NEPMNet Project Leaders Glen Koehler and Jim Dill

In the Center May 2002

Networking in New England

 
Six states have teamed up to form the New England Pest Management Network (NEPMNet), a collaborative effort that connects pesticide users and others interested in pest management issues (e.g., farmers, educators, consumer groups, and regulators). Supported by USDA and NE PMC through a competitive funding process, NEPMNet develops new knowledge and planning tools and improves access to reliable pest management information relevant to New England.

The project team, led by James Dill and Glen Koehler of the University of Maine, includes cooperators from universities in the each of the New England states: Candace Bartholomew in Connecticut; Natalia Clifton and Patricia Vittum in Massachusetts; William Lord in New Hampshire; Margaret Siligato and Steve Alm in Rhode Island; and Alan Gotlieb and Sarah Kingsley-Richards in Vermont.

The searchable web site, called Pest Management Resources Online for New England (PRONewEngland.org), provides links to some of the best pest management information available. It presents regularly updated news sorted by both geographic and topical relevance, and includes a directory of federal, state, university, government, and private pest management agencies, programs, and interest groups. The site also provides opportunities for feedback to regulatory agencies and educational programs, as well as dialogue through e-mail discussion groups. A foundation for online weather-based predictive pest and crop models is also being developed.

The NEPMNet project cooperators are developing pest management tactic surveys and crop profiles to help regulatory agencies and educational programs better understand real-world pest management practices in New England. They then create pest management strategic plans, which are essential in setting research, extension, and regulatory priorities for the region. The commodities they’re focusing   on for 2001–2003 are peaches, pears, tomatoes, apples, winter squash, peas, beans,and carrots. Each survey, profile, and strategic plan produced will be published on the web site.

To enhance awareness of pest management concerns and improve the ability to address them effectively, NEPMNet fosters communication among stakeholders, particularly emphasizing interaction with regulators. Communication tools include the web directory and a census of stakeholder pest management regulatory concerns, with feedback solicited at NEPMNet meetings, through e-mail discussion groups, and on the web site. This feedback is distilled into annual regulatory review reports disseminated to policymakers at the federal, state, and university levels.

To learn more about other information network projects being launched throughout the Northeast, visit the NE PMC website: http://nepmc.org/infonet/.

Contents of this Issue:

A message from the Coordinator - NE PMC annual meeting, about the survey

Networking in New England - NEPMNet, the New England Pest Management Network

News and updates - PA School IPM law; International IPM Conference in Toronto; Fruit CWG progress

Crop profiles offer a critical snapshot - Everything you always wanted to know about crop profiles

Fourth National IPM Symposium Planned - Indianapolis, next April

Veggie Group Finds Fertile Common Ground - About the Vegetable Commodity Working Group

Reader survey - Please spend a few minutes to help make this newsletter more useful to you

Links:

In the Center index

NEIPMC home page

This newsletter is online at www.northeastipm.org/inthecenter/may2002. For more information on NE PMC, visit our web site (www.northeastipm.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.    2M   ACT  5/02  

The Northeastern Integrated Pest Management Center fosters the development and adoption of IPM, a science-based approach to managing pests in ways that generate economic, environmental, and human health benefits. We work in partnership with stakeholders from agricultural, urban, and rural settings to identify and address regional priorities for research, education, and outreach.