IPM News and Events Roundup 10/04/2024
A weekly collection of IPM news, webinars, employment, funding opportunities, and more from the Northeastern IPM Center
If you have IPM-related research, events, or other IPM news you would like to have included, please email Jerrie Haines at jlh472@cornell.edu. If you would like to subscribe to the weekly Roundup, please email northeastipm@cornell.edu. Past Roundups are archived on our website.
Connect with the Northeastern IPM Center
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | IPM Insights Newsletter | Impact Statements | Find a Colleague | Northeast Priorities | Annual Reports | IPM Wheels Poster | Recipients of 2024 Partnership Grants | "The IPM Toolbox" Webinar Series | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in IPM Past Recordings
Northeastern IPM Center News
PLEASE NOTE: The 2025 Northeastern IPM Center's IPM Partnership Grants RFA was revised on October 3, 2024.
The revised RFA is soliciting proposals only for 6-month projects starting 3/1/25 and ending by 8/31/25. The deadline for proposal submissions is November 14, 2024.
The Northeastern Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Center has opened its annual request for applications (RFA) for projects seeking funding through the IPM Partnership Grants Program in 2025, with an application deadline of November 14, 2024.
IPM Partnership Grants Program
The IPM Partnership Grants Program supports three project types: IPM Applied Research, IPM Working Groups, and IPM Communications.
Up to $160,000 in total will be available for 2025, generally with a maximum of $40,000 per award, although projects that meet the criteria for a diversity-focused competitive preference priority may apply for up to an additional $10,000.
Funded projects are expected to contribute significantly to the adoption and/or development of IPM in one or more of the Center’s Signature Programs while addressing one or more of the Center’s cross-cutting issues (https://www.northeastipm.org/about-us/signature-programs/).
There is a 6-month time limit on funded projects.
Informational webinar
The Center will host an informational webinar for prospective applicants on October 9, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to noon (Eastern).
Visit https://neipmc.org/go/partnership for more information.
Learn more or apply
• IPM Partnership Grants Program: https://neipmc.org/go/partnership
• Northeastern IPM Center Signature Programs and cross-cutting issues: https://www.northeastipm.org/about-us/signature-programs/
The Center’s grants programs are supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-NIFA).
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.
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.
News
Highlights include:
- Apply for Funding
- Ag Communication Workshop
- Wheat Cover Crop Tips
Call for papers
Journal of Economic Entomology - Recent advances in biological control of spotted-wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii
The Journal of Economic Entomology (JEE) invites you to submit a manuscript proposal for a special collection titled “Recent advances in biological control of spotted-wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii”.
JEE’s special collections bring together articles on special topics of interest that would benefit from group presentation in the journal and dedicated promotion by ESA communications and our publishers at Oxford University Press.
For this special collection, we aim to collect original research and review articles highlighting recent and important research progress or providing novel insights into methods for enhancing or assessing the impact of natural enemies especially parasitoids on SWD control. Articles may cover but not limited to the following themes: (1) Release, establishment and impact of introduced parasitoids; (2) optimal methods for rearing and cold storage of key parasitoids; (3) overwintering survival of introduced parasitoids; (4) climatic tolerances and geographical distributions of key parasitoids; (5) host fruit effects on the efficiency of key parasitoids; (6) interspecific interactions and outcomes of key parasitoids; (7) pesticide effects on key parasitoids; (8) chemical ecology of parasitoid host location and host specificity; (8) behavioral ecology of parasitoid foraging efficiency; (9) other biological control agents (predators and entomopathogens); and (10) integration of biological control into SWD IPM.
Submission deadline: March 1st, 2025. We aim to publish this special collection in June 2025, but papers will be published online as soon as they are completed and then gathered into an online collection once all of them are available.
Webinars, seminars, meetings, and more
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT FOR AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES: PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE
Purple loosestrife is one of the most invasive, non-native?aquatic perennial plants in North America, and has spread to nearly every U.S. state and Canadian province. Dense patches of purple loosestrife outcompete native plants and disrupt wetland ecosystems by reducing nesting sites, shelter, and food for surrounding wildlife.?In this?free?webinar, our expert?will share how utilizing the natural enemies of purple loosestrife, like leaf-eating beetles, has proven successful at managing and reducing this invasive species. ??
Tue, Oct 8, 2024 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT
Once a year, the Tick IPM Working Group hosts the Tick Academy, which is an opportunity for researchers, educators, students, public health professionals, pest control professionals, public-space managers and citizen scientists interested in learning more about what they can do to stop the spread of ticks and tick-borne diseases in their communities.
This year’s Tick Academy will take place October 16 – 17, 2024 10 AM – 2 PM CST.
Friday, October 18th, 2024
The Cornell Rice Field Day is hosted by faculty at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering.
Friday, October 18, 2024 / 8:30am to 5pm
$45 per person (includes breakfast, lunch and transportation between Parts 1 & 2 locations.
Each workshop attendee must complete a separate registration and payment form.
Please register by October 6th at this link: https://riceconference.securepayments.cardpointe.com/pay
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*
October 10th, 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
2123 Comstock/Zoom & A137 Barton Lab (speaker will be in person)
Speaker: Mike Turell fmr. USA AMRIID Arbovirologist
50 years of research at the U. S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases.
Host: Laura Harrington, Corrie Moreau
October 17th, 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
2123 Comstock/Zoom & A137 Barton Lab (speaker will be in person)
Speaker: Don Weber, USDA ARS Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Lab
Applying aggregation pheromones to management of vegetable pests
Host: Laura Martinez, Jennifer Thaler
October 24th, 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
2123 Comstock/Zoom & A137 Barton Lab (speaker will be in person)
Speaker: Deepika Vasudevan, University of Pittsburg
Multiple modes of mRNA translation regulation in stress response signaling
Host: Brian Lazzaro
October 31st, 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
2123 Comstock/Zoom & A137 Barton Lab (speaker will be in person)
Speaker: Kara Fikrig, Cornell University
A hitchhiker's guide to the Amazon: a tale of the rural invasion of the dengue mosquito and the quest for vector control
Host: Laura Harrington
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.
RNA-based biopesticides
Lindsy Iglesias
Head of Discovery Biology, GreenLight Biosciences, Inc.
Lindsy Iglesias is driven by her commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture using innovative and forward-thinking solutions. Presently, she is the Head of Discovery Biology at GreenLight Biosciences, where she leads the discovery screening strategy for RNA-based pest control products. Her background is in entomology, crop protection, and integrated pest management (IPM). Before joining GreenLight, Lindsy was a postdoctoral scholar at Cornell University and earned her PhD in Entomology, MSc in Interdisciplinary Ecology, and BSc in Environmental Science and Sustainability Studies from the University of Florida. She is an active member of the Entomological Society of America (ESA), where she has served on the Early Career Professional Committee, the Student Affairs Committee, and has organized several symposia.
Date: October 23, 2024
Time: 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Join SLELO PRISM and the Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust on guided hikes held from October through February to learn how to survey for hemlock woolly adelgid and report observations to the iMapInvaisves free mobile app. Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) kills hemlock trees. Hemlocks are a key tree species for healthy forests in the Tug Hill region and elsewhere, and your efforts can make a difference in preventing the spread of this insect. Attendees are encouraged to make a free iMapInvasives user account and download the iMap mobile app prior to attending the hike. Registration is required. Hikes are held from 10 AM-12 PM on the dates below:
October 30th- Inman Glide Trail, Rodman, NY
November 8th- Trenton Greenbelt Trail, Holland Patent, NY
December 5th- Salmon River Falls, Richland, NY
January 17th- Great Bear Rec. Trail, Fulton, NY
February 14th- Forest Park, Camden, NY
Thursday, October 10th, 9:30 am-4 pm: Adirondack Invasive Species Summit, at Pond Community Center, located at 228 Main St. North Creek, NY 12853. A day-long conversation on invasive species and climate change and how three gene technologies can help us advance our work. Get details and register.
NE RISCC Coffee Talk: Shifting phenology & windows of opportunity for control of invasive species
Thursday, November 7 from 11 am - 12 pm Eastern
Register here: https://bit.ly/3Bh1Qru
Pesticide-related illnesses (PRI) pose a significant risk of harm in the US in both occupational and non-occupational settings. While underreporting is common, thousands of cases of pesticide poisonings are logged each year. The majority of work-related exposure occurs in agriculture. Farmworkers and their families are the population most overexposed to pesticides. This webinar reviews clinical cases to showcase how to recognize and manage pesticide-related illnesses, from initial triage, to the provision of resources for farmworkers, to fulfilling regulatory requirements and reporting obligations.
You can choose to attend one or more of the following webinars.
Nov 7, 2024 04:00 PM
Dec 5, 2024 04:00 PM
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!
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:
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
Registration is now open for the 11th International IPM Symposium!
Register early to take advantage of the lowest rates! Super early bird pricing is available now through November 22nd. After that, prices will increase, so be sure to register soon to secure the best deal.
-
- Full Conference or Single-Day Attendance: Whether you plan to join us for the entire symposium or just a day, we have flexible registration options to suit your schedule.
-
- Attend over 100 presentations, panels, and workshops: Engage in conversation with top experts on cutting-edge IPM research and innovation covering hot topics including Agriculture, Public Health, Built Environments, Landscape, and Forest/Conservation.
-
- Field Trips: Sign up for one of our three excursions and explore the IPM practices of the Port of San Diego, the Midway Naval Museum, or UC San Diego.
-
- Professional Development Workshops: Expand your expertise with our Thursday afternoon IPM Evaluation Workshop or Rodent Short Course!
-
- Student Discounts: We are pleased to offer discounted registration rates and exclusive activities for students.
-
- Participate in the Poster Session: The Poster Session is one of the International IPM Symposium’s most popular sessions showcasing professional, academic and student talent from around the globe. Abstract submission for posters will begin shortly and will close November 8, 2024.
-
- Visit our website for more detailed information about our program, speakers, webinars, travel.
If you have any questions or you’d like to get involved, contact us at ipmsymposium@ipminstitute.org.
Faculty Specialist (Risk Analysis Program Director)
The successful candidate will serve as the Risk Analysis Program Director for the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN). This position is primarily responsible for overseeing and advancing the JIFSAN Risk Analysis Program, which offers a wide array of educational, outreach, and research opportunities tailored to food safety professionals, students, and faculty across diverse disciplines. The JIFSAN Risk Analysis Program integrates several interrelated initiatives, including the Summer Integrated Program in Food Safety Risk Analysis, Professional Development Training via Distance Learning, and Customized Training in Food Safety Risk Analysis. Key responsibilities for this role include providing strategic direction, managing day-to-day operations, and ensuring the successful implementation of all program activities. Additionally, the Director will be expected to teach at least one Food Safety Risk Analysis Professional Development course, contributing directly to the professional growth of participants in the field.
Previously featured
Assistant Professor - Agroecology
The Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a tenure-track position in Agroecology at the rank of Assistant Professor. This position is a full-time, 9-month appointment with a distribution of responsibilities including 40% research, 40% teaching, and 20% service. The successful candidate will be a full member of the University’s faculty and will contribute to advancing sustainable agricultural systems and addressing global food and environmental challenges through their research and teaching in agroecology.
We seek a dynamic candidate with strong commitment to research, teaching, and service in agroecology, working to achieve resilient, just, and sustainable food systems. The candidate will be expected to develop a vigorous, externally funded research program in areas including but not limited to sustainable farming practices, agronomy, agroecosystem management, soil health, chemical ecology, plant-microbe interactions, ecological pest management emphasizing biological controls, climate adaptation of agricultural systems, resilience in food systems, social equity in food production, and the interaction of economic, social and biological principles in agriculture.
For more details on qualifications and application instructions, click HERE.
Assistant Professor - Urban and Managed Landscapes
The Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is seeking talented candidates for a 9-month, full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position. This role will have a distribution of effort comprising 40% Research, 40% Teaching, and 20% Service, focusing on urban managed landscapes. Under exceptional circumstances, highly qualified candidates at other ranks may receive consideration. Massachusetts is the third most densely populated state in the US, and there is increasing demand for accessible greenspaces and recreational areas in urban areas. Turfgrasses are an important component of urban greenspaces, with the turf and related urban landscape industry representing a prominent economic engine for Massachusetts.
The faculty member is expected to develop an interdisciplinary, nationally recognized, integrated program focused on sustainable urban landscape management. Areas of emphasis may include emerging technologies that enable precise water and nutrient management, incorporating resilient turfgrass and ornamental plants in urban green spaces, turfgrass-soil interactions, and weed biology and management.
For more details on qualifications and application instructions, click HERE.
PhD Positions in Environmental Data Science and Invasion Ecology
The Integrative Ecology Lab at Temple University has multiple PhD student positions available for Fall 2025. These positions offer students an exciting chance to work at the epicenter of a recent high-impact invasion, utilizing a combination of field research, data science, and ecological modeling.
Positions: PhD Graduate Students
Department: Biology Department, Temple University
Start Date: Fall 2025
Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA
Funding: Fully funded, Competitive Salary and Benefits
Interviews: Virtual interviews are conducted on a rolling basis,
Application Deadline: October 15th (introductory email), December 15 (graduate school application)
Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station
As the S07 Greenhouse Grower you will support the greenhouse supervisor with the daily operations of the CALS Greenhouses and Growth Chambers, a College-wide service facility supporting 18 departments. This position will be primarily responsible for the Tower Rd./Ken Post Lab teaching greenhouses but will work in other facilities as needed. They will be responsible for highly sensitive and unique research plant material, this position requires close attention to detail and the best horticultural judgment, while operating within the parameters of project protocols.
Director of Finance and Administration
The University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) is a leading land-grant institution that provides teaching, research, and programs through the University of Maryland Extension (UME) to a diverse clientele in the State of Maryland and beyond. UME provides non-credit research-based educational programs and conducts applied research with a $23 million budget and around 350 employees in over 30 offices around the state. The Director of Finance and Administration oversees and guide departmental financial, administrative, and personnel management functions. This position supports UME’s vision, mission, program priorities, and statewide operations while ensuring the implementation of university, college, and departmental policies and procedures. The director reports to the Associate Dean/Associate Director and oversees business managers, IT coordinators, and related staff while serving as a resource for UME senior administrators, area/city extension directors, and directors/coordinators in fiscal management, HR management, and other administrative services. The Director of Finance and Administration is a member of UME’s leadership team. The Director will provide strategic financial guidance and leadership, working on crucial tasks such as financial analysis, reporting, budget creation, forecasting, long-term strategic financial planning, expense tracking, compliance, and internal control functions. The director advises the Associate Dean and senior admin team concerning administrative services, personnel, departmental, college, and university policies, fiscal matters, and budgets. This position will manage financial operations with business managers and staff; oversee pre-award and post-award management; manage department IT coordinators and resources; oversee personnel-related functions; and support AED/CEDs in financial allocation, management, and planning at county/city offices. The position works closely with college-level finance, grant management, Human Resources, Compliance, and Diversity offices and serves as a liaison between the college and university units on behalf of UME in fiscal, personnel management, and adherence to administrative procedures.
Penn State Extension Associate Director of Programs (University Park, PA)
Penn State Extension is seeking an Associate Director of Programs to coordinate programming efforts and ensure Penn State Extension develops and delivers high-quality, relevant, and impactful extension educational programs, products, and services. This senior-level leadership position will provide daily oversight in the development and implementation of a customer-centric, innovative business strategy that meets the mission of the land-grant university and will be an integral part of Extension’s Senior Administrative Team. Review of applications will begin in late October.
Postdoctoral Research Associate - EAB
Dr. John J. Daigle, Professor in the School of Forest Resources at the University of Maine is seeking applicants for a postdoctoral position research scholar with a strong social science and forest management background. This is a full-time position that will provide an individual who has recently been awarded a doctorate to undertake the responsibilities of community engagement and research. The position will include outreach and communications for collaboration in sustaining brown ash as a component of forest environments.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
2025 Funds Available from the North Central IPM Center
You are invited to apply for funding from the North Central Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Center. Funding is available for Community Initiative projects, Critical Issue research projects, and Working Group projects focused on integrated pest management. Funding for selected projects will be awarded in March of 2025.
Funding of these projects supports the North Central IPM Center’s mission to improve the health, environment and economic conditions in the North Central region while using IPM to address pest-related challenges. This mission directly accomplishes the goals of the National IPM Roadmap.
Funding Categories
- Community
- Working Groups
- Critical Issues
The Community Initiative request for applications (RFA) is new this year to help underserved communities. Activities may include developing and delivering educational outreach programs to youth or adults; increasing access to effective IPM practices and resources; or conducting research that addresses specific IPM challenges faced by a community in the North Central region.
The Critical Issue and Working Group projects share the same RFA. Critical Issue projects can fulfill research or resource needs focused on disease, weed, or insect issues impacting crops, human health, or safety. Working Group projects should focus on increasing collaboration in the North Central region to address an IPM challenge.
Funding Amounts
The Center has approximately $360,000 to award and expects to fund about 13 projects. Each project may receive up to $30,000 for a 12-month period.
Deadline
Friday, November 22, 2024, at 6 pm ET (5 pm CT).
Getting Started
Applicants are encouraged to use Center priorities for inspiration during planning efforts. A Q&A webinar will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 10:00 ET (9:00 AM CT). Be sure to register in advance. Questions may also be sent to northcentral@ncipmc.org.
The Southern Integrated Pest Management Center is pleased to announce the release of the 2025 Southern IPM Grants Request for Applications (RFA). Deadline for proposals is Friday, November 22, 2024 at 5 PM Eastern Time.
Our annual competitive grants program, Southern IPM Grants, regionally address Global Food Security challenges including invasive species, endangered species, pest resistance, and impacts resulting from regulatory actions. We use a competitive process each year to solicit and select projects for funding.
We recommend reading through the entire RFA before beginning your planning and to give yourself ample time to enter your information into our online grant management system. Any changes to the RFA from last year are in red font. Notable changes for the 2025 RFA include new application requirement questions, edited and new proposal evaluation measures, and small changes to forms (cover and assurances, budget narrative, and budget justification).
Funding Categories
- Seed Projects
- Capstone Projects
- Working Groups (New or Continuing)
Funding Amounts
Targeted total funding for all Seed, Capstone, and Working Group projects is $250,000. Most projects are limited to $30,000 although in special circumstances IPM Working Group proposals may qualify for up to $40,000 per proposal.
Timeline
The review panel for Southern IPM Grants sits in mid-January to make decisions regarding the funding of proposals. Applicants will be notified in a timely manner so projects can begin on March 1.
Specialty Crop Research Initiative
The purpose of the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) program is to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by awarding grants to support research and extension that address key challenges of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture, including conventional and organic food production systems. Projects must address at least one of five focus areas:
Research in plant breeding, genetics, genomics, and other methods to improve crop characteristics
Efforts to identify and address threats from pests and diseases, including threats to specialty crop pollinators
Efforts to improve production efficiency, handling and processing, productivity, and profitability over the long term (including specialty crop policy and marketing)
New innovations and technology, including improved mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening
Methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control, and respond to potential food safety hazards in the production efficiency, handling and processing of specialty crops
Closing date: November 8, 2024
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s (DACF) Fund to Address PFAS Contamination (PFAS Fund) has opened applications for $3 million in research grants to address the impact of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) on agriculture. The funding is part of the state’s ongoing effort to help farmers manage the challenges posed by PFAS contamination and to identify strategies to maintain viable agricultural operations.
The PFAS Fund’s Major Grants for the Study of PFAS in Agriculture will support research on several critical topics:
- PFAS in Agricultural Settings: Water, Soil, and Plant Studies
- PFAS in Agricultural Settings: Animals and Animal Product Studies
- Understanding and Managing PFAS in On-Farm Settings and Products
- Remediation of PFAS-Contaminated Land and Suitable Uses of PFAS-Contaminated Products
“The outcomes of these studies will, for example, help us understand which crops can safely be grown in PFAS-impacted soil, develop techniques to reduce PFAS in livestock and animal products, and explore on-field crop management strategies that minimize PFAS contamination in forages fed to dairy animals,” said Beth Valentine, Director of the PFAS Fund. “This research will provide Maine farmers—and farmers across the country—with critical tools to continue farming safely and sustainably.”
Eligibility and Funding Details
DACF anticipates awarding between $100,000 and $500,000 per project, with $3 million available. While the funding is primarily geared toward academic and research institutions, partnerships with Maine-based farms and organizations are strongly encouraged. The scoring criteria will award additional points to proposals from Maine-based institutions or those collaborating with local farms.
Application Deadlines
- Pre-proposals are due by October 28, 2024.
- Full proposals must be submitted by January 31, 2025.
The grants will be awarded through a competitive process based on criteria outlined in the Request for Applications (RFA). A panel of peer reviewers will evaluate the proposals. No projects have been pre-identified; all awards will be based on the competitive evaluation process.
For more information, including the full RFA, visit https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ag/pfas/pfas-fund-research.shtml
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.