Connecticut IPM Report, 2020

NEERA meeting: May 12, 2020

Mary Concklin, IPM Program Coordinator

The Connecticut IPM Program 2019 Annual Report, IPM factsheets, and other information are available on the UConn IPM website (www.ipm.uconn.edu).

Funding

  • The Connecticut IPM Program is funded in part by USDA (NIFA CPPM EIP, NIFA BFRDP, RMA, SCBG, SARE, FRTEP, AFRI ELI, APHIS), the Northeast IPM Center (NEIPMC), CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), CT Department of Agriculture, and the University of Connecticut.

Team Members

  • University of Connecticut (UConn): The IPM Program team includes Mary Concklin (IPM Program Coordinator), Candace Bartholomew, Abby Beissinger, Shuresh Ghimire, Miriah Kelly, Ana Legrand, Leanne Pundt, Jacob Ricker and Victoria Wallace in the Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture, and the Department of Extension.
  • Partners/Collaborators: State and Federal agricultural and environmental/non-governmental agencies and organizations; State, New England, and Northeastern fruit, greenhouse, grounds keepers, nursery, turf, landscape, and vegetable associations; industry suppliers/dealers; regional universities; educators; schools and municipalities; individual growers, farmers, and producers; Master Gardeners; and the general public.

Issue

  • Integrated Pest Management applies multiple tactics in a variety of settings through the selection of appropriate tools and the education of agricultural industry members and Connecticut citizens to provide sustainable, science-based approaches for the management of plant pests (insects, mites, diseases, wildlife, and weeds, including invasive plants). The UConn IPM Program incorporates all possible pest management strategies through knowledgeable decision-making, utilizing the most efficient landscape and on-farm resources, and integrating cultural and biological controls. Program objectives include maintaining the economic viability of agricultural and green industry businesses, enhancing and conserving environmental quality and natural resources, educating participants on the effective use of biological control agents, and educating pesticide users about the safe use and handling of pesticide products.

Accomplishments

  • IPM Program team members conducted intensive on-site educational training for fruit and vegetable producers, garden center owners, greenhouse growers, nursery producers and retailers, and turf and landscape professionals. Growers and green industry professionals received information on the current status of and recommendations for important plant pests and training via pest messages, email alerts, webinars, newsletters, articles in national trade journals, management guides, websites, conferences, exhibits, and short courses.
  • Evaluations: A formal IPM Collective Impact Assessment was conducted by IPM team member and evaluation specialist, Dr. M. Kelly. IPM programs were individually evaluated by the following methods: pre- and/or post-program surveys and evaluations, needs assessment surveys and focus group meetings, testimonials, and unsolicited comments.

Connecticut IPM Program Outcomes

  • There were 129,223 sessions created by 109,555 users of the IPM website (www.ipm.uconn.edu) during 2019, representing 164,311 page views.
  • Vegetable integrated pest management education was delivered to 550+ vegetable growers and stakeholders every week from May to September 2019 through 19 weekly vegetable pest alerts focusing on pests, pest management and decision-making, and safe pesticide use.
  • Over 450 invasive plant activities occurred in 35 Connecticut towns, reaching over 38,930 Connecticut citizens in 2019, including agency and municipal staff. A minimum of 3,900 hours of intensive invasive plant training sessions and management activities was provided, as well as technical educational outreach.
  • 474 fruit growers and industry members received 116 fruit messages covering pest information, management strategies, cultural practices, meetings and educational programming updates.
  • 150 farmers, farm family members, veterinarians and agricultural service providers attended 2 workshops dealing with farmer stress, signs of depression and suicide ideology, effective communication techniques, and available resources. This was a collaborative effort of UConn, Farm Credit East, CT Farm Bureau, CT Veterinary Medical Association, CT NOFA, CT Dept. of Agriculture, Tufts Veterinary Field Service and the CT Dept. of Mental Health & Addiction Services.
  • School and municipal educational IPM workshops were delivered to 115 individuals from 45 towns. A Native Plant and Pollinator conference was delivered to 287 people, including school grounds managers, landscape professionals, town conservation commission members, educators, master gardeners, arborists, and government officials.
  • 630 samples were processed in the Plant Diagnostic Lab in 2019. Of those, 64 image sample submissions were made to the Plant Sample Submission App.