IPM News and Events Roundup 7/1/2022

IPM News and Events Roundup

A weekly collection of IPM news, webinars, employment and 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 Deb Grantham at dgg3@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
From the Director

Nancy Cusumano sent her last issue of the IPM News and Events Roundup on April 29, 2022, her last day of work before retirement. Nancy launched the Roundup in January 2019 and compiled every issue until her last. I’ll try to fill those big shoes until a new hire is on board. If you have items for the Roundup in the meantime, please send them to me at dgg3@cornell.edu. If you’d like to leave Nancy a message, we set up a Kudoboard for that purpose.

Many thanks to Mike Webb for setting up the Roundup for the last few weeks – great job!

Jerrie Haines is joining our team, replacing Nancy, and will be taking on the Roundup over the next few weeks. Jerrie has loads of experience in greenhouse settings and IPM within greenhouses, so brings a new dimension to our unit.

- Deb Grantham, director, Northeastern IPM Center

2022 Outstanding Achievements in IPM Award

We are now accepting nominations for this year’s Outstanding Achievements in Integrated Pest Management Award, which aims to recognize one professional and one student based on their efforts and accomplishments in IPM. Winners receive $500 each and agree to provide a story for the Northeastern IPM Center website and/or newsletter and social media outlets, and/or to present a webinar hosted by the Northeastern IPM Center.

We are seeking nominations of growers, consultants, researchers, educators, managers, and college/university students in the Northeast region. To submit a nomination, you must be a grower, consultant, researcher, educator, or manager working in IPM. Alternatively, you may co-nominate with someone who meets the above criteria.

Learn more or submit a nomination.

Nominations must be submitted by Friday, September 16, 2022.

Connect with the Northeastern IPM Center

Website| Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

 

Other News

New CDC Study Details County-Level Distribution of Seven Diseases Spread by Blacklegged Ticks (Entomology Today | June 13, 2022)

“The more we look for ticks and tickborne pathogens, the more we find—and the more information we have to help protect people from the diseases ticks spread,” says Erik Foster, medical entomologist in the CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases. Foster and CDC colleagues have assembled that surveillance data into a new report that offers up-to-date county-level maps of both where blacklegged ticks are prevalent and where they’ve been found infected with any of seven different pathogens.

‘Forever chemicals’ on farmland are a slow-motion disaster (The Maine Monitor | June 23, 2022)

PFAS, thousands of unregulated chemicals widely used for stain and water resistance, end up in wastewater sludge. State and federal regulators have promoted these “biosolids” as economical fertilizers, unaware until recent years that pernicious chemicals were seeping into groundwater. While still under study, PFAS exposure is already linked to numerous health problems, including higher incidence of some cancers, reproductive issues, and interference with immune and hormonal systems.

Leaf mold compost shows benefit for tomato plants in degraded urban soils (Morning Ag Clips | June 23, 2022)

Many urban gardeners know that adding ingredients like compost and mulch to their soil has great benefits. But it can be difficult to know what to add and why. Researchers at Purdue University gathered scientific evidence about one specific soil addition, leaf mold compost, and how it benefits tomato plants.

MDA announces cover crop sign-up (Morning Ag Clips | June 23, 2022)

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced that mail-in enrollment for this year’s Cover Crop Program runs from July 1-18, 2022. The popular conservation program provides farmers with cost-share grants to help pay for seed, labor, and equipment costs to plant cover crops in the fall to control erosion, recycle nutrients, build soil health, and protect the Chesapeake Bay.

‘Off the charts’ chemical shortages hit U.S. farms (Reuters | June 27, 2022)

U.S. farmers have cut back on using common weedkillers, hunted for substitutes to popular fungicides, and changed planting plans over persistent shortages of agricultural chemicals that threaten to trim harvests.

‘Superwasp’ Threatens America’s Forests With Females Capable of Producing 1,000 Offspring (Newsweek | June 23, 2022)

A wasp able to produce 1,000 offspring is threatening vast forests in North America, a new study has revealed. The Sirex woodwasp (Sirex noctilio) lays its eggs on pine trees in a mucus and a fungus that are both deadly to the host.

Spotted Lanternfly

Spotted lanternfly quarantine zone expanding to more Va. Localities (Morning Ag Clips | June 23, 2022)

The invasive spotted lanternfly, already damaging vineyards in a few northern Virginia counties, is headed south, and state officials are taking action to slow the spread.

Officials confirm first established presence of spotted lanternfly in North Carolina (North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services | June 29, 2022)

Initial surveys indicate the known distribution of the pest is within a 5-mile radius in Forsyth County near Interstate 40 in Kernersville extending to the Guilford County line. Survey efforts are ongoing.

Webinars, Seminars, Meetings, and More

Weed Management and Soil Health Field Day (Cornell Cooperative Extension Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture)

July 20 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | The Don G Orchard Block, 333 Route 22B, Peru, NY 12972 | Free; registration required

Join us for a discussion of orchard weed and soil management! Speakers will be joining us from across Cornell’s research and extension teams. Topics will include the results of our herbicide timing trials, new vision-guided technologies for orchard weed spraying, organic weed management options, soil health demonstrations, and a discussion on our statewide orchard soil health survey. DEC credits are pending for this event.

2022 Industry Technology Session (The IR-4 Project)

Thursday, July 21, 2022 | Zoom | Free; registration required

This annual event gives companies the opportunity to present updates on products already in IR-4 research, as well as new technologies designed to assist specialty crop growers with their pest management needs. The session is a precursor to the 2022 Food Use Workshop. Technologies discussed during the session will be eligible for IR-4 research in 2023.

Tools and Tactics for Soil and Weed Management in Vegetable Production (Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences School of Integrative Plant Science)

July 25, 2022 | Cornell Organic Research Farm, 133 Fall Creek Rd, Freeville, NY | Free and open to public; pre-registration preferred but walk-ins welcome

Come to the Cornell Organic Research Farm in Freeville to get updates on the latest research in weed management, cover crops, and reduced tillage, and interact with researchers and other farmers. Learn about methods that help production while improving soil health and making your farm more climate resilient. Topics will include: new weed control technologies, weeds and climate change, long-term effects of tarping, soil health across different cropping systems, comparison of different mulch types, and cover crop breeding.

Snacks and dinner will be provided. Please register by July 15 to help ensure there is enough food.

What’s Bugging You? First Friday Events (New York State IPM Program)

Fridays | 12:00 pm. – 12:30 p.m. EDT | Zoom | Free; registration required

The first Friday of each month, spend half an hour over lunch learning about practical solutions for pest problems with the New York State IPM Program. Each presentation will end with an IPM Minute.

Register to attend these monthly events. Submit photos of how you are implementing IPM to the “IPM and You Photo Contest.”

Recordings of past presentations are also available.

Upcoming First Friday Events:

  • August 5, 2022: Feature Presentation: Do's and Don'ts for ladybugs in the garden (IPM Minute: Risks associated with pest control home remedies)
  • September 2, 2022: Tackling white grubs in your lawn: scouting, decision-making, and sustainable management (IPM Minute: Shoo flies, don't bother me!)
  • October 7, 2022: Fall lawn IPM: managing leaves and ticks (IPM Minute: Is that a praying mantis egg case?)
  • November 4, 2022: Repellents, fencing, and other IPM approaches for managing deer damage (IPM Minute: Where you chuck your pumpkins matters)
  • December 2, 2022: Homeowner update on emerald ash borer management (IPM Minute: Creepy crawly Christmas - what to do if you find insects in your Christmas tree)

tHRIVe web series (Horticultural Research Institute)

Free and open to the public, registration required. Times listed are Eastern Time.

  • August 23, 2022 | 11:00 a.m.: Building a Better Monarch Butterfly Garden
  • September 7, 2022 | 1:00 p.m.: How do weather and climate impact boxwood blight? A modeling approach to aiding in boxwood disease management
  • October 4, 2022 | 10:00 a.m.: Controlling Nostoc, a slippery hazard for nursery workers
  • November 3, 2022 | 11:00 a.m.: Smart Plants—Magical interactions between flowers and their pollinators

UMass Extension’s Green School (UMass Extension)

October 25, 2022 – December 15, 2022 | 3 hours (plus break) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons | $900 early bird, $1,025 regular, scholarships available

A comprehensive 60-plus-hour-certificate short course that offers fundamental horticultural training in a compact time frame. The program is designed for professional practitioners such as landscapers, lawn care providers, nursery operators, sports field managers, public and private grounds managers, arborists, professional gardeners, landscape and garden designers, and others in the green industries. Both experienced professionals and those aspiring to be will benefit from this course.

Registration deadline October 18. For early-bird tuition rate, register by September 15.

Employment Opportunities

Urban Agriculture Specialist (UMass Extension)

UMass Extension is excited to add some dedicated capacity in the important and growing area of urban agriculture with the hiring of an extension educator to be based at the Mt. Ida campus in Newton, MA. We hope to develop a great pool of candidates who are capable of integrating well with others in extension while developing and maintaining strong relationships with urban ag practitioners and organizations in Greater Boston and beyond.

Open until filled, but we encourage potential candidates to complete their application by July 5 to be considered in the first applicant review round.

IPM Entomology Farm Advisor (University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR))

Position located in Salinas, Monterey County, CA

The IPM entomology farm advisor will implement an innovative extension education and applied research program to address pest management issues facing agriculture. Research and extension will address high-priority issues related to ecologically and economically sound IPM programs. Emphasis is expected to be on interdisciplinary projects that affect cool-season vegetables including leafy greens, such as lettuce, and cole crops, such as broccoli, along with other crops including strawberries and other berries, ornamental and nursery plant production, and local specialty crops.

Closing date: July 13.

Extension State Specialist, Dairy Production (University of New Hampshire Extension)

UNH Extension is seeking applicants for the position of extension state specialist in dairy production. This individual will deliver research-based programming and technical expertise to dairy farms of all sizes and production models throughout the state to enhance sustainability and viability. This is a 100% extension appointment based primarily in Boscawen, NH, with additional office space in the Keener Dairy Research building on UNH’s Durham campus. MS or PhD in a relevant agricultural field with coursework in dairy science required, as well as at least three years’ experience working within the dairy industry. Contact UNH Extension Food and Agriculture Program team leader Amy Papineau at 603-272-6497 or amy.papineau@unh.edu.

Open until filled.

Extension State Specialist, Soil Health (University of New Hampshire Extension)

Position based at University of New Hampshire's Durham campus.

The extension state specialist in soil health provides statewide leadership in soil health and fertility in agricultural systems. Beginning in the second year of employment, state specialists must generate 25% of annual salary from external grants and contracts. The specialist will oversee the UNH Soil Testing Service, engage with the Northeast Soil Testing Committee (NECC-1812), and collaborate with faculty, extension specialists, and agricultural stakeholders to lead and support outreach efforts as part of a team that is working to develop and implement innovative, relevant, and impactful programming in the fields of soil health, nutrient management, and environmental quality.

Open until filled.

Extension State Specialist, Entomology and Integrated Pest Management (University of New Hampshire Extension)

Position based at University of New Hampshire's Durham campus.

The extension state specialist in entomology and IPM provides statewide leadership in agricultural IPM, undertaking engaged outreach as the state’s IPM coordinator and serving as project director on extension's federally funded IPM Extension Implementation Plan. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position based at the University of New Hampshire’s Durham, NH, campus. It is a non-tenure-track, 100% extension appointment.

Open until filled.

Principal Plant Pathologist (IR-4 Project | NC State University | Raleigh, NC)

The IR-4 Project is accepting applications for a principal plant pathologist to join the headquarters team at NC State University. As part of IR-4’s research unit, this role will manage the technical handling of new requests for assistance for products that manage bacterial and fungal pests. The position will also manage IR-4’s national product performance and integrated solutions research efforts with fungicides and nematicides, while providing support for IR-4’s residue research program. Ideal candidates will have an advanced degree in plant pathology and at least three years of full-time professional experience in applied research in plant pathology.

Open until filled.

USGS Fellow, Climate Change and Invasive Species Research Prioritization (U.S. Department of the Interior)

The Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (RISCC) Management network, in collaboration with the National Invasive Species Council, is seeking a Fellow to conduct research at the intersection of climate science and invasive species management to contribute to prioritizing management action in the face of climate change across the U.S. As a member of the RISCC network, the Fellow will collaborate in stakeholder-driven research and engage in actionable science and science communication that serves the network.

Application deadline August 1, 2022, 3:00 p.m. EST

Executive Director (Western New York Land Conservancy)

The executive director has overall strategic and operational responsibility for the Land Conservancy’s staff and programs and the execution of its mission. This position reports to the board of directors, manages five direct reports, and oversees a total staff team of 16. It is based in East Aurora, New York.

Open until filled. Interviews will start in August 2022.

Funding Opportunities

Call for Research Proposals 2022 (The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF))

TACF is pleased to announce its 2022 request for research proposals. We will entertain any proposal concerned with the myriad of aspects involved in chestnut restoration that address our core mission to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range. This is a small grants program. TACF does not ordinarily fund projects in excess of $10,000.

Proposals must be sent via email attachment to externalgrants@acf.org by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 1, 2022.

Call for Preproposals (Northeast SARE)

Northeast SARE is accepting preproposals for three programs: Research and Education ($30 - $250k), Research for Novel Approaches ($30k - $200k), and Professional Development ($30k - $150k)

Interested in learning what it takes to write a successful preproposal? Northeast SARE held an informational webinar on June 23 and the recording is online. Shorter clips from that webinar, focusing on the various individual grant programs, are also available on the Northeast SARE YouTube channel.

Preproposals due by August 2, 2022.