IPM News and Events Roundup 11/01/2024
A weekly collection of IPM news, webinars, employment, funding opportunities, and more from the Northeastern IPM Center
If you have IPM-related research, events, or other IPM news you would like to have included, please email Jerrie Haines at jlh472@cornell.edu. If you would like to subscribe to the weekly Roundup, please email northeastipm@cornell.edu. Past Roundups are archived on our website.
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Northeastern IPM Center News
- Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs: When You Go Inside to Escape the Autumn Chill, They're Not Far Behind
- Recipients of Regional IPM Centers DEIA Funding
- Northeastern IPM Center Announces Request for Applications for 2025 IPM Partnership Grants
- Upcoming Northeastern IPM Center Events
- Save the Date: 11th International IPM Symposium
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.
2024 Northeast Integrated Pest Management Research Update Conference
December 10, 2024
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 (NESARE) 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 and 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.
Anyone with an internet connection is invited to watch this exciting event hosted by the Northeastern IPM Center. Below is a list of projects that will be discussed during the 90-minute event. The conference will take place via Zoom and will be recorded for later viewing.
To participate in the conference, please register at this link:
cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qMpwTwZnTcmXdmZIwX6raA
Runoff/Erosion Mitigation Options
You may use the measures in Tables 1 and 2 unless you see more restrictive limitations on individual labels or bulletins. If you use these tables, you may select any combination of measures in the tables to achieve the minimum points required by the label or bulletin.
EPA’s runoff points calculator (xlsm) (172.28 KB) and Mitigation Calculator User Guide (pdf) (853.68 KB) can help you calculate the number of points earned for practices already in place on the field.
Click here for a PDF version Mitigation Menu (pdf) (301.62 KB) .
EPA Announces Proposed Registration for New Pesticide Veratridine
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposed registration decision for products containing the new active ingredient (AI) veratridine, an insecticide for direct application to walls and other man-made structures, such as transportation equipment for non-food commodities. Veratridine acts against pests by targeting insect nervous systems in a manner similar to the pyrethroids, but potentially without concerns for cross-resistance with those other chemicals. Cross-resistance occurs when use of one insecticide confers resistance to other insecticides in the same class, resulting in pests with resistance to multiple pesticides, which then may not be able to be controlled using those pesticides.
To read more about the proposed registration of veratridine and to comment, see docket ID EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0772 at?www.regulations.gov. The public comment period will be open for 30 days, closing on November 30, 2024
Research in the News
Nocturnal behavior and dietary specialization of Vespa binghami (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in South Korea (academic.oup.com)
This study comprehensively explored the ecological roles, behaviors, and adaptive strategies of the enigmatic nocturnal hornet species Vespa binghami du Buysson, 1905 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), in South Korea. Using time-series analysis, we identified the hornet’s peak activity to be between 23:00 and 00:00, consistent with its dietary preference for species of the order Lepidoptera as identified through cytochrome c oxidase I metabarcoding. Metabarcoding revealed a specialized diet that predominantly consists of moths belonging to the family Noctuidae, suggesting a co-evolutionary predator-prey relationship. However, our sample size was limited; therefore, this observation should be considered preliminary. Our findings also provide evidence of opportunistic predation on bees, indicating adaptive flexibility in foraging behavior.
Why a Single Pesticide Treatment in Fall Could Suffice for Blacklegged Tick Management (entomologytoday.org)
Ticks are pesky arachnids that have persisted across the landscape for thousands of millennia. The oldest known tick fossils date back 99 million years to the Cretaceous Period. Needless to say, ticks are hardy and very difficult to kill and, with modern-day warmer winters, are expanding their ranges and migrating across the northern United States and into southern Canada. This has obvious health implications for humans as well as domesticated animals in terms of increased potential for tick-borne pathogen transmission and resulting cases of tick-borne disease.
News
North Central IPM Center - October Issue
Highlights include:
- Weed management resources: kochia management efforts, new herbicide resource, weed management in cucurbits
- Funding for Farmworker Communities
- Asiatic Garden Beetle Webinar
- Jumping Worm Pest Alert
Why to Stop Tilling and Grow Your Garden Like a Prairie (finegardening.com)
In graduate school my research involved comparing the health of soils in remnant native tallgrass prairies to adjacent farmlands. One of the lessons I learned is that we’d all be better off if we could stop tilling and other unsustainable practices and instead garden like a prairie. The prairies I studied were teeming with biodiversity above and below ground. The air was abuzz with pollinators and other wildlife. The rich, dark topsoil was deep, crumbly, and easily penetrated by plant roots.
Destructive weed, found in NYS, resists common herbicides (news.cornell.edu)
The invasive pigweed Palmer amaranth, first found in New York soybean fields in 2019, has been dubbed the “spotted lanternfly of weeds” for its ability to spread quickly and wreak havoc on crops. Now a new study sheds light on how formidable an opponent the weed is for New York state growers – and offers a way forward.
The Rodents Are Coming! The Rodents Are Coming! (growertalks.com)
As winter approaches and we begin to overwinter perennials, we must recognize that rodents (mice, voles etc.) are synonymous with overwintering. While overwintering perennials, the rodents have everything they need (shelter and food) to survive and thrive the winter months.
It’s amazing how much damage rodents can cause to perennials over the course of the winter. In most instances, their presence goes undetected, but once they're discovered, growers often observe significant damage to the containers, roots, crowns, rhizomes and stems of their perennial crops.
Call for papers
Call for Posters: Enter to win the 2025 Student IPM Inspiration Award
Students, this is your chance to showcase your work and creativity in the field of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The 2025 Student IPM Inspiration Award Competition is open for Project Poster and Infographic submissions.
If you’ve graduated within the past 12 months, now is your chance to enter the competition and gain recognition for your work. Posters and infographics will be presented on March 5, 2025, and awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and Honorable Mention in each IPM field.
Not a student? The Poster Session is a prime opportunity to share your IPM work. Poster abstracts will be showcased at the IPM Symposium and published on the event website! Your work will gain international exposure to leading IPM scientists, students, industry leaders, and practitioners.
Submissions are due by November 8, 2024. For submission guidelines, example posters, and other helpful resources, click here.
Webinars, seminars, meetings, and more
Introduction to the Business of Flower Farming
By the end of this course, you will identify essential questions to ask when making decisions regarding your cut flower operation and learn to:
- Understand the seasonal cycles of a flower farm
- Understand the basics of production techniques and growing season management of pests, weeds, and diseases
- Generate several ideas of what species you could grow, where you could sell them, and whether these ideas are viable
Webinars
The bulk of the course happens on your own time, with discussions, readings, and non-graded review quizzes in Teachable, our virtual classroom. To add to the experience, live webinars will be woven into the online interface of the course to allow you to meet on a weekly basis to learn from outside presenters and ask questions to address your farm issues in real time. If you miss one, they are always recorded and posted for later viewing.
Webinar Schedule
In 2024, this course will be offered live for 6-weeks on Mondays from 6:30 – 8:00 PM (Eastern) from November 4 – December 9. While we encourage live attendance, so you have the opportunity to engage with presenters and ask questions, all webinars are recorded and posted in the online classroom to watch anytime. Once enrolled in this course, you will retain access to all materials indefinitely and can return to participate in the live webinars in future offerings of the course if you wish. Join us!
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT FOR ARBORISTS AND FORESTERS (90-minute webinar)
Trees are an integral part of our ecosystem, but they face many threats from invasive insects and diseases. Keeping trees healthy using integrated pest management (IPM) requires an understanding of the tree species and the pests that can cause harm. This?free?webinar?will provide information on identifying common symptoms of unhealthy trees and IPM-based tactics, including biopesticides, for controlling various tree pests. Experts will focus on IPM approaches to maintenance and pest management for trees in urban, suburban, and park settings.
Tue, Nov 19, 2024 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM EST
Migrant Clinicians Network, in collaboration with the National Center for Farmworker Health, offers the latest updates on the current state of H5N1. We will overview the recommendations regarding treatment and prevention of H5N1 for clinicians and community health workers serving farmworkers employed in dairy and poultry. We will also discuss considerations for H5N1 as seasonal influenza begins taking hold, and the importance of reducing coinfection. Key social determinants of health, such as occupation, language, and literacy, will be discussed as we introduce strategies to provide culturally contextual care to workers. We will share resources in English and Spanish to address H5N1 and the seasonal flu.
Nov 12, 2024 01:00 PM in EST
For more than four decades, the NOFA-NY Winter Conference has convened farmers, food system professionals, educators, advocates, homesteaders, and gardeners who are passionate about building a better food system. Mutual support and the generous exchange of knowledge is a hallmark of the NOFA-NY community as we remain true to our vision of a just and resilient farming system grounded in a diverse community now and for future generations.
Saturday, January 18, 2025 at SUNY Morrisville
2025 30-HOUR PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION COURSE
January 22, 2025; January 24, 2025; January 27, 2025; January 29, 2025; January 31, 2025
This program is designed and approved by the DEC to meet the requirements to become a Commercial Pesticide Technician in category 3a,3b,or 25 after passing the exam. We will cover many topics including how to read a pesticide label, personal protective equipment, integrated pest management, common pests and disease in turf and ornamentals as well as vertebrate pests.
Flyer and registration: 30_hour_course_final_with_25-9-18-24.pdf
CERTIFIED TREE STEWARD TRAINING 2025
April 22, 2025; April 23, 2025; April 25, 2025; April 28, 2025; April 30, 2025; May 2, 2025
The Tree Steward Program is a comprehensive workshop dealing with arboriculture. Through both classroom learning and outdoor exercises, the participants will learn all about tree biology, identification, pruning, planting, rigging and much more. Personal protection as well as tree protection will be emphasized.
Flyer and registration: 2025 Westchester County Tree Steward Training
Previously featured
Find It and Fix It: Effective Strategies for Bed Bug Inspection, Control, and Personal Protection
Webinar | November 5, 2024, 2 pm ET
Sometimes finding the problem is the easy part! Join Susannah Krysko, MS, from the StopPests in Housing Program as she takes a deeper dive into bed bugs. This session will focus on moving beyond simply identifying the problem by exploring effective solutions using integrated pest management (IPM). IPM is a pest control strategy that encompasses prevention and non-chemical tools in addition to pesticide treatments. You’ll discover the advantages and disadvantages of various treatments, how to troubleshoot chronic infestations, and confirm elimination. Personal protection methods to prevent a bed bug exposure from becoming an infestation in your own home will be shared. Don’t miss this opportunity to become an advocate for better pest management in your community.
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
Attend EPA's Webinar: Integrated Pest Management for Arborists and Foresters
Trees are an integral part of our ecosystem, but they face many threats from invasive insects and diseases. Keeping trees healthy using integrated pest management (IPM) requires an understanding of the tree species and the pests that can cause harm. This?free?webinar?will provide information on identifying common symptoms of unhealthy trees and IPM-based tactics, including biopesticides, for controlling various tree pests. Experts will focus on IPM approaches to maintenance and pest management for trees in urban, suburban, and park settings.
November 19, 2024 | 2-3:30 PM ET | Including a 30-minute Q&A
Biocontrol School – In-Person Event
Penn State Extension is hosting an in-person Biocontrol School for anyone interested in learning about biological control and sustainable pest management. The event will take place on December 5, 2024, starting at 8:30 a.m. Eastern, at the Farm and Home Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Speakers from Penn State Extension, BioWorks, Certis, IPM Labs, and Koppert will introduce attendees to various groups of biological control agents (beneficial insects, fungi, etc.). The workshop features a great lineup of experts who will provide valuable background information and practical advice on implementing biological control measures.
For details about the Biocontrol School, including registration, agenda, continuing education credits (CEUs), and more, please visit the event page.
Registration fee: $85 | Registration deadline: November 30
For more information and to register, visit: https://extension.psu.edu/biocontrol-school
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*
November 7th, 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
2123 Comstock/Zoom & A137 Barton Lab (speaker will be in person)
Speaker: Scott Keith, Cornell University
Endocrine regulation of fat body gene regulatory networks
November 21st, 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
2123 Comstock/Zoom & A137 Barton Lab (speaker will be in person)
Speaker: Marc Dionne, Imperial College, London
Costs and consequences of peptide-based immunity
Host: CIHMID, Brian Lazzaro
December 5th, 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
2123 Comstock/Zoom & A137 Barton Lab (speaker will be in person)
Speaker: Brandy St. Laurent, Cornell University
Thermal suitability of Plasmodium falciparum infection in the urban malaria vector Anopheles stephensi under variable humidity
Host: Courtney Murdock
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.
Speaker: Margery Daughtrey, Cornell University
Date: November 13, 2024
Time: 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Urban rodents and human health
Speaker
Caroline Bragdon, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Date: December 4, 2024
Time: 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
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 | 4:00 PM
Dec 5, 2024 | 4:00 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!
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:
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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- Professional Development Workshops: Expand your expertise with our Thursday afternoon IPM Evaluation Workshop or Rodent Short Course!
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- Student Discounts: We are pleased to offer discounted registration rates and exclusive activities for students.
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- 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.
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- 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.
This position is located within the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Northeast Area (NEA), at the Food Systems Research Unit in Burlington, VT.
In this position, you will help to improve the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of Northeast food systems while enhancing human nutrition.
Cornell Botanic Gardens- Gardener S08-IPM Assistant- College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
This position is full time (39 hours) year-round. Under direct supervision of the Greenhouse Supervisor assist the IPM Coordinator by scouting, diagnosing, treating, and working with garden staff on plant health care issues using cultural, biological, mechanical, and chemical control strategies to reduce pests to tolerable levels across all areas of the greenhouses and outdoor gardens. This work requires a general understanding of horticultural practices, plant-pest interactions, diverse pest management techniques and pesticide application equipment. This individual will conduct soil samples, implement a variety of application and inoculation techniques, keep records of pest and disease emergence dates, and apply appropriate pest/disease controls throughout the botanic gardens and arboretum. Using Integrated Pest Management approaches, work with IPM Coordinator to make judgements on best strategies for pest/disease diagnosis, control, and plant health. Maintain scouting reports and treatment notes for outdoor and greenhouse collections into appropriate electronic software programs. Assist the IPM Coordinator by engaging with organizations such as but not limited to the Sentinel Plant Network and Northeastern IPM Center to develop proactive pest prevention care for collections. Maintain the functional plantings at designated areas including but not limited to the Harris Slope and DeCoursey stairs. Maintain demonstration plantings that promote sustainable practices regarding pest management, tree/lawn maintenance, and ecosystem health including but not limited to living mulch tree rings and pollinator strips. Attend conferences or classes to continually pursue professional development within the field. Participate in meetings regarding job priorities, projects, garden reviews, and occasionally hiring committees. Participate in outdoor demonstrations and classes for our priority audiences on scouting techniques and pest and disease identification, and other plant health care issues. This position requires flexibility and will be required to work some weekends and holidays to meet the needs of the department. Assist gardening staff with busy season planting and mulching workloads. Ensure that all protocols and procedures adhere to safety requirements, NY State and Federal environmental laws.
Instructional Assistant Professor/Lecturer
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF .
This is a 12-month, non-tenure-accruing, Instructional Assistant Professor/Lecturer track faculty position that will be 100% teaching housed in the Entomology and Nematology Department within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida. A successful candidate with a Ph.D. degree would be eligible to use the ‘Instructional Assistant Professor’ working title.
Previously featured
The North Central IPM Center is looking for a creative and results-driven Marketing Specialist II to join our team. The North Central Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Center works to bring people together and provide essential resources to address the region’s critical pest problems. As one of four regional centers funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the North Central IPM Center promotes and facilitates the adoption of effective integrated pest management strategies. Serving as the hub for multi-state partnerships and communication networks, the Center connects researchers, farmers, extension educators, commodity organizations, environmental groups, pest control professionals, government agencies, and others across the 12-state North Central region of the continental United States.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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 recording and slides from October 9th’s informational webinar can be found at the following link:
https://neipmc.org/go/rfawebinar2024
The Center’s grants programs are supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-NIFA).
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
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.