IPM News and Events Roundup 12/2/2022
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.
Northeastern IPM Center News
Upcoming Webinar from Northeast IPM Center’s StopPests in Housing Program
No More Prep! A Progressive Approach to Bed Bug Preparation (Northeastern IPM Center’s StopPests in Housing Program)
December 6, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Eastern | Free and open to the public
Tired of making your residents prepare for bed bug treatment? Tired of all the chaos and arguing associated with prep work? While prep may be necessary in a small percentage of problematic units, it should not be required to eliminate bed bugs in 90-95% of infestations. This seminar will present a progressive way to treat for bed bugs that does not include preparation in most apartments. Join StopPests in Housing for this presentation with Jeffrey White, CEO/owner of White Mantis Consultants.
- Information page: http://www.stoppests.org/ipm-training/training-opportunities/stoppests-webinars/no-more-prep-a-progressive-approach-to-bed-bug-preparation/
Registration page: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nKBy9XchRWS2v3gOGR4Qvg
This fall, the Northeastern IPM Center launched a series of webinars to highlight and foster diversity in IPM. We have invited presenters from historically marginalized groups to discuss topics related to their research, or to share their perspectives on overcoming barriers and succeeding in their chosen profession.
To learn more, register for an upcoming webinar, or view recordings of past webinars in the series, visit www.northeastipm.org/ipm-in-action/deij-in-ipm/
December 7, 2022, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Register at cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_s3qDbj5hQoCrFDCJsaN-Cw
December 14, 2022, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Register at cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DzoOzJ4sR26m1DklwqbKMQ
Connect with the Northeastern IPM Center
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
Research in the News
Classical Weed Biocontrol Factsheets Released for Landowners and Weed Managers (naisma.org | August 2022)
The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) Classical Biocontrol Committee is excited to announce the publication of new, peer-reviewed weed biocontrol factsheets for use by managers and landowners. Subject matter experts are developing this series to cover invasive plants and their associated biological control agents in North America. Eighty factsheets for 40 weed systems will soon be published and freely available online. Factsheets for 15 weed systems are available now.
Drought impacts on ecosystem functions of the U.S. National Forests and Grasslands: Part II assessment results and management implications (sciencedirect.com)
Droughts are expected to increase in frequency and severity under climate change, and the interaction between droughts and forest pests has been an important research topic. However, the influences of droughts on pest/pathogen-induced tree mortality vary widely, making it difficult to understand these interactions. Kolb and colleagues review and synthesize existing research on pest and pathogen interactions with drought to provide a comprehensive look at what to expect in U.S. forests under increasing drought frequency and intensity.
Vitamin B1 is Not a Mosquito Repellent. So Why Do Doctors Prescribe It? (Entomologytoday.org | November 25, 2022)
Many people believe taking vitamin B1, garlic, or yeast pills can make their body repel mosquitoes without the need for repellents or nets or long sleeves. Is there truth to this? With all the unfounded fearmongering over the safe and effective DEET, my initial response when hearing a friend-of-a-friend extol the superpowers of supplements as “systemic repellents” was to assume this was yet more medical pseudoscience. Spoiler alert: It is indeed bunk.
Research Tests if Warm-Weather Weevils Can Boost Biocontrol of Puncturevine
Call it puncturevine, goatheads, devil’s thorn or whatever creative collection of expletives you mutter after sitting, kneeling or stepping barefoot onto it, Tribulus terrestris is one unpleasant plant.
Now, with funding from the Western Integrated Pest Management Center, a researcher in New Mexico is measuring the cold-hardiness of weevils from different climactic zones to see if biocontrol efforts in cool northern climes could be boosted by importing warm-weather weevils from the southern deserts.
Soil sensor yields beneficial information for farmers (Morning Ag Clips | November 18, 2022)
Agronomists and soil scientists research best practices for farmers to help them make informed decisions on managing their fields and crops. Rintaro Kinoshita and a team of researchers determined that a tool, an “apparent electrical conductivity sensor (ECa),” can give important insights into farm field management.
Fungicides in Practice (Richard P. Oliver, Dr. Janna Beckerman)
A new resource for every applied plant pathologist or anyone involved in making plant disease management decisions or research.
This is an up-to-date guide on the science and practice of disease control based on fungicides in horticulture and broad acre agriculture. It describes how conventional, organic, and biological fungicides are discovered, how they work and how resistance evolves. Chapters on formulation, mode of action, mobility and application inform decisions about which fungicides to use, when to use them, and how to rotate (or tank-mix) them, to manage both plant disease and fungicide resistance. A chapter on experimental design of fungicide trials aids practitioners in designing their own trials to evaluate how effective products are for their plant disease problem.
Digital tools to revolutionize agriculture (innovationnewsnetwork.com | November 22, 2022)
Digital tools can offer site-specific management guidelines and compile large amounts of information, allowing production efficiency to increase and reducing environmental harm. Tools such as precision irrigation systems can monitor crop and soil conditions to ensure site-specific watering. Information about crop health and soil fertility can be provided by AI to help adjust input application rates and reduce nitrogen runoff.
How NMSU researchers are getting to the root of pecan production challenges (abqjournal.com | November 21, 2022)
“What happens is that before the pecan comes off a tree, it begins to germinate, to make a whole new tree,” said Jennifer Randall of New Mexico State University. “There’s a little root coming out of the pecans. You can’t eat them. You can’t sell them. It is becoming quite a problem.” She said the condition has started to show up in the United States, affecting pecan orchards in Texas and Arizona. It is one of several challenges facing pecan production that are linked to climate change. Randall is a Ph.D. plant molecular biologist and plant pathologist in NMSU’s Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science. She is also the lead researcher in a group of scientists working to develop genetic tools to breed climate-adapted pecan trees.
Other News
Enjoy November Updates from North Central IPM Center
- January Webinar: Saving Money and Pesticides for Apple Growers with New Spray Technology and Warning Systems
- Webinar Recording: SDS Risk and Management
- Weed Seed Destroyer Video
- Turn IPM into an educational board game video
And much more, be sure to check it out.
Five Signs of disease to look for from the combine (cropscience.bayer.us)
From the cab of the combine, you can spot signs of disease that you might not realize were present during the growing season.
Cereals Elevate Your Crop Rotation Program (cropscience.bayer.us)
Adding diversity to your crop rotation will minimize problems with weeds, diseases, and other agronomic issues. Continuous cropping or a limited crop rotation can leave fields open to weed and disease issues, even the development of resistance.
Crop rotations, especially in the Northern Plains, that include cereal crops such as wheat help break the cycle of problem weeds, diseases and insects. Integrating more crops into the rotation can lead to better yield and ROI opportunities, according to the Cereal Experts with Bayer.
Intent to Restrict Certain Neonicotinoid Pesticide Products (dec.ny.gov)
DEC announced the intent to reclassify certain neonicotinoid (neonic) pesticide products as "restricted use" effective January 1, 2023. Products containing imidacloprid, acetamiprid and thiamethoxam that are labeled for foliar and/or widespread outdoor use and/or seed treatment will be reclassified as restricted use.
USDA Announces Programs Supporting Hispanic Representation in U.S. Agriculture (USDA.gov | November 29, 2022)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces two initiatives to increase access to USDA programs and services among Hispanic communities. The Department is renewing the USDA-HACU Leadership Group, a partnership with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). USDA is also accepting applications for the 2023 E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program, which brings faculty and staff from Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Hispanic-Serving School Districts around the nation to USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. to learn more about USDA programs and resources.
Bird flu outbreak drives Nebraska to cull 1.8 million more chickens (NPR.org | November 27, 2022)
About 1.8 million more chickens must be killed in Nebraska to prevent the spread of a highly pathogenic bird flu virus, state officials said, as the U.S. sees its worst outbreak of the disease in seven years.
The state's latest spate of bird flu was found on an egg-laying farm in northeast Nebraska's Dixon County, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture said Saturday.
Pesticide Use Limitation Areas (EPA.gov)
Interactive tool displays Pesticide Use Limitation Areas (PULAs) for products with active Endangered Species Protection Bulletins.
An elegant way to stop deadly Hendra virus spillovers from bats to horses ... to us (NPR.org | November 16, 2022)
Fortunately, Hendra doesn't spread easily among humans. There have only been seven documented cases, but four of them were lethal. And each time a virus jumps from animals to humans — in this case, from bat to horse to person — it gets another chance at evolving and becoming more infectious.
Drones in Agriculture Research Propels Multistate Award (agfax.com | November 24, 2022)
The award recognizes experiment station scientists who are conducting “exemplary research and outreach efforts across multiple states” for unmanned aircraft system applications in U.S. agriculture and natural resources. Scientists from 23 institutions across the nation share the award for their contributions to the project titled, “Research and Extension for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Applications in U.S. Agriculture and Natural Resources.”
From the airy-fairy side:
How Hoverflies Spawn Maggots that Sweeten Your Oranges (KQED.org | November 22, 2022)
Great video of Oblique streaktail hoverflies zip from bloom to bloom wearing a wasp costume to avoid getting eaten. But it’s all show – they don’t even have stingers! Their fierce maggots, on the other hand, devour hundreds of insect pests. As they gorge, they help keep orange trees safe from disease.
The littlest rat catchers: New Zealand schoolchildren trap and kill 600 pests in 100 days (theguardian.com | November 24, 2022)
As part of an attempt to rid Stewart Island of the rodents, children as young as five have taken part in a rat catching competition, with remarkable results
He’s a cycling superhero saving bikers from flat tires by removing one goathead plant at a time.
Survey’s
This is a very quick and completely anonymous survey of growers, land managers, extension and industry personnel, and other stakeholders to describe the distribution and type of herbicide resistance in New York (NY) State. Participants from outside of NY can also reply
Three surveys and reports in the bee and honey program
NASS has three surveys and reports in the bee and honey program: The Honey report is an annual report of number of colonies producing honey, yield per colony, honey production, average price and value, and honey stocks. The Honey Bee Colonies report is an annual report of honey bee colonies, lost colonies, added colonies, renovated colonies and colonies affected by stressors by State and U.S. The Cost of Pollination report is an annual report that tracks the fees associated with crop producers’ use of honeybee pollination.
Webinars, Seminars, Meetings, and More
There’s a Fly in My Soup – IPM in Restaurants
Restaurants are in business to feed people, but unfortunately, they can also be a breeding ground for pests because they provide food, water, and shelter. Restaurants are held to a high standard for managing pests by customers and their local food safety inspectors. This webinar focuses on the major pests found in restaurants (flies, cockroaches, and rodents) and the IPM tactics for their prevention and control. Flies in kitchens, food storage, service, and eating areas can cause food contamination and pose a health risk. Key species include house, fruit, and drain flies, and many others. Correct identification of flies is important and influences management decisions because different species have distinct needs and behaviors. Also discussed will be the importance of selecting a pest management service provider.
Webinar registration page: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7650471600249648652
Presenters: Tim Stock; MSc, School IPM Program Director, Oregon State Univ.; Dr. Dawn Gouge; Urban Entomologist, University of Arizona – MAC ; Dr. Bennett Jordan; Staff Scientist at Ecolab; Minneapolis, Minnesota
December 6, 2022
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET
Termite Integrated Pest Management
Learn how to identify common termites and reduced-risk solutions to control them from Dr. Andrew Sutherland, BCE, integrated pest management advisor for the University of California Cooperative Extension.
Attendees will also learn about termiticides that may be used as part of a Green Shield Certified service from the IPM Institute of North America's marketing & sustainability specialist Leah McSherry.
December 08, 2022
10:00 AM CST
Advances in Behavior-Based Tactics for Management of Spotted-Wing Drosophila
In this webinar, we will present findings of our research and highlight recent advancements in behavior-based strategies to control spotted-wing drosophila. This research is funded by USDA NIFA through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI Award No. 2020-51181-32140)
December 8, 2022
12:00 PM EST
Forests in northeastern United States experience multiple, co-occurring stressors. Understanding if each stressor is passenger, the driver, or both driver and passenger of change is critical to effective and efficient management. We used a multiple stressor framework to evaluate the single and interactive effects of white-tailed deer, invasive earthworms, and the invasive grass, Microstegium vimineum on native vegetation.
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Webinar: Understanding ISPM 15 to Reduce the Risk of Pests in Wood Packaging
ISPM 15 was fully implemented in the United States in 2006 to reduce the risk and spread of quarantine pests associated with wood packaging. This session will review the ISPM 15 program and how it has evolved to successfully achieve its goal, and where there are efforts of continuous improvement so that wood packaging can be used effectively and safely to facilitate safe trade.
Date: December 21, 2022
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CST
UMass Extension’s Invasive Insect Webinar Series 2023
Join UMass Extension’s Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program and UMass Extension’s Fruit Program presents for this series of FREE webinars focusing on the impact, monitoring, and management of invasive insects in Massachusetts and the nation! Topics to include spotted lanternfly updates, management, and entomopathogens, forest pest risk re. climate change; the beech leaf disease nematode; and invasive forest insects. Please note while participants from anywhere are invited to attend, much of the material presented will be specific to Massachusetts and New England.
Event date/time:
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 - 9:00am
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 - 9:00am
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 - 9:00am
Event Type:
Online
Price:
Free (grant subsidized)
Join us on February 23-24, 2023 at USDA's largest and premiere annual gathering!
USDA’s 99th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum (AOF), will be held in-person at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott on February 23-24, 2023, and all sessions will be livestreamed on a virtual platform.
More than 30 sessions and 100 agriculture leaders and subject matter experts will discuss key issues impacting the sector including:
- USDA’s initial forecast for the agricultural economy, commodity markets, and trade in 2023 and the U.S. farm income situation
- Climate smart agriculture
- Supply chain challenges and solutions
- Factors impacting U.S. trade update & the global marketplace
- Food prices outlook
Save the Date - 2023 RISCC Symposium
It's time to mark your calendars! We're getting excited for our next symposium, which is scheduled to take place virtually via Zoom on February 14-15th, 2023. Sessions will take place over two days from 11am-3:30pm (Eastern).
Science & Management Webinar of this Invasive Weed
The webinar is intended to share information on control of Japanese knotweed, Fallopia japonica, with researchers, land managers, and landscape professionals who work with riparian weeds. The webinar will emphasize attempts at practical control strategies for California's Central Coast within a broader context of its ecology.
Hosted by the Marin Knotweed Action Team (MKAT).
Save the date
DATE: Wednesday, March 1, 2023
SPEAKERS & AGENDA: coming soon
REGISTRATION: opens in 2023
QUESTIONS: email llevinger@ucanr.edu
Employment Opportunities
Agent (Forest Management Specialist)
University of Maryland
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 forest 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 Forestry 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 university policy and UME tenure guidelines within a timeframe defined.
The Specialist will report to the Assistant Director and Program Leader of the Environmental and Natural Resource Program.
Open until filled with best consideration date of: December 4, 2022
Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST)
A nonprofit organization established in 1972 and headquartered in Ames, Iowa, CAST is seeking an executive vice president/chief executive officer (EVP/CEO) to advance its mission as a leader in science communication, maintain its strong publishing reputation, increase public visibility and impact, and lead strong fundraising efforts to ensure and sustainably manage the organization’s financial resources.
The EVP/CEO reports to the board of directors (BOD) and serves as the chief brand ambassador, a nonvoting member of the BOD and the board of representatives, the legal representative of CAST, the editor-in-chief for CAST publications, and supervisor of the CAST staff.
The EVP/CEO provides visionary leadership to the organization and will work with staff and the BOD to manage operations and projects necessary to implement and operationalize CAST’s strategic goals:
- Produce quality and relevant information in a timely manner for our stakeholders.
- Strengthen our communications with stakeholders through social media and other means.
- Maximize the value of our products to our stakeholders.
- Build a strong financial base for the long-term stability of CAST.
Preferred start date is May 2023.
Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Medical Entomology
University of Delaware
The Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware seeks to fill a tenure-track faculty position in vector biology/medical entomology. The position is a 9-month appointment (paid over 12 months) with responsibilities in teaching and research, allocated as 55% research, 40% teaching, and 5% service.
Review of applications will begin November 1, 2022, with interviews in early 2023
Post-Doctoral Research Associate - Beneficial Insects Lab
UMass Amherst
Conduct research on biological control of the emerald ash borer (EAB) with a focus on population dynamics of both the target pests and introduced parasitoids. Research will occur both in a laboratory and in forests across the U.S. and involves modeling both spatial and temporal dynamics of North American ash recovery in relation to levels of EAB infestations or densities due to the impact of both introduced and endemic natural enemies in various climatic/geographic regions in North America.
Application deadline not listed
Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association
The Association is seeking to contract with a person to be its Executive Director Designate. The successful contractor would serve as Deputy Executive Director for a transition period of six to twelve months under the retiring Executive Director to allow for a smooth transition. Upon the satisfactory completion of the transition period and approval of the Board, the contractor would then assume the Executive Director position when the current Executive Director retires. The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing and administering the activities and business of the Association under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Association will offer competitive compensation commensurate with the contractor’s abilities and experience.
The Association plans to begin reviewing applications as they are received until a suitable candidate is identified. The tentative plan is for the successful contractor to begin as Deputy Executive Director in October 2022 or as soon thereafter as possible.
Staff Entomologist / Educational Specialist
National Pest Management Association
The Staff Entomologist / Educational Specialist is responsible for development of technical support materials and providing entomological and scientific support for NPMA members and to other NPMA departments.
The National Pest Management Association has a unique culture that empowers individuals to move the Association and Industry forward through new initiatives, innovative solutions, and creative endeavors. Although we have a nearly 90-year history as an organization, NPMA still offer employees the flexibility and ingenuity to make a positive impact on our shared future.
Central Pine Barrens Commission
The Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission, through the Suffolk County Water Authority is currently accepting applications for an Ecologist to assist in with ecological management and stewardship projects within the Central Pine Barrens to foster biological diversity, natural resource conservation, and ecosystem protection and restoration.
This position will be strongly focused on management plan development and implementation especially for prescribed burns; pre and post management monitoring; and long-term monitoring to improve forest and grassland health, resiliency to emerging species (such as southern pine beetle) and habitat for rare and endangered species.
Individuals with a strong research background; experience in fire ecology; leading and/or supporting prescribed fires; conducting habitat restorations, and ecological monitoring activities are encouraged to apply.
Suffolk County Water Authority
The Suffolk County Water Authority is seeking a Fire Management Specialist to perform key roles in managing the comprehensive prescribed fire program operated by the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission for the Central Pine Barrens region. Responsibilities include leading the development and implementation of all aspects of the prescribed fire management program; the supervision and training of prescribed fire crews; conducting fuels, smoke and wildland fire management/mitigation; assisting with public education and outreach and the preparation of prescribed and wildland fire management plans for ecological and fuel management in collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders. The overarching programmatic goals for the prescribed fire program include fostering biological diversity, natural resource conservation and restoration and wildfire risk reduction within the Central Pine Barrens. This position is full time (37.5) hours a week and will be a designated term position that exists as long as the commission receives NYS funding to implement a prescribed fire program.
IR-4
The IR-4 Project is seeking a Quality Assurance Auditor to join its headquarters team, based on NC State’s Centennial Campus.
Reporting to the National Quality Assurance Unit Manager, the incumbent is a member of the IR-4 Project Quality Assurance Unit, and is responsible for various types of quality assurance audits of IR-4 Project generated raw data and reports. The incumbent would be responsible for performing inspections of field sites and lab analyses during critical phases of a study as well as conducting facility inspections.
This vital role helps ensure the quality and integrity of IR-4 Project submissions to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Many of the functions of this position are required for the IR-4 Project to achieve compliance with US EPA Federal Good Laboratory Practice Regulations (GLPs – as documented in Chapter 40- Code of Federal Regulations, Part 160).
This is a full-time (40 hours per week), EHRA non-faculty position.
View the job posting and apply here!
Executive Director Job Announcement
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA)
The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) is hiring an Executive Director to replace our current director who is leaving after years of excellent dedicated service. We are seeking a creative change agent able to take OEFFA to the next level while addressing the challenges of a rapidly shifting agricultural landscape, nonprofit sector, and policy environment.
The ideal start date for this position is December 27, 2022.
Cornell University
This program specializes in integrating basic and applied research to develop new tools in integrative pest management (IMP) science by studying the chemistry and chemical ecology of insect pests. With a focus on plant toxins detoxification mechanisms by insect pests, the aim is to harness RNAi biotechnology to reduce the expression of genes coding for these detoxifying enzymes as a promising alternative to non-selective and resilient insecticides currently used. The research and extension part of this program specializes in developing new methods in analytical chemistry to improve the detection and characterization of insect sex pheromones and plant volatiles, and to test the performance of pheromone lure/trap products to give reliable recommendations to stakeholders on monitoring pest activity in the context of climate change.
Principal Agent and Assistant Director (FCS)
University of Maryland
UME has four major program areas: Agriculture and Food Systems, 4-H Youth Development, Environment & Natural Resources and Sea Grant, and FCS. UME faculty and staff are located at offices in 23 counties and Baltimore City, the 4-H State office, SNAP-Ed State office, and five research and education centers. This position collaborates with Program Leaders, the Assistant Director of Program and Organizational Development, and the Assistant Director of Operations. At the local level, the position works with Area/City Extension directors. The position reports to the UME Associate Dean/Associate Director.
This AD/PL provides leadership and an expansive vision for innovation and excellence of interdisciplinary FCS programs. Responsibilities include identifying emerging issues, prioritizing programs, developing and maintaining university-wide and external partnerships, securing and managing resources for extension education and applied research projects, ensuring innovative and impactful program implementation, and advancing health equity and well-being.
Open until filled with best consideration date: January 30, 2023
Funding Opportunities
Two of our critical grants management systems, CREEMS and ezFedGrants, are nearing the end of their lifecycle and require replacement. NIFA will chose a new grants management solution from these Federally managed technology providers.
This Grants Modernization Initiative is a key priority for NIFA, and our goal is to keep you informed and engaged. Ultimately, this initiative will transform how we do business so that it is more seamless for staff and customers, improves our ability to track and report outcomes, and helps achieve the agency mission more efficiently and effectively.?
NYS Specialty Crop Block Grant RFP
NYFVI is pleased to partner with New York State’s Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) to manage the competitive grant program for New York State’s USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program application. Guided by the State’s Specialty Crop Advisory Group, the 2023 RFP focuses on a subset of the outcomes specified in the broader USDA SCBG RFP. Specifically, this RFP seeks work that will achieve the following outcomes:
- Improve Pest & Disease Control Processes
- Develop New Seed Varieties & Specialty Crops
- Expand Specialty Crop Research and Development
- Improve Environmental Sustainability of Specialty Crops
Each outcome has measurable indicators established by the USDA SCBG program.
The RFP will be open on October 25th and Applications are due on December 11, 2022
Deadline extended to January 9, 2023.
USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
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
The RFA announcement and technical assistance webinar related to this FY 2023 funding opportunity is scheduled. Please access the details about the webinar, such as the zoom link, date, time, etc., through the Webinar heading below. The recording/supporting documents will also be accessible through Webinar heading after the event.
Technical Assistance Webinar - Friday, December 9, 2022 - 2:00pm EST
Veg Out - Managing Aquatic Vegetation in Canals: Design and build solutions for managing canal aquatic vegetation for a share of $345,000 in prizes
For more than 100 years, the Bureau of Reclamation has brought water to arid lands to support agriculture and economic development. Today, Reclamation’s 8,000 miles of canals deliver water across the western United States. These canals are negatively impacted by aquatic vegetation. Existing management methods have various drawbacks. The Veg Out Challenge aims to reduce the cost and labor of aquatic vegetation management in canals while minimizing undesirable impacts to water quality or downstream users. The challenge seeks to identify, develop, and test novel, sustainable, scalable solutions that can be used across a range of canal types. A total prize purse of $345,000 will be distributed across the three phases of concept, prototyping, and demonstration.
Submission deadline: January 11, 2023
Crop Protection and Pest Management Competitive Grants Program
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
The FY 2023 Request for Applications (RFA) for the Applied Research and Development Program (ARDP) under the Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM) Competitive Grants Program is now available
The purpose of the Crop Protection and Pest Management program is to address high priority issues related to pests and their management using IPM approaches at the state, regional and national levels. The CPPM program supports projects that will ensure food security and respond effectively to other major societal pest management challenges with comprehensive IPM approaches that are economically viable, ecologically prudent, and safe for human health. The CPPM program addresses IPM challenges for emerging issues and existing priority pest concerns that can be addressed more effectively with new and emerging technologies. The outcomes of the CPPM program are effective, affordable, and environmentally sound IPM practices and strategies needed to maintain agricultural productivity and healthy communities. ?
Current closing date: February 13, 2022
Methyl Bromide Transition Program
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
The Methyl Bromide Transition Program (MBT) addresses the immediate needs and the costs of transition that have resulted from the phase-out of the pesticide methyl bromide. Methyl bromide has been a pest and disease control tactic critical to pest management systems for decades for soilborne and postharvest pests. The program focuses on integrated commercial-scale research on methyl bromide alternatives and associated extension activity that will foster the adoption of these solutions. Projects should cover a broad range of new methodologies, technologies, systems, and strategies for controlling economically important pests for which methyl bromide has been the only effective pest control option. Research projects must address commodities with critical issues and include a focused economic analysis of the cost of implementing the transition on a commercial scale.
The RFA announcement and technical assistance webinar related to this FY 2023 funding opportunity is scheduled. Please access the details about the webinar, such as the zoom link, date, time, etc., through the Webinar heading below. The recording/supporting documents will also be accessible through Webinar heading after the event.
Technical Assistance Webinar - Tuesday, December 20, 2022 - 2:00pm EST
Catskill Science Collaborative
Funded by New York State through Environmental Protection Funds, and with support from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection and private donors, the Catskill Science Collaborative (CSC) is one way we help implement the goals of the Catskill Environmental Research and Monitoring (CERM) group. The CSC is coordinated by Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies.
Purpose of RFP: The purpose of this RFP is to solicit proposals for Catskill Research
Fellowships. The Fellowships are student research projects mentored by a professor, or other
scientist, that address both the research needs of natural resource managers in the Catskill region
and provide a positive research experience to the Fellow.
Applications are due by Friday, January 6, 2023.