IPM News and Events Roundup 03/06/2026
IPM News and Events Roundup
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
- SERA3 2026 IPM Priorities
- Grant Report: Incorporating allelopathic cover crops, soil steaming, and biochar herbicide protection pods (HPPs) for integrated weed management and improved soil health in tomato.
- Friends of IPM 2026: IPM Communicator Dr. Sriyanka Lahiri, University of Florida
- Weekly IPM Roundup is BACK!
- 2026 Funded Grant Projects
- IPM Hour Webinar Series Returns in April
- New Executive Director Named at IR-4
- Bugwood Summit
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
The Western Front Newsletter of the Western Integrated Pest Management Center
- Announcement of Western IPM Center Grant Recipients
- Promising New Biocontrol Option for Controlling Wheat Stem Sawfly
- New Spanish-Language Resources Published
Government Agency News
Celebrating the Hatch Act and Agricultural Experiment Stations
Early agricultural experiment fields and stations laid the groundwork for the vibrant network supporting wide-ranging research across the nation we now have.
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture supports this network of Agricultural Experiment Stations through Hatch Act funding as well as the Multistate Research Fund. This funding enables State Agricultural Experiment Stations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. insular areas to conduct research on all aspects of agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and human nutrition as well as other areas important to farmers and consumers.
A New Phone App that Detects Bee Diseases
ARS researchers are looking to help U.S. beekeepers better detect and treat their honey bee populations. Honey bees are important pollinators in agriculture. With an estimated 50–80% of crops pollinated by honey bees, they generate approximately $20 billion annually in market value in the United States alone. However, pathogens and the Varroa destructor parasitic mite threaten their health, costing the industry over $500 million each year.
Research in the news
Can Native Vegetation in Agroecosystems Provide a Net Benefit for Pollinators, Despite Pesticide Use? (academic.oup.com)
Pollinator health and population declines are of global concern, with ramifications for biodiversity conservation and the human food supply. Although the establishment of native flowering vegetation is a broadly supported pollinator conservation strategy, concerns about enhancing habitat in agroecosystems with widespread pesticide use remain. To evaluate this trade-off, we synthesized research findings for prairie strips, a model conservation practice that involves patches of diverse, native plants within row-crop fields. Prairie strips enhance pollinator forage quantity and quality, support a more diverse and abundant wild bee community, sustain monarch butterflies, and increase managed honey bee productivity.
Warming Reduces Parasitoid Success and Narrows Their Diet Breadth (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
A significant area of current research is the impact of warming on trophic networks. However, few interactions per network are typically studied, which limits generalization and precludes evaluation of impact on consumer diet breadth and redundancy of top-down control. Here we show that experimental warming strongly decreased the success of parasitoid development across 28 Drosophila-parasitoid interactions from a tropical rainforest network. Parasitoids responded consistently despite deep evolutionary divergence. Moreover, warming strongly narrowed the diversity of hosts that the parasitoids could use. Host developmental success was much less affected. In contrast, experimental cooling had only a mild effect on parasitoids and hosts. Our findings suggest that the top-down control exerted by parasitoids is likely to weaken due to warming. The range of hosts that parasitoids can use will become more limited, potentially threatening the sustainability of parasitoid populations and changing the balance between trophic levels.
Behavioral response of bed Bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) to wet surfaces (link.springer.com)
The behavioral response of bed bugs, Cimex lectularius, to wet surfaces was analyzed using motion-tracking. In an arena with a filter paper floor, one half was treated with varying amounts of deionized water (low, medium, or high application rates), while the other half was left dry. For both sexes (adult) and nymphs, the bed bugs spent significantly less time and walked significantly shorter distances on the wet surface. This result was amplified with increased water application rates. Most approaches (86.9%) resulted in bed bugs turning away without contacting the wet zone. Bed bugs increased their speed by 38% when fleeing the wet zone relative to their approaching speed. On average, bed bugs made turns when they were 0.58 cm away from the wet zone.
2026 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 1/27/2026: Pests and Diseases of 2025 and Beyond (youtube.com) UVM Extension
Speakers: Ann Hazelrigg, UVM Extension & Kellie Damann, UVM Extension
Strategic Farming 2026: How to adapt to insect pests breaking previously reliable management tools? (youtube.com) UVM Extension
UMN Extension entomologists discuss how to adapt management tactics when insect pests break insecticides. Dr. Bob Koch, Extension soybean entomologist, will focus on soybean aphid resistance to pyrethroids and Dr. Fei Yang, Extension corn entomologist will discuss new issues with European corn borer outbreaks in the region and how to manage insects overcoming resistance traits in corn.
Acceleration hotspots of North American birds’ decline are associated with agriculture (science.org)
Human activities, including dramatic changes to land cover and land use, are known to negatively influence populations of many species. As human populations and technologies have expanded, so has the rate of our influence on ecosystems. Leroy et al. investigated whether this “Great Acceleration” has led to increasing abundance changes in birds, one of the most highly studied taxonomic groups. Using data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey, the authors found that about half of the 261 species analyzed showed significant declines from 1987 to 2021, and a quarter showed accelerating declines. Hotspots of accelerating abundance decline were located in regions with high-intensity agriculture (high cropland area, fertilizer use, or pesticide use). —Bianca Lopez
Effects of soil tillage and nutrient management on weed abundance during the transition to organic grain production (cambridge.org)
Effective weed management is critical to the long-term productivity of organic grain cropping systems. The Cornell Organic Cropping Systems Experiment was initiated in 2005 at the Musgrave Research Farm in Aurora, NY to compare four organic cropping systems that differed primarily in intensity of mechanical weed management and soil nutrient inputs. A three-year rotation of corn (Zea mays L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and spelt (Triticum spelta L.)/red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) was grown in all systems. The four systems were characterized by High Fertility (red clover green manure, composted poultry manure, and commercial organic fertilizer to reach recommended fertility levels), Low Fertility (no fertility inputs other than the red clover and starter fertilizer for corn), Enhanced Weed Management (fertility management as in Low Fertility with additional tillage and cultivation and a higher spelt seeding density), and Reduced Tillage (primarily ridge tillage with different green manure crops).
News
In-depth new synthesis confirms prairie strips’ value for pollinators (cals.iastate.edu)
Pollinator declines are a global concern, and agriculture sits at the center of the challenge. As farms grow more efficient and landscapes become increasingly simplified, bees, butterflies and other pollinators are losing the varied habitats they depend on. One widely promoted solution is planting native vegetation, but an important question remains: Does pollinator habitat embedded within conventional farming systems provide overall benefits if pesticides remain in the surrounding landscape?
Hello! I'm Tilva™, Penn State Extension's AI assistant (ai.extension.psu)
Ask me your agricultural questions for instant, science-based responses you can rely on.
Tilva™ is a 24/7 digital educator that combines trusted extension expertise with the power of PlantVillage AI to deliver reliable, practical insights. Upload photos to identify pests, diseases, and plants, and receive localized recommendations tailored to real-time weather and soil conditions.
Research aims to boost pollinator habitat restoration (cals.cornell.edu)
Monarch butterflies and other pollinators are declining across the United States, and restoring the native plants they depend on is a growing conservation priority. A new study from Cornell AgriTech examines the seed biology of pollinator-friendly native species and develops techniques to improve germination – a key step toward making habitat restoration practical at scale.
Emerging cattle disease spreads to 60 Missouri counties (farmprogress.com)
In August 2017, seven cattle, ranging in age from 3 months to 13 years, died on a farm in Virginia after showing signs of weakness and lethargy. All were born and raised on the farm. A month later, another cow in the herd showed signs of weakness, jaundice and severe anemia.
Bulletins Live! Two Tracker Report available now (canr.msu.edu)
In an effort to address concerns related to the impact of pesticides on threatened or endangered species and in response to ongoing litigation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is implementing a new label directive on some pesticides that requires applicators to check a live online system for additional use limitations based on the application parameters (date and location). The online system is called Bulletins Live! Two (BLT) and it determines if additional pesticide use limitations are needed to protect listed species or habitat based on the site location and application month.
Pest Control in Protected Production Systems (citrusindustry.net)
In a recent virtual presentation, entomologist Jawwad Qureshi discussed monitoring and control measures for citrus pests in trees under individual protective covers (IPCs) and in citrus under protective screen (CUPS). Qureshi is an associate professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee.
Rodenticides kill more than rodents. Providence lawmaker sponsors bill to ban their use. (rhodeislandcurrent.com)
There’s more than one way to poison a rat.
But not all poisons are created equal, and some of the most popular rodenticides can wreak havoc higher up the food chain, killing the birds and mammals that feast upon vermin.
A bill by Providence Democratic Rep. Rebecca Kislak would gradually end the sale of these offending agents, known as anticoagulant rodenticides, in Rhode Island, while phasing in alternatives via a municipal pilot program.
Industry Speaks: Precision Spray Tech Development is Outpacing Farmer Adoption (growiwm.org)
The first spot-spraying, “green-on-brown” sprayers were rolling into test plots 30 years ago, in the mid-1990s. So why isn’t every Midwestern cornfield crawling with self-driving sprayers today, spritzing minute amounts of finely calibrated herbicide mixes onto individual weeds?
Research and development of target spray technology has raced miles ahead of the realities in the field. In some cases, companies and start-ups are developing second- and third-generation target and robotic spray technology – before their first-generation technology has reached widescale farmer adoption.
This gap between cutting edge research and actual farmer adoption was the source of frustration and discussion at a symposium devoted to targeted and autonomous technology at the annual gathering of the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) on February 10th.
‘If it’s cold, they stop mating’: New York City rat population may be on the decline (theguardian.com)
Since arriving from Europe in the 1600s, New York City’s rats have survived hurricanes, floods, terrorist attacks, riots, fires, a pandemic (they actually thrived during that), the Dutch and Crocodile Dundee II.
But as a result of New York’s most severe winter in years, when the city saw snow, then a historic deep freeze, then even more snow, the rat population might now be about to decline. For a bit.
General Announcements
University of Vermont CALS Faculty and Staff Recognition
At UVM CALS, we are proud to honor the exceptional contributions of our faculty and staff. Each year, we recognize those who embody the values of excellence, leadership, and service, and the impact they have on the success of our community.
CALS Excellence in Staff Teamwork Award — Recognizes a team of CALS staff for excellence in teamwork and performance.
2025 Winners - Ann Hazelrigg, Heather Darby, Terry Bradshaw, Margaret Skinner, Cheryl Sullivan, Sarah Kingsley-Richards, Deb Heleba, Lisa Chouinard
Gore, Pieralisi awarded excellence in Cotton IPM (thelelandprogress.com)
Two Mississippi State University Extension agricultural specialists were recognized for their contributions to cotton research and educational service.
Delta Research and Extension Center head and MSU Extension entomologist Jeff Gore received the 2026 Recognition Award for Excellence in Cotton Integrated Pest Management at the National Cotton Council’s Beltwide Cotton Conferences. MSU Extension cotton specialist Brian Pieralisi received the 2026 Beltwide Extension Cotton Specialist of the Year award.
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
UNH Cooperative Extension 2026 Webinar Series for Greenhouse, Nursery & Garden Center Professionals.
Join UNH Cooperative Extension and other experts to sharpen and refresh plant production skills. These monthly webinars on a variety of topics are intended to provide practical training for greenhouse, nursery and garden center professionals, although all are welcome to attend.
One New England pesticide applicator recertification credit has been applied for each event. Each webinar costs $10.
Topics include:
- March 31 Sanitation
- April 28 Spider mites
- June 30 Weed management
- July 28 Broad mites and cyclamen mites
- Aug 25 Botrytis
- Sept 29 Growth regulation
- Oct 27 PGR applications
- Nov 24 Root rot
- Dec 15 Pesticide labels
Register for as few or as many as you like. See the whole lineup, get more details and register here: https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2026/01/2026-webinar-series-greenhouse-nursery-garden-center-professionals
The Southern IPM Hour presents research, issues, and programs in Integrated Pest Management from the Southern Region of the United States. The IPM Hour typically takes place on the first Wednesday of the month at 1pm Eastern, but some sessions are special sessions at different days and times.
PIs: Paret Mathews and Abdul Kader Jailani Amirudeen
April 1, 2026
Keep Moving Forward with Saffron
Saffron, the stigmas of a fall-blooming crocus flower, is the most expensive spice and medicinal herb in the world. It is now grown in many areas of North America by small, diversified farmers and could strengthen sustainable agriculture. Are you thinking of growing it for the first time? Have you been growing it for several years? The North American Center for Saffron Research and Development at the University of Vermont (UVM) and Rodale Institute in Pennsylvania are hosting the 10th annual workshop on Saffron on Thursday April 2, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm Eastern Daylight Time. The event will be held online and recorded for all registrants. There are presentations for both beginning and experienced growers.
Growers and researchers from the US and beyond will share their knowledge about growing, fertilization, quality testing, genetics and of course selling this precious crop. Registration is $70. To learn more about the workshop and register, go to:
https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=874061&
Pennsylvania Invasive Species: Two-Spotted Cotton Leafhopper
The two-spotted cotton leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula) is an emerging insect pest with the potential to impact agricultural and specialty crop systems. This webinar will explore its origin and introduction, current distribution and spread in the United States, identification features, biology, management considerations, and recent research to support early detection and informed decision-making.
When: April 17, 2026 (1:00 PM-2:15 PM ET)
Register By: April 16, 2026
This event is free of charge.
Previously featured
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
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, Mar 13 – 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
The Bugwood Summit
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
- March 18, 2026: Pesticide Risk Tool: Understanding risk and measuring impact
- April 15, 2026: Tick Tech: Predictive Models and Bot-Assisted Management
- 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
As the Temporary Aquatic Invasive Species Strike Team Technician, you will perform manual aquatic invasive plant removals in collaboration with local stakeholder groups, conduct detailed field surveys of fish, aquatic plants and invertebrates and additional biotic/abiotic factors as assigned following standardized methodology and other duties.
Intern, Community Conservation Programs
The Intern, Community Conservation Programs position will assist staff with bird conservation, habitat enhancement, and conservation science activities and events at Montezuma Audubon Center (MAC), and the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. The role includes engaging community groups, working with volunteers, enhancing various habitats, assisting staff with conservation science projects, and education programs. Most of the activities take place either at the MAC, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation areas, and US Fish and Wildlife Service properties, and reach a range of ages from two to adult. Strong candidates will take a thoughtful approach to bird conservation and public empowerment. While the focus is on the MAC’s conservation projects, the Intern, Community Conservation Programs also provides help with MAC management including animal care, staffing the front desk, and greeting visitors.
VCE seeks an experienced director of development to help fulfill our mission to advance wildlife conservation in the Northeast and internationally through scientific research and community engagement. This position presents an opportunity to lead a growing development program at a respected organization with a passionate staff and committed donor base. The successful candidate will manage a strategic, relationship-based fundraising program with a focus on expanding major gifts, growing the annual fund, and ramping up our planned giving program. A regular presence in the office is required. This position offers health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits plus generous paid time off.
Previously featured
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.
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.
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.
Educator II, Sustainable Turf & Landscapes
UMass Extension is excited to be hiring an Extension Educator II for Sustainable Turf & Landscapes to work in UMass Extension’s Commercial Horticulture group. This position will support development and implementation of educational resources and programming and participate in delivery of research-based information to meet stakeholder needs. The sustainability and viability of managed spaces will be central to this role, within a framework of economic, human, and environmental health and enhancement.
Postdoctoral Associate - Entomology
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. This position requires an experienced scientist to study the ecology of predator prey interactions and how to manipulate insect semiochemicals to protect plants in the Department of Entomology. This person will research biological control, including interactions mediated by a predatory stink bug and the prey itself to develop methods to control Colorado potato beetle. This position will combine field and lab experiments of insect behavior, movement, abundance, non-consumptive effects of predators, and plant induced resistance to investigate grower-friendly application methods that protect plants.
Funding Opportunities
Newly featured this issue
Partnership Grant Program 2026 Call for Proposals
The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program offers competitive grants to farmers, educators, service providers, researchers, nonprofit staff, graduate students and others to address key issues affecting the sustainability of agriculture throughout our region. Northeast SARE is one of four regional SARE programs funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
By law, projects that Northeast SARE funds must help improve farming in at least one of the following
ways:
- Maintain and enhance the quality and productivity of the soil;
- Conserve soil, water, energy, natural resources, and fish and wildlife habitat;
- Maintain and enhance the quality of surface and ground water;
- Protect the health and safety of persons involved in the food and farm system;
- Promote the well-being of animals; and
- Increase employment opportunities in agriculture.
These goals come from the federal legislation that guides all Northeast SARE grants. Every proposal must
show how it supports one or more of these priorities. Reviewers will use this list when scoring proposals,
and projects that don’t align with these priorities may not be funded.
Proposal Due Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 5:00 pm ET
Proposals must be submitted online at: projects.sare.org
Previously featured
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.
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.
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 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):
Eligibility requirements include:
- Owning and operating a commercial farm headquartered in Maine
- Growing and harvesting at least one specialty crop in Maine
- 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.