IPM News and Events Roundup 09/06/2024
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
Call for Nominations: 2025 Outstanding Achievements in Integrated Pest Management Award
Submission deadline: Friday, October 25, 2024
The Northeastern Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Center is opening nominations for the 2025 Outstanding Achievements in IPM Award.
The Center launched the award in 2019 and has offered it most years since. The award honors those whose work on IPM in the Northeast deserves special recognition. Professionals (or organizations) and students are eligible. Nominations come from colleagues, advisors, supervisors, and others familiar with the nominees’ work.
External reviewers with expertise in IPM evaluate the nominees. Each winner receives $500 and agrees to provide an article for the Center’s publications/website/social media outlets and/or present a webinar hosted by the Center.
The award seeks nominations of growers, consultants, researchers, educators, managers, and college/university students (undergraduate, master’s, and PhD) in the Northeast region who are working in:
- Agricultural IPM (fruit, vegetables, ornamentals, and livestock and field crops)
- Affordable housing
- Homes
- Schools and institutions
- Natural-areas/water-resources IPM
- Invasive species
For more detailed information, or if you’d like to submit a nomination, visit neipmc.org/go/YpTc.
Northeastern IPM Center IPM Insights
The August 2024 issue of IPM Insights.
The National Plant Diagnostic Network's 7th National Meeting
2024 Webinars: IPM Toolbox, DEIJ in IPM
Call for Nominations: 2025 Outstanding Achievements in Integrated Pest Management Award
Save the Date: 11th International IPM Symposium
Increasing Access to Practical Biocontrol Information through Digital Resources
October 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Register at cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MFNtyp2KQoaWGYrAbDfvPw
The webinar will be recorded for anyone unable to attend the live session.
Description
The New York State Integrated Pest Management Program Biocontrol website continues to grow with information for all of North America. In the past year, we have added profiles of individual biocontrol agents, and we are planning to incorporate resources developed through the Augmentative Biocontrol (ABC) Working Group. The focus for both is to provide practical information that addresses barriers to biocontrol adoption and helps growers and gardeners successfully implement biocontrol. During the toolbox talk we will provide a tour of biocontrol agent profiles and describe the ongoing process and progress to create resources on augmentative biocontrol.
Amara Dunn-Silver
Biocontrol Specialist – New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, part of the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Amara supports the effective use of biological control solutions for pests in all agricultural commodities, as well as pests encountered by New Yorkers where they live, work, play, and learn.
Hillary Peterson
Integrated Pest Management Specialist – Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Hillary is responsible for IPM education and implementation across the state including pests affecting structures like schools, homes, and restaurants, agriculture, invasive species, and more.
October 29, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
Register at cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wxN5zM8QTje8oyz45iChdw
The webinar will be recorded for anyone unable to attend the live session.
Description
This panel will explore a unique Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) perspective; best practices of DEI; an opportunity to learn how to implement change in light of the anti-DEI legislation, and how it’s affecting experiences across the country. We will provide the necessary examples that will equip you to be a more informed leader with DEI in mind and lean into how to support your administration, faculty, staff and students in an anti-DEI climate. This session will give participants an opportunity to think through real-life diversity, equity and inclusion scenarios, and help create a network for you to turn to when addressing DEI issues.
Panel members:
Dr. Antomia “Mia” Farrell - Associate Dean and Director College of Agriculture & Natural Resources (CANR), Michigan State University
Dr. Quatez Scott - Assistant Dean for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Agriculture (IDEA), Colorado State University
Dr. Jacquelyn Mosley - Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences and the Assistant Dean, Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas
Dr. Anna Katharine Mansfield - Associate Director & Associate Professor, Cornell AgriTech
Bee Breeding and IPM for Better Pollinator Health
November 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Register at cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YZTukWExRLq9o2-3qgTL2g
The webinar will be recorded for anyone unable to attend the live session.
Description
This presentation will focus on recently published and current research on the genetics and breeding of mite-resistant stocks in honey bees, and a recent study using a sustainable method to manage varroa mites in bee hives.
Dr. Hongmei Li-Byarlay
Associate Professor, Central State University
Dr. Hongmei Li-Byarlay is a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society and president of the International Branch of the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Her doctoral degree is in entomology from Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana) and she studied the genetics and physiology of Drosophila melanogaster. Then she worked at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and North Carolina State University to study functional genomics and social behavior of honey bees. In 2017, she started her research lab on bee genetics, genomics, pollinators, and ecology. She has mentored 40 undergrad students at CSU, and published 49 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters including P.N.A.S., BMC Genomics, Insect Molecular Biology, etc. She has presented 120 talks for research. She’s on the Editorial Board of Current Research in Insect Science, and topic editor for Nature Scientific Reports, Cell Heliyon, and the Journal of Insect Science.
EPA Awards $3 Million to Support Pesticide Inspector Residential Training Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Foundation is the recipient of a cooperative agreement to implement the Pesticide Inspector Residential Training (PIRT) Program. EPA expects the total funding for the five-year period of the cooperative agreement, which began August 2, 2024, to be $3 million.
Plant Protection Today: USDA’s Biological Control Helps Manage Plant Pests Then and Now
Biological control (biocontrol) was successfully used in the United States for the first time in 1888 when USDA’s Chief Entomologist Charles Valentine Riley introduced an Australian beetle (Rodolia cardinalis) to combat cottony cushion scale in California’s citrus groves. Decades later, the USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) staff carry on Riley’s foundational work. They continue to approve and release biocontrol agents that support U.S. agriculture, natural resources, human and/or animal health, and domestic and international trade.
News
2023-2024 NYSIPM Annual Report (cals.cornell.edu)
From biological control to invasive species management, school environmental health to safer food processing facilities, Cornell University's New York State Integrated Pest Management team met New Yorkers where they live, work, learn and play during 2023 and 2024, developing science-based solutions and sharing essential strategies for managing pests while minimizing risks to economic, personal and environmental health.
Exploring a Fiery Method for Replacing Invasive Grasses (westernipm.org)
“Land management is increasingly complicated by invasion, by climate change and by changing fire regimes,” said Justin Valliere, assistant professor of Cooperative Extension in invasive weed and restoration ecology at the University of California, Davis. “If we can find multi-pronged solutions that address multiples of these challenges, that could be the most effective way to confront some of these issues.”
Poinsettia Pests 2024: Whitefly, Mealybugs and Other Pests
Poinsettias are being potted up and pest issues are already popping up! Read on to see what pests growers in Ontario are seeing, and what to do about them.
Some years we see relatively few whitefly come in on the cuttings, which generally means biocontrol will be successful all the way through till sale. Years with heavier pest pressure means you need to be extra diligent with scouting. If whitefly pressure passes the “tipping point” (talked about in this post), you might need to consider pesticide applications starting in late September/October.
NPMA Reports Top U.S. Cities Bracing for Pest Surges This Fall (pctonline.com)
With weather patterns across the country ranging from extreme heat and drought to unprecedented rainfall, these conditions are likely to influence an increase in pest populations including ticks, mosquitoes, flies and cockroaches, NPMA reported in its latest Vector Sectors list.
How a little-known 17th-century female scientist changed our understanding of insects (theguardian.com)
More than three centuries after she made a perilous transatlantic voyage to study butterflies, a rare copy of the hand-coloured masterwork by the great naturalist and artist Maria Sibylla Merian is returning to Amsterdam.
Orbs, Tangles, and Sheets: Spider Web Styles Linked to Anti-Predator Adaptations (entomologytoday.org)
We often marvel at the grand designs of architects and how they combine art with functionality to create beautiful structures that stand the test of time. But in the quiet corners of nature, spiders have been crafting intricate structures for millions of years. These tiny engineers build webs not just to catch prey but also to outwit predators in a deadly game of hide and seek.
EPA Pledges $15M to Study 'Significant Threat' to U.S. Food Supply (newsweek.com)
he U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $15 million in research grants to research per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a "significant threat" to the country's food supply.
PFAS encompass thousands of man-made chemicals found in everyday items such as nonstick cookware, firefighting foams, grease-resistant food wrappers and water-resistant clothing. Because of the long time it takes them to break down, PFAS, known as "forever chemicals," can cause harm in high exposure amounts.
Call for proposals
MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS
2024 SPOTTED LANTERNFLY RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT MEETING
16-17 OCTOBER, WOOSTER, OH
Organizers of the first 2024 Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) R&TD Meeting are seeking submissions for presentations in alignment with the SLF Strategic Plan Goal 2: Support continued scientific research towards practical management and risk mitigation. Submissions for presentations and/or posters for this meeting should describe scientific and technology studies on spotted lanternfly under the following categories: (1) SLF impacts to US agriculture and natural resources; (2) biocontrol techniques; (3) development of tools for early detection, survey, trapping; (4) chemical and microbial control; (5) risk assessment models and prioritization tools; (6) risk mitigation and practical management; and (7) outreach and education. Persons who have received USDA funding for SLF research projects are strongly encouraged to present their findings, but all SLF-related submissions are welcome. The program again will be based primarily around oral presentations, but a poster option will also be available. The program will begin at 7:30 AM on October 16 with continental breakfast and will end at 3:30 PM on October 17 or earlier depending on the number of presentations submitted.
Email submissions to greg.r.parra@usda.gov, with a cc: to phillip.lowe@usda.gov, by September 6, 2024. For each submission, please provide the following information:
Title, senior author, presenting author (if not senior author), author affiliation, author’s email address, subject area preference (from list in first sentence), and format preference (oral or poster). We will try to honor all requests for format type, but we reserve the right to ask presenters to switch formats in order to achieve an acceptable balance between speaking slots and poster space.
Hotels and Registration
Best Western Plus
243 E. Liberty
Wooster, OH 44691
(330)-264-7750
Ohio USDA room block
Conf# 1542
Comfort Suites
965 Dover Road
Wooster, OH 44691
(330)-439-0190
Group name: ROOMS: USDA
Group number: UE71V0
Register by September 16, 2024
Rates & Available Rooms - Comfort Suites (choicehotels.com)
Registration for the meeting is through Eventbrite:
Webinars, seminars, meetings, and more
Newly featured this issue
An overview of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service
Steve Young, USDA-ARS
Soil & Crop Sciences Section
Thursday, September 12, 12:20 – 1:10 pm, 135 Emerson & by Zoom
Join New York State Integrated Pest Management at Cornell University for our monthly seminar series designed to increase awareness of new research and techniques that advance Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and its adoption in all types of pest management settings.
Seminar
Brawling weeds and the fight for crop survival
Speaker: Clarence Swanton, University of Guelph
September 25, 2024
Fall 2024 Cornell Climate Impact Speaker Series
In the last three years, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), establishing approximately $500 billion in federal funding for clean energy projects. These laws together represent the most historic action any nation has ever taken to address climate change and ushered in a new era of optimism for a clean energy future. However, the success of these laws hangs in the balance, with political obstacles, regulatory hurdles, and infrastructure bottlenecks creating significant headwinds for clean energy projects to move forward. This conversation will include looking back at the work behind-the-scenes that led to the creation and passage of these laws, and looking ahead to what work is needed in coming months and years to ensure that the US is able to realize the full potential of the IRA/BIL, and achieve significant GHG reductions.
October 3: Augustus Doricko (Rainmaker)
[5:00 p.m., G155 M. Van Rensselaer Hall, Register]
Augustus Doricko is the founder of Rainmaker, a cloud-seeding geoengineering startup that aims to create water abundance in the United States.
Previously featured
Identifying Invasive Species Range Shifts: NE CASC/NE RISCC Tool Talk
Developing and using resource management tools has become an increasingly complex issue for researchers and managers alike. While many impressive management tools exist, it is often difficult to determine if they are, indeed, "the right tools for the job". To help researchers better understand the tool needs of managers and managers more efficiently navigate their overflowing toolboxes, NE CASC has developed a series of Tool Talks for the climate adaptation community. Bringing research and management perspectives into dialogue with one another, this series is designed to shed light on several key questions:
- What makes a good management tool?
- How can connections be created between existing management frameworks?
- What kinds of tools are currently needed?
- How is feedback collected and implemented in existing tools and frameworks?
We enthusiastically invite you to participate in the next installment of our Tool Talk series on September 11th at 4:00 PM! This conversation will explore the questions above in the context of invasive species ranges and adaptation. In addition to providing ample opportunities for audience input, our hour-long structured exchange will feature discussion and analysis from a group of panelists who have amassed a wealth of experience creating or using conservation tools and frameworks for invasive species range shifts across our region. Our lineup includes:
- Catherine Jarnevich, Research Ecologist, USGS Fort Collins Science Center
- Wesley Daniel, Fishery Biologist, USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
- Gary Fish, State Horticulturist, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry
- Jenica Allen, Senior Research Fellow, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Moderated by NE CASC team members, this Tool Talk will help attendees gain a clearer understanding of tools available for identifying invasive species range shifts, build connections in the climate adaptation science community, and shape future NE CASC research and outreach activities. Are you ready to start talking tools with us? Then sign up for this event today! We look forward to seeing you on September 11th at 4:00 PM Eastern Time!
Entomology Seminar Series
The Entomology Seminar is generally held weekly on Thursdays from 11:05 AM to 12:05 PM. Please check the schedule because some meetings are held on different dates and times*
September 12th, 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
2123 Comstock/Zoom & A137 Barton Lab (speaker will be in person)
Speaker: Baldwyn Torto, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
Strategies to manage pests of Solanaceae crops
Host: Christophe Duplais
September 19th, 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
2123 Comstock/Zoom & A137 Barton Lab (speaker will be in person)
Speaker: Laurel Symes, Cornell Center for Conservation Bioacoustics
TBC
Host: Cole Gilbert
September 26th, 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
2123 Comstock/Zoom & A137 Barton Lab (speaker will be in person)
Speaker: Peter Nagy, Cornell University
A pathogen-specific Nox-Atm-Cytokine pathway controls epithelial cell turnover upon infection
Host: Nicolas Buchon
Southern IPM Hour: Supporting Homeowner IPM Programs
This is an ARDP research project. The main problem we seek to resolve is developing a cohesive dataset and holistic recommendations for pest management in and around structures that can be implemented by homeowners and non-pest management professionals. (We use the term "homeowner" to also include renters.) RESEARCH The research goal of our proposal is to fill data gaps that inhibit integrated, science-based recommendations for the control of perimeter pests. Research Objective 1. Define the minimum interstitial space that will prevent perimeter pests or serve as harborage using peridomestic cockroaches as a model and expanding to other pests. Research Objective 2. Laboratory efficacy testing of over-the-counter products. EXTENSION Extension goal is to deliver science-based IPM information directly to consumers by diversifying the IPM message and messengers. Extension Objective 1. Survey citizens about their current knowledge of IPM and pesticide use. Extension Objective 2. Develop homeowner-friendly recommendations that incorporate results from research objectives and use in direct-marketing to the general public. Extension Objective 3. Build Extension's capacity by engaging non-traditional change agents who will then reach a more diversified audience. Extension Objective 4. Demonstration project to complement laboratory research objective on exclusion. The Southern IPM Hour presents research, issues, and programs in Integrated Pest Management from the Southern Region of the United States. Recordings of the webinars are available after the event. More info southernipm.org/ipmhour
Date & Time
Sep 17, 2024 01:00 PM in EST
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!
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:
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.
The University of Maryland, College Park
Under general supervision, supervises the day-to-day activities of support staff providing business management services to a department or division. Responsibilities include entry level professional work in a combination of business operations such as finance and budget, human resources, procurement, contract and grant administration, and/or facilities management functions.
Coastal Resilience Strategy Program Specialist
The Coastal Resilience Strategy Program Specialist at the University of Maryland Sea Grant Extension Program (UMDSGEP) is responsible for program coordination, project management, and leadership in developing a comprehensive coastal resilience strategy.
This role involves facilitating reporting processes, managing grant applications, and responding to NOAA National Sea Grant Office (NSGO) requests. The Program Specialist will spearhead research, analysis, and strategy development focused on community climate adaptation, stakeholder engagement, and equity & justice.
The University of Maryland, College Park
The Seo laboratory is seeking a talented and motivated faculty assistant to conduct research in uterine and placenta biology, with a focus on the interactions between the conceptus and the uterus that mediate implantation and placentation. Approaches used include molecular and cellular biology methods, powerful imaging technologies, transcriptomics, metabolomics as well as in vitro cell/tissue culture. The lab utilizes and integrates research across multiple mammalian species, including pigs, sheep and cattle to pursue comparative studies across species that have different types of implantation and placentation to gain insights into the physiological, cellular and molecular events that support successful pregnancy.
Administrative and Events Coordinator
The Native Plant Center is seeking a part-time Administrative and Events Coordinator to provide integral program support, including office, event, membership, and volunteer management.
This is a part-time position with more hours worked in-season vs. off-season. The salary range begins at $30/hour and is commensurate with experience.
Previously featured
Assistant Professor in Global Change Ecology
The Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation in the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech invites applicants for the position of assistant professor in global change ecology as part of a campus-wide hiring initiative focusing on the grand challenge of invasive species. We seek a candidate with interest and experience in invasion science through the lens of invasion ecology, ecosystem disturbance, and/or novelty in terrestrial ecosystems. This is a full-time, tenure-track, 9-month appointment with primary responsibilities in research and teaching. The Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation is committed to building an inclusive community through programs and activities that are integrated into our research, education, and outreach efforts. We welcome applications from persons identifying with groups underrepresented within the discipline, including but not limited to, Black, Indigenous, people of color, first-generation, and underrepresented genders.
As part of a campus-wide cluster hire on invasive species, the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation in the College of Natural Resources and the Environment at Virginia Tech seeks applicants for a 9-month, tenure-track, research (60%), teaching (30%), and service (10%) position at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank. The successful candidate will study fish or wildlife populations using cutting-edge genetic/genomic tools to improve detection, identification, rapid response, management, and/or eradication of invasive species. Possible areas of research could include the use of environmental DNA, metabarcoding, genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, gene editing, or related approaches for studying invasive species that affect fish or wildlife populations.
The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in their area of expertise in the department. Advising and mentoring both graduate and undergraduate students is required. Participation in departmental, college, and university affairs and collaboration with faculty both within the department and across the university is expected.
The Bureau of Water Supply seeks to hire a Scientist (Water Ecology) I for a position with the Ecological Research and Assessment Section, Natural Resources Division, Watershed Protection Programs Directorate, located in Kingston, New York.
The Ecological Research and Assessment (ERA) Section provides an array of services to the Bureau of Water Supply and other bureaus in the fields of invasive species, wetlands, restoration, aquatic ecology, and project review. Through research and monitoring programs, ERA supports management of City lands, regulatory reviews, partnership programs and a wide range of watershed protection and management programs. Understanding and managing the wetlands, streams, lakes, ponds and reservoirs in the watershed and their relationship with the uplands is very important for assessing their condition and identifying and mitigating potential water quality threats.
Under supervision, of the Invasive Species Biologist, the Scientist (Water Ecology) I serve as Field Technician and will assist in performing field surveys, management activities, data collection and analysis, project reviews, and procurement-related and administrative tasks to support the completion of goals and tasks in the Ecological Research and Assessment Section. Specific duties include:
- Assisting in conducting routine field data collection and surveys in support of the Wetlands and Aquatic Ecology Program, Invasive Species Program, and Restoration Ecology Program
- Assisting in managing aquatic and terrestrial invasive species through mechanical means
The University of Maryland, College Park, is seeking a Program Coordinator who will oversee the administrative management and coordination for the UME Associate Dean and Senior Admin Team. The responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to, management and oversight of statewide search processes for tenure track faculty and other state-level positions, managing and coordination of periodic reviews of administrators/unit directors, coordination of departmental/program reviews, coordination of UME events and functions, oversight of travel arrangements, budget management, and project management for the senior admin team. The coordinator will also manage the background check process for 7000+ UME volunteers. Other duties as assigned.
Forestry Technician 1 (Cortland, NY)
The DEC Division of Lands & Forests' Forest Health Program protects New York's diverse ecosystems from pests, diseases, and invasive species. This position involves the direct control of invasive species like giant hogweed, hemlock woolly adelgid, and spotted lanternfly, and active participation in forest health monitoring, forest stand improvement, restoration, and applied research. Some travel is required. Appropriate safety & equipment training is provided at the outset of employment. We are looking for qualified and enthusiastic individuals to join our team.
Facility Operations Assistant 2 (Cortland, NY)
The DEC Division of Lands & Forests' Forest Health Program protects New York's diverse ecosystems from pests, diseases, and invasive species. This position entails the supervision of field crews directly managing species like giant hogweed, hemlock woolly adelgid, and spotted lanternfly. Additionally, field crews actively participate in forest health monitoring, forest stand improvement, restoration, and applied research. Some travel is required. Appropriate safety & equipment training is provided at the outset of employment. We are looking for qualified and enthusiastic individuals to join our team.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Science (COS) at Virginia Tech are inviting applications for a 9-month (academic year) tenure-track research and teaching position at the Associate or Full Professor level in applied economics with a focus on invasive and other harmful species. This broadly encompasses any species that pose threats to terrestrial and / or aquatic ecosystems, impact markets, economic decision-making and outcomes. The academic home for this position will be either the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics (in CALS), the Department of Economics (in COS), or a joint appointment in both. The position also carries expectations for funding summer activities through external grants, teaching, or other mechanisms. The successful candidate will have proficiency in theoretical, analytical, and quantitative tools and methods to tackle complex problems as part of a campus-wide invasive species cluster hire.
The Specialist will be part of College of Agriculture & Natural Resources (AGNR) and University of Maryland Extension (UME) and work closely with the Environment and Natural Resource team, to provide leadership for natural resource and environmental management related programs. It is the responsibility of the Specialist to be self-motivated and work intentionally and collaboratively with partners to increase the visibility and reach of Extension programs that are specifically designed to meet the needs of diverse audiences. The Specialist will use a variety of delivery and communication strategies appropriate for the intended target audience, including but not limited to conferences, workshops, classes, demonstration projects, websites, webinars, social media, publications, and mass media. The faculty member will be on track for tenure and promotion to a higher rank in accordance with UMD policy and UME tenure guidelines within the timeframe defined and will perform teaching, scholarship, and service requirements of a University of Maryland faculty member. In carrying out these duties, the individual reports to the Program Leader & Assistant Director, Environmental, Natural Resources, and Sea Grant Program.
The Specialist will report to the Assistant Director and Program Leader of the Environmental and Natural Resource Program.
Statewide Coordinator (Nutrient Management Advisor)
University of Maryland Extension (UME) Agriculture and Food Systems (AgFS) Program seeks candidates for a 12-month Agricultural Nutrient Management Program (ANMP) Nutrient Management Advisor. ANMP Nutrient Management Advisors develop nutrient management plans for agricultural producers to balance nutrient inputs with crop requirements, thus optimizing production potential, improving farm profitability, reducing excess nutrient inputs into the Chesapeake Bay and enabling producers to comply with the State of Maryland’s Water Quality Improvement Act of 1998.
Facility Manager Position at University of Maryland college of AGNR
Under the general supervision of the Center Director, establishes the operations and management of a 35-acre facility which is home to turf grass research and education which is located at the northern edge of the University of Maryland College Park campus. Works directly with researchers and their staff to implement projects, assist with research and educational programs related to turf grass. Provide support as outlined by the Center Director. This position requires a knowledge of turf grass production and maintenance and the willingness to be a working manager, performing tasks in the daily operations alongside facility employees as well as provide supervision and training.
Head Grower - Le Jardin de Rabelais, Avoine, France.
Le Jardin de Rabelais is a family-owned company, growing high-quality tomatoes for more than 30 years. We are members of “Demain la Terre”, a group of growers gathered around a common project of sustainable development.
We have currently 20 ha of glasshouse, including 11,5 ha semi closed greenhouse. We grow year round and have 17 ha LED light.
Le Jardin de Rabelais is looking for a Head Grower to the technical team in good horticultural practices and techniques for hydroponic tomatoes greenhouse(s) operation.
SARE Seeks Web Services Developer
Through the activities described below, the Web Services Developer will help develop, manage and maintain the IT systems for national SARE programs.
The Web Services Developer will assist the national SARE program to maintain web-based IT systems that support online content management and the creation of modern educational resources for SARE grantees, grant managers, communication specialists and outside stakeholders by enhancing the functionality and usability of online content and maintaining system security. The position will be employed through UMD’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, at College Park, Md. They will report to the SARE Associate Director and work under the guidance of SARE’s IT Director to collaboratively support all NRCCO colleagues and SARE’s national partners. The Web Services Developer will also be responsible for providing IT support to SARE’s Food Loss and Waste National Grant and Training and Technical Assistance (FLW) program. This is a new, temporary program that requires similar IT support and focus to all SARE grant and outreach programs, but with specific needs required by the USDA NIFA to uphold its FLW program priorities.
Overall, the Web Services Developer will improve SARE’s ability to advance our digital outreach capacity, efficiency and effectiveness to SARE regional partners, national stakeholders and the public.
Extension Entomologists (2 positions)
The Department of Biology at Utah State University (USU) seeks applicants for two tenure track faculty positions (Assistant Professor rank) in entomology. One position will focus on insect pests in horticultural crops of Utah (fruit, vegetables and nursery) and the other in agronomic crops (alfalfa, small grains, corn) and turf. The successful candidates will be expected to establish Extension and research programs related to insect pests in horticultural and agronomic crop production systems in UT reflecting USU’s land grant mission. The positions will have a role assignment of 50% Extension, 45% Research, and 5% Service. There is no teaching expectation for these positions, and they are not eligible for remote work. The successful candidates have the option to secure an additional one-month salary from external funding such as grant awards. Review of applicants will begin October 1, 2024, and will continue until the positions are filled, with a tentative start of August 1, 2025.
Cohort Hire: Revolutionizing Controlled Environment Agriculture, Focus: Crop Physiology
The School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University invites applications for a tenure-track position in Crop Physiology (Controlled Environment Agriculture; CEA) at the Assistant Professor level. Our new colleague will join a Cohort Faculty Hire in Revolutionizing Controlled Environment Agriculture. In addition to this advertised hire, the cohort will include an insect ecologist, a plant pathologist, a CEA engineer, and a food systems economist. The new faculty hires will play an integral role in the design of a planned CALS investment in new CEA facilities.
Greenhouse Grower S05 -Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station (2 positions)
These S05 Greenhouse Grower positions will assist the Greenhouse Supervisor with the daily operations of the CALS Greenhouses by providing excellent care for high value plants, closely following direction provided, including watering and fertilizing of plants. Maintain greenhouses and work areas in a clean, sanitary and orderly condition. Pay close attention to detail and adhere to high standards of reliability and timeliness.
Assistant Professor - Applied Honeybee Entomology
North Dakota State University
The School of Natural Resource Sciences (SNRS) at North Dakota State University is seeking an outstanding individual for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in the area of applied honeybee entomology. North Dakota is the top honey-producing state in the U.S., with 800,000+ honey bee colonies, with most transported cross country for commercial pollination services (https://www.ndda.nd.gov/divisions/plant-industries/apiary-honey-bees). Duties of the successful candidate include: conducting research in the area of applied honey bee entomology, which could include (but is not limited to) bee behavior, bee health, ecology and resource use, integrated pest management, or hive/apiary management; developing a nationally recognized research program; securing funding through external sources; producing peer-reviewed publications and other relevant research and Extension outputs; mentoring graduate and undergraduate students; providing leadership and conducting Extension programming for the state related to honey bees and apiaries; and serving on SNRS, College, and University committees. Research and Extension efforts should help support relevant North Dakota stakeholders (e.g. industry, land managers) and the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-research/ag-research) including maintaining or improving bee and apiary resources.
University of Maryland Extension (UME) is seeking an Extension Educator responsible for organizing, developing, implementing and evaluating educational programs for youth, families and communities. The Educator would work with volunteers and youth development agencies to provide experiential learning opportunities for youth, leading to the development of life skills for youth. The educator is also responsible for developing an active, ongoing recruitment campaign to involve new volunteers and youth. As a tenure- track faculty member, the Educator will be responsible for providing leadership to develop focused youth development programs in cooperation with colleagues across the county and Capital Maryland cluster. The faculty member will be on track for tenure and promotion to a higher rank in accordance with University policy and UME tenure guidelines within a timeframe defined.
This position is located within the Agricultural Research Service, Southeast Area, Crop Science Research Laboratory, Corn Host Plant Resistance Research Unit in Mississippi State, MS.
In this position, you will be responsible for implementing modern molecular breeding tools, high-throughput phenotyping methods, and statistical tools to develop maize germplasm with resistance to fall armyworm, and pre-harvest resistance to Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin accumulation.
Agent, Regional Watershed Restoration Specialist
University of Maryland
The University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) is a leading Land-Grant institution providing teaching, research, and Extension programs through University of Maryland Extension (UME) to a diverse clientele in the State of Maryland and beyond. UME seeks to fill a 12-month, tenure-track faculty position in watershed-based education with a particular focus on green infrastructure and nature-based solutions at individual and community landscape levels. The Regional Watershed Specialist for the Capital Cluster will work in the Anne Arundel, Charles, and Prince George’s counties of Maryland as well as statewide to provide non-formal education and technical assistance to stakeholders, including local and county governments, watershed groups, communities, and individuals. Education programming will focus on practices that improve water quality and quantity at the local level that lead to quantifiable reductions in non-point sources of pollution as well as improvement of water quantity/quality issues in the face of changing climate, increasing catastrophic weather events and intensities in a rapidly urbanizing region and state. The educator will be a member of the University of Maryland Extension’s Watershed Protection and Restoration Program (WPRP), consisting of faculty members with similar education responsibilities in other regions of the state. The educator will work closely with the Maryland Sea Grant Program (MDSG) to assist with implementing strategic Sea Grant initiatives that emphasize environmental justice and climate resiliency.
Funding Opportunities
Newly featured this issue
This message is to notify the research community of a recently released Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) funding opportunity for the Deployed Warfighter Protection (DWFP) Program Award. The Armed Forces Pest Management Board (AFPMB) invites pre-applications for research projects up to 3 years and up to US $975,000. Pre-applications should describe original, innovative research designed to develop new interventions for the protection of deployed military personnel from medically relevant pests including arthropod disease vectors. The program supports the product development of: (1) new toxicants or the adaptation of existing toxicants to medically relevant pests; (2) new insecticide application techniques; (3) new personal protection tools for bite prevention; (4) new decision support tools; and (5) surveillance tools that link to improved vector control outcomes. Research should be product-oriented, consisting of advanced research related to a particular technology or new capability, field evaluation of products for military uses, or research directed towards the development of an existing prototype product for future commercialization and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration.
Pre-applications must be submitted electronically to the Electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://ebrap.org by the 4 October 2024 deadline. For more information about this funding announcement, please visit https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/ProgramFY.htm?programFYId=625101.
Previously featured
NOAA announces $600,000 citizen science competitive grant opportunity
The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing a $600,000 funding opportunity for members of the public to conduct science that helps fisheries and fishing communities prepare for climate change. As the lead for this project, NOAA Fisheries will accept proposals for citizen science projects that help improve stock assessments or contribute to our understanding of how our fisheries and fishing communities may be impacted by changing environmental conditions.
NOAA seeks to strengthen its ability to provide science-based management and conservation of our nation’s living marine resources under a changing climate, including investing in innovative data collection approaches like citizen science. Citizen science typically involves members of the general public participating in the scientific process alongside researchers to answer real-world questions.
The citizen science project proposals should address the following priorities:
- Support and improve federal fishery stock assessments using innovative approaches that address data gaps related to catch, size or age, composition, life history, or stock identification and definition.
- Work to better understand how fish species may be impacted by changing environmental conditions.
- Understand how fishing communities, whose livelihoods and lifestyles often rely on sustainably managed marine resources, will be impacted by climate change.
This funding will support three to eight different projects at approximately $75,000 to $200,000 per project from fiscal year 2025 to 2026. Proposals are required and are due by November 4, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants are also asked to submit an optional Letter of Intent by September 5, 2024 to aid in planning the review panels.
Please visit NOAA Fisheries Open Funding Opportunities for details on how to apply or see the full funding announcement on grants.gov.
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Cooperative Weed Management
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) was launched in 2010 to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world — the Great Lakes. As one of the initiative’s 16 regional working group members, the U.S. Forest Service uses GLRI resources to strategically target the biggest threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem and accelerate progress toward long-term restoration goals for this important ecosystem.
Who May Apply
GLRI funding is available to Cooperative Weed Management Areas (and similar organizations, e.g., Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas and Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management) that work within the Great Lakes Basin of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMAs) and similar groups are organized partnerships of Federal, State, and local government agencies, Tribes, individuals, and various interested groups that manage invasive plants within a defined area, generally a county or larger in size.
Applications may include work on all land ownerships within the Great Lakes watershed of the United States. See the RFA Instructions document for more information on eligibility requirements.
Important Dates
- ??Applications Due: September 18th, 2024-- Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 6:00 p.m. Eastern/5:00 p.m. Central.
- To add your organization to the GLRI mailing list for updates, please send a request to SM.FS.glri@usda.gov.
- Fiscal Year 2024 GLRI CWMA Request for Application Instructions
- Fiscal Year 2024 GLRI CWMA Project Narrative Form (required for all applications)