IPM News and Events Roundup 07/07/23
If you have IPM-related research, events, or other IPM news you would like to have included, please email Jerrie Haines at jlh472@cornell.edu. If you would like to subscribe to the weekly Roundup, please email northeastipm@cornell.edu. Past Roundups are archived on our website.
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News
Biting Midges’ Overwintering Activity Offers Clues to Persistence of Bluetongue Virus (Entomology Today)
One of the pathogens transmitted by the Culicoides biting midge is the bluetongue virus (BTV), which affects cattle, sheep, deer, and other ruminants. BTV transmission in California is highly seasonal, with the virus commonly detected during summer and fall but then essentially undetected during the colder winter and early spring months. An unanswered question is how, or even whether, BTV persists during this overwintering period in temperate regions like California so that transmission is again initiated afterwards. A study published in April in the Journal of Medical Entomology offers new evidence that points to an ongoing, though difficult-to-detect, virus transmission cycle involving active adult biting midges and hosts.
Opinion | How I learned to love toxic chemicals (Dana Milbank, The Washington Post)
Excerpt: “When last I wrote about my ‘battle of the brush,’ I was losing, badly, to the invasive vines and noxious weeds that had turned forest and field at my Virginia home into an impassable jungle. So, I consulted far and wide, asking botanists, naturalists, academics, and federal and state scientists what to do. One consistent, counterintuitive answer came back: The best thing I can do for nature is to fight the invaders with herbicides.”
Washington Post account or subscription required for access.
The topic of the following article relates to the Northeastern IPM Center’s Advanced Technology for IPM Signature Program (learn more about all of the Center’s Signature Programs at https://www.northeastipm.org/about-us/signature-programs/):
Aigen Unveils the World's First AI-Driven, Solar-Powered, Agricultural Robotics Service (Morning Ag Clips)
The fossil fuel-free Aigen Element is intended to help farmers reduce chemicals in food and improve human and planetary health. The autonomous, scalable robotics platform—powered entirely by solar and wind energy—uses proprietary, quantized artificial intelligence.
Immune-Boosting Therapy Helps Honey Bees Resist Deadly Viruses (Technology Networks)
Scientists have successfully tested a novel way of boosting honey bees’ immune systems to help them fend off deadly viruses, which have contributed to the major losses of the critical pollinator globally.
Invasive Australian Spotted Jellyfish Washes Up on Texas Beach (Smithsonian Magazine)
An invasive jellyfish native to the western Pacific Ocean has washed up a long way from home—on a Texas beach. Wildlife officials at Padre Island National Seashore discovered an Australian spotted jellyfish (Phyllorhiza punctata) on the sand late last month. The prolific jellies can form huge swarms and clear zooplankton from wide areas of water, sending ripple effects up the food chain.
Webinars, Seminars, Meetings, and More
What’s Bugging You? First Friday Events (New York State IPM Program)
Fridays | 12:00 pm. – 12:30 p.m. EDT | Zoom | Free; registration required
In this monthly virtual series, we explore timely topics to help you use integrated pest management (IPM) to avoid pest problems and promote a healthy environment where you live, work, learn and play. What is IPM? It's a wholistic approach that uses different tools and practices to not only reduce pest problems, but to also address the reasons why pests are there in the first place. Each month, our speakers will share practical information about how you can use IPM.
2023 What’s Bugging You First Friday Schedule
Join us Live on the first Friday of every month from Noon to 12:30 EST on Zoom.
- August 4: Groundhog management | Bat exclusion
- September 1: Right plant, right place | Transplanting trees/shrubs
- October 6: Jumping worms | Roof gutter pests
- November 3: Winter Garden prep | Tick check reminder
- December 1: Houseplant IPM | Firewood pests
Register for upcoming events before our session on July 7, 2023.
What’s Bugging You First Friday events are in Spanish this year. Individuals interested in these events can find more information on this website: https://cals.cornell.edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/events/whats-bugging-you-webinars/conozca-su-plaga
And can register using this form: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3OQDpakcGrSd3tc
Soil Health Field Day (New York Soil Health)
July 13, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Rodman Lott & Son Farms, Seneca Falls, NY
There will be guest speakers, cover crop plots, soil health demonstrations, DEC and CCA credits, a raffle, and a BBQ lunch.
For more information or to register: https://www.newyorksoilhealth.org/2023/06/26/come-out-to-a-soil-health-field-day-at-rodman-lott-son-farms/
Blue Ridge PRISM Summer Meeting: "These Are Not Your Grandpa’s Quail"
Wednesday, July 19, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Zoom | Free, registration required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/640679949977
The northern bobwhite, a.k.a. bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus), is the only quail native to eastern North America. Its clear, whistled call was once a common sound throughout its range. We hear its call much less often now because of a steep population decline, mostly due to habitat loss.
Blue Ridge PRISM will welcome Marc Puckett, a certified wildlife biologist and the small game project leader for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. He will discuss the bobwhite quail and how to manage its habitat in multiple scenarios so that these birds can thrive.
You can submit your questions beforehand (during registration), or ask them live during the webinar. Registrants will receive access to the recording.
Crop Protection and Pest Management Listening Session (United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA))
Wednesday, August 2, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT | Webinar | Registration required
USDA NIFA is hosting a listening session to obtain feedback on the Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM) program, which addresses high-priority issues related to pests and IPM approaches at the state, regional, and national levels. The main objective of this virtual listening session is to solicit stakeholder input on the three components of CPPM: Applied Research and Development Program (ARDP), Extension Implementation Program (EIP), and Regional Coordination Program (RCP).
Organic grains research field day (Penn State Extension)
August 9, 2023, 9:45 a.m. – noon | Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, near Pennsylvania Furnace, 16865 | Free, registration preferred but not required
Penn State Extension is hosting an organic grains research field day during Ag Progress Days, intended for organic farmers, service providers, and industry professionals, as well as farmers interested in transitioning to organic. Participants will tour two long-term organic grains research projects on-site, and Penn State Extension educators and researchers will present information on organic reduced tillage practices including rotational no-till and intercropping, and a new nitrogen management decision-support tool. There will be demonstrations of tillage and cultivation equipment.
Visit https://extension.psu.edu/organic-grain-production-research-field-day for more information or to register.
Also to be held during Ag Progress Days: Soil Organic Matter and Cover Crop-Based Nitrogen Recommendations for Corn | August 8, 9, and 10 at 1:00 pm
We will introduce a new calculator for determining nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for corn, based on soil organic matter and cover crop inputs. Following this, we will have time for participants to demo out the calculator with their own soil, corn yield, and cover crop info.
Blue Ridge PRISM Summer Brown Bag Webinar: "A Deep Dive Into Aquatic Invasive Plants"
Thursday, August 17, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., Zoom | Free, registration required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/640685396267
Blue Ridge PRISM will be joined by a panel of experts who will discuss aquatic invasive plants, a growing concern. Our panel will provide some background about aquatic invasives, how they are a problem, and methods for managing them. The panel will then take questions from the audience.
If you are able, please submit your questions during registration. We will also answer some questions live from the audience. Registrants will receive a copy of the recording.
2023 P-IE Invasive Species Field Tour (Entomological Society of America Plant-Insect Ecosystems Section)
September 12 – 14, 2023 | Orlando, Florida
Attendees will learn about several different invasive pests affecting natural and managed landscapes in the southern U.S., including forest pests, agricultural pests, and pests in urban and suburban areas. Speakers will include experts from entomology and pathology who are focused on both research and management, discussing how these pests arrived, what we are trying to do about them, and what the future holds in terms of invasive species pest detection and management.
Register by July 31 for the discounted rate
2023 New York Invasive Species Expo
Join us for the 2023 NYS Invasive Species Expo! This is a unique conference focusing on invasive species, and will combine classic presentations and creative use of outdoor space to appeal to a wide range of attendees. The Expo will be an immersive, hands-on experience featuring:
- Unique presentations
- Interactive demonstrations
- Hands-on workshops
- Small-group discussions
- Field trips & outdoor activities
The Expo will be hosted within the unique, historic architecture of beautiful Saratoga Spa State Park and will be open to the public with no cost for general attendance.
Sessions will be centered around the overall theme: Reflect, Adapt, Evolve. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on what’s been accomplished so far in the field of invasive species management, learn about the innovative ways we can adapt in unprecedented times, and discuss how we can evolve to confront challenges moving into the future.
September 24-26, 2023
Tick Academy (IPM Institute, Tick IPM Working Group)
October 11 – 12, 2023 | Zoom | Registration required
Once a year, the Tick IPM Working Group hosts the Tick Academy, which is an opportunity for researchers, educators, students, public-health professionals, pest-control professionals, public-space managers, and citizen scientists interested in learning more about what they can do to stop the spread of ticks and tick-borne diseases in their communities. This virtual event will feature presentations from experts in the tick IPM field including Tammi Johnson, Alexis White, Susan Paskewitz, Bob Maurais, Brian Allan, Kirby Stafford, and more.
Employment Opportunities
Assistant Extension Specialist
Rutgers University
The Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics invites qualified candidates to apply for a tenure-track faculty position as an assistant extension specialist (equivalent to assistant professor) in farm viability. This is a 12-month tenure-track position, housed in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics. The assistant extension specialist will hold a majority appointment in Rutgers Cooperative Extension and is expected to be an active member of the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics. The successful candidate is expected to develop and lead externally funded research and extension programs that support and strengthen the viability of New Jersey farms, spanning different scales, commodities, and production systems. The expected outcomes are identifying needs and providing program outreach to underserved farmers and agricultural constituencies. Programmatic emphases will include sustainable agricultural production, diversified farming systems, climate resilience, feasibility analysis, farm management and business decision-making, and the development of marketing strategies. In addition, the specialist is expected to participate in undergraduate and/or graduate teaching and advisement of independent research projects in the field of expertise.
The UMass Extension Agriculture Program has five Extension Educator positions open. If you want to use science to help Massachusetts farmers be more successful and sustainable, please apply for one or more of these opportunities to join our team! The default location for all positions is the UMass Amherst campus, with opportunities for hybrid work arrangements. Candidates who wish to be considered for more than one of the above positions need to apply for each position individually.
1 and 2. The UMass Extension Fruit Team is currently hiring one Extension Educator III (MS-level) and one Extension Educator II (BS-level). The successful candidate for the Educator III position will have expertise in tree or small fruit crop and pest management and will work with other members of the Fruit Team to provide science-based educational programming and technical assistance to commercial fruit growers in MA, and conduct applied research on relevant crop and pest management topics. Special consideration will be given to candidates with expertise in plant pathology and/or small fruit production. The Extension Educator II, which is a 24-month appointment that may be extended pending funding availability, will provide program support for the Fruit Team, assisting with educational programming, organizing grower meetings, contributing to publication of newsletters, and assisting with applied research trials. For more details please see the full position descriptions linked below.
Fruit Extension Educator III
https://careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-us/job/518181/fruit-extension-educator-iii-umass-extension
Fruit Extension Educator II
https://careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-us/job/518182/fruit-extension-educator-ii-umass-extension
3. Extension Educator III Production Agriculture
https://careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-us/job/518183/extension-educator-iii-production-agriculture
The UMass Extension Vegetable and Fruit Teams are hiring an Extension Educator III to provide cross-commodity educational programming and technical assistance for commercial vegetable and fruit growers in MA, and conduct applied research. Special consideration will be given to candidates with expertise in weed biology and management, but other cross-cutting disciplines, for example climate change and technology, will be considered. This is a 24-month appointment that may be extended pending funding availability. For more details please see the full position descriptions linked below.
4. Soil Health Extension Educator IV
https://careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-us/job/518166/extension-educator-iv-soil-health-umass-extension
The UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Lab is hiring a Soil Health Educator IV who will develop and deliver recommendations to customers and educational resources relevant to soil fertility and health, with potential for some applied research projects. They will collaborate with Extension professionals across multiple teams in production agriculture, commercial horticulture, and urban agriculture. This is a MS-level position requiring significant experience, with a preference for candidates with expertise in analytical testing and practical recommendations in soil fertility and health. This is a 24-month appointment that may be extended pending funding availability. For more details please see the full position descriptions linked below.
5. Urban Agriculture Extension Educator III
UMass Extension is hiring an Urban Agriculture Educator III to join a recently hired Urban Agriculture Educator based in Newton and a soon-to-be hired Extension Faculty member at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. The Educator will develop and deliver educational resources to support agricultural enterprises in urban areas of Massachusetts and maintain working relationships with organizations and professionals in urban agriculture and linked fields. Successful candidates will have at least a BA/BS and three years of relevant professional experience, in addition to strong multi-cultural competence and experience delivering fact-based information. This is a 24-month appointment that may be extended pending funding availability. Alternate UMass locations in Massachusetts can be discussed with the preferred candidate. For more details please see the full position descriptions linked below.
Postdoctoral Research Scientist-Horticulture/Plant Science
Penn State’s Department of Plant Science (https://plantscience.psu.edu/) is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral scholar to conduct research and extension activities on anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) within the framework of a collaborative interdisciplinary project funded by the USDA-NIFA OREI program and investigating the use of ASD for Enhancing and Advancing the Sustainability of Organic Crop Production.
Using agronomic and laboratory procedures for soil and plant analysis, the primary goal of the research will be to optimize and evaluate opportunities for integrating ASD in organic vegetable and strawberry crop systems and assess the short- and long-term impact of ASD on nutrient dynamics, soil ecology/microbiology, soilborne pests and pathogens, soil health, crop physiology and yield and quality performance.
The candidate will be supervised by Dr. Francesco Di Gioia and will be working with an interdisciplinary team of researchers with expertise in horticulture, soil microbiology, plant pathology, nematology, biogeochemistry, ecosystem science and management, and agricultural economics.
Location: Primary work location will be Penn State, University Park located at State College, in Central Pennsylvania.
A postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Dr. Daniel Gruner in the Department of Entomology, University of Maryland – College Park. As part of a collaborative effort with the USDA (ARS, APHIS, and Forest Service), the incumbent will examine the efficacy and impact of a national biological control program targeting the invasive emerald ash borer. This project develops and extends novel analytical approaches leveraging data from a national geospatial database for the release and recovery of parasitoids for biological control, the US Forest Inventory and Analysis program, and other open data on land use and climate. Review of applications will begin June 15, and applications will be considered on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is identified. Preferred start date is September 1, 2023.
The Ecological Research and Assessment (ERA) Section provides an array of services to the Bureau of Water Supply and other bureaus in the fields of invasive species, wetlands, restoration, aquatic ecology, and project review. Through research and monitoring programs, ERA supports management of City lands, regulatory reviews, partnership programs and a wide range of watershed protection and management programs. Understanding and managing the wetlands, streams, lakes, ponds and reservoirs in the watershed and their relationship with the uplands is very important for assessing their condition and identifying and mitigating potential water quality threats.
Under supervision, of the Invasive Species Biologist, the Scientist (Water Ecology) I serve as Field Technician and will assist in performing field surveys, management activities, data collection and analysis, project reviews, and procurement-related and administrative tasks to support the completion of goals and tasks in the Ecological Research and Assessment Section.
JOB ID: 585006
Civil Service Title: SCIENTIST (WATER ECOLOGY)
Business Title: Field Technician
Posting Date: 05/16/2023
Posting Until: 07/15/2023
Work Location:
71 Smith Avenue
Kingston, NY 12401
Marketing and Public Relations Professional – Tifton, GA (Full-time)
Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health
This is a grant-funded position that will be working with faculty and staff at the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health on the development and promotion of a citizen-science data collection program for invasive species (www.wildspotter.org). This position will also lead the promotion and marketing of all center programs and services (www.bugwood.org).
Proposed starting date 2023-08-01
Cornell University
The role of the farm supervisor is to manage and direct the day-to-day field operations on the diverse, 400+ acre research teaching, and extension/outreach facility. The supervisor is responsible for field and facility activities related to agronomic crop research, ranging from field preparation and management of research plots to the sustainable production of agronomic crops in support of research operations.
Cornell University
- Oversee and direct day-to-day operations and all CUAES employees and research staff at the 260 acre Homer C. Thompson Vegetable Research Farm in Freeville NY.
- Provide direct support for research, teaching and extension in accordance with the Land Grant Mission.
- Direct and actively participate in all phases of conventional and organic crop research and production in support of 22 faculty research programs from 7 different departments.
- Provide leadership for facility operations and coordinate farm activities.
- Areas of oversight are extensive. Serve as building coordinator for a 3000 sq. ft. research lab building, numerous barns, a greenhouse, 3 high tunnels, office, mechanical shops, and a pesticide storage facility.
- Supervise, hire, and evaluate employees. Participate in decision-making processes for new Agricultural Experiment Station hires.
- Teach on-site classes and lead farm tours.
- Interact with faculty, staff, other farm managers, directors, and deans.
- Check the link for more information and the rest of the description
Resiliency Planting Program Assistant – Albany, NY (Full-time)
SUNY Research Foundation
This position with the SUNY Research Foundation will lead the NYSDEC, Division of Lands and Forests resiliency planting efforts, including goals and strategies outlined in the Climate Act Scoping Plan (NYS Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, CLCPA), afforestation and reforestation programs, including projects related to invasive species restoration.
Apply by July 20, 2023 for optimal consideration
Outreach Specialist – Albany, NY (Full-time)
DEC/SUNY ESF Research Foundation
This position is in NYSDEC’s Division of Lands and Forests. The division’s mission is to care for and enhance New York’s lands, forests, and natural resources for the benefit of all, through the care, custody, and control of state-owned lands and conservation easements, and the promotion, use, and protection of natural resources. The person in this position will be a member of a team that provides outreach and education support to the division’s programs and will focus on topics involving invasive species as well as related material encompassing forest health, sustainable forestry, open-space conservation, and outdoor recreation.
Apply by July 28, 2023 for optimal consideration
Funding Opportunities
DEC ANNOUNCES $350,000 IN GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE FOR FINGER LAKES WATERSHED COMMUNITIES
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced $350,000 in competitive funding is now available to help communities in the Finger Lakes watershed restore and protect water quality. The grants are supported by the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and administered under DEC’s Finger Lakes Watershed Grants Program.
“New York has made significant investments to improve water quality and our natural resources across the state. The grants announced today provide another boost to the Finger Lakes and their watershed communities,” said Commissioner Seggos. “This is the first round of an exciting new grant opportunity administered by the Finger Lakes Watershed Hub to support projects in the Finger Lakes.”
Grant awards ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 are available. All projects must have defined measurable project objectives, tasks, and deliverables that can be completed within a two-year contract term and are located within the geographic boundaries of the Finger Lakes watershed. Funding will be used to implement the following project types to restore and protect water quality: monitoring and research to better understand and address the issues and vulnerabilities facing the Finger Lakes; planning and implementation of best management practices; and education and outreach to increase understanding of Finger Lakes’ natural resources, build community involvement, and encourage future stewardship.
Round one of the Finger Lakes Watershed Grants Program Request for Applications (RFA) is available online through the New York State Grants Gateway at https://grantsgateway.ny.gov. The Grants Gateway is an online grants management system that streamlines the way grants are administered by New York State. All grant applications, including government entities and not-for-profit organizations, must be registered in the Grants Gateway to be eligible to apply for any state grant opportunity. Not-for-profit applicants are required to “prequalify” in the Grants Gateway system. Registration and prequalification forms are available online at https://grantsreform.ny.gov.
Grant applications must be submitted online through the Grants Gateway no later than 3 p.m. on July 21, 2023.
The Finger Lakes watershed is the combined area of the 11 glacially formed Finger Lakes and their watersheds. The watershed is approximately 4,600 square miles, extending into all or parts of 13 counties, and includes three of the 10 largest lakes in New York State. The Finger Lakes watershed is contained within the Seneca-Oneida-Oswego and Genesee River drainage watersheds, which ultimately flow north to Lake Ontario.
For more information on the Finger Lakes Watershed Hub, geographic focus of the Grants Program, and more, visit DEC’s website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/122661.html. General questions about the Finger Lakes Watershed Grants Program may be directed to Aimee Clinkhammer, FLWP@dec.ny.gov.