, policies, and procedures.
- Adapt the CUAES culture of sustainability as it pertains to reducing resource inputs; protecting the environment and natural resources, facility and equipment use, and alternative crop production practices.
- Responsible for equipment assembly, operation, safety, and modification to meet changing research objectives.
- Additional tasks include herbicide, pesticide, and irrigation treatments, reporting and recording, irrigation system setup and operation, daily performance recording, supply and parts procurement, and facility maintenance.
- Assist programs with harvesting and data collection at the Homer C. Thompson Vegetable Research Farm and occasionally travel to locations within New York State.
- Required to support and interact with Faculty, Staff and Graduate students in multiple Departments conducting research trials at numerous locations.
- Oversee daily monitoring and reporting of weather systems information.
- Keep detailed records and assist in overall maintenance and support functions for vegetable and high-tunnel research operations.
- Manage planting schedule for multiple crop production practices.
- For 3 months of the year this position will also support the Cornell Orchard. Responsibilities at the Orchard include tree pruning, apples sorting/bagging, equipment maintenance and repair.
Technician III/Hemlock Conservation Technician
Cornell University
While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.
Field work will be conducted year-round primarily in the southern Adirondacks but may include other locations in New York State as needed. Responsible for maintaining field equipment, including pesticide application equipment, as best as possible. Ordering field supplies and maintaining stocks and maintaining inventory. Provide basic data analysis using basic statistical methods and computer software (including Excel, Access, , R). Support ongoing and future research projects on hemlock woolly adelgid biological control and early detection of HWA using eDNA. Assist in the development of reports, papers and publications based on data collected. Provide training and assistance to volunteers and state agency personnel for HWA early detection and to assist with pesticide treatments.
This is a one-year appointment with possible extension depending on funding. workplace will be remote with equipment storage at the NYSDEC Saratoga Nursery located in Saratoga Springs, New York, and office space TBD in the Lake George area.
Cornell University
As the Aquatic Invasive Species Strike Team Technician, you will conduct detailed field surveys of aquatic plants, invertebrates, and additional biotic/abiotic factors as assigned following standardized methodology. Participate in regional aquatic plant restoration program, including plant propagation, installation, and greenhouse/lab maintenance. Assist with general calibration and maintenance of pesticide application equipment. Other duties include:
- Perform detailed identification of invasive pests to assist in determining appropriate pesticide application strategies.
- Conduct point-intercept rake-toss surveys safely and effectively from a motorized vessel in lentic and lotic systems.
- Perform general equipment maintenance, inspection, and troubleshooting of field and related research equipment.
- Assist with digital field data collection, analysis, and preparation of detailed site reports on work completed.
- Perform manual aquatic invasive plant removals in collaboration with local stakeholder groups.
- Conduct stream macroinvertebrate monitoring for invasive crayfish and mollusks.
Cornell University
As the Aquatic Invasive Species Strike Team Technician, you will contribute field experience and regional knowledge to monitoring site prioritization efforts. Conduct surveys for submerged aquatic vegetation using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV)/underwater drone or snorkeling with a main focus on detection of hydrilla. Assist with general calibration and maintenance of pesticide application equipment. Other duties include:
- Perform detailed identification of invasive pests to assist in determining appropriate pesticide application strategies.
- Conduct point-intercept rake-toss surveys safely and effectively from a motorized vessel in lentic and lotic systems.
- Perform general equipment maintenance, inspection, and troubleshooting of field and related research equipment.
- Assist with digital field data collection, analysis, and preparation of detailed site reports on work completed.
- Perform manual aquatic invasive plant removals in collaboration with local stakeholder groups.
Previously featured
Supervisor Farm/Greenhouse- Landscape Operations Supervisor
Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is hiring. The position coordinates four program areas: natural areas projects and programs, landscape infrastructure construction and maintenance, fleet operations, and the deer management program.
Natural Areas Management Protection and Safety: In collaboration with the Director of Natural Areas, staff botanist, and stewardship staff, develop and implement projects and programs for Cornell Botanic Gardens’ 3,700 acres of natural areas. Recommend priorities and ensure the timely completion of designated projects involving the Natural Areas Stewardship Crew.
Deer Management Program: In collaboration with the Director of Natural Areas, Cornell University stakeholders, law enforcement and New York State, oversee the University’s deer hunting program across CALS lands in Tompkins County and the natural areas off-campus nuisance deer management program. Review and evaluate outcomes, develop reports and provide recommendations. Support impact monitoring and public information programs to achieve desired goals.
Landscape Infrastructure Construction and Maintenance: Collaborate with Program Directors and other garden staff to meet landscape construction needs and priorities; supervise the Botanic Gardens’ Landscape Construction Crew; and oversee the planning of weekly work and construction projects.
Fleet Operations: Oversee the Gardens’ fleet management in consultation with the Botanic Gardens’ operations team and supervise the mechanic.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County
The Turf and Integrated Pest Management Specialist is responsible for providing leadership for the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County Pest Management for Suffolk County Properties Program and the Turf Fertilizer Management Program. The Specialist aids with the implementation of integrated pest management strategies for turf, landscape and structural pests in situations where pesticides have been reduced or eliminated, providing diagnoses, training, public outreach, and research and demonstration projects. The Specialist will also provide a comprehensive fertilizer educational program includes educational training to landscape professionals and county staff regarding use of nitrogen fertilizers. The Specialist also serves as a resource for all residential, commercial, and agricultural turf management. The target stakeholders and areas of work include Suffolk County staff and properties – golf courses, parks, landscapes, county facilities and buildings, highways, and right-of-ways – as well as residential, commercial, and agricultural sod.
Weed Scientist - Invasive and Noxious Weeds/ Assistant Professor
North Dakota State University Department of Plant Sciences invites applications for this 12-month, tenure track position at the academic level of Assistant Professor. The rapid expansion of invasive and noxious weeds poses threats to natural area management and agriculture in North Dakota. This position will require focus and rapid reaction to provide timely research and management recommendations relevant to rangeland, pastures, cropland, and rights-of-way areas. The person filling this position will establish collaborative working relationships within NDSU and across the statewide agronomist network, as well as with state agencies and private industries. Cooperation with local land managers will be important to plan and conduct research aimed at limiting the spread of early invaders and unique weedy targets. Potential areas of research include weed biology, invasive species ecology and management, herbicide resistance screening, biological control, or site-specific herbicide application technology.
Weed Scientist - Invasive and Noxious Weeds / Assistant Professor - North Dakota State University
Fargo https://bit.ly/3uXKBJh
2024 Invasive Plant Project Coordinator
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) is looking to fill an invasive plant outreach coordinator position to work starting this spring on a 40-hour-per-week basis until completion of the project next fall or winter. The project involves educating plant sellers about invasive plants that may become hitchhikers in plant pots, root balls, or other horticultural materials and providing best management practices to prevent weeds in production, holding, display, or sales areas. The successful candidate will develop outreach and educational materials, plan, coordinate, and implement in-person and online workshops, and work with growers to solve invasive plant management issues. Work will be based in Augusta, Maine, with some opportunities for telework. Statewide travel is expected. This is a contract position
at $18/hr
UNH Extension Seeks Field Specialist, Food and Agriculture, in Hillsborough County
This position is located at Extension’s Hillsborough County Office in Goffstown, N.H. The field specialist will provide technical assistance and develop educational programming in fruit and vegetable production to both new and experienced growers. Expertise in fruit or vegetable production is a priority for this position. Additional expertise in soil nutrition, integrated pest management or agricultural engineering is desirable. The candidate will work individually and as part of a team to host educational events and produce educational resources.
Xerces Society
Pollinator Habitat Specialist (Living Farms Project) - Full-time
You’ll be joining a growing team of professionals working to conserve some of the world’s most important animals. The California Pollinator Habitat Specialist (Food Industry and Supply Chain) will support Xerces’ private-sector partners in designing and implementing cutting-edge conservation systems for bees and beneficial insects on farms across California and the Western U.S.
Supervised by Senior Pollinator Habitat Specialist, Food Systems and Living Farms Project Lead, this position will collaborate closely with farm managers, as well as key staff at some of the largest food companies in the world to design and implement biodiversity and regenerative practices on farms that serve the manufactured food and fresh produce industries.
LOCATION: California; ideal candidate would be located or willing to relocate to San Joaquin Valley or Central Coast of California (Fresno, Bakersfield, San Luis Obispo, etc.).
COMPENSATION: $31.51 / hour, approximately $65,541 per year based on 2,080 hrs.
STATUS & SCHEDULE: Full-Time, hourly, non- exempt position, scheduled to work ~ 40 hours/week.
JOB START DATE: May 2024
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 5,2024
All applications must be submitted via our application website at: Apply here
Urban Entomology Lab Manager and Industry Project Coordinator
Position Description: The DeVries Lab in the Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky is
recruiting a Lab Manager and Industry Project Coordinator (full time) to assist in urban entomology
research and extension efforts. Defined broadly, urban entomology encompasses a multitude of topics
relating to biology, behavior, and management of pests found indoors and around structures. The primary responsibilities of this position include: rearing insects (primarily cockroaches and bed bugs), conducting experiments independently and as part of a team, working in homes with pest-infestations, delivering education materials to the public (homeowners, pest control operators, chemical companies), helping students, ordering supplies, and overseeing day-to-day lab operation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Newly featured this issue
Invasive Species Eradication Funding Opportunity
Invasive species pose a significant threat to the ecological, economic, and cultural integrity of America’s lands, waters, and the communities they support. Once established, they can outcompete or even lead to the extinction of native species, reducing biodiversity and increasing vulnerability to disease and other environmental stresses. They can also lead to costly damage to infrastructure, such as roads, canals, and levees.
Controlling invasive species can be difficult, expensive, and is often ongoing. When considering management approaches, a host of factors must be considered, such as cost-effectiveness, the likelihood of reinvasion, and the availability of resources. In certain areas, eradication, or the removal of an entire population of an invasive species, can be a feasible solution for both newly introduced invasive species and ones that are already well-established. Eradicating invasive species results in substantial ecological and economic benefits to the surrounding communities.
Recognizing the importance of eradication outcomes in invasive species management, the Department of the Interior has announced the availability of up to $3 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for projects that seek to eradicate invasive species. While control and suppression of invasive species are important in many cases, the emphasis of this funding opportunity is on eradicating them from a defined area where it is a feasible and achievable management goal. This funding provides an opportunity for us to invest in protecting our lands and waters by removing an entire population of invasive species and supporting a balanced ecosystem.
The Department is working with partners to identify, enhance, and collaborate on invasive species eradication activities, build new tools, and support coordinated processes to proactively eradicate new invasive species before they spread and cause increased harm. This $3 million Funding Opportunity to Eradicate Invasive Species will be administered within the existing authorities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation program and coordinated across the Department’s bureaus.
The Department encourages leveraging science and technology to increase the likelihood of invasive species eradication and long-term success. Proposals will be considered for on-the-ground projects that eradicate an invasive species and projects that advance research that increase the effectiveness and near-term availability of eradication tools.
Estimated total program funding: $ 2,960,000
Award ceiling: $1,000,000
Award floor: $50,000
Closing: May 27, 2024
Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species
Aquatic invasive species can lead to the extinction of native plants and animals, permanently alter habitats, and imperil public health. Aquaculture, tourism, recreation, shipping, and hydropower facilities may also be adversely impacted by biological invasion. Effective and coordinated approaches are necessary to manage aquatic invaders and protect our Nation’s waters. Although prevention is the most effective approach to eliminate or reduce the threat of aquatic invasive species, Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) serves as a failsafe when prevention measures are ineffective or unavailable.
Recognizing the importance of timely action, the Department of the Interior is working with partners to identify, enhance, and collaborate on EDRR activities, including the establishment of a Rapid Response Fund for aquatic invasive species. This fund is intended make financial resources available to assess and support response actions for quick containment or eradication of newly detected species, thus avoiding costly long-term and wide-spread control efforts. This year, as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorization for ecosystem restoration, the Department invested $1 million to establish a pilot Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species with an additional $1 million envisioned each year 2024 through 2026 as part of advancing a National EDRR Framework. Investments in EDRR, including a Rapid Response Fund, help to meet conservation goals set through the America the Beautiful Initiative.
The Rapid Response Fund will be administered within the existing authorities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation program and coordinated through the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force. Co-chaired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the ANS Task Force consists of federal agency representatives and ex-officio representatives that work in conjunction with six regional panels and issue-specific subcommittees to coordinate efforts related to aquatic invasive species across the Nation. Accordingly, the ANS Task Force is well positioned to coordinate and successfully operate a response rapid fund. In July 2023, the ANS Task Force approved The Model Process: Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species that outlines a structure and process for operation of the fund.
Read the full Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Estimated total program funding: $ 960,000
Award ceiling: $960,000
Award floor: $50,000
Amazon Research Awards issues spring 2024 call for proposals
Amazon Research Awards (ARA) is announcing the spring 2024 call for proposals for the AI for Information Security and Sustainability research areas. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on May 7, 2024.
Proposals will be reviewed for the quality of their scientific content, creativity, and their potential for impact at scale. Proposals related to theory, practice, and novel techniques are all welcome.
ARA provides grant recipients unrestricted funds and AWS promotional credits. Funded projects are assigned an Amazon research contact, and recipients also receive training resources, including AWS tutorials and hands-on sessions with Amazon scientists and engineers.
Before applying, we encourage researchers to visit the ARA website and read our frequently asked questions for more specific program information. We look forward to receiving your submissions.
When you're ready to submit your proposal, use the button below and follow the instructions on the site.
Previously featured
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has posted an Invasive Species Eradication Funding Opportunity to request proposals that support the eradication of a newly introduced or established invasive species in terrestrial or aquatic habitats of the United States, including the U.S. territories (aquatic habitats include freshwater, wetland, riparian, estuarine, and marine environments). While preference will be given to proposals that result in eradication of invasive species, research proposals that advance the effectiveness and availability of eradication tools will be considered.
As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorization for ecosystem restoration, the Department of the Interior (DOI) invested $3 million to establish an Invasive Species Eradication Funding Opportunity. It is administered within the existing authorities of DOI and administered by the USFWS in collaboration with DOI bureaus. The intent of this funding opportunity is to promote and invest in those projects with a high likelihood of achieving eradication success and that have existing partnerships and plans in place.
Please note that projects responding to founding populations of aquatic invasive species within the early detection and rapid response context should instead apply for funding through the Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species. Projects addressing established aquatic invasive species infestations with a high likelihood of eradication can apply for this Eradication Funding Opportunity.
General information about the funding for invasive species eradication can be found HERE.
DACF Maine Opens Applications for PFAS Fund
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced today that the Fund to Address PFAS Contamination (PFAS Fund) is accepting applications for assistance from commercial farms impacted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination.
The $60 million PFAS Fund was established by Governor Mills with bipartisan legislative support to provide impacted farmers with financial assistance, purchase contaminated farmland from willing sellers, accelerate research to help inform on-farm management decisions, and support health-related initiatives.
The impact of PFAS on some farms and farm families is not unique to Maine. The practice of applying wastewater residuals to farmland is an approved practice by EPA nationwide. However, because these so-called “forever chemicals” can be taken up into soil, water, livestock, products, and ultimately humans, a robust response from the Legislature and the State of Maine was necessary. The PFAS Fund is a novel effort to specifically address PFAS in agriculture.
The PFAS Fund will augment DACF’s existing PFAS Response Program, a first-in-the-nation effort to work directly with impacted farmers to navigate the uncertainties of PFAS contamination by providing technical and financial assistance. In many instances, PFAS-impacted farms can modify their operations to operate safely and remain viable; however, assistance is critical to their success. Commercial farmers who have been impacted by PFAS contamination can now apply for an expanded suite of financial support programs:
Administrative Cost Grants: A one-time grant intended to partially compensate commercial farms for time spent on activities common to most farms upon the initial discovery of PFAS contamination.
Income Replacement Payments: Commercial farms that have stopped selling some or all products due to PFAS contamination may apply to DACF for up to a total of 24 months of lost income support, adjusted for inflation, while they avail DACF’s technical assistance to determine a viable path forward.
Technical Assistance / Professional Services: Financial support for professional services to help guide recovery efforts (e.g., business planning).
Clean Feed Assistance: Short-term financial support for clean feed when it is necessary for the health and welfare of livestock and when clean feed is not available from the farm.
Equipment and Input Cost Grants: Financial support for equipment and related input costs to allow a commercial farm to convert its operations to accommodate new products and production methods.
Infrastructure Grants: Financial support for infrastructure projects (permanent physical assets and structures) that will help a commercial farm transition to new products and production methods.
Debt Service on Existing Loans: Payments toward loan obligations directly related to farm infrastructure built/installed just prior to the discovery of PFAS contamination.
New Loan Assistance: Financial support for costs associated with obtaining new loans.
Additionally, for commercial farmers who have made the difficult decision to stop farming on their current property due to PFAS contamination, the PFAS Fund may purchase real estate at fair market value as if there were no contamination. Once acquired by the State, these properties will be managed with a long-term goal of returning the land to agricultural production whenever possible.
“Through the hard work of many, we are pleased that the Fund’s enhanced support programs are coming online,” said DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal, “These components of the PFAS Fund are the result of a public process that began over a year ago. DACF worked directly with the agricultural community to identify priorities and design programs to distribute funding effectively. Maine’s efforts to proactively address PFAS contamination in agriculture demonstrates how important Maine’s farmers are to our state and positions us well to be a resource for other states.”
“As a legislator and a farmer, working on this initiative has been particularly meaningful,” said Senator Stacy Brenner (District 30), co-chair of the PFAS Fund Advisory Committee. “Knowing the challenge of starting a farm business in this day and age, we want to keep farmers farming whenever possible. The work of the advisory committee, stakeholders and the associated State departments has yielded a safety net for farmers who find themselves in an unfortunate position at no fault of their own. I'm grateful for our collective work and the potential it has to support our PFAS impacted farmers.”
"In 2022 the Legislature passed and funded the PFAS Fund with strong bi-partisan support,” said Representative Jessica Fay (District 86), the PFAS Fund Advisory Committee’s other co-chair. “It has been a pleasure to work with the Advisory Committee on implementation of the program in a way that will provide meaningful relief to Maine farmers impacted by PFAS. Maine has led the nation in its response and that is something to build on going forward."
By the end of 2024, the PFAS Fund expects to launch additional programs, including a competitive research grant program, a program to cover PFAS blood serum testing costs not covered by insurance, and a program to provide access to mental health services for eligible individuals.
Further information about DACF’s PFAS response and assistance programs can be found online at https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ag/pfas/.
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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.”
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.
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
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