IPM News and Events Roundup 02/27/2026
A weekly collection of IPM news, webinars, employment, funding opportunities, and more from the Regional IPM Centers
The Southern IPM Center is teaming up with several NE IPM Center "veterans" to continue delivering programming to the Northeast (see the funding acknowledgement). Watch for emails from Deb Grantham (deborahggrantham@gmail.com) and Jerrie Haines (ipm.communicator@gmail.com). Roger Magarey, co-director of the Southern IPM Center is the primary contact related to this effort.
If you have IPM-related research, events, or other IPM news you would like to have included, please email Jerrie Haines at ipm.communicator@gmail.com. If you would like to subscribe to the weekly Roundup, please email Jerrie at ipm.communicator@gmail.com. Past Roundups are archived on our website.
This work is supported by The Southern IPM Center, Project Award Grant #2022-70006-38002, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM) Program.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. government determination or policy.
Connect with the Southern IPM Center
YouTube | Newsletter | Center Impacts | Evaluation Resources | Signature Programs | IPM Data | IPM Hour| Priorities
Beginning in 2008, the Southern IPM Center has recognized Friends of IPM– those with extraordinary potential to contribute to research, extension, or implementation of IPM in the Southern region of the United States. Many of the criteria for the awards are based on the National IPM Roadmap published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Those that are named “Friends of IPM” are given an award for their dedication and achievement.
For the 2026 funding year, SIPMC received 31 proposals totaling $994,848 in requested funds. Of those, we funded nine projects, including five working groups, totaling $318,117. Disciplines, many interdisciplinary, range from Entomology, Human Health, Plant Pathology, Weed Science, and Wildlife. Contracting states include: AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, and SC, while 12 of the 15 southern states are represented when including cooperating states.
Connect with the North Central IPM Center
YouTube | Newsletter | Center Impacts | Pest Alerts | Regional Priorities | IPM Data | Podcasts
February 2026 North Central IPM Issue
Check it out to access:
● New World Screwworm Resources,
● A new tool for detecting Herbicide Resistance
● Precision agriculture, Smart Spray Calculator
Connect with the Western IPM Center
YouTube | Newsletter | Impact Assessment | Priorities | Signature Programs | IPM Data | PMSPs and Crop Profiles
News from the Western SARE Region
In This Issue
NIFA Awards $5.2M to Support Core Plant Research
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture announces a $5.2 million investment in 10 research projects that aim to advance knowledge in the wide range of agricultural production systems. The Foundational Knowledge of Agricultural Production Systems program priority area (A1102), part of the Agriculture Food and Research Initiative, focuses on solving key problems within production systems. It does this by funding research that experiments with using new technologies, studying systems, or creating computer models. The competitive grant program aims to develop new, lasting solutions to improve farm output, increase profits, and support the well-being of workers.
Florida Commissioner of Ag Announces $3 Billion in Losses Due To Recent Freezes
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced that agricultural industry in Florida has sustained more than $3 Billion in total estimated damages due to recent freezes.
Research in the news
Management Options for Corn Earworm in Sweet Corn
Recorded February 19, 2026. This webinar includes two talks—the first focused on using Bt hybrids and the second on using insecticides during silking for management. Presenters include Veronica Yurchak and Kelly Hamby.
https://www.cewipm.org/webinars/management-options-for-corn-earworm-in-sweet-corn/
Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate on ‘Ouachita’ Blackberry Leaf Tissue Nutrient Concentration, Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality (journals.ashs.org)
The current nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate recommendation (56–90 kg N·ha−1) for all blackberry types grown in the United States was developed based on research of trailing blackberries grown in the Pacific Northwest, where the majority of US blackberry production occurs. In the southeastern United States, blackberry production has grown rapidly over the past two decades. Because of this expansion and regional differences in cultural practices, climate, growth habit, and cultivars, it is necessary to verify whether the current N fertilizer rate recommendation is appropriate for the southeastern United States. A planting of mature erect ‘Ouachita’ floricane-fruiting blackberry was fertilized with six annual rates of ammonium-nitrate (0, 34, 67, 101, 135, and 168 kg N·ha−1) each year over 3 years. During the growing season, leaf tissue nutrient samples were collected from primocanes and floricanes every 2 weeks to assess leaf tissue nutrient concentration. During each season, blackberry yield and fruit quality were assessed and recorded. After each season, physiological characteristics of blackberry plant growth and development were recorded. Generally, higher rates of N fertilizer resulted in higher leaf N concentrations in both blackberry primocanes and floricanes. However, blackberry yield and fruit size did not respond to increased rates of N fertilizer. The baseline soil N concentration was high at the experimental site, which most likely contributed to 0 kg N·ha−1 and other lower N rates showing no signs of N deficiency.
An emerging biorefinery of mycelial food products from sustainable feedstocks (sciencedirect.com)
· Fungal fermentation enables circular biorefinery for sustainable food production.
· Diverse pretreatment approaches are employed for agricultural and food wastes.
· Bioprocess parameters critically influence mycelial biomass and product yield.
· Co-cultivation and genetic engineering are efficient tools to boost productivity.
· Downstream processing is vital for formulating novel mycelium-based foods.
Foliar dewdroplet–induced redox cascades promote early flowering in Brassicaceae plants (pnas.org)
Water microdroplets are regarded as microreactors capable of generating various reactive species, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), at their interfaces. However, our understanding of the impact of microdroplet chemistry on the natural world remains limited. This study reveals that during dew formation on Arabidopsis thaliana leaves, radical cascade reactions occur within the micro dew drops on leaf trichomes, influencing the synthesis of abscisic acid and thereby promoting early flowering. Globally, changes in dew point temperature affect the flowering events of Brassicaceae plants. Against the backdrop of global warming, these findings enhance our comprehension of the advanced timing of plant flowering.
Neonicotinoid and s-triazine pesticide transport dynamics in a small karst agricultural watershed (acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
The potential ecological and human health risks posed by agricultural pesticides necessitate a comprehensive understanding of pesticide transport dynamics to guide effective management. Riparian buffers are often implemented to mitigate nutrients and sediment transported in surface runoff. However, the co-benefits they may offer for pesticide mitigation are not well understood, especially in karst landscapes. We monitored nested catchments in a 62 km2, karstic, agricultural watershed in the siliciclastic Appalachian Mountain physiographic province of the eastern United States to assess transport dynamics of two surface-applied s-triazine herbicides (atrazine and simazine) and four neonicotinoids commonly coated on seeds (clothianidin, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam). In-stream grab samples were collected biweekly from five sites during the 2023 growing season.
Glyphosate Resistance in Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum) from New York State Associated with EPSPS Gene Amplification (cambridge.org)
Italian ryegrass [Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum (Lam.)] Husnot]; referred as L. multiflorum throughout the manuscript hereafter) is one of the most problematic grass weeds infesting agronomic and specialty crops across the United States. In 2023–2025, inadequate control of L. multiflorum populations (NY_R1, NY_R2, and NY_R3) with glyphosate was reported in Livingston, Ontario, and Genesee Counties, New York (NY). This research aimed to (1) confirm and quantify glyphosate resistance in these suspected glyphosate-resistant (GR) populations, (2) evaluate the efficacy of alternative postemergence herbicides, and (3) determine whether EPSPS gene amplification confers glyphosate resistance. A known glyphosate-susceptible (GS) population (AR_S) from Arkansas was included for comparison. Glyphosate dose–response assays indicated that NY_R1, NY_R2, and NY_R3 populations were 13-, 4-, and 5-fold resistant, respectively, relative to the AR_S population.
Long-term changes in insect abundance: a method of their detection and its application to nocturnal Lepidoptera (academic.oup.com)
The decreasing abundance of insect species is a common phenomenon of the present era. To detect the change in species abundance, it is essential to have a sufficiently long time series over which the change can be detected. We examined the time series of the abundance of 110 moth species using annual captures in a light trap operated nightly from April to November of 1967–1995. For each species, the time series was fitted by a state–space model allowing for a time-varying slope (ie for a locally linear trend with the slope allowed to change over time). We then determined the position in time and the length of the period when the estimate of the slope became significant. No significant change in abundance was detected for 65 species. Significant negative trends were established in 29 species; at first after 17 yr from the beginning of the study, significant positive trends were established in 16 species, with the earliest trend being detected after 15 yr.
News
Six Farmer Videos from GROW to Help You Manage Cover Crops (growiwm.org)
Spring brings a lot of management decisions for farmers who use cover crops, from juggling termination timing to managing planters in high-residue crops.
Fortunately, GROW has farmers on tap across the country ready to help you out!
Take some time to review these six GROW videos where experienced and innovative farmers dig into all these cover cropping decisions and more.
Pest Talks (growertalks.com)
TSCL Quarantine
TSCL Rotation Guide
Tank Mixing
When to Switch MOA
Roundup Settlement
Aromatic barrier systems: Integrating medicinal and aromatic plants into greenhouse IPM (mmjdaily.com)
The integration of medicinal and aromatic plants into greenhouse production systems is emerging as a scientifically grounded and field-validated component of integrated pest management (IPM). At Claros Farm, Agricultural Engineers Birgül Albayrak and Samet Albayrak have developed and tested an "aromatic barrier" model that combines border plantings with environmental essential oil applications to reduce pest establishment while enhancing economic sustainability.
Meet Buzzdetect: An Open-Source AI Tool for Listening to Pollinators (entomologytoday.org)
Imagine you are standing in the center of a soybean farm, thousands of acres stretching out around you. What do you hear? Maybe a tractor working a few fields over, the wind rustling the leaves? Or perhaps a faint buzz, barely noticeable against the background hum of the landscape. For most of us, the sounds of the outdoors are usually just that: background noise. But what if we could tune our ears to uncover hidden layers of data within the environment?
“A well-timed beneficial release can save weeks of frustration” (hortidaily.com)
If your biocontrol program keeps feeling 'one step behind,' the issue may not be the insects, it might be the calendar. One of the most important factors in making a biocontrol program effective is the timing of introduction. A well-timed beneficial release can save weeks of frustration, and a poorly timed one can undo a whole season's effort. Ensuring the biocontrol occurs before its host is crucial for effective pest reduction, Jenn Blom, Sarah Stuive and Jenna Straughan, with Global Hort explain.
Invasive Species Through a Biogeographical Lens (sleloinvasives.org)
Understanding why invasive pests behave differently across regions requires looking beyond their invaded range and examining their ecology at home. Recent research on hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) in its native western North American range reveals how predator-prey dynamics shape potential biocontrol strategies. By studying multi-trophic interactions, researchers can better predict how multiple predators may perform when introduced in the East. These insights strengthen biological control programs and offer valuable lessons for managing other invasive forest pests.
General Announcements
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One state Department of Agriculture representative
NCR-SARE Administrative Council members must live and work in one of the 12 states that make up the North Central SARE region. Those states are IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, and WI.
NCR-SARE’s Administrative Council represents various agricultural sectors, states, and organizations. It sets program priorities and makes granting decisions for the region. A collection of farm and non-farm residents, the Administrative Council includes a diverse mix of agricultural stakeholders in our 12 states. Council members come from regional farms and ranches, university extension and research programs, and nonprofits. In addition, the Administrative Council includes regional representatives of the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, state agencies, and agribusinesses.
Applicants should understand sustainable agriculture well and be comfortable reviewing grant proposals and participating in a group decision-making process. Members of the Administrative Council are not eligible to apply for SARE funding during their time on the Administrative Council. More information about NCR-SARE and the Administrative Council is online at https://northcentral.sare.org/about/ncr-sare-leadership-and-policies/.
To apply for a seat on the NCR-SARE Administrative Council, submit the following information using our online form at: https://tinyurl.com/SAREACform. Applications are due by 4pm central on March 31, 2026.
Gulf Research Program Fellowships and Scholars Programs
The Gulf Research Program’s Science Policy Fellowship helps scientists gain first-hand experience applying science to policy as they spend one year on the staff of federal, state, local, or non-governmental agencies in the Gulf region.
With the guidance of a mentor, fellows delve into activities like policy development, evaluation, restoration planning, grants management, and stakeholder outreach and learn what it takes to make scientific information not just useful but useable. Meanwhile, host offices get a talented technical expert with a fresh perspective and a new network of contacts across the Gulf region.
Fellows who have completed a MA, MS, or MPH/MSPH degree or who are currently enrolled in a doctoral program will receive an annual stipend of $63,800. Fellows who have completed a PhD, ScD, EngD, MD, DrPH, or DVM will receive an annual stipend of $69,300.
For additional information and to apply, please visit our website.
Help our Hemlocks: HWA Winter Mapping Challenge
The Winter Mapping Challenge is already underway and runs through March 15. Eastern hemlocks play a vital role in our forests, but they are threatened by the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). You can help by joining scientists, conservationists, and volunteers across the state in tracking the spread of HWA, and compete to win a prize from the NYS Hemlock Initiative. Learn more at NY iMapInvasives.
NCR-SARE Heroes Recommendation Form
To bring awareness of, recognize, and pay tribute to those who have made significant contributions to NCR-SARE and sustainable agriculture in the North Central region, NCR-SARE is accepting nominations for the “NCR-SARE Hero” recognition.
Coordinated by the NCR-SARE Alumni Organization, the recognition will acknowledge these heroes' leadership, vision, contributions, and impact in the region's sustainable agriculture field across the 12-state region (IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI).
Anyone may submit nominations. The official nomination form is available on the NCR-SARE website here.
Eligibility
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Service to NCR-SARE and/or national SARE; and
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Leadership in sustainable agriculture locally and regionally; and
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Lasting impacts to sustainability in the North Central region.
Nominations and Selection
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The NCR-SARE Alumni Heroes Committee reviews and forwards nominations to the NCR-SARE Administrative Council.
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Nominations received will be kept on file at NCR-SARE and maintained for consideration for four years. Nominations may be resubmitted after that time.
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Current SARE staff and state coordinators cannot be nominated. They are eligible for nomination one year after leaving their SARE positions.
Nominations received by the end of the day on March 31, 2026, will be considered for the 2026 recognition. The NCR-SARE Hero recognition will be announced in July 2026.
Survey
We (researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the University of Maryland College Park) are conducting a research study to understand the timing and approach to invasive plant control efforts and the efficacy of these interventions. The purpose of this study is to better understand when in the field season different kinds of mechanical and chemical control methods are deployed for specific invasive plants, and whether practitioners have needed to adjust the timing of these interventions in recent years due to shifts in plant phenology brought about by climate change. This is our second year of sending this survey - if you have filled it out before, thank you, and we want to hear from you again! The survey will take between 15-25 minutes to complete.
You may participate in this study if you are a natural resource manager who deals with invasive plants. Your participation is completely voluntary, and no identifying information will be collected. You are free to skip any question that you choose and can stop the survey at any time.
Cover Crop Breeding Survey - Your Input Welcome!
The University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture invites farmers from across the U.S. to complete a short online survey to better understand the types of traits and characteristics producers value most in their cover crops. The results of the survey will directly inform future cover crop breeding and variety testing research — including that of the Cornell-based Cover Crop Breeding Network — as well as outreach efforts, to help meet the needs of farmers across the country.
The survey will take approximately 5 to 15 minutes and is completely voluntary. All types of producers are encouraged to participate, including both those with and without cover crop experience. Survey findings will be shared through presentations, publications in peer-reviewed literature, and farm media outlets. If you have any questions, please contact Etienne Sutton at etiennesutton@missouri.edu.
Follow this link to complete the survey: https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8oJnvCLDdrNHiKi
Webinars, seminars, meetings, and more
Newly featured this issue
Anticipating Freshwater Invasive Species Risk in the Northeast United States
Join us for an upcoming webinar about freshwater invasive species and climate change! Understanding the potential movement and establishment of invasive freshwater species is essential to early detection and rapid response (EDRR) strategies. This webinar will present a novel approach that combines current and future habitat suitability (from species distribution models) with pathways information to generate invasion risk scores for more than 100 freshwater invaders (fishes, plants, and invertebrates) to help inform EDRR approaches. This approach produces comprehensive, regionally mapped coverage of invasion risk for freshwater systems in the northeast United States.
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 | 1:00 pm
Catch up on the latest information about this insect that threatens the wine and grape industry.
A free, three-day webinar series.
Day 1: Updates from long-term lanternfly research
Day 2: State and federal strategies and priorities
Day 3: Viticulture research and industry perspectives
· Mar 3, 2026 10:45 AM in EST
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Mar 4, 2026 10:45 AM in EST
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Mar 5, 2026 10:45 AM in EST
Weed Control in Propagation: Sanitation, Mulches, and Pre-emergence Herbicides
Weed infestations can begin in propagation then persist through the production cycle. Sanitation practices prevent the spread of weeds into propagation areas, while mulches and pre-emergence herbicides are used to suppress weed seed germination and growth during propagation. Explore best management practices for preventing weed infestations in greenhouse and nursery propagation systems. In this session, growers will learn about mulch products and pre-emergence herbicides that can be safely used in cutting and seedling propagation to reduce labor costs associated with hand weeding.
Mar 4, 2026 01:00 PM in EST
Previously featured
Pennsylvania Invasive Species: Spotted Lanternfly
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), an invasive planthopper native to Asia, has rapidly spread across the northeastern United States, threatening agriculture, forestry, and residential landscapes. Feeding on more than seventy plant species, including grapevines, maples, and fruit trees, it weakens plants and produces sticky honeydew that fosters mold growth and attracts nuisance insects. This webinar will cover identification at all life stages, the insect’s life cycle and host preferences, and the factors behind its swift spread. Participants will learn about its current distribution, the damage it causes, and available tools for monitoring and management, equipping growers, landowners, and residents in quarantined areas with the knowledge to take effective action.
April 3, 2026 (1:00 PM-2:15 PM ET)
Register By: April 2, 2026
This event is free of charge.
Resilient Long Island Symposium - Register Now!
Resilient Long Island is a symposium in which community members, researchers, and professionals are invited to learn how to foster resilient ecological communities, with topics on native plants and invasive species. Expect three action-packed days of presentations, an interactive workshop, a happy hour poster session, and more! Use code butterflyweed for 20% off Friday tickets! https://liisma.org/resilient-2026/
· Thursday, March 19 - Poster Session Sisters of St. Joseph Campus in Brentwood
· Friday, March 20 - Symposium at Hofstra University
· Saturday, March 21 - Workshop at Hempstead Plains
· Continuing Education Credits: NYSDEC Pesticide, LACES, ISA, SAF (CNLP pending)
Investing in IPM – Turfgrass Education
The Cornell Turf Show is a free weekly webinar where we cover golf, sports turf, and lawn/landscape management in 30 minutes. We cover the latest weather trends, disease and insect pressure, fertility strategies, and practical management insights you can use right away. Expect timely turf topics for Northeast golf course, sports turf, and lawn managers — featuring Cornell experts and industry guests. Season 7 kicks off Friday, March 6th – Speaker TBD. The season will run till May 22, 2026.
The show airs live every Friday from 10–10:30 a.m. EST. For more information, visit Cornell Turf Show Returns for Season Seven. To register directly, visit The Cornell Turf Show.
IPM Essentials: Tools, Tactics, and Techniques
Gain a deeper understanding of integrated pest management (IPM) in this four-part webinar series led by experts at Penn. State University who will share practical strategies for implementing sustainable pest control across diverse settings. Each session explores a key aspect of IPM—from foundational principles and pest monitoring techniques to identifying common pests and applying IPM practices in real-world scenarios.
Registration: https://extension.psu.edu/ipm-essentials-tools-tactics-and-techniques
When: Tuesdays. March 10, 17, 24, and 31, 2026 (12:00 PM-1:15 PM ET)
Registration fee: $20.00
Certified Tree Steward Program 2026
The Tree Steward Program is a comprehensive workshop dealing with arboriculture. Through both classroom learning and outdoor exercises, the participants will learn all about tree biology, identification, pruning, planting, rigging and much more. Personal protection as well as tree protection will be emphasized. DEC and ISA credits approved.
Date: 4/20/26, 4/22/26, 4/24/26, 4/27/26, 4/29/26, 5/1/26
Time: 9am to 3:30pm
Fee: Landscapers and Industry: $1,295, Municipality or County Employee: $1,050
Biting Pests: Understanding Tick Risks for Horses
Ticks pose rising risks to equine health, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, making proactive awareness essential. This webinar examines why ticks increasingly target horses, the dangers they present, and effective prevention strategies. Through clear guidance and practical steps, horse owners will learn how to safeguard their animals and reduce tick-related threats.
March 20, 2026
(12:00 PM-1:00 PM ET)
Register By: March 20, 2026
This event is free of charge.
As part of its 30th anniversary year, Bugwood will host a virtual Bugwood Summit on April 16 at 2:00 p.m. ET. The Summit will highlight recent enhancements across Bugwood Tools, including Bugwood Images, EDDMapS, Wild Spotter, and the Connect platform. Attendees will get a look at how these tools are being refined to improve usability, collaboration, and impact tracking. Registration is now open, and participants are encouraged to save a seat and join the conversation about what’s next for Bugwood. Visit this link to register.
Webinars are hosted by the North Central IPM Center and are held virtually on the third Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm Eastern/12:00 pm Central time. These virtual webinars are delivered via Zoom.
Upcoming Topics
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March 18, 2026: Pesticide Risk Tool: Understanding risk and measuring impact
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April 15, 2026: Tick Tech: Predictive Models and Bot-Assisted Management
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May 20, 2026: RNAi for varroa mite management
Welcome to UC IPM's Urban & Community Webinar Series!
Join us at noon on the third Thursday of every month to learn about pest identification, prevention, and management around the home, garden, and landscape. This series is free and open to the public but advance registration is required.
Topics and speakers are subject to change.
March 19, 2026 – The Secret Life of Biopesticides
A simple, practical introduction to biopesticides. Discover what they are, how they’re discovered, and how they work. Then learn where to find them, and when and how to use them effectively in a home garden as part of a sustainable pest management approach.
April 16, 2026 – Spring Cleaning: Where Indoor Pests Could Be Hiding
Are you thinking about spring cleaning and how to tackle that pile of junk in the corner or clean out the pantry? Well, pests indoors aren’t always found where you expect. This webinar will go over the common pantry and indoor pests, and also some weird places you might encounter pests that you may not have noticed.
May 21, 2026 - Test your Pest ID Knowledge
Join us for this fun and interactive session where we will “quiz” attendees on look-alike pests, what’s causing plant damage, good bug vs. bad bug, weed ID, and more.
June 18, 2026 - When Composting Goes Rotten
Decomposition is happening around us all the time. Sometimes, the management of our compost piles gets complicated and we encounter pests and problems that challenge us! Learn the common mishaps to avoid when composting, as well as how to manage pests when they arrive.
Join Cornell Integrated Pest Management at Cornell University for our monthly seminar series designed to increase awareness of new research and techniques that advance Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and its adoption in all types of pest management settings.
Spring 2026 Seminar Schedule
March 18—Manure matters: Dung ecology and pasture insect management Bryony Sands
April 22—Bio-Innovation vs. Biological Chaos: CRISPR, AI & RNAi for Vector–Virus Control
Kiran Gadhave
What’s Bugging You First Friday
Each month, experts will share practical information and answer questions on using integrated pest management (IPM) to avoid pest problems and promote a healthy environment where you live, work, learn and play. We’ll end with an IPM Minute and cover a specific action you can take in the next few days to help you avoid pest problems.
When: Noon until 12:30 p.m. ET on the first Friday of each month.
Register to attend our events live on Zoom. You will receive a Zoom link the week of the event. The 2026 schedule is available below and on the registration form.
March 6: Here come the Jorō spiders! | Lookout for termite swarms
April 3: Mole control | Feeding Friendly Insects: delay garden cleanup
May 1: Jumping worm management | Feeding Friendly Insects: look for seedlings
June 5: Protecting pollinators in urban areas | Say NO! to bug zappers
July 3: Cicadas & cicada-killer wasps | Feeding Friendly Insects: weed management (pre-recorded video only)
August 7: Managing Spotted Lanternfly at Home
September 4: Mosquitoes are still active | Is that a bee?
October 2: Fall clean-up for your flower and vegetable beds | Leaf piles and ticks
November 6: Emerald Ash Borer Biocontrol Update
December 4: Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Biocontrol Update
Employment Opportunities
Newly featured this issue
The Department of Nutrition and Food Science (NFSC) in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) at the University of Maryland (UMD), College Park, invites applications and nominations for a tenure track position as Professor and Chair. The University of Maryland, College Park is one of the nation’s top 20 public research universities with a world-class reputation for academics, research, and community involvement. It is a Land Grant institution and Flagship University within the University System of Maryland, with over 2,500 faculty members. Current enrollment is approximately 27,000 undergraduate and 11,000 graduate students. The 1,300-acre campus is located in the Baltimore- Washington, D.C. corridor. The campus has metro rail access to excellent research libraries, national and international research institutions, government, international organizations, national archives, non-profit agencies, and significant cultural landmarks.
Careers in Environmental Conservation
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation offers career opportunities in many fields related to environmental protection and natural resource management. The following are some of our occupational groupings and titles with links to a brief duties description, statement of minimum qualifications, and other pertinent information.
Previously featured
The School of Science at Penn State Behrend is seeking applications for an Associate Professor or Professor of Plant Biology who will also serve as Director of the Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center (LERGREC), beginning June 2026. This jointly appointed faculty member—affiliated with both the Biology Department at Penn State Behrend and the College of Agricultural Sciences at University Park—will contribute to the core biology curriculum while teaching courses in plant biology, plant pathology, plant physiology, and genetics. The successful candidate will maintain a vigorous, externally funded research program; mentor undergraduate and graduate students; and bring leadership experience appropriate for an advanced faculty appointment. As Director, they will guide LERGREC’s strategic vision and daily operations, foster collaborations with growers and industry partners, oversee research and extension activities, and advance the Center’s impact across grape and related agricultural systems. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Plant Biology, Phytopathology, Viticulture, or a related field and have a strong record of scholarship, funding success, team leadership, and at least eight years of research and teaching experience.
Research Foundation - Invasive Species Data Assistant
NYNHP works with the NYS DEC Bureau of Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health to promote, review, and manage New York's Invasive Species Database, iMapInvasives (iMap), as well as related invasive species datasets. NYNHP also develops tools for collecting and analyzing these datasets. Many individuals and organizations across the state utilize iMapInvasives and related tools, including NYS agency staff, conservation organizations, educators, and volunteers.
The Invasive Species Data Assistant works within the NYNHP Invasive Species Database Program to help manage datasets and field data collection tools relating to invasive species survey and management. They will also provide technical assistance and training to users and assist with communications with partners and the public.
2026 Seasonal Positions - WNY PRISM
Gain hands-on experience in invasive species management while making an impact this summer!
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Education and Outreach Assistant: assist with events, workshops and trainings, manage social media, prepare newsletters and educational materials, and communicate with volunteers, partners and the public.
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Invasive Species Management Assistants: conduct invasive species surveys and assessments, assist with invasive species removal and habitat restoration, and provide project reports.
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Watercraft Inspection Steward/Environmental Educators: interact with the public at boat launches, perform boat inspections and remove aquatic invasive species, provide public education, and assist with invasive species survey and removal projects.
Application deadline: Monday, March 2, 2026. Boat Steward applications will be accepted until all positions are filled; application review starts on March 2. Learn more and apply here.
Summer Internships - Audubon Community Nature Center Audubon Community Nature Center (ACNC) is searching for interns to join their team this summer! Open positions include:
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Nature Education Interns: provide nature education and play-based programming for school field trips and summer camps to elementary-aged children under the supervision of ACNC’s Education team.
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Seasonal Invasive Species Management Interns: help recruit volunteers and oversee water chestnut hand-pulls/ treatments within the ACNC property. May also remove additional aquatic and land-based invasive species.
Application deadline: Monday, March 9, 2026. Learn more and apply here.
Conservation @ Home Specialist
The Conservation@Home Specialist will support and implement The Conservation Foundation’s (TCF) Conservation@Home program and contribute to the overall success of its associated Conservation in Our Community, Conservation@School, and Conservation @ Work programs. TCF’s mission is to improve the health of our communities by preserving and restoring natural areas and open space, protecting rivers and watersheds, and promoting stewardship of the environment. This mission is currently achieved through our land and water preservation programs along with an array of community-based conservation efforts, including its nearly 20+ year history of leading the regional Conservation @ Home program. The organization’s current strategic plan aims to “Be more inclusive, impactful, and relevant to people and communities by growing and adapting our conservation programs to local needs” and this role will help expand Conservation @ Home to maximize its impact for TCF’s mission and local communities.
Green Earth Harvest Marketing & Communication Specialist
Part-Time Job Description
The Marketing & Communication Specialist will support the Green Earth Harvest (GEH) program of The Conservation Foundation. The GEH program operates a certified organic farm, at the 60-acre McDonald Farm in southeast Naperville, serving our community through seasonal CSA/farmshare subscriptions, a weekly farm stand, a May plant sale, and partnerships that help deliver farm-fresh food to local food pantries. We believe healthy soil grows healthy food, healthy people, and ultimately, healthy communities.
CALS- Program/Extension Aide IV- Farm to School Program Coordinator (Cornell Cooperative Extension)
The position is located within Cornell Cooperative Extension. The Farm to School Program Coordinator will play a key supportive role in advancing statewide efforts to connect New York farms with schools. Working closely with the Program Director, as well as other program staff and partners, this position will assist with the coordination, communication, and implementation of core Farm to School initiatives, including programs and resources led by the Cornell Farm to School Team. The Coordinator will help sustain relationships among schools, producers, and partners; support communication and resource-sharing activities; assist in the management of social media and outreach; and assist with events that benefit stakeholders and foster the continued growth of the Farm to School program.
Cattaraugus County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Cattaraugus County Soil and Water Conservation District is accepting applications for two positions:
Conservation District Water Quality Technician
Location: Cattaraugus County SWCD Office, 8 Martha Street, Ellicottville, NY 14731
Hours: Full-time appointment (40 hours/week)
Conservation District Environmental Specialist
Location: Cattaraugus County SWCD Office, 8 Martha Street, Ellicottville, NY 14731
Hours: Full-time appointment (40 hours/week)
Funding Opportunities
Newly featured this issue
Southern SARE 2026 Graduate Student Grant Call for Pre-proposals Now Open
The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) program has released the 2026 Call for Proposals for Graduate Student Grants.
Southern SARE Graduate Student Grants are open to Master’s and PhD students, enrolled at accredited institutions across the Southern region, who are interested in exploring areas of sustainable agriculture through quantitative and qualitative research projects.
Funding amount for grant projects is $22,000 for two-year projects.
Proposal submission deadline is May 8, 2026 at 12 p.m. (noon) EST. Download the Call for Proposals and carefully read the proposal application instructions. All of the guidelines, program goals, review criteria, and the submission process to apply for a Southern SARE Graduate Student Grant can be found within the Call for Proposals.
Southern SARE Graduate Student Grants are very competitive. To be considered for funding, proposals must demonstrate a direct relationship between the approach and methods used in the project and the relevance to sustainable agriculture. Research projects must cover issues related to improving the profitability of farmers/ranchers in the Southern region; sustaining and improving the environmental quality and natural resources base on which agriculture depends; or enhancing the quality of life for farmers and ranchers and the communities they support.
Grant awards are announced in August with the project start date of funded projects beginning September 1st.
Previously featured
This program area priority is designed to rapidly deploy strategies and fill knowledge and information gaps to protect the Nation’s food and agricultural supply chains—and the people who support and rely on them—during and after the emergence or re-emergence of pests and diseases associated with animal production systems and/or the emergence or re-emergence of invasive diseases, insects, and weeds associated with plant production systems and/or toxins affecting the health of either plant or animal production systems.
All applications must directly address 1) effects associated with the emergence or re-emergence of pests and/or disease in animal and/or plant production systems or within the food supply; and 2) one or more of the following emphasis areas:
· One Health
· Plant/Animal Health
· Ecosystem Health
This priority area seeks applications that focus on critical and urgent development of knowledge and/or solutions in rapid response to pest/disease emergence/re-emergence impacts on the food and agricultural systems and/or supply chains. Because rapid response is at the core of this program, applicants must include in their project narrative a statement about the timing, relevance, and impact of the emergence or re-emergence incident to which their proposed project responds.
Grant Types: Standard and FASE (Strengthening Standard): Applications are submitted within 180 days of effects associated with the emergence or re-emergence of pests and/or disease in animal, food, and/or plant production systems, and/or environmental health and productivity within the nation or a specific region, state, area, or industry.
Project types:
· Research
· Extension
· Integrated (research and Extension/outreach)
The grant duration is 12-24 months for Standard and FASE (Strengthening Standard) projects. The maximum award amount, including indirect costs, is $500,000.
For more information and additional resources, including guidance on grant and project types, proposal format, and other details, see AFRI's NOFO Resources.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology released its annual funding opportunity for land trust initiatives that support bird habitat conservation on private and protected lands. The Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative’s small grant program funds activities such as strategic planning, outreach, habitat management and stewardship, bird monitoring, eBird use, capacity building, and land or easement prioritization. Proposal deadline: March 1, 2026. More information is available on the Cornell Lab website.
Lake Erie Watershed Protection Alliance Water Quality Improvement Projects
The Lake Erie Watershed Protection Alliance (LEWPA) has released its request for proposals (RFP) for water quality improvement projects in Erie County. If you have an idea for a small-scale watershed project or for a project that needs seed money to determine feasibility, this grant is for you! Potential projects include stormwater management, riparian stabilizations and habitat work, outreach and education, and more. Visit the LEWPA website for additional information and view the RFP. Proposal deadline: March 6, 2026.
Climate Smart Communities Initiative Grant (CSCI)
CSCI is accepting applications for grants to help communities accelerate their climate resilience plans and projects. The grants can help communities at any step in the planning process, and include funding, as well as training and technical support. Funds can be used over a twelve-month period to advance activities ranging from risk assessments and community engagement to project prioritization and implementation. Application deadline: March 12, 2026. For more details, visit climatesmartcommunity.org/funding.
New York Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Program
Funding is available for projects that will implement the goals of New York’s Great Lakes Action Agenda and address actions specifically identified in locally supported water quality, natural resources, or sustainable land use plans. Application deadline: March 27, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.; instructions and application materials are available at NY Sea Grant Small Grants Program website. Click here for information on New York's Great Lakes Action Agenda.
Open Space Conservation Grant Program - Deadline Extended
This Bond Act-funded program supports land acquisition projects in New York State that protect the environment, preserve biodiversity and increase equitable access to open space. Municipalities, not-for-profits, and Indian Nations or Tribe may submit bids for a minimum of $50,000 up to a maximum of $3,500,000 for each project. No match is required. Bid deadline: 3:00 p.m. on April 15, 2026. Bids must be submitted through the Statewide Financial System (SFS) for grants. Visit DEC’s website for more details.
Maine Healthy Soils Program – Soil Health Implementation Grants
Approximately $500,000 is available through the Maine Healthy Soils Program’s Soil Health Implementation Grant, with funding appropriated by the Maine Legislature. Awards of up to $65,000 will help farmers overcome barriers to improving soil health and integrating best practices into day-to-day management.
Funds may support projects such as equipment upgrades, improved management practices, and increased labor access.
Application deadline: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
A virtual Information Session will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Registration details are available on the program website. All written questions must be submitted online by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Written summaries of the Information Session and responses to submitted questions will be posted on the program website by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Only responses issued in writing on the website will be considered binding.
Eligibility requirements include:
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Owning and/or operating a farm located in Maine
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Producing agricultural products with a gross annual value of at least $2,000, intended for sale or to support community food access
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Access to at least one acre of farmable land
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Enrollment in the Maine Healthy Soils Program email updates
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Commitment to soil health testing and management planning if awarded funds
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Not having received a Soil Health Implementation Grant within the last three funding cycles
Application materials, including the Request for Applications (RFA), workbook, and budget template, are available on the Maine Healthy Soils Program webpage.
Maine Specialty Crop Minor Equipment Grant
DACF also announced the opening of the Maine Specialty Crop Minor Equipment Grant, designed to help commercial farms enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop production through strategic equipment purchases.
DACF anticipates awarding up to $290,000 through this opportunity, with individual awards ranging from $2,000 to $10,000.
Application deadline: Friday, April 3, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Online Information Sessions (via Zoom):
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Owning and operating a commercial farm headquartered in Maine
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Growing and harvesting at least one specialty crop in Maine
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Not having received funding from DACF’s Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program (AIIP) or the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program
For the purposes of this grant, minor equipment is defined as tangible, nonexpendable business property with a useful life of more than one year, an acquisition cost of $2,000 or more per unit, and a cost of less than $10,000.
Applicants are encouraged to review the Request for Applications and all related materials on the Specialty Crop Block Grant website before applying.
Sabbatical Research & Education: Western SARE Sabbatical Grants provide an opportunity for faculty around the world to partner with farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals, and researchers of the Western U.S. region for conducting research, education, and Extension activities.
Deadline March 5, 2026
Graduate Student Research & Education: This grant program involves full-time graduate students enrolled in an accredited university of Western U.S., their academic advisor and at least one producer implementing projects to address identified needs in sustainable agriculture. Projects must integrate rigorous research and education aiming to advance the three components of sustainable agriculture- environmental, economic, and social.
Deadline March 5, 2026
jlh472@cornell.edu | (607) 423-7929