| IN THE | |
||
| C E N T E R | |||
| J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 3 | |||
| Working Groups Make Strides in IPM Settings |  |
NE PMC’s Livestock and Field Crops Working Group focuses on external pests of livestock, like flies, and pests of the crops used to feed livestock in the Northeast, such as alfalfa, soybeans, and field corn. Led by Keith Waldron (Cornell University) and Dennis Calvin (Penn State), the group’s members include producers, crop advisors/pest managers, experts in water resources, weed ecology, veterinary entomology, and representatives of the EPA and the agricultural products industry.
The group held its first conference call in November to set preliminary goals and plan first steps for serving the industry on a regional scale. They emphasized the need to develop research and extension priorities. Clearly articulated priorities can be extremely important in determining where funding will be directed in the field. Although there have been priority-setting efforts in the past, recent changes in the industry (e.g., transgenic crops) make this an especially good time to revisit questions that would identify the biggest problems, challenges, and needs for research and extension.
After some discussion, the group agreed that surveying a broad cross-section of stakeholders would be the most effective way to determine a credible list of priorities. They focused on developing strategies to reach a diverse and representative group of stakeholders, and they discussed ways to entice people to participate in the survey.
Another task that the group plans to take on is developing an extensive list of contacts and resources for the livestock and field crops industry. This list would promote the effective dissemination of sound, research-based pest management information over the long term. It would include as many contacts as possible, from recognized experts to local contacts connected with agricultural organizations––anyone who might be able and willing to share valuable information.
The Livestock and Field Crops Working Group is taking some first steps to make this work possible. They hope to acquire funding to hire someone who can help with these tasks, and to increase their membership with some representatives from more northeastern states. The group will meet this winter to set their plans in motion and make strides toward achieving their goals.
In November, NE PMC’s Community IPM Working Group met for the first time to identify resources and set priorities for promoting IPM in urban and suburban settings. The group is led by Mary Kay Malinoski (University of Maryland) and Lynn Braband (Cornell University), with members from eight northeastern states and the District of Columbia. The membership includes experts in horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, and pesticide application, as well as environmental group representatives and Cooperative Extension staff.
One of the unique features facing this working group is the diversity of its audience––homeowners, golf course managers, school administrators, nursery owners, building superintendents, and many others. Although these audiences are likely to share common concerns about health and safety, environmental issues, and aesthetics, the working group is challenged when considering how best to communicate with such disparate groups. Successful outreach might be defined differently depending on the particular audience and their goals.
In
considering research and extension priorities for community IPM, the group emphasizes
the importance of capitalizing on current strengths and limiting duplication
of effort by taking advantage of existing resources. With this in mind, the
group has identified its most immediate priority: to seek support for the development
of a clearinghouse for community IPM information.
The group will also focus attention on pests and pest management practices that
pose the greatest risk to communities. Pesticide applications by untrained individuals,
such as homeowners, are among these higher-risk practices, as well as treatments
in places like schools, where any risks are borne disproportionately by children.
The group is also considering IPM priorities specific to landscaping in the Northeast, including wildlife problems, water quality and conservation, and preventative pest management practices, such as choosing the best plants for low-maintenance landscaping. The Community IPM Working Group will continue to address these and other priorities in the coming months.
A message from the director - NE PMC efforts and progress, new funding cycle
Symposium to explore a vision for IPM's future - a preview of this spring's national IPM Symposium
Strategic plan for cranberries is influential - New plan results in funding for fruit rot research
New Jersey leads the way in IPM information - New Jersey's Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies
Patterns of GM soybean use in Pennsylvania - Penn State researcher studies trends in GM adoption
NE PMC Working Group: Livestock and Field Crops - Surveying stakeholders to determine priorities, developing a list of contacts
NE PMC Working Group: Community IPM - Setting priorities and providing information for diverse audiences
This newsletter is online at nepmc.org/inthecenter/may2002. For more information on NE PMC, visit our web site (nepmc.org) or contact NE PMCs Coordinator Jim VanKirk (315-787-2378; jrv1@cornell.edu) or Information Specialist Liz Thomas (315-787-2626; egt3@cornell.edu), NE PMC, PO Box 462, Geneva, NY 14456. Publication supported by CSREES, USDA, project number 1952-CU-USDA-9759. Writing and design: Elizabeth Myers.
Printed on recycled paper.İİİ 2Mİİ ACTİ 5/02İİ