IPM News and Events Roundup 2/11/2022
A weekly collection of IPM news, webinars, employment and funding opportunities and more from the NE IPM Center. If you have IPM-related research, events or other IPM news you would like to have included, please email me at nec2@cornell.edu. If you would like to subscribe to the weekly Roundup, please email northeastipm@cornell.edu. Past Roundups are archived here.
The Western Front, Western IPM Center newsletter is now out for February.
Read about how medical professionals are learning to treat and report pesticide-related illnesses, IPM Hour webinar series, Weeds and Wildfires in the West meeting March 10 and more!
In this week’s PestTalks blog, learn about carpenter bee research and link to a survey on carpenter bee damage, a hemp webinar series, and more. JC Chong always has interesting and informative blogs.
USDA-NIFA update this week includes an update on the NIFA Reporting System, a new USDA advisory committee on urban agriculture and more.
Northeast SARE’s 2021 Annual Report is out
Read about some innovative funded projects representing each of Northeast SARE’s six competitive grant programs and the state program. The report also includes a message from director Vern Grubinger along with a list of projects awarded grants in 2021, a look at some of the products developed by grantees, and feedback from stakeholders.
Through a producer and syndicator of Spanish-language educational content, EPA developed public service announcements to help farmworkers reduce take-home pesticide exposure. EPA now offers a Spanish-language video (available in two lengths) that is based on learning from focus groups comprised of migrant and seasonal farm workers. The videos emphasize the importance of handwashing when working in agricultural areas where pesticides may be used.
On-line tool allows New Jersey users to access, view and print soils reports
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has partnered with the Rowan University GeoSpatial Research Lab to provide an online tool that allows users in the agricultural community to access, view and print soils reports by tax parcel. The tool incorporates several components that benefit the farmland assessment process.
USDA-NIFA seeks NIFA Hall of Fame nominations
Inductees into the NIFA Hall of Fame have worked, coordinated, or supported activities exemplifying NIFA’s synergy of excellence in any combination of research, education, and Extension approaches on local, regional, national, or international levels. Inductees have also demonstrated a measurable and positive impact on the lives of citizens and NIFA's mission to invest in and advance agricultural research, education, and Extension to solve societal challenges. Nominations are due April 1.
USDA-NIFA Seeks 2022 Partnership Award Nominations
NIFA invites all Land-grant Universities, cooperating institutions, and organizations supported by NIFA to submit nominations for the 2022 NIFA Partnership Awards Program. This program recognizes outstanding contributions, in support of NIFA’s mission, and aligned with USDA's Strategic Goals. Nominations are due April 1.
APHIS confirms avian bird flu at turkey farm in Indiana.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial turkey flock in Dubois County, Indiana. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in commercial poultry in the United States since 2020.
Infection in wild birds increase to 5 states. North and South Carolina, Florida, Virginia and Maryland.
Jumpstart to Farm Food Safety Program in M E, NH, Funds available.
Jumpstart to Farm Food Safety is a yearlong technical support program available by application to produce farmers in Maine and New Hampshire that includes an on-site visit, prioritizing needs and developing a food safety plan. Rob Machado, UMaine Extension assistant professor and food science specialist; Jason Bolton, Extension associate professor and food safety specialist; and Mary Choate, UNH Extension associate field specialist and food safety field specialist, will lead the webinar, March 1 4-5pm
Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force’s Early Detection Rapid Response Subcommittee Training Survey
The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force’s Early Detection Rapid Response Subcommittee is requesting feedback regarding the potential need or desire for training courses to aid in the implementation of rapid response for invasive species within federal, state, tribal, or regional jurisdictions.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging (DEIJB):
More women in a STEM filed leads people to label it as a ‘soft science’, according to new research
Across studies, participants were consistently more likely to describe a discipline as a “soft science” when they’d been led to believe that proportionally more women worked in the field. Moreover, the “soft science” label led people to devalue these fields – describing them as less rigorous, less trustworthy and less deserving of federal research funding. Link to research: Gender representation cues labels of hard and soft sciences.
Changing the Narrative, 2022 Conference of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), March 23-26, Jacksonville, FL
Registration is now open for the 36th annual conference. Through the Annual Career Fair and Training Conference, the National Society of MANRRS offers many benefits and services to help members increase their knowledge and develop skills in partnerships for student success. Our sessions acquaint new members with MANRRS and prepare them for future roles in their chapters, and help experienced members improve and refine their knowledge and skills for their ideal job or internship in the field of agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences industry.
Invasive Species:
Spotted Lanternfly News:
Spotted Lanternfly 101 webinar, Feb 17 10am-4pm
A session for those new to Spotted Lanternfly. This event is an overview of the Spotted Lanternfly Lycorma delicatula, an invasive planthopper. Introduction to the Northeast USA, the threat it faces to the agricultural industry, research into the insect's life cycle, and efforts to control the population will be covered by a range of experts. Agenda coming soon.
Spotted Lanternfly Summit March 1-3 10am-6pm daily
This is an in-depth set of research, operations, outreach, and industry presentations and perspectives. The Summit is intended audience for the summit is "people who work with SLF professionally, and who will have a multiplier effect on education and outreach". The agendas for all events should be posted soon.
Deadly rat lungworm parasite has spread to invasive Cuban treefrogs in Florida
University of Florida researchers report that the rat lungworm parasite, which can cause deadly disease in humans and in animals, has been found in a new host in Florida with its discovery in Cuban treefrogs, an invasive species. The finding represents the first time an anuran — a frog or toad amphibian — has been identified as a host for the parasitic nematode in the state, although it has previously been identified in a variety of other hosts in Florida.
Invasive Species Legislative Tracker
The Northeast Midwest Institute has created an online tool for tracking status of legislation related to invasive species. Although created by a group focused on the northeast and GL, it covers the nation. It is updated weekly.
Research:
The Spatial Distribution of the House Mouse, Mus musculus domesticus, in Multu-Family Dwellings
The management of house mice, Mus musculus domesticus, in low-income high-rise multi-family dwellings (MFDs) is often frustrated by the limited resources available through low-bid contracting. An improved understanding of the small-scale distribution of this important public health pest could allow the pest management industry to better allocate its limited time and resources to better managing infestations. This study utilized data from two research projects that measured house mouse infestation rates from four urban low-income MFDs to determine if a significant correlation between neighboring units exists in their infestation status. Results show that such a correlation exists whereby apartments that share a wall, ceiling or floor with a neighboring apartment that has a current infestation are more likely to have existing house mouse activity. This information can be utilized by the pest management industry to design monitoring strategies, during integrated pest management activities, to better ensure the elimination of house mice in low-income high-rise MFDs.
Emerging biotechnologies, such as gene drive technology, are increasingly being proposed to manage a variety of pests and invasive species. As one method of genetic biocontrol, gene drive technology is currently being developed to manage the invasive agricultural pest spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii, SWD). To help address this gap and inform future risk assessments and governance decisions for SWD gene drive technology, we conducted a survey of 184 SWD stakeholders to explore how they define and prioritize potential benefits and potential adverse effects from proposed SWD gene drive technology.
Virginia Tech researchers discovered that the bacterium that causes Lyme disease has a highly unusual modification in its protective molecular bag – its peptidoglycan, which is common to all bacteria. The change in this bacterium is unprecedented. It’s an unusual sugar modification that is not known to occur in any organism. One way the bacterium gets this sugar modification is from ticks by absorbing a carbohydrate unique to ticks. The alteration is specific to ticks and allows the bacterium to better move and be more likely to cause disease. Article here
Liberation extension: building capacities for civilization transitions
The theme of this discussion essay is the urgent need and exciting potential to expand and reorient Cooperative Extension programs, hereafter “Extension,” to address interrelated challenges of COVID 19, climate change, and longstanding and rising inequalities. The convergence and increasing undeniability of these crises have opened a historic space to address the roots of structural problems in prevailing systems.
Biochar restructures plant-soil-microbe relationships in a woody cropping system
Much of the current research on biochar was conducted on annual, short-lived crops like corn, wheat, soybeans, and rice. Nash says that less work has been done to find out how biochar impacts long-lived plants like conifer trees, and early results have been very mixed. That’s why Nash’s team set out to evaluate how biochar affected two commonly grown Christmas trees, blue spruce and balsam fir. Article here.
Should tree Invasions be used in treeless ecosystems to mitigate climate change?
Intentionally allowing or promoting invasion by non-native trees into areas characterized by treeless vegetation could contribute to climate-change mitigation by increasing carbon (C) sequestration. In some areas of the world, incentives exist to retain invasive non-native trees in natural systems as a mechanism for increasing ecosystem C storage and reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Although this novel opportunity for C sequestration holds appeal, such an approach is problematic for several reasons: (1) invasive trees do not always increase net C sequestration due to greater occurrence of fire or reduced soil C; (2) lower albedo in
invaded areas can increase absorption of solar radiation, thereby offsetting potential C sequestration; and (3) tree invasions often also have negative effects on biodiversity, economic opportunities, and water yield. Such drawbacks are sufficient to raise doubts about the widespread use of non-native tree invasions in treeless areas as a tool to ameliorate climate change.
Webinars, Conferences, Meetings and more:
Turf and Ornamentals: Turf, Feb 15 9am-12noon, fee
Join Penn State Extension as they discuss the impact Army Worms have caused in Pennsylvania this year and the control of these caterpillars. Learn how to manage Bermuda and Bluegrass in the same location, reducing pesticide applications. We will also review the diseases, weeds, and insects of 2021.
Conservation Assistance for Philadelphia Farmers, Feb 15, 12noon ET
As you are making plans for the 2022 growing season, are you looking for ways to build soil health? Are you hoping to extend the growing season? Do you need ideas on how to improve irrigation and water use? If so, or if you’re looking for other methods to steward the soil, water, air, plants, animals, and energy on your urban farm, come and learn about the assistance USDA-NRCS can provide to you. Join the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to learn about free technical assistance and financial incentives for conservation available to farmers in this webinar.
UMass Extension’s invasive insect Webinar Series, Feb 16-18
Join UMass Extension’s Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program and UMass Extension’s Fruit Program for an exciting FREE series of webinars focusing on the impact, monitoring, and management of invasive insects in Massachusetts and the nation! Presentations on Browntail moth, Emerald Ash Borer, Spotted lanternfly and more.
Spotted Lanternfly 101 webinar, Feb 17 10am-4pm
A session for those new to Spotted Lanternfly. This event is an overview of the Spotted Lanternfly Lycorma delicatula, an invasive planthopper. Introduction to the Northeast USA, the threat it faces to the agricultural industry, research into the insect's life cycle, and efforts to control the population will be covered by a range of experts. Agenda here.
USGS Decision Science – Modeling and Structured Decision Making, Feb 28 11am-1pm ET
US Geological Survey researchers will present their research on modeling and decision science that informs management of invasive species. The session will include examples of models developed to inform life history of invasive species and how those models are used to inform the structured decision making process for developing management actions. Examples will include Burmese pythons in the Everglades, Silver Carp and Bighead Carp in the Tennessee/Cumberland basin, and dreissenid mussels in the west.
Spotted Lanternfly Summit March 1-3 10am-6pm daily
This is an in-depth set of research, operations, outreach, and industry presentations and perspectives. The Summit is intended audience for the summit is "people who work with SLF professionally, and who will have a multiplier effect on education and outreach". The agendas for all events should be posted soon.
New York State IPM’s What’s Bugging You First Friday webinar series, First Friday of every month at 12noon ET
NYS IPM Program is excited to announce that the 2022 schedule of First Friday events is available on our Registration Page! Events begin on March 4th. Please note a slight change from last year: you will not receive event links at the time of registration. Instead, you will receive a reminder email on the Monday and Thursday before the event with connection details. Visit the Registration Form to view and select the dates you’d like to attend. And thank you for your continued support of our First Friday events!
UMass Virtual Community Tree Conference, March 3 8:45-3:45, fee
Join this virtual conference with a full day of topics designed for tree care professionals, volunteers, and enthusiasts including arborists, tree wardens, urban foresters, foresters, landscape architects, landscape contractors, and shade tree committee members.
Latest Developments in Integrated Tick Management, March 8, 2pm ET
Attend this free webinar to learn how tick populations and emerging tick-borne pathogens are growing in number and geographic range. Experts will review tick management strategies and personal protection measures that can help protect you and your community from ticks.
North Central Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (NC RISCC) Science Integration Workshop, April 6-7, 91m-12noon, MT
Are you interested in the intersection of invasive species and climate change? Do you want to know what others are working on in this area and what we can do to manage these combined environmental challenges? The North Central Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (NC RISCC) Network is hosting our first Science Integration Workshop to connect researchers and practitioners in the North Central region (CO, WY, MT, KS, NE, SD, ND). All are welcome to attend (even if you are not in the North Central region) and participate. Come learn about ongoing management projects and new research advances!
Save the date for Empire Farm Days Aug 3-5, 2022
This year’s event is going to have several noticeable changes. The management has heard from vendors and attendees and has made changes that will make the show run smoother and be more attendee and vendor friendly.
Employment Opportunities:
Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Crop and Pest Services, Southborough, MA
The FPOC serves as the primary provider of pest outreach, targeting a broad audience to educate them about key invasive pests that threaten Massachusetts agriculture. This position supports work performed by the State Survey Coordinator (“SSC”), Nursery Inspectors, and Environmental Biologist relative to invasive pest reporting and response. The FPOC serves as the point of contact for all pest sighting reports and is typically the first level of response when the public or agricultural stakeholders report a pest.
Forest Health Specialist, Invasive Species Division, New York State Parks, Albany or Wallkill, NY
This position will coordinate the Agency’s Hemlock Conservation Program, support invasive species and forest health statewide initiatives, develop guidance, support other temporary projects, and conduct field work. This position will require extensive communication and coordination with partners, contractors, and other State Park staff and this coordination will require frequent travel, including day trips and some overnights, for field work and meetings with agency staff and partners. Applications are due February 16.
Funding Opportunities:
Connecticut Specialty crop Block Grants are open
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture solicits applications on an annual basis for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, maple syrup, honey, horticulture, and nursery crops. Projects must impact and produce measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or the public. The maximum award is $99,999. There is no match requirement.
The purpose of these programs is to promote and strengthen the ability of eligible institutions in the Insular Areas to carry out education within the food, agricultural and natural resource sciences. RIIA projects strengthen institutional educational capacities, including libraries, curriculum, faculty, scientific instrumentation, instruction delivery systems, and student recruitment and retention, in order to respond to education needs in the food and agricultural sciences. Applications due April 11.
USDA-NIFA Distance Education Grants for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular areas
The purpose of this program is strengthen the capacity of Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas to carry out resident instruction, curriculum, and teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences through distance education technology. The Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG) is a NIFA-administered competitive grants program focused on improving formal, postsecondary agricultural sciences education. Applications due March 28.