IPM News and Events Roundup 1/28/2022
A weekly collection of IPM news, webinars, employment and funding opportunities and more from the NE IPM Center. If you have IPM-related research, events or other IPM news you would like to have included, please email me at nec2@cornell.edu. If you would like to subscribe to the weekly Roundup, please email northeastipm@cornell.edu. Past Roundups are archived here.
Northeastern IPM Center’s 2022 Spring research Update Conference March 25, 10:30am ET
This conference hosted by the Northeastern IPM Center (NEIPMC) will feature updates from active projects funded by the NEIPMC’s Partnership Grants Program. In addition, the online conference will have updates from IPM-related projects funded through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program and USDA-NIFA’s Applied Research and Development Program (ARDP) and Extension Implementation Program (EIP).The rapid style conference will feature 5-minute pre-recorded presentations in which the speakers will discuss 1 or 2 highlights from their projects followed by a live Q&A. The purpose of the conference is to increase collaboration and awareness about current IPM-related research and extension in the Northeast in a fun way. The agenda is now available.
Northeastern IPM Center’s IPM Toolbox spring 2022 Webinar Series. March 16-May 4
Topics include Tarping in the Northeast, Combating slugs in Soybeans and Corn and more.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced actions to limit the unrestricted use of pesticides that can harm bee and other pollinator populations. DEC is reclassifying certain products containing the neonicotinoid (neonic) insecticides imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and acetamiprid as "restricted use" to ensure applications are limited to trained pesticide applicators in specific situations. Restricting the use of these pesticides enables DEC to collect new data to determine where, when, and how they are used, as well as their potential impacts. The restrictions go into effect Jan 1, 2023.
Northeast Regional Invasive Species & Climate Change Management releases a new Management Challenge publication: Marine Mischief: Salt marshes, climate change and invasive species, oh my!
New England salt marshes are highly productive, providing ecosystem services for people and native biodiversity. Human activities are causing climate change and affecting species composition in salt marshes, threatening these valuable ecosystems. The fate of these ecosystems depends on their natural resistance and the management actions taken in the immediate future.
How sea level rise is affecting your commute to and around Atlantic City, NJ
On average, it’ll happen two dozen times a year. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, that’s how many times the tide gauge at Steel Pier in Atlantic City detects tidal flooding, roughly six times more annually than in the 1950s and 1960s.
Organic Farmers nutrient management survey, from USDA and Arizona State
Arizona State University in partnership with the USDA is looking for organic farmers to take a survey about their nutrient management practices. The first 100 participants will be provided with a free soil test for their participation. We anticipate the survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Your responses will be confidential and not associated with your identifiable information. We will not retain identifying information, except for your name and contact information which will be used only if you opt into the free soil testing.
Solar Development Leasing in Maryland: Focus Group Interest and availability
Researchers from the University of Maryland and Cornell University are organizing a focus group meeting with landowners to gather information on their views and actions related to large-scale solar leases in MD.
This is an opportunity to share your opinion about the benefits or challenges of leases for large-scale solar installations around the state. Any landowner that participates in a focus group discussion will receive a VISA gift card for $15 in appreciation of your time.
Fighting Weeds in a changing world: Palmer amaranth
"Palmer amaranth growth was affected by elevated temperature and moisture stress conditions in terms of magnitude, but this weed was still able to grow," says Kezar. "The fact that Palmer amaranth…maintained adequate growth under high temperature and moisture stress shows that Palmer amaranth can still remain highly competitive by exhausting soil water and nutrients available to crops to impact yield."
Project Wingspan Pollinator Habitat Technical Training Workshop Series
The Project Team is offering this series to increase the success of native habitat management efforts by offering land managers and stewards advanced educational support, recent findings from scientific field research, guidance on current best management practices, practical solutions to real world habitat management obstacles, in collaboration with professional land manages and conservation scientists. The 5-part workshop series can be viewed free on demand.
Deer Tick Virus detected at high levels in Clearfield County Park, Lawrence Township PA
The dangerous and rare Deer Tick Virus (DTV) has been detected an unusually high infection rate in adult ticks recently collected in Clearfield Co. Ticks taken at Lawrence Township Recreational Park were 92% (23/25) positive for DTV. The public has been strongly advised to take protective measures to reduce risk of exposure to ticks. DTV closely resembles Powassan virus, and is presumed to be maintained in deer ticks and white-footed mice. Health outcomes from DTV infection can be more severe than other tickborne illnesses. The CDC states that 91% of DTV patients develop severe neuroinvasive disease and may experience encephalitis or meningitis and require hospitalization. About 12% with severe disease have died, and approximately 50% of survivors of severe disease suffer long-term health impacts.
Dicamba has put many farmers in a difficult position
In 2021, thousands of U.S. growers reported to the Environmental Protection Agency that dicamba sprayed by other farmers – sometimes up to a mile and a half away – damaged crops in their fields. Complaints came from all over the country. The list of affected plants was astounding: sycamore, oak and elm trees; azaleas, black-eyed Susans and roses; garden tomatoes, peppers and peas. According to an EPA memorandum, there were 2,700 “dicamba incidents,” affecting about 3.6 million acres, in 2017. Two years later, the number of incidents ballooned to 3,300.
USDA-NIFA update includes a video from NIFA director Dr. Carrie Castille on the importance of Cooperative Extension across the country, and LOTS more.
Invasive Species:
Research:
Given that black cherry is insect pollinated and unable to produce viable seed from self-pollination, a reduction in seed crops could be due to a pollination deficit; however, its key pollinators are unknown. Identifying the pollinators and factors that influence pollinator abundance and fidelity is critical for supporting and enhancing seed production for this valuable timber species. Over a two-year period in developed, semideveloped, and forested areas in Pennsylvania, the researchers identified the potential pollinators of black cherry and examined how their abundance, along with several other abiotic and biotic factors, influenced viable seed production.
Why Diversity Matters Among Those Who Study Diversity
Non-White professors are rare across all disciplines, but they are even rarer in STEM. The number of BIPOC employed as professional entomologists and honored for their entomological work is consistently low across marginalized ethnic groups. Fewer than 100 African Americans identify themselves as entomologists, and groups of non-White researchers comprise less than 10% each of membership of the Entomological Society of America.
On average, the number of newly invaded counties per year increased since initial discovery, with 0–14 long-distance dispersal events per year and median jump distances ranging from 55 to 92 km/year throughout the study period. Radial rates of spread, based on two of the three analysis methods applied, varied from 38.6 to 46.2 km/year. A Cox proportional hazards model suggested that risk of SLF invasion increased with a proxy for human aided dispersal, human population per county. We anticipate that SLF will continue to spread via both long- and short-distance dispersals, especially via human activities. Efforts to manage SLF populations potentially could target human-mediated movement of SLF to reduce rates of spread.
The researchers analyzed long-term changes in winter occurrence of 89 species across nine bird groups over a 90-year period within the eastern United States using Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) data. They estimated variation in occurrence probability of each group as a function of spatial and temporal variation in winter climate (minimum temperature, cumulative precipitation) and LULC (proportion of group-specific and anthropogenic habitats within CBC circle). And reveal that spatial variation in bird occurrence probability was consistently explained by climate across all nine species groups.
The knowing-doing gap is a well-established phenomenon in invasive species and conservation. In this paper, a team of researchers and practitioners tackles the disconnect between research and application in the field of remote sensing for invasive species. The authors summarize over 40 years of published literature, and draw from their own experience with the invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) to present a framework and recommendations for advancing collaboration and monitoring.
Special Issue call for papers: Biology of the fall armyworm
This special issue of Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata will review several aspects of fall armyworm biology and publish new studies on monitoring and control. This knowledge will set the stage for the development of effective sustainable strategies to protect crops against fall armyworm, both in its native range and in areas where it is invasive. We welcome both reviews and original research articles.
Webinars, Conferences, Meetings and more:
Hemp Webinar Series, Jan 26-May 4
USDA-ARS and Cornell University are co-hosting eight webinars on hemp science and research. Beginning January 26, 2022, these webinars will provide opportunities for viewers to learn about hemp cultivation and processing as well as facility design, genetics, and food science. Viewers can also connect with leaders in the hemp research community - an important step in increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Each webinar will include input from experts in the hemp industry and an interactive Q&A session.
New York State Nursery and Landscape Association Education Series 2022, February 2022
The series begins with the NYSNLA virtual Symposium Feb 2 from 9am-1pm and continues weekly through March 3. NYSNLA and the Regions are not going to be stopped by Omicron from bringing you quality professional development, networking and camaraderie! It's all come together and they are following the format successfully used last year!
Invasive Woody Plant Management, Part 3, Feb 3 2pm ET
Attend EPA's upcoming webinar to learn how to manage invasive woody plants such as bamboo, poison oak, poison sumac and autumn olive. These invasive woody plants have the potential to threaten the biology and ecology of ecosystems, so it's important to manage them appropriately. Doing so can improve the function of ecosystems and provide a more suitable habitat for birds and other wildlife. You can watch Part 1 and Part 2.
Land Planning for Beginning Farmers, 2-webinar series Feb 2 and 17, 6pm
UNH Cooperative Extension will offer two webinars in February, focused on land planning topics for beginning farmers. The first webinar in the series, “Evaluating What You Have” will give an overview of evaluating a site for various agriculture uses, including converting forested land to agriculture, and tools for evaluating the soil. The second webinar in the series will be held on Thursday, February 17 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm and will include a panel discussion with three experts on “Planning for the Unexpected & Being a Good Neighbor”. Speakers will discuss general considerations a landowner or land tenant should consider before pursuing an agriculture business to minimize risk on the property and avoid any potential conflict.
Managing Trees with Bees (without Going Nuts): How almond growers adopt honey bee BMPs during bloom, A Panel Discussion, Feb 9, 1pmET
Almond trees are one of the few crops that rely entirely on bee pollination to produce a crop. Each year during almond bloom, over 90% of all managed US bee colonies are in California to help pollinate almond orchards. But how do you manage pests in an orchard full of honey bees? What are the challenges—and opportunities—of being a “bee friendly” almond farmer? And do cover crops or bee habitat pose extra pest management challenges?
The Power of Ethical Framing, Feb 16, 1pm CT
Message frames are often used to communicate about invasive species due to the additional meaning they provide. They appear in calls to action like “join the battle against invasive species,” “unwelcome exotics,” or “Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers.” However, little is known about how stakeholders respond to these message frames. This research tested ?ve common message emphasis frames used in invasive species communication. These message frames were placed in social media advertisements about zebra mussels to determine the impact each message frame had on user online behavior.
Employment Opportunities:
Executive Director, Future Harvest, Cockeysviile, MD
Future Harvest’s mission is to advance agriculture that sustains farmers, communities, and the environment. We provide education, networking, advocacy, and research to help build a sustainable Chesapeake foodshed, where food flows from farm and fishery to table in ways that strengthen farming and the regional food economy; protect our land, water, and air; and provide healthy, nutritious food that sustains the region’s communities.
Greenhouse Manager and Farmer, Unity College, Thorndike, ME
The Greenhouse Manger and Farmer is a revenue-generating position responsible for identifying, developing, and executing agricultural opportunities that drive successful results against established revenue goals. McKay Farm and Research Station is a 13-acre production farm, that includes 38,000 square feet of greenhouse space in five facilities, one hoop house, and a residential dwelling on 13 acres. The Greenhouse Manger and Farmer is expected to bring creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit, ensuring strategic decisions that will grow this revenue stream and serve as a model for a sustainable business venture.
The Department of Entomology at Penn State invites applications in the area of Arthropod Vector Biology and/or Ecology for a tenure line, faculty position with a focus on the ecology of vectors and their role in disease transmission. A successful candidate will have expertise that will complement existing University strengths in epidemiology, IPM, chemical ecology, vector biology, genomics, and/or applied evolution/resistance management. Penn State has a large concentration of faculty interested in infectious disease dynamics and in developing innovative solutions for infectious diseases and improving public health using transdisciplinary approaches. Candidates willing to integrate across traditional disciplines to design and implement effective vector interventions are especially welcome.
Funding Opportunities:
USDA-NIFA Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Grants Program
USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Farm Business Management and Benchmarking (FBMB) Competitive Grants Program provides funds for improving agricultural producers’ farm management knowledge and skills by maintaining and expanding a national, publicly available farm financial management database to support improved farm management. FBMB supports producers to develop farm management knowledge that is consistent with NIFA’s food and agricultural priorities. Proposals are due April 8, 2022
USDA-NIFA Rural Health and Safety Education Grants Program
This program supports quality of life in rural communities across the United States by addressing the needs of rural Americans’ individual and family health and safety in the context of food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. RHSE fosters, improves, and coordinates education programs among Federal agencies, other levels of government, and institutions and private organizations in rural areas, to disseminate information about rural health and safety. RHSE proposals are expected to be community-based outreach education programs, such as those conducted through Human Science Extension outreach. Application deadline: April 29.
USDA-NIFA Small Business Innovation Research Program, Phase II
All Phase II projects must have previously completed a successful USDA Phase I project before applying for a Phase II grant. Success rates for applicants have been 40-50% for Phase II. Projects dealing with agriculturally-related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies are encouraged across all SBIR topic areas. USDA SBIR's flexible research areas ensure innovative projects consistent with USDA's vision of a healthy and productive nation in harmony with the land, air, and water. USDA SBIR has awarded over 2000 research and development projects since 1983, allowing hundreds of small businesses to explore their technological potential and providing an incentive to profit from the commercialization of innovative ideas. Click below for more SBIR information.
USDA-NIFA Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program
The purpose of this competitive undergraduate scholarship grant program is to increase the multicultural diversity of the food and agricultural scientific and professional workforce, and advance the educational achievement of all Americans by providing competitive grants to colleges and universities. Applications due March 23.
2022 Vermont Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
Specialty Crop Block Grant funds will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by (1) leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops, (2) assisting producers with research and development, (3) expanding availability and access to specialty crops, or (4) addressing local, regional, and national challenges for producers. Any entity may apply, but projects must benefit more than one specialty crop business, individual, or organization.
2022 Vermont Specialty Crop Producer Association Grant Program
Specialty Crop Producer Association Grant funds will establish or strengthen producer associations and cooperatives that serve Vermont specialty crop businesses. Eligible applicants are producer associations, cooperatives, and groups of producers/businesses. Service providers that serve producer associations, cooperatives, and groups of producers are also eligible. This funding opportunity is possible thanks to additional federal funding from a COVID-19 related stimulus bill.