IPM News and Events Roundup 11/22/2024
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.
There will be no Roundup next week.
Enjoy your holiday break and we will see you December 6th.
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Northeastern IPM Center News
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
EPA Launches New Initiative to Tackle PFAS, Identify Emerging Contaminants in Water
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched a new, no-cost technical assistance effort focused on reducing exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities. This initiative is part of EPA’s Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) program.
The Tackling Emerging Contaminants initiative will help eligible public drinking-water systems evaluate emerging contaminant issues, conduct initial water quality testing, and identify next steps in 200 small or disadvantaged communities over the next three years. EPA will also share best practices and amplify successes through case studies, fact sheets, webinars, and other resources regarding addressing emerging contaminants, including PFAS.
The Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program (SLSNCGP) program supports innovative, education-based approaches to addressing disaster preparedness and specific responses related to natural and human-made disasters. Within the states and territories, the Cooperative Extension System has repeatedly served as the trusted community organization that has helped to enable families, communities, and businesses to successfully prepare for, respond to and cope with disaster losses and critical incidents. Deadline to apply is February 13, 2025. For more information, read the SLSNCGP funding opportunity.
The Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the creation of new programs that will help farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, and nuts overcome market barriers for their products, and help producers access necessary pre-market storage for their crops following severe weather events, including recent hurricanes. Specifically, the new Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops initiative will provide $2 billion to assist specialty crop growers in maintaining a strong domestic supply and expanding market opportunities for their crops.
USDA is also creating the Commodity Storage Assistance Program, which will provide $140 million to help producers gain access to a packinghouse, grain elevator, or other facility necessary for the marketing of agricultural commodities. This program is designed for farmers nationwide due to disaster-related challenges, and USDA anticipates high signup rates in the Southeast due to the devastation caused by Hurricanes Debbie, Helene and Milton.
Research in the News
Improving Cole Crops Safety and Weed Control Response with Chloroacetamide and Oxyfluorfen Herbicides Combinations (cambridge.org)
In 2022, trials were carried out in New Jersey and New York to assess the efficacy of weed management and the response of two cole crops to various herbicide combinations and rates. The experiments involved the application of S-metolachlor and micro-encapsulated (ME) acetochlor either alone or combined with oxyfluorfen. Different application timings of oxyfluorfen were tested in greenhouse and field studies. Results from the greenhouse trials showed that substituting S–metolachlor with ME acetochlor in over-the-top applied mixes with oxyfluorfen caused 15% to 22% less crop injury and increased seedling biomass by 33%. In field studies, nontreated plots exhibited significant weed growth, reaching up to 71% coverage 28 days after transplanting (DAT), whereas herbicide-treated plots exhibited weed cover at or below 10% by 28 DAT. Mixtures or sequential applications of oxyfluorfen and chloroacetamides achieved excellent control (≥99%) of the weed species complex compared to single applications of oxyfluorfen or chloroacetamides.
News
On the Trail of the Giant Joro Spider (rutgers.edu)
Rutgers ecologist monitors ecosystem changes as effects of climate change
For the past decade, José Ramírez-Garofalo, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources in the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, has tramped through swamps and meadows in the tri-state metropolitan area looking for signs of environmental change, including signs of new species, insect and otherwise.
Chagas Disease Parasite Can Survive in Dead Kissing Bugs, Study Finds (entomologytoday.org)
Dead kissing bugs could spell trouble for dogs in Texas. A study published in October in the Journal of Medical Entomology shows that Trypanosoma cruzi—the parasite that causes Chagas disease—can survive in dead kissing bugs (Triatominae) even within insecticide-treated dog kennels. This discovery suggests an unexpected infection route: dogs could contract Chagas by ingesting these deceased, parasite-laden bugs in their kennels.
Curious People Lead the Way in Catching New Invasive Species (entomologytoday.org)
Detecting these instances of invasive species is like finding a needle in a very large haystack—but, in this case, you may not even know what the needle looks like! Relying only on detection events from people that know what invasive species are, or what a specific one looks like, unnecessarily narrows the pool of people that can recognize these rare but important events. Curious members of the public can play an additional critical role in helping to identify these new invasion occurrences. And, crucially, background knowledge on what an invasive species looks like, or even what invasive species are at all, is not required.
Call for submissions
The Northeast Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Network is inviting submissions for contributed talks at our annual Symposium! The annual NE RISCC symposium brings together invasive species and climate change researchers and practitioners in the Northeastern U.S. and Central and Eastern Canada to share knowledge and build relationships.
SUBMIT HERE, and see below for more information.
The 2025 symposium will be held virtually via Zoom on March 11 & 12 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm EST each day. There are two types of contributed talks described below. Your talk could be scheduled for either day. The deadline for submissions is Monday, November 25, 2024 by 5:00 pm.
Topics for either format should address the intersection of climate change and invasive species, and may include impacts, management, monitoring, public health, policy and regulation, public perception, or communication and outreach. We welcome perspectives from researchers, policy makers, practitioners, and educators working in government agencies (federal, state, provincial, municipal, Indigenous), Indigenous organizations, non-profits, academic institutions, and community groups. Talks may center around observations from the field, original research, case studies, practitioner success stories or lessons learned, or related topics. Notification for accepted talks will be provided by January 25, 2025.
Long Form Presentations:
20 minute talk (including Q&A) with slideshow presentation
Short Form Presentations:
10 minute talk (including Q&A) with or without slideshow presentation
lease contact the NE RISCC symposium team at risccmanagement@gmail.com with questions.
Webinars, seminars, meetings, and more
Using biosurveillance for detection of Pseudoperonospora cubensis, causal agent of cucurbit downy mildew, in both research and commercial field settings
Maria Prieto Torres, North Carolina State University
Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology Section – AgriTech
Tuesday, November 26, 11:15 am – 12:05 pm, A134 Barton Lab & Zoom Passcode: Seminar
Invasive Species Ambassador Training
Join us for the 2nd Annual Wild Spotter Invasive Species Ambassador Training
This 3-day training course will host more than 25 speakers dedicated to addressing key topics on how to engage, implement, manage, measure, and sustain multiple facets of invasive species program practices. Gain advanced knowledge on how to build support, create partnerships, source funding, manage volunteers, and other vital topics so that your grassroots efforts create impactful change on your local environments and wilderness quality. The course includes both informational presentations and hands-on exercises.
This event will have limited attendance through a merit selection process. Priority will be given to participants who can demonstrate their commitment to building invasive species management capacity within their community.
Extension Master Gardener Program
The UVM Extension Master Gardener Course is our 16-week online signature course. It covers the fundamentals of home gardening including basic botany, soil fertility, insects and diseases, vegetable planning and production, herbaceous perennials, small fruit and tree fruit, pollinator plants, tree care, landscape design, and volunteerism. Content is specific to Vermont's growing conditions. The course is offered each winter/spring as required training to become a certified Extension Master Gardener volunteer or as personal/professional development as an at-your-own-pace asynchronous option.
Registration is now open for the 2025 course through January 17, 2025. The course will be offered online, starting on January 23 and running for 16 weeks until May 15. Online course materials will be available until May 29.
EXCITE H5N1 initiative. The overall goal of the project is to, in collaboration with the National Center for Farmworker Health and USDA partners, increase Extension Agent and Dairy Farmer Knowledge of H5N1 and increase prevention practices on-farm to reduce human disease related to H5N1.
To introduce this initiative and to share best current knowledge and resources, we will be hosting a nationwide webinar to update Extension professionals who are working with the dairy industry and the producers in their states.
The webinar will be held December 12 from 2 to 4 PM Eastern. Topics will include:
? Introduction of EXCITE H5N1 team
? Update regarding known prevalence and geographic profile
? Critical research updates
? Key aspects of prevention and early intervention
? Key resources which can be shared with clientele
? Invitation to future monthly H5N1 professional development offerings
? Next steps for support and funded partners
The Zoom link for registration is included below:
https://extension.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsceusrTMtGtWbGvjbswnDKzXIPQjjz2XE
IR-4 2025 Industry Technology Session
The 2025 Industry Technology Session (ITS) will be held virtually (via Zoom) on Thursday, February 20. We anticipate a schedule of 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, but exact timing is subject to change. This annual event invites companies to present updates on products already in IR-4 research, as well as new technologies designed to meet the pest management needs of specialty crop producers. We have shifted the ITS to occur earlier in the year (February rather than July) to better accommodate stakeholders’ busy summer schedules and allow more time before the Project Clearance Request submission deadline of July 1, 2025.
Previously featured
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*
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.
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
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!
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
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
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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- 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.
Employment Opportunities
The College of Science at Virginia Tech seeks applicants for a 9-month research and teaching tenure-track position at any rank in the area of environmental data science as part of a campus-wide Invasive Species cluster hire located at the Blacksburg, VA campus. The position will concentrate on understanding the complex factors that shape invasive species spread, occurrence, and persistence to inform early detection, rapid response, and long-term management of invasive species. The focus of the position is to develop an innovative research program in retrospective and predictive modeling of invasive species at any organismal scale that reconstructs or predicts invasive species risk, spread, and impacts.
Assistant Professor-Tenure System
The Department of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University invites applications for a full-time 12-month tenure-system Assistant Professor position (with a 50% Research, 40% Extension, and 10% Teaching assignment) to lead an internationally recognized, innovative and competitively funded research and extension program in weed science and ecology to support Michigan’s fruit and vegetable industries. The position start date is anticipated to be August 16, 2025.
Senior Program Coordinator - Veg IPM
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Senior Program Coordinator – Veg IPM for the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension (RCE) within the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. This position will be housed at an NJAES Research Farm facility, campus, or county office (TBD).
Within the senior program coordinator duties, the candidate will be responsible for making pest management recommendations to growers and making diagnostic field visits, often on a last-minute and ‘on-demand’ basis, which often matches the demands of weather, pest development, and other biological conditions, as well as any developing market factors. The training of seasonal employees may also be partly determined by unplanned biological, weather, and market factors; thus necessitating weekend and evening work hours, and will also include the preparation for, attendance at, and presentations at evening grower meetings and state and regional conferences. The preparation and coordination of IPM information for online and printed newsletter publications is also a required duty of this position.
The Volunteer Coordinator will manage volunteer engagement for several key Catskill
Center programs, including the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership
(CRISP), a regional effort addressing invasive species in partnership with the New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The role also supports
volunteer staffing and coordination at the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills
Visitor Center (CVC), which offers interpretive exhibits, accessible nature trails, a gift
shop, a fire tower, and year-round events. Additionally, the Volunteer Coordinator will
oversee volunteers involved in the Catskill Fire Tower Project in partnership with the
DEC. This project ensures public access and interpretation of the six fire towers in
Catskill Park, working closely with more than 100 active volunteers who staff the
towers during the summer months. To learn more about these programs, visit:
Previously featured
Assistant Professor Field Crops Entomology
Location: Ithaca, NY, USA. The academic home for this position is the Department of Entomology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, housed on the Ithaca campus of Cornell University.
The Department of Entomology at Cornell University is seeking applications for a 9-month, full-time, tenure-track position in the area of Field Crops Entomology. The successful candidate will develop an internationally recognized research and extension program focused on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of grain and forage crops, including corn (>1 million acres in New York State), alfalfa hay (500,000 acres), soybeans (350,000 acres), wheat (150,000 acres), and other small grains. We seek a highly collaborative scientist who will build trust and communicate effectively with field crop farmers and other stakeholders, and will interact extensively with colleagues at Cornell to achieve its Land Grant mission. In this position, research and extension will focus on novel practices that use biological, chemical, physical, and/or cultural control methods to manage pressing insect pest issues currently affecting field crop growers. Research should combine insights from field trials with other approaches, potentially ranging from lab-based analyses to modeling to landscape-scale observational studies, to devise pest management strategies that enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impacts.
CALS Environmental Health & Safety Associate
While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.
As the OEH Associate for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, college-wide responsibilities include programs to assure the proper management of chemicals. The OEH Associate is responsible for the management of chemicals utilized and the provision of staff training and guidance related to chemicals in alignment with the University’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) office’s policies and procedures. Also, receives chemicals, enters information into the chemical management system, labels appropriately, manages inventory and completes regular audits. Serves as a chemical management resource for research laboratories. Guides and assists with safety and compliance related to storage and disposal of chemicals. Provides training related to chemical management inventory as needed.
Assistant Director-Finance and Business Services
The Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture seeks to fill the Assistant Director of Finance & Administration position. The candidate will work in the Departmental Business Office team to oversee the day-to-day management of Sponsored Awards, in coordination with the Program Management Specialist.
The candidate will administer requests for new hires/positions for contractual positions funded on Sponsored Research projects and Lecturer contracts. The incumbent will also coordinate with the Business Office team to support departmental budget reports, ensuring the department’s financial integrity and maintaining long-term financial planning and projections.
This position will also be a backup reviewer/approver for travel requests and departmental inventory tracking. The Assistant Director will report directly to the Director of Financial Services and will work closely with the Department Chair, staff, and faculty (and necessary Departmental stakeholders), College-level administrative officers, and administrative personnel across campus to successfully execute the duties of this position.
JIFSAN, a joint program of the University of Maryland and the U.S. FDA, is seeking a full-time Post-Doctoral Associate position within the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). The incumbent will participate in applied regulatory research studying the potential for marine and freshwater natural toxin contamination in FDA-regulated products. The primary focus will be on freshwater cyanotoxins in products that either include cyanobacteria or extracts of cyanobacteria (e.g., foods and dietary supplements), or are exposed to cyanobacteria or cyanotoxin-contaminated waters during their production (e.g., seafood and produce).
Successful candidates for this research position will be responsible for utilizing biological, chemical, and/or toxicological knowledge and experience to inform scientific and regulatory decisions regarding the safety of FDA-regulated products from contamination with marine and freshwater natural toxins. The primary focus of this research opportunity will be on products containing freshwater cyanobacteria or extracts of cyanobacteria directly or are exposed to cyanobacteria or cyanotoxin-contaminated waters during their production. Additional opportunities to participate in research related to marine natural toxins (i.e. saxitoxin, domoic acid, okadaic acid, etc.) will also be possible. Specific duties will include method development and validation, as well as potential
product screening in a range of FDA-regulated products. Candidates will have the opportunity to interact with a variety of state and Federal agencies within their area of study.
Bioresource Soil Science and Management
The School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University welcomes applications for a 9-month, full-time tenure-track position in Bioresource Soil Science and Management at the assistant professor level. The primary production that sustains human life begins and ends with the soil. Yet, degradation of soil health caused by emerging contaminants and agricultural intensification threaten the sustainability of our production systems. Biomass residual resources, such as food waste, human and animal waste, and other plant and animal materials, are often decoupled from production sites, resulting in degradation of soil health and reliance on chemical fertilizers to maintain fertility. Moreover, this decoupling generates waste streams that promote eutrophication of inland and coastal waters. As we reduce fossil fuel usage and increase the circularity of materials flows, there is a demand for research and education related to the management of bioresources in agricultural systems. Relevant research topics include: the effect of organic residuals on soil health and fertility, assessing and mitigating risks caused by the presence of emerging contaminants in residuals applied to soil, developing strategies for improving organics recycling and reuse. This position will serve as a bridge between bioresource producers and consumers, while safeguarding our land, water, and air from the hazard of legacy contaminants and associated toxicological concerns.
Assistant Professor, Tenure Track
The School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University is seeking a plant-microbe interactions scientist, whose research takes a systems approach to fill key knowledge gaps in plant-microbe interaction biology in the context of a changing climate. The successful candidate’s research will show strong promise of establishing predictive principles and foundational knowledge key to innovating for sustainable plant health. Example areas of inquiry include, but are not limited to: (a) the dynamic effects of changing abiotic stresses (heat, drought, flooding, cold, extreme weather events), agricultural and landscape management practices, and plant genetics on plant-associated microbial communities; (b) effects of the environment (micro- to macro-) on detection, signaling, and responses in plant-microbe and plant-microbe-microbe interactions; (c) structural and functional diversity at the molecular interface between plants and microbes across populations, genotypes, and environments over space and time, to understand specificity and evolution of pathogenic and beneficial associations; (d) impacts of microbes on plant physiology, biochemistry, development, and immunity and in turn on plant and soil microbiomes and how those impacts affect resilience of individual plants, populations, or ecosystems; and (e) mechanisms by which plant-associated microbial communities alter plant productivity, nutrition, metabolite production, and/or tolerance to biotic (pathogen, insect) and/or abiotic (climate, nutrient, pollution) stressors. The successful candidate will integrate cutting-edge approaches, such as metagenomics, multi-OMICs, single cell technologies, genome editing of plants and microbial communities, advanced imaging and other non-destructive sensing, systems modeling, machine learning, and others, at any spatial or temporal scale, ranging from molecules and cells to populations and ecosystems, nanoseconds to decades. They will collaborate broadly, across disciplines, to support translation of findings to pressing challenges in applied plant and agricultural sciences. In addition to their research program, the individual in this position will enhance course offerings by incorporating climate change into plant health- and plant microbiome-centered topics. In that role, the person will be expected both to develop new courses and to collaborate to enrich the content of existing courses.
Tenure-Track: Assistant Professor in Acarology
The Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Entomology in Acarology. This is a nine-month, full-time, tenure-track appointment specialization in Acarology, located on the Texas A&M campus in College Station, TX. This position has duties in Research, Teaching, and Service with approximately a 60%, 30%, and 10% distribution of effort, respectively. However, the appointment may change in accordance with Departmental needs. The anticipated start date is August 1, 2025.
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.
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.
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 - 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)
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.
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 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.
Funding Opportunities
Previously Newly featured this issue
Nationwide Equity and Accessibility Funding Opportunities
Nationwide Equity and Accessibility
The four Regional Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Centers champion the development and adoption of integrated pest management, the science of managing pests, while protecting people, the environment and economy. To help increase equity and accessibility within the IPM community, the Regional IPM Centers are providing two funding opportunities: Equity and Accessibility Grants and Equity and Accessibility Mini-Grants.
These Equity and Accessibility funding opportunities will be awarded to projects that allow recipients to make progress towards IPM goals, while prioritizing equity and access to IPM tools and resources.
Examples of equity and accessibility projects that have been funded are available. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your ideas for this grant prior to applying, please contact Dr. Katie Hartmann: hartm783@crk.umn.edu.
Equity and Accessibility Grants
The Equity and Accessibility Grant program actively supports equity and accessibility initiatives by offering assistance to organizations and communities led by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including, but not limited to: Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, immigrants, migrants, neurodiverse individuals, Veterans, beginning and women farmers, and members of the disability community, as well as faculty, staff, and students. This grant program also welcomes proposals related to training, education, and collaborations promoting equity and inclusion. Proposals should:
- · Focus on IPM
- · Deliver benefits to communities and stakeholders
- · Enhance the cultural competency of staff
- · Identify gaps in IPM resources and propose ways to improve access
- · Conduct needs assessments for the communities being served.
Funding Available: $80,000 with awards of up to $20,000 each
Period of Performance: End date no later than 9/17/25
Application deadline: Open until funds are depleted
Download the Equity and Accessibility Grant RFA
Equity and Accessibility Mini-Grants
The Equity and Accessibility Mini-Grants program is a smaller-scale funding opportunity for individuals or groups who have innovative ideas but require a smaller budget to execute their projects.
Funding Available: Awards of up to $5,000 each
Period of Performance: End date no later than 9/17/25
Application deadline: Open until funds are depleted
Download the Equity and Accessibility Mini-Grants RFA
Title: Finger Lakes Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM)
Agency: Environmental Conservation, NYS Department of
Division: Division of Fiscal Management
Contract Number: C013469
CR Number: 2115606
Contract Term: January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2028
Date of Issue: 11/08/2024
Due Date/Time: 12/03/2024 11:00 AM
County(ies): Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Livingston, Madison,
Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins,
Wayne, Yates
Classification(s): Environmental - Consulting & Other Services
Opportunity Type: General
Description: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking
proposals for the administration of the Finger Lakes Partnership for Regional
Invasive Species Management (PRISM).
This RFP is for administration of the Finger Lakes Partnership for Regional
Invasive Species Management (PRISM) which is one of eight (8) PRISMs across
New York State. The geographic area within the PRISM boundaries includes
Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Tompkins, Tioga, Steuben, Wayne,
Yates, Cortland, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler and
Seneca Counties, although work across PRISM boundaries may be required
from time to time. The mission of the Finger Lakes PRISM is as follows: “The
Finger Lakes PRISM mission is to reduce the introduction, spread, and impact of
invasive species within the Finger Lakes PRISM region through coordinated
education, detection, prevention, and control measures. ”
Pursuant to the State Finance Law Sections 139-j and 139-k, this RFP includes
and imposes certain restrictions on communications between a Governmental
Entity and a Proposer during the procurement process. Further information
about these requirements, including a copy of the new lobbying law, can be
found at: http://www.ogs.ny.gov/acpl/.
All correspondence and/or questions relating to this RFP should be directed to
the Department’s designated contact person.
Please note, telegraphic or other electronically transferred bids are not
acceptable.
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Set Aside: No
Total MWBE Participation Goals: 0%
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Contracting Goal: 0%
Disadvantaged Owned Sub-Contracting Goal: 0%
Business entities awarded an identical or substantially similar
procurement contract within the past five years: Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Primary contact: Environmental Conservation, NYS Department of
Division of Lands & Forests
Dave Adams
Biologist 2 (Ecology)
625 Broadway, 5th Floor
Albany, NY 12233-4253
United States
Ph: 518-402-9149
Submit to
contact:
Environmental Conservation, NYS Department of
Division of Fiscal Management
Justin Lennox
Associate Accountant
625 Broadway
10th Floor
Albany, NY 12233-5027
United States
Ph: 518-402-0633
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.