News, Events, Jobs, and More

Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI): USDA NIFA. Addresses the critical needs of the specialty crop industry. Grants will support research and extension activities that address key challenges of national, regional, and multistate importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture. Total funding: $80 million. Deadlines: Dec. 10, 2018.

USDA Announces Update to IPM Road Map: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the first update since 2013 of the National Road Map for Integrated Pest Management. The update culminates a yearlong review by the Federal Integrated Pest Management Coordinating Committee, a joint effort that is coordinated by the Office of Pest Management Policy in the Office of USDA’s Chief Economist with representatives of all federal agencies with responsibilities in IPM research, implementation, or education programs.

Deborah Grantham Appointed Director of Northeastern IPM Center: Deborah Grantham has been named director of the Northeastern IPM Center. She took the reins, effective September 16, following Mike Hoffmann's tenure as interim director.

Northeastern IPM Center's 2019 RFA Webinar Recording: Watch the recording of this informational webinar about the Northeastern IPM Center’s 2019 Partnership Grants RFA.

Northeastern IPM Center Announces Request for Applications for IPM Partnership Grants: Center to award up to $250,000 for winning projects that foster the development and adoption of integrated pest management methods. Applications must be submitted by November 15, 2018.

The IPM Toolbox: We’ve asked the experts to join us online for an hour of dialogue about an effective IPM practice, method, or effort. Recordings of the fall 2018 webinars are now available.

Bees and Their Habitats in Four New England States: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont contain over 400 species of bees, about which little is known except for a few common species. Threats to bees include habitat loss, pests and pathogens, pesticides, and climate change. This publication explores practical methods for improving pollinator habitats to help meet goals in bee conservation and pollination security.

Ideas for Your Nuisance Deer Conservation Program: Imagine that you could hire a consultant to help you deal with the ecological damage caused by having too many deer in your municipality.

Pest Management Databases Infographic: What free, online databases are there about pest management? These are six big ones.

A Guide to Minimum Risk Pesticides: The New York State IPM Program has a new online resource that provides helpful information about minimum risk pesticide ingredients.

Update: Biopesticide for Bed Bugs: A new fungal biopesticide spray developed at Penn State with funding from a Regional IPM grant is effective against immature and adult bed bugs.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Management Survey for Commercial Producers: Participate in a nation-wide survey to gather information from farmers and growers on the economic impact of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) on agriculture.

Foundations of IPM, Organic Point Way Over Barriers: Adherents of organic and IPM practices share a basic principle: emphasis is placed on human health, the environment, and economics.

Ecologically-Based Growers Face Obstacles and Market Could Help: Money has spun the world of food, particularly food produced using IPM and organic practices.

IPM and Organic Moving Forward Together: Is it time to re-assess and re-label both IPM and organic as ecologically-based?

Challenges and Opportunities for Ecologically-Based Growers: Even as expectations for higher-quality food rise, we face water and air pollution, loss of beneficial organisms, and increasing persistence of pests.

Job Opportunities

October 22, 2018
Aquatic Invasive Species Programs Manager – Western New York Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management: The Aquatic Invasive Species Programs Manager will work to develop, establish and coordinate a regional Watercraft Inspection Boat Stewardship Program. The watercraft inspection program must include at least 20 sites and Boat Stewards, who will work at boat launches from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Program Manager will be responsible for all aspects of the watercraft inspection program including development, hiring and supervision of Boat Stewards, reporting and program communications. See full position description for more informaiton. Apply by Nov. 26, 2018.

October 22, 2018
Education and Outreach Programs Manager – Western New York Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management: The Education and Outreach Programs Manager will work to create and disseminate WNY PRISM education and outreach materials in consultation with the Aquatic and Terrestrial IS Managers. The Programs Manager will update website content and calendars and develop maps of IS distributions. See full position description for more informaiton. Apply by Nov. 26, 2018.