IPM News and Events Roundup 3/11/2022
A weekly collection of IPM news, webinars, employment and funding opportunities and more from the NE IPM Center. If you have IPM-related research, events or other IPM news you would like to have included, please email me at nec2@cornell.edu. If you would like to subscribe to the weekly Roundup, please email northeastipm@cornell.edu. Past Roundups are archived here.
Upcoming Northeastern IPM Center events
Northeastern IPM Toolbox Webinar series
Tarping in the Northeast: A guide for small farms, March 16 11am ET
2022 Northeast IPM Research Update Conference, March 24, 10:30am
Pesticides: Part of the IPM Toolbox March 30, 2pmET
March Issue of The Western Front, newsletter of the Western IPM Center, is out.
Learn about their funded research this year, see the IPM Hour webinar series, read about the !0thInternational IPM Symposium and see a pest alert for Coffee Rust.
EPA has approved an experimental use permit (EUP) amendment for Oxitec Ltd. that expands and extends the testing of genetically engineered Aedes aegypti (OX5034) mosquitoes to reduce mosquito populations. Extends the EUP until April 30, 2024, on 5,360 acres of Monroe County, Florida, and Expands the EUP to four counties in California for the first time, consisting of 29,400 acres in Stanislaus, Fresno, Tulare, and San Bernardino counties.
USDA-APHIS confirms citrus canker in a South Carolina nursery
Together with state partners, APHIS is working to collect and destroy the plants shipped to consumers in 11 states and trace plants that were sold to determine additional locations of potentially infected plants. The states include Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington. These immediate measures are focused on protecting the citrus industry as well as nurseries and other establishments that sell citrus plants wholesale and direct to consumers.
Spotted Wing Drosophila-killing was is given federal approval for release
The integrated pest management toolbox for spotted wing drosophila may be getting a major boost. After years of study, federal regulators authorized the release of Ganaspis brasiliensis, a tiny wasp discovered in SWD’s home range and with a strong preference for the pest.
USDA-NIFA Director Dr. Carrie Castille takes position to lead UT Institute of Agriculture
Dr. Castille will conclude her service at USDA in April and assume this new role July 1, 2022, pending approval of the UT Board of Trustees Executive Committee. In the interim, USDA and NIFA leaders are working closely together to plan for the agency’s leadership transition and ensure operations continue seamlessly to best serve the mission and stakeholders.
EPA has finalized its Biological Evaluation Chapters for Malathion ESA Assessment
EPA has finalized the Biological Evaluation for malathion. The final evaluation is based on interim methods developed in conjunction with Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service in response to the National Academy of Science report on assessing risks to threatened and endangered species from pesticides. This decision reverses the most recent draft conclusion that the chemical would threaten critical habitats. Another opinion on this.
Avian Influenza update
Avian influenza continues to spread, this week into commercial flocks in several states
Confirmed in Cecil County, MD in a commercial flock
Confirmed in a commercial flock in Stoddard County, Missouri
Confirmed in a commercial turkey flock in Buena Vista County, Iowa
In Commercial flocks in MD and DE.
Research:
Biological invasion costs reveal insufficient proactive management worldwide
While preventative invasive species management is often considered the most cost-effective, there remains a lack of investment in early action for biological invasions. Through statistical modeling, they also identify trends in the degree of proactive (pre-invasion) and reactive (post-invasion) management across species, countries, and time. What the researchers found was a disproportionate amount of spending on post-invasion; over 25 times more than that spent on preventative management
Webinars, Seminars, Meetings and more
Biological Control: Partners in the Garden, 2022 New York State IPM conference, March 15-16, virtual
Learn to recognize and encourage your existing biological control partners. Have you ever noticed hoverflies around your flowers or seen ladybug larvae munching on aphids in the vegetable garden? Taking advantage of the natural enemies already occurring in your garden is an excellent way to reduce pesticide use.
Invasive Tegus: An Emerging Threat to Southeastern Ecosystems, March 16, 1pm CT
An invasive species of giant lizard is invading the Southeast and threatening native wildlife. The Argentine black and white tegu is a native of South America and eats the eggs of ground-nesting birds. They grow up to 4 feet long and can weigh more than 10 pounds. They also eat fruits, vegetables, insects and eggs. The Tegus compete with native animals for food and other resources, cause habitat damage, and transmit diseases. The lizards also have few predators, so they can multiply quickly.
How do we plan live science events in the face of uncertainty? March 23, 6pm ET
Remote. Hybrid. Masks. Vaccines. Case loads. Closures. Cancellations. Social distancing. Capacity… These considerations were not even a blip on our radars in the before. But in order to do our work to produce science engagement events, these are just a few of the elements that we all must factor into our planning. With ever changing policies and contexts, how can we all hang on to some semblance of certainty in our planning? To answer this million dollar question, we are gathering online to share practical tips on keeping it together in the face of never-ending uncertainty. Join us to discuss with fellow science event producers and other engagement professionals!
Managing Bed Bugs on a Budget, March 29, 2pmET
Physical or financial constraints can make it challenging to manage bed bug infestations. This free webinar will provide integrated pest management tactics that are readily available and low-cost. Bed bug experts will discuss how to prevent, identify, and manage bed bugs through biological controls (i.e., the use of beneficial organisms), mechanical controls (i.e., the use of physical methods or mechanical devices), and chemical controls (i.e., the use of pesticides).
Employment Opportunities:
Executive Director, Pesticide Action Network, Berkeley, CA
The Executive Director is responsible for working collaboratively with staff across the organization to ensure implementation of PAN’s strategic plan, including both program strategy and resource development. The ED drives development and implementation of the annual Sustainability Plan to support staff development and well being, continuous improvement of internal systems, and mobilization of adequate resources for long-term organizational health.
Executive Director, New York FarmNet, Cornell University, Ithaca NY
Executive Director (ED) of FarmNet and will be responsible for the coordination, leadership, management, and communication of the NY FarmNet program. This position is expected to support educational programming focused on farm business and stress management. Therefore, the incumbent will work closely with the FarmNet Advisory Board, faculty, specialists, researchers, educators, and community members, among other stakeholders, to advance the wellbeing of NY FarmNet clients and agricultural communities.
Field Operations Executive Director, USDA-APHIS, several locations
As the Field Operations Executive Director, you will lead APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine program’s field activities nationwide, including our agricultural quarantine and inspection functions. You will also work with cooperating state government officials, industry groups, and other stakeholders across the country to advance APHIS’ mission of safeguarding agriculture and facilitating safe trade. This position will be located in Raleigh, NC, Fort Collins, CO, or Riverdale, MD.
Funding Opportunities:
USDA-NIFA American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program
The primary goal of the American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program is to ensure improved understanding of and equitable participation in the full range of USDA programs and services among underserved farmers, ranchers, forest landowners and operators through supporting the organizational delivery of technical assistance projects and establishment of technical assistance networks. USDA is authorized to support and facilitate the establishment of technical assistance projects toward this goal. Projects must provide a range of technical assistance services to underserved agricultural producers. Applications due June 1.
USDA-NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Foundational and Applied Science Program
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Foundational and Applied Science Program supports six priority areas to advance knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture. The six priority areas are: plant health and production, and plant products; animal health and production, and animal products; food safety, nutrition, and health; bioenergy, natural resources, and environment; agriculture systems and technology; and agriculture economics and rural communities. Applications due December 31.
USDA-NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Sustainable Agriculture Systems
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Sustainable Agricultural Systems supports approaches that promote transformational changes in the U.S. food and agriculture system. NIFA seeks creative and visionary applications that take a systems approach for projects that are expected to significantly improve the supply of affordable, safe, nutritious, and accessible agricultural products while fostering economic development and rural prosperity in America. Applications due July 28.
USDA-NIFA Organic Transitions Program
The Organic Transitions Program (ORG) supports the development and implementation of research, Extension, and higher education programs to improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crop producers, as well as those who are adopting organic practices. Applications due April 21