IPM News and Events Roundup 3/24/2022
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.
Northeastern IPM Center Upcoming Events:
Pesticides: Part of the IPM Toolbox, Mary Centrella and Dan Wixted, Presenters, March 30, 2pm ET
A common misconception about integrated pest management (IPM) is that it is opposed to pesticides. While it's true that IPM encompasses many non-pesticide management tactics, it recognizes the importance of pesticides as part of its arsenal of pest-control measures. For pesticides to serve their purpose, proper use is critical to reduce risks to you and the environment. This presentation will provide a high-level, three-pronged introduction to pesticide safety in IPM.
Combating Slugs as Pests of Soybeans and Corn, David Owns and Sally Taylor, presenters, April 6 11am ET
Slugs pose a significant pest problem for growers of seedling grain crops—particularly corn and soybeans—in the Mid-Atlantic region. The presence and activity of slugs are associated with practices that promote soil health: namely, no-till or conservation tillage and cover crops. Periods of cool, wet weather can lead to an otherwise healthy stand being severely impacted or lost. This presentation will explore the biology of the two most common slug species and how we’re working to control them. We will discuss pesticides and their shortcomings for slug management, cultural control tactics, and new research currently underway.
Taking a Closer Look: How Strawberry Disease Risk Varies with Microclimates at Canopy Level, Mengjun Hu Presenter, May 4 11am ET
Weather stations in strawberry fields might seem like good sources of highly local environmental data, but this assumes sun, wind, and shade affect an area evenly. There can be microclimate variations at the canopy level, especially when row covers are used for plasticulture strawberry production.
IPM in Multifamily Housing Live Online Course 4/21- 5/12!
The IPM in Multifamily Housing Course was designed to help housing professionals understand their roles in supporting safe and effective pest control in their communities. This is an amazing resource for housing and property managers.
Cities are Switching to “smart” rat control
The next generation of urban rodent control relies on internet-connected traps that shock or impale a rat or mouse before isolating it in a chamber for disposal. While smart traps with internet-connected sensors have been taking off in Europe, they're just starting to hit the U.S., with a handful of cities signing up for alternatives to the traditional extermination method — rat poison.
2022 Pesticide Use and Resistance Survey
The Northeast Vector Borne Disease Lab is asking those working in state- and county-level public health and vector control agencies in the Northeast region to complete this survey to direct their program. Your participation is essential to the continuing development of the pesticide resistance monitoring program. Please note: this survey is targeting professionals working in the Northeast regionspecifically. The Pesticide Resistance Monitoring Project includes kits and guidelines as well as a specimen submission system whereby mosquito control agencies in the Northeast region are able to send live mosquitoes directly to our laboratory at Cornell University for resistance testing. We will continue to offer these services to Northeast agencies for the summer of 2022 starting May 23rd.
Thoughts on a Career in Conservation, by The Prairie Ecologist
Chris was contacted yesterday by a high schooler interested in prairies and a future career in conservation. (Definitely the highlight of his week!) They were looking for any advice he could offer, so he took some time to come up with a thoughtful response. He quickly realized he had a lot more to say than he’d expected. After finishing the email, he decided to share his thoughts in the blog, in case others might find them interesting or helpful.
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "DEC is working shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners at Canal Corporation to address the threat of round goby and other invasive species to waterbodies like Lake Champlain. We are bolstering current invasive species surveillance education and taking a hard look at the immediate threats posed by these water-borne invaders to implement the most effective strategies that will protect our fisheries, wildlife, and local recreational economies today and into the future."
Avian Influenza update:
Bird Flu update: 57-,000 additional chickens to be killed; USDA-APHIS confirmations
Biosecurity is key in preventing avian influenza spread
Invasive Species:
APHIS Establishes a Quarantine for Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) in New York State
Effective immediately, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in cooperation with the New York State Agriculture and Markets (NYSAGM), is establishing a quarantine for the box tree moth (BTM) in Erie, Niagara, and Orleans Counties in the State of New York.
Spotted Lanternfly News:
The 2022 Spotted Lanternfly Summit recordings are up and available for viewing.
This three-day event covered stakeholder introductions, research project overviews, communications and extension work, and operations and coordination efforts.
Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses und in Amherst, OH in winter of 2022. The Spotted Lanternfly map has been updated.
Read PestTalks blog for a firsthand experience with Citrus Canker, which was recently found at a nursery in South Carolina in this week’s blog by JC Chong of Clemson University.
Also read about biocontrol for spotted wing drosophila, On-line greenhouse training and more!
Research:
Webinars, Seminars, Meetings and more
Gardens that Rock! Creating and Maintaining Gravel Gardens, March 29 & 30, 8:30-12:15, virtual, fee
Sustainable landscaping uses multiple management strategies that seek to reduce negative impacts on the environment while maintaining aesthetically pleasing landscapes. Join us virtually to learn management strategies and practices that you can implement to provide beautiful, functional and environmentally friendly landscapes for your customers.
New Soil Health Tools, Insights and Opportunities for Experienced Farmers, March 29, 10-2:30pm, virtual, small fee
Before you get swept up in the rush of the growing season, take a break from the field to get rooted in soil health at our virtual half-day intensive for experienced farmers and research collaborators. Learn about the latest data from Pasa’s Soil Health Benchmark Study, get research updates from Rodale Institute, discover new soil health and decision management tools for your farm, connect with other farmers and research collaborators, and find out about funding opportunities to support soil health practices on your farm. This advanced intensive is a great opportunity to soak up new, practical soil health knowledge and inspiration for the season ahead. Soil Health Benchmark Study research collaborators from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Maine are strongly encouraged to attend.
Conservation Assistance for Urban Pollinators & Beneficial Insects, April 12, 12noon ET
The presenters will talk about who the beneficial insects are, how to improve their habitat, and assistance available to support pollinators and beneficial insects. There will also be time for questions and answers.
Planting for Pollinators, April 13, 6pm, virtual
Maine is home to more than 270 native bees and a diverse array of other key pollinator species from iridescent beetles to innocent wasps. Declines of insects, native bees, and birds are well-documented and habitat loss is a significant driver of those declines. Horticulture Professional Kate Garland will offer practical tips for gardeners to be able to provide food, habitat and water resources to stem this decline. Garland will offer a special focus on native plants and weave in best landscape management practices as well.
The Data Driven Farmers Market: Using POS systems to Inform Market Practices, April 21-28, 6:30pm. Virtual
Electronic Point-of-Sale (POS) systems present new opportunities for farmers market vendors to improve sales. POS systems provide a quick and easy means for farms to gather data on customer shopping habits. In turn, this data can be analyzed to reveal growth opportunities for market sales. Researchers Matt LeRoux and Todd Schmit at the Cornell Program for Agribusiness and Rural Development are collecting data using POS with NY farms selling meat, fruits, vegetables, fresh cut flowers and mushrooms in direct-to-consumer channels. The project seeks farms that sell their own products at farmers markets, farm stores, and staffed farm stands to participate.
Spotted Lanternfly Informational Workshop, April 27, 6pm, Kingston, NY
On April 27, 2022 from 6:00 – 7:00pm Jim O’Connell will offer a free presentation on SLF, including a brief history of its introduction, what’s being done to manage populations, and what the public can do to help. Those who attend will also get a free SLF collection kit.
Emerald Ash Borer Virtual Town Hall: 20 Years Later- Borer management and saving Ash trees for a sustainable future, May 3 8am-12:40 PST
As we approach 20 years since emerald ash borer (EAB) was first found in the US, what have we learned about this invasive pest and what can we do about it moving forward to protect and preserve our ash populations? Join this virtual Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Town Hall for city foresters, SMA members, tree care and landscape professionals, and property managers as they discuss case studies for effective public programs, the latest EAB research and management approaches, and how private and public entities can work together for a sustainable future.
North American Invasive Species Management Association 30th Annual Conference, Nov 6-10, Ft. Myers, FL
Managing for Resilience: Through sharing research, challenges, and successes we aim to improve resilience on landscapes through prevention, early detection, control, and mitigation of invasive species. Registration is open, Call for abstracts extended to April 15.
Employment Opportunities:
Two positions available at the New York IPM Program, Geneva, NY
As an innovative and experienced educator, you will expand knowledge and access to sustainable pest management practices in fruit agroecosystems. You will work collaboratively, across disciplines, and with a variety of stakeholders, to develop, demonstrate, and guide IPM implementation efforts in fruit crops across NYS. You will champion diversity, equity and inclusion by providing unbiased access to world-class research, industry expertise and pest management strategies to all New York farmers and growers and serve as a trusted resource, enabling stakeholders to build knowledge and develop skills to successfully implement IPM approaches to crop protection.
As an innovative and experienced educator, you will expand knowledge and access to sustainable pest management practices in livestock production systems (primarily dairy and beef cattle). You will work collaboratively, across disciplines, and with a variety of stakeholders, to develop, demonstrate, and guide IPM implementation efforts in livestock across NYS. The state is ranked #3 nationally in milk production, and first in specialty dairy products such as yogurt, cottage cheese and sour cream. There are 620,000 dairy cattle and 110,000 beef cattle. You will champion diversity, equity and inclusion by providing unbiased access to world-class research, industry expertise and pest management strategies to all New York livestock farmers and serve as a trusted resource, enabling stakeholders to build knowledge and develop skills to successfully implement IPM approaches to livestock production.
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has several positions open.
Positions include post-doctoral position, summer research assistants, farm staff, and more. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station operates laboratories in New Haven and Windsor as well as outside laboratories at Lockwood Farm in Hamden, the Griswold Research Center, and the Valley Laboratory in Windsor. The Station employs approximately 92 full time Scientists, Technicians, and Support Staff. The Station hires approximately 50 Summer Research Assistants to assist Station Scientists in our laboratories between May 1 and October 31 each year.
Two Senior Scientific Specialist positions, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Senior Scientific Specialist, Vector Surveillance
Senior Scientific Specialist, Vector Biology
Funding Opportunities:
NRCS in Maryland accepting applications for EQIP
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications from agricultural producers and forest landowners from Maryland for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which offers producers financial and technical assistance to address resource concerns on their land. Applications due April 18.
1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical Program
The 1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical Program is an opportunity for 1890 land-grant university faculty to participate in a residency at an ARS laboratory to conduct cooperative research of mutual interest with ARS. Applications are due April 4.
USDA-NIFA AFRI Education and Workforce Development
NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) - Education and Workforce Development (EWD) focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and Extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences. The aim of these grants is to cultivate future industry, government, or academic leaders who can solve emerging agricultural challenges of the 21st Century. In 2022, NIFA requests applications for AFRI’s Education and Workforce Development program areas to support: professional development opportunities for K-14 educational professionals; non-formal education that cultivates food and agricultural interest in youth; workforce training at community, junior, and technical colleges; training of undergraduate students in research and extension; fellowships for predoctoral candidates and postdoctoral scholars; and special workforce development topics. Application deadlines varies by program area.
USDA-NIFA American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program
The primary goal of 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 land owners 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. The term “agricultural producer” is used to refer to agricultural farmers, ranchers, and private forest land owners and operators. Applications due June 1.