NE PMC On Target
Internal newsletter of the Northeastern Pest Management Center
vol. 3, no. 4 April 2003
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NE PMC On TargetInternal newsletter of the Northeastern Pest Management Center vol. 3, no. 4 April 2003 |
Northeast
- Maine
- On-Farm Research Workshop Held
- Commercial Vegetable Production Workshops Held
- School IPM Demonstration Project
- Maryland
- The Development of a Research and Education Program to Support Organic Crop Production in Maryland.
- Public Concerns about Genetically Engineered Crops and the Implications for Maryland Producers
- Non-Native Insect Threatens Health of Popular and Beneficial Trees
- New Jersey:
- New Members of NJinPAS Advisory Committee
- Two New Crop Profiles Complete
- New Pages on School IPM Website
- New York :
- NYS IPM Program Takes to the Airwaves
- Pennsylvania
- PA IPM Progarm Features IPM Education at National IPM Symposium
- Penn State Researchers Win Grant to Study New Biological Control Tool for Greenhouse Tomatoes
Regional
Southern
Florida Recent News from Pest Alerts
North Central
(MOSES) Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service Announces New Newsletter
National
- EPA:
- Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP): Regional Initiative Grants Announced
- IPM Institute Link to most recent articles.
- IPM Job Opportunities
- CSREES: Program Specialist - Plant Science
- University of Florida: Citrus IPM Specialist
- Rodale Institute: Weed Scientist in Organic Production
- USDA ARS Research Entomologist
- University of Kentucky Position Title: Postdoctoral Position in Biological Control
- IPM Symposium
- IR-4 J. Ray Frank Retires.
International
- Quebec - Adopts the Highest Standards in North America to Decrease Exposure to Pesticides
About the Insider
On-Farm Research Workshop Held:
About 40 farmers, extension educators, state government representatives and others interested in on-farm research convened for a 2-da workshop sponsored by New Hampshire and Maine Cooperative Extension with funding from a USDA SARE grant to share and generate ideas for expanding and improving science-based experimentation on commercial farms in the Northeast. An additional SARE grant to follow-up with on-farm research projects was just awarded and plans are underway for a second workshop to be held in the fall. Contact Chris Reberg-Horton (chrisrh@umext.maine.edu) for more information.
Commercial Vegetable Production Workshops Held:
Two well-attended workshops covering various aspects of commercial vegetable production including season-extension with hoop houses, mulch and row-covers, irrigation, marketing the crop, organic options, IPM, and nutrient management were held in March by Maine Cooperative Extension.
School IPM Demonstration Project
Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont schools are learning to incorporate pest monitoring into custodial and maintenance activities as part of an EPA-funded tri-state school IPM demonstration project. With rodent traps and glue boards donated by Bell Laboratories and Atlantic Paste and Glue Company, six school districts have initiated their own pest monitoring programs. Monitoring records are kept in 3-ring binders at each school in each district. Plans are underway to showcase the successes of the demonstration sites at 'Open House' days to be held in summer 2003.
Kathleen Murray, IPM Entomologist
Maine Department of Agriculture
The Development of a Research and Education Program to Support Organic Crop Production in Maryland.
Summary:This project will help to develop a research and education program that will support organic farmers in Maryland through:
- Establishment of organic research and demonstration sites at each of the University of Maryland Agricultural Research and Education Centers,
- Evaluation of management practices for problematic insect pests in organic crop production, and
- Phosphorus management in organic production systems.
Cooperating Agencies:University of Maryland, Maryland Department of Agriculture, Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association
Sandra Sardanelli, MD IPM Coordinator
MD IPM ProgramPublic Concerns about Genetically Engineered Crops and the Implications for Maryland Producers.
In the United States, genetically engineered crops were grown on over 90 million acres in 2002 and the products from these crops were incorporated into a wide array of foods. Many consumers fear this new technology and want to avoid it. On the other hand, many producers are reaping the benefits and don't understand why there is controversy.
Both agricultural producers and the general public have expressed concerns and questions about genetically modified crops. A public issues education approach has been undertaken to provide information on what genetic engineering is and is not, how it is regulated; why there is controversy; what benefits and risks may exist; and what impacts these commodities may have on Maryland agriculture. Meetings have been conducted with a variety of interest groups, a fact sheet has been prepared and a web page is in development.
In the past year, over 500 Maryland citizens have attended presentations about genetically engineered crops. Participants have a better understanding of the scientific, regulatory and risk/benefit issues associated with this new technology and are better prepared for informed discourse on the topic.
Betty Marose
Maryland IPM Specialist
Non-Native Insect Threatens Health of Popular and Beneficial Trees: Maryland Invasive Species Council Seeks to Alert Public to Unwelcome Invaders
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 13, 2003) - A small insect from eastern Asia is severely impacting Maryland's hemlocks, an important evergreen tree. The hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae, , is a serious threat to the health and sustainability of hemlocks in eastern North America. The hemlock woolly adelgid has been identified by the Maryland Invasive Species Council (MISC) as one of their "Invasive Species of Concern." These invasive species are widely recognized by biologists and resource managers to have the potential to damage natural ecosystems or harm native species. In the first in a series of monthly publications by MISC, this report seeks to increase public awareness of invasive species. See the entire press release.
Carol A. Holko
Maryland Department of Agriculture
Plant Protection and Weed Management Section
New Members of NJinPAS Advisory Committee:
Two new members have agreed to serve on the Advisory Committee to the New Jersey Information Network for Pesticides & Alternative Strategies (NJinPAS): Dr. David Drake, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Wildlife Specialist and Ms. Tara Masters, US EPA Region 2 WPS/C&T/GW/ES Program Coordinator.
Two New Crop Profiles Complete:
Specifically, the Final Crop Profile for Field Corn in New Jersey was authored by Daniel Kluchinski, County Agricultural Agent for Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County.This extensive document addresses commodity production, production and cultural practices, and key pests and current management practices for insects, diseases, and weeds.The Final Crop Profile for Processing Carrot in New Jersey was authored by Joseph Ingerson-Mahar, Vegetable Integrated Pest Management Coordinator, Pest Management Office, Rutgers Cooperative Extension. This is the fourth crop profile that Joe has contributed for New Jersey. It addresses commodity production, production regions, and cultural practices, as well as key pests and current management practices for insects and mites, diseases, weeds, and nematodes. It is significant in that he worked directly with the State's carrot growers to determine actual pesticide use for this crop.
See postings of crop profiles.
New Pages on School IPM Website:
The Pest Management Office of Rutgers Cooperative Extension has posted several new pages to its School IPM
website. The pages clearly outline the key requirements of the NJ School IPM Act just passed in December. EPA's lists of exempt active ingredients and inerts referenced in the Act in the definition of low impact pesticides are provided for easy reference. This information is important for schools, parents, and pest control companies (both interior and exterior treatments) serving schools.
NY/NJ School IPM home page.
Pat Hastings, Rutgers Pest Management Office
Rutgers IPM
NYS IPM Program Takes to the Airwaves
Cockroaches. Bedbugs. Weeds. They don't get much air time-but they could. The New York State IPM Program just created 16 public service announcements for radio stations that briefly explain what IPM means. We sent them, on a CD, to 165 radio stations in the hopes that integrated pest management will become more of a household word.To measure the impact of this endeavor, we enclosed a pre-stamped card so that stations could report how often they played the PSAs.
We've used humor, sound effects, and music to entertain our potential listeners in PSAs of three different lengths. Want to hear them? try "IPM at the castle," "Score one for roach IPM," "Pied Piper uses flute, IPM," "Milk IPM for all it's worth," and a dozen more.
PA IPM Progarm Features IPM Education at National IPM Symposium:
IPM education in schools and other topics related to IPM will be presented at the Fourth National IPM Symposium/Workshop taking place April 8-10 at the Westin Inn, Indianapolis.
The Pennsylvania IPM Program is taking part in the symposium and will be presenting topics related to IPM education in schools. The program helped to ensure IPM is a part of new legislation in Pennsylvania that mandates IPM be taught as part of the Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology. Academic standards specify what students have to learn in core subjects. More information.
Penn State Researchers Win Grant to Study New Biological Control Tool for Greenhouse Tomatoes. Press release
Kristie Auman-Bauer, PA IPM Program
Florida:
Recent items on the Florida Pest Alert Site
04/01/03 - Mole cricket poster available in PowerPoint
03/31/03 - USDA proposes to amend imported fire ant regulations by adding the insecticide methoprene
03/26/03 - Southern Plant Diagnostic Network - UF/IFAS news release on Southern Plany Diagnostic Network
03/25/03 - UF experts emphasize "right plant, right place" for landscaping success
03/25/03 - New Featured Creatures - southern lyctus beetle
03/25/03 - Citrus longhorned beetle - threat to over 40 varieties if hardwood and fruit trees - Click Emerging Pest Issues
03/24/03 - Latest updates on Ralstonia solanacearum (race 3, biovar 2) from APHIS
03/21/03 - Florida announces the first case of eastern equine encephalitis for 2003
03/19/03 - Keeping America's Food and Agriculture Safe Web site
03/17/03 - Florida expects tough mosquito season; urges residents, horse owners to take steps to minimize risk
03/14/03 - Oak Leaftiers and leafrollers abundant now in Florida.
03/14/03 - Toll-free hotline offers citrus growers citrus disease reports
Tom Fasulo, et. al., University of Florida
Pest Alert
Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)
MOSES is pleased to announce the first Organic Update Newsletter. This monthly electronic newsletter offers news and information about the organic farming industry in the Upper Midwest. To view newsletter
topEPA
Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP): Regional Initiative Grants Announced.
On March 19, EPA published a Federal Register Notice announcing the availability of the 2003 Regional PESP Grants. Please note that there are very specific eligibility requirements for these grants. Those organizations not directly eligible to apply are encouraged to partner with an eligible organization.
Summary:
EPA is announcing the availability of approximately $500,000 in fiscal year 2003 grant/cooperative agreement funds under section 20 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) as amended. This funding is for grants to States and federally recognized Native American Tribes for research, public education, training, monitoring, demonstrations, and studies that advance pesticide risk reduction. Federal funding is limited to $40,000 per project and matching funds are not required. Projects which leverage funding from other sources are encouraged.
Dates:
Applications must be received by the appropriate EPA Regional Office on or before May 16, 2003. EPA will make its award decisions by June 20, 2003.
Contacts: Questions regarding these grants should be directed to the PESP Regional Coordinator in your EPA Regional Office (listed below).
Region I: (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont),
Andrea Szylvian, Boston, MA
telephone: (617) 918-1198; e-mail: szylvian.andrea@epa.gov.Region II: (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands),
Tara Masters, Edison, NJ
telephone: (732) 906-6183; e-mail: masters.tara@epa.gov.Region III: (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, District of Columbia),
Fatima El-Abdaoui, Philadelphia, PA
telephone: (215) 814-2129; e-mail: el-abdaoui.fatima@epa.gov.
IPM Institute:
Tom Green, et. al., IPM Institute
IPM Job Opportunities
CSREES: Position Title: PROGRAM SPECIALIST (PLANT SCIENCE), Washington, DC, USA.
Perform a wide range of technical and administrative duties related to CSREES plant science programs (including IPM) in support of program leaders, including: design a variety of written and electronic materials; analyze technical plant science in- formation; serve as second in command of certain programs; interact with research institutions; act as spokesperson for the agency as directed.
Application deadline: May 2, 2003. More information.
UNIVSITY OF FLORIDA: Position Title: CITRUS IPM SPECIALIST, Lake Alfred, FL, USA.
Provide expertise and statewide leadership in citrus entomology, particularly insect IPM; 65 % extension, 35 % research; develop, introduce, and apply IPM information; effectively communicate with a wide range of public; pursue extramural funding; recruit graduate students.
Application deadline: June 15, 2003. More information.
RODALE INSTITUTE: Position Title: WEED SCIENTIST (ORGANIC), Kutztown, PA, USA.
Plan and implement experiments asking and answering fundamental questions concerning weed management in organic agricultural systems; disseminate findings to target clientele. Contact: Karen Wallace, Phone: 1-610-683-1428. The Rodale Institute, 611 Siegfriedale Rd., Kutztown, PA 19530.
USDA-ARS: Position Title: RESEARCH ENTOMOLOGIST, Weslaco, TX, USA.
Develop basic information on the biology, ecology, and management of _Antho nomus grandis grandis_ (boll weevil) and other arthropod pests of row crops leading to development of areawide pest management strategies. Requires: MSc or PhD in entomology; relevant entomological lab and field experience; and USA citizenship. Contact (for application in structions): K.E. Wilcox, USDA-ARS-SPARC, Areawide Pest Management Research Unit, 2771 F & B Road, College Station, TX 77845-4966, USA. 1-979-260-9354.
University of Kentucky Position Title: Postdoctoral Position in Biological Control
The University of Kentucky Department of Entomology announces a postdoctoral position, available after July 15, 2003, in the area of biological control of insects. Research areas may include; multi-trophic level interactions within alfalfa agroecosystems, quantification of landscape effects on biological control, interactions of inducible plant responses and natural enemies, chemical ecology or population genetics of predatory species, evolutionary biology or biosystematics of predatory Coccinellidae. More. Thanks to the IPM Institute for this announcement.
IPM Symposium
March 24, 2003
Wide Variety of Topics at National Symposium on Integrated Pest Management
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - From pest management strategies in greenhouses to IPM education in schools, The Fourth National IPM Symposium/Workshop taking place April 8-10 at the Westin Hotel, Indianapolis will cover the latest issues in integrated pest management. With over 700 participants expected from across the country, the symposium will include 60 breakout sessions (workshop, debate and presentation formats) encompassing almost all aspects of IPM.
Topics include:
- Building Alliances Between IPM Practitioners and Consumers - Learn about how IPM is currently used as a requirement in more than 15 certification and labeling programs in North America.
- Progress in State and Local School IPM Programs - Addresses effective approaches to encourage implementation of school IPM on local and state levels.
- Building Partnerships through Regional Integrated Pest Management Centers - Integrated Regional Pest Management Centers encourage collaboration of pest management programs, growers, commodity groups, extension, researchers, state regulators and others involved in pest management.
- IPM Issues in Urban Communities - Offers a broad perspective on Community IPM issues, particularly in urban environments, including homes, schools, buildings, landscapes, parks and golf courses.
- Biorational Insecticides - Selectivity and Importance in IPM Programs - Learn about how biorational insecticides have been developed and introduced for selective control of insect pests.
- IPM in Outdoor Environments - Outdoor environments in communities include parks, yards, landscaped public grounds, golf courses, and many miles of right-of-ways for roads, railroads and utilities.
- Beyond Partnerships: How Growers Really Adopt New IPM Technologies - Discussing the work from wide-scale implementation projects in three different states and crops, presenters illustrate the principles necessary for increasing and maintaining the commercial use of new practices.
- University of Florida's Plant Medicine Program - Describes the University of Florida's unique interdisciplinary graduate program that confers a Doctor of Plant Medicine.
- Developing IPM Education for Younger Audiences (K-6) - Young children can learn elementary steps involved in an IPM approach through creative activities and curricula.
- IPM Education: Takin' it to the Street - The non-farm general public is "the other 98%" who makes pest management decisions or are impacted by decisions made by others. Find out how to reach the general public audiences of all ages, cultures, classes, professions and environments.
- Biological Control of Plant Pathogens - Focuses on the incorporation of biologically-based tactics in disease management.
- IPM and Urban Wildlife Pest Situations - Will summarize the history of the wildlife control industry and provide perspectives from both a state wildlife agency and a state pest management regulatory agency.
Images of Sustainable Agriculture: Landscapes, Pest Management and Biotechnology- IPM Projects in Natural Areas - Effective invasive species IPM in natural areas presents managers with unique challenges: a spectrum of pest species, management tools and information, vast and remote (and often multi-jurisdictional) resource areas, and possibly threatened and endangered species and other sensitive resources.
- Global Climate Change and Its Implication for IPM - Will introduce studies on implications of climate change to agriculture and expected scenarios for IPM.
- Integrated Pest Management in Organic Systems - Conventional farmers and ranchers nation-wide are increasingly interested in approaches to IPM for organic systems since the release of USDA organic certification standards in 2002.
- IPM in commercial greenhouses: How can biological control play a more prominent role? - Discuss how biological control can gain greater acceptance among commercial growers and, ultimately, play a more prominent role in greenhouse IPM programs.
For more information about the symposium, contact Elaine Wolff at (217) 333-2881, email at ipmsymposium@ad.uiuc.edu or see Web site http://www.conted.uiuc.edu/ipm.
Elaine Wolff,
Symposium Coordinator
IPM
Symposium Website
IR-4
J. Ray Frank Plans Retirement from Position as IR-4 Ornamentals Program Manager,
Since 1993, J. Ray Frank has been the motivational and operational force behind the IR-4 Ornamentals Program. The Program is the only publicly funded green industry endeavor to promote pest control registrations and label expansions. Ray will leave behind an IR-4 Ornamentals Program poised for faster and more efficient response to critical needs. The Ornamentals database was revamped in 3/03 as a result of work sessions led by Ray at the IR-4/USDA Crop Grouping Symposium in October of 2002. New data fields and tables have been developed to explain the new field codes. View the database . See more about Ray Frank's retirement.
A nationwide search will be conducted to find the new IR-4 Ornamental Project Manager.
Sandy Perry
IR-4 Outreach Specialist
Submitted by Donald Baumgartner
Quebec Adopts the Highest Standards in North America to Decrease Exposure to Pesticides.
Québec, March 5, 2003 - Mr. André Boisclair, Minister of State for Municipal Affairs, Greater Montréal, Environment and Water today announced the adoption of a new Pesticide Management Code to strictly regulate the storage, sales and use of pesticides in Québec. The Code will link the minimal and prudent use of these products with the protection of citizens’ health and the environment.
" Through this regulation, Québec becomes the first place in North America to ban the most dangerous pesticides for health and the environment. The action undertaken today by the Québec government will reduce people’s exposure to these products which are particularly noxious to children’s health ", declared Minister Boisclair.
More Restrained and Safer Use of Pesticides
First, it is henceforth prohibited to use the most harmfulness pesticides on lawns of public, semi-public and municipal green spaces. Over the next three years, this prohibition will extend to all private and commercial lawns . Due to the continuing uncertainty about their harmfulness, herbicides made up of active ingredients 2,4-D, MCPA and mecoprop will continue to be prohibited for precautionary reasons until the availability of the products’ revaluation results by recognized organizations.
In addition, it is furthermore prohibited to apply almost any pesticide inside or outside child care centres, as well as elementary or secondary schools. In both cases, specific rules will henceforth govern the application of pesticides still autorize.
Moreover, minimum distances from bodies of water, watercourses and water intakes must be observed during the preparation and application of pesticides. Specified distances will also be required from human activity zones in the case of significant drifts, specifically in orchards and during aerial spraying and when pesticides are used in high-traffic vehicule, train and energy corridors.
As an additional measure, service companies in charge of maintaining green spaces can no longer apply mixtures of pesticides and fertilizers. This practice constitutes a non-essential use of pesticides.
Finally, golf courses will be required to submit a triennial pesticide reduction plan to the Ministère de l'Environnement, the first plan being required over the next three years after the Pesticide Management Code has gone into effect. Read article.
Access to this page is not restricted. E-mail Jim or Liz to offer submissions or suggest changes.
topJim VanKirk, Coordinator 315-787-2378 jrv1@cornell.edu
John Ayers, Director 814-865-7776 (voice) email
Liz Thomas, Information Specialist 315-787-2626 egt3@cornell.edu
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NEPMC On Target is "new and improved" version of the for NEPMC Insider. So continuing subscribers don't have to update links, we'll keep the same url. A web page with the address http://nepmc.org/insider/current.html always holds the most recent issue.
Each issue will also continue to have its own unique location at http://nepmc.org/insider/mmmyyyy.html, where "mmm" is 3 letter abbreviation for the month and "yyyy" is four digit year designation.
As of the January, 2003 issue we are now numbering issues using volume (2001=1, 2002=2, etc.) and number (Jan=1, Feb=2, etc.) We may retroactively renumber previous issues using this system.
A list of links to all issues can be found at http://neipmc.org/news_ontargetarchiveindex.cfm
NE PMC On Target
Centers for Pest Management are sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture
This page developed and managed by Jim VanKirk, NE PMC Coordinator and Liz Thomas, Informaton Specialist