IPM News and Events Roundup 7/8/2022

IPM News and Events Roundup

A weekly collection of IPM news, webinars, employment and funding opportunities, and more from the Northeastern IPM Center

If you have IPM-related research, events, or other IPM news you would like to have included, please email Deb Grantham at dgg3@cornell.edu. If you would like to subscribe to the weekly Roundup, please email northeastipm@cornell.edu. Past Roundups are archived on our website.

Northeastern IPM Center News
From the Director

Nancy Cusumano sent her last issue of the IPM News and Events Roundup on April 29, 2022, her last day of work before retirement. Nancy launched the Roundup in January 2019 and compiled every issue until her last. I’ll try to fill those big shoes until a new hire is on board. If you have items for the Roundup in the meantime, please send them to me at dgg3@cornell.edu. If you’d like to leave Nancy a message, we set up a Kudoboard for that purpose.

Many thanks to Mike Webb for setting up the Roundup for the last few weeks – great job!

Jerrie Haines is joining our team, replacing Nancy, and will be taking on the Roundup over the next few weeks. Jerrie has loads of experience in greenhouse settings and IPM within greenhouses, so brings a new dimension to our unit.

- Deb Grantham, director, Northeastern IPM Center

2022 Outstanding Achievements in IPM Award

We are now accepting nominations for this year’s Outstanding Achievements in Integrated Pest Management Award, which aims to recognize one professional and one student based on their efforts and accomplishments in IPM. Winners receive $500 each and agree to provide a story for the Northeastern IPM Center website and/or newsletter and social media outlets, and/or to present a webinar hosted by the Northeastern IPM Center.

We are seeking nominations of growers, consultants, researchers, educators, managers, and college/university students in the Northeast region. To submit a nomination, you must be a grower, consultant, researcher, educator, or manager working in IPM. Alternatively, you may co-nominate with someone who meets the above criteria.

Learn more or submit a nomination.

Nominations must be submitted by Friday, September 16, 2022.

Connect with the Northeastern IPM Center

Website| Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

 

Other News

Beneficial nematodes could be key to plant defenses (AgriLife Today | June 23, 2022)

AgriLife Research and Texas A&M Department of Entomology scientist Anjel Helms is investigating the relationship between plants and tiny worms called entomopathogenic nematodes, or EPNs, that kill insect pests in the soil. The goal of the study is to advance scientific knowledge about how plants react to EPNs and activate defense mechanisms against insect herbivores.

Greenhouse & Nursery Diseases: Focus on Summer with Dr. Ann Chase & Dr. Aaron Palmateer (Tech on Demand | June 28, 2022)

In this episode of Tech On Demand brought to you by GrowerTalks, host Bill Calkins is joined by Ann Chase, owner of Chase Agricultural Consulting, and Aaron Palmateer, technical development lead for the ornamental business at SePRO. Both are plant-disease gurus with decades of combined work in the field. They discuss what they’ve seen in greenhouses and nurseries already this summer and what they expect to see soon—more than 25 diseases they’ve seen firsthand.

Land-grant Universities Conducting Agricultural Safety and Health Research and Extension (USDA-NIFA | June 28, 2022)

Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the U.S. Across the nation, people who work or live on farms and ranches are regularly exposed to dangerous machinery, sharp tools, toxic chemicals, biological pathogens, confined spaces, extreme temperatures, and other hazards that can cause injury or death, which, in turn, can have a ripple effect on the economic and social wellbeing of their communities.

A Florida county is quarantining after discovery of invasive giant African land snail (CNN | July 3, 2022)

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirmed there were giant African land snails in the New Port Richey area of Pasco County. The snails pose a health risk to humans because they carry a parasite called rat lungworm, which can cause meningitis. They can produce up to 2,500 eggs per year, so the population is difficult to control. The population likely originated from the illegal pet trade.

How Mange Remade an Ecosystem (The Scientist | July 5, 2022)

Yale graduate student Julia Monk was conducting research in Argentina when she noticed that a sarcoptic mange epidemic was severely impacting vicuña populations, sometimes leaving the animals weak and unable to eat enough to sustain themselves. Other changes were visible too—for example, grasslands that the vicuñas had previously grazed down to nubby patches were now covered in taller, denser bunches of grass. Monk and her colleagues realized that the epidemic was an opportunity to study mange’s effects on not just the vicuñas themselves, but the entire ecosystem.

Browntail Moth Update (Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry | July 6, 2022)

Late last week, Maine DACF got their first reports of adult browntail moth and made more observations of adult emergence over the weekend. This marks the beginning of a shift in tactics to mitigate attracting moths to your dooryard by keeping unnecessary outdoor lights off until the beginning of August. DACF often gets asked if light traps or bug zappers are effective at controlling adult moths, and the answer is a resounding no.

Webinars, Seminars, Meetings, and More

Blue Ridge PRISM Summer Meeting: “Simply Stiltgrass”

July 20, 2022 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Zoom | Free; registration required

Shenandoah National Park biologist Jake Hughes will join PRISM’s Jim Hurley at our summer meeting to discuss the ways to control Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) on your land. They will share the latest research and control updates along with tried-and-true methods. You can submit your questions for Jake and Jim beforehand (during registration), or ask them live during the webinar. Registrants will receive access to the recording.

To register or for more info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/348361798517

Weed Management and Soil Health Field Day (Cornell Cooperative Extension Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture)

July 20 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | The Don G Orchard Block, 333 Route 22B, Peru, NY 12972 | Free; registration required

Join us for a discussion of orchard weed and soil management! Speakers will be joining us from across Cornell’s research and extension teams. Topics will include the results of our herbicide timing trials, new vision-guided technologies for orchard weed spraying, organic weed management options, soil health demonstrations, and a discussion on our statewide orchard soil health survey. DEC credits are pending for this event.

2022 Industry Technology Session (The IR-4 Project)

July 21, 2022 | Zoom | Free; registration required

This annual event gives companies the opportunity to present updates on products already in IR-4 research, as well as new technologies designed to assist specialty crop growers with their pest-management needs. The session is a precursor to the 2022 Food Use Workshop. Technologies discussed during the session will be eligible for IR-4 research in 2023.

Tools and Tactics for Soil and Weed Management in Vegetable Production (Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences School of Integrative Plant Science)

July 25, 2022 | Cornell Organic Research Farm, 133 Fall Creek Rd, Freeville, NY | Free and open to public; pre-registration preferred but walk-ins welcome

Come to the Cornell Organic Research Farm in Freeville to get updates on the latest research in weed management, cover crops, and reduced tillage, and interact with researchers and other farmers. Learn about methods that help production while improving soil health and making your farm more climate resilient. Topics will include: new weed control technologies, weeds and climate change, long-term effects of tarping, soil health across different cropping systems, comparison of different mulch types, and cover crop breeding.

Snacks and dinner will be provided. Please register by July 15 to help ensure there is enough food.

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

The first Friday of each month, spend half an hour over lunch learning about practical solutions for pest problems with the New York State IPM Program. Each presentation will end with an IPM Minute.

Register to attend these monthly events. Submit photos of how you are implementing IPM to the “IPM and You Photo Contest.”

Recordings of past presentations are also available.

Upcoming First Friday Events:

  • August 5, 2022: Feature Presentation: Do's and Don'ts for ladybugs in the garden (IPM Minute: Risks associated with pest control home remedies)
  • September 2, 2022: Tackling white grubs in your lawn: scouting, decision-making, and sustainable management (IPM Minute: Shoo flies, don't bother me!)
  • October 7, 2022: Fall lawn IPM: managing leaves and ticks (IPM Minute: Is that a praying mantis egg case?)
  • November 4, 2022: Repellents, fencing, and other IPM approaches for managing deer damage (IPM Minute: Where you chuck your pumpkins matters)
  • December 2, 2022: Homeowner update on emerald ash borer management (IPM Minute: Creepy crawly Christmas - what to do if you find insects in your Christmas tree)

tHRIVe web series (Horticultural Research Institute)

Free and open to the public, registration required. Times listed are Eastern Time.

  • August 23, 2022 | 11:00 a.m.: Building a Better Monarch Butterfly Garden
  • September 7, 2022 | 1:00 p.m.: How do weather and climate impact boxwood blight? A modeling approach to aiding in boxwood disease management
  • October 4, 2022 | 10:00 a.m.: Controlling Nostoc, a slippery hazard for nursery workers
  • November 3, 2022 | 11:00 a.m.: Smart Plants—Magical interactions between flowers and their pollinators

UMass Extension’s Green School (UMass Extension)

October 25, 2022 – December 15, 2022 | 3 hours (plus break) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons | $900 early bird, $1,025 regular, scholarships available

A comprehensive 60-plus-hour-certificate short course that offers fundamental horticultural training in a compact time frame. The program is designed for professional practitioners such as landscapers, lawn care providers, nursery operators, sports field managers, public and private grounds managers, arborists, professional gardeners, landscape and garden designers, and others in the green industries. Both experienced professionals and those aspiring to be will benefit from this course.

Registration deadline October 18. For early-bird tuition rate, register by September 15.

Employment Opportunities

IPM Entomology Farm Advisor (University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR))

Position located in Salinas, Monterey County, CA

The IPM entomology farm advisor will implement an innovative extension education and applied research program to address pest management issues facing agriculture. Research and extension will address high-priority issues related to ecologically and economically sound IPM programs. Emphasis is expected to be on interdisciplinary projects that affect cool-season vegetables including leafy greens, such as lettuce, and cole crops, such as broccoli, along with other crops including strawberries and other berries, ornamental and nursery plant production, and local specialty crops.

Closing date: July 13.

Extension State Specialist, Soil Health (University of New Hampshire Extension)

The UNH Extension state specialist in soil health provides statewide leadership in soil health and fertility in agricultural systems. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position based at the University of New Hampshire’s Durham, NH, campus. It is a non-tenure track, 100% extension appointment. The specialist will oversee the UNH Soil Testing Service, maintaining and updating associated fertility recommendations. PhD in soil science, agronomy, or a related discipline with an emphasis in soil nutrient management, soil biology, or environmental soil chemistry in preferred. A strong candidate with an MS degree and extensive experience may be considered. Contact Extension Food & Agriculture Program team leader Amy Papineau (603-272-6497, amy.papineau@unh.edu).

Open until filled.

Extension State Specialist, Entomology and Integrated Pest Management (University of New Hampshire Extension)

Position based at University of New Hampshire's Durham campus.

The extension state specialist in entomology and IPM provides statewide leadership in agricultural IPM, undertaking engaged outreach as the state’s IPM coordinator and serving as project director on extension’s federally funded IPM Extension Implementation Plan. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position based at the University of New Hampshire’s Durham, NH, campus. It is a non-tenure-track, 100% extension appointment.

Open until filled.

Extension Seeks State Specialist, Plant Pathology (University of New Hampshire Extension)

The extension state specialist in plant pathology directs and operates all aspects of the UNH Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab, including diagnosis of plant health problems and communication of results, maintaining sample information and data, and supervising staff. The lab provides diagnostic services for plant health issues for commercial producers, home horticulturists, landscapers, turf managers, arborists, extension staff, state and regulatory agencies, and others, and is a member of the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN). This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position located on the University of New Hampshire’s Durham, NH campus. It is a non-tenure track, 100% extension appointment. Contact Extension Food & Agriculture Program team leader Amy Papineau (603-272-6497, amy.papineau@unh.edu)

Open until filled.

Principal Plant Pathologist (IR-4 Project | NC State University | Raleigh, NC)

The IR-4 Project is accepting applications for a principal plant pathologist to join the headquarters team at NC State University. As part of IR-4’s research unit, this role will manage the technical handling of new requests for assistance for products that manage bacterial and fungal pests. The position will also manage IR-4’s national product performance and integrated solutions research efforts with fungicides and nematicides, while providing support for IR-4’s residue research program. Ideal candidates will have an advanced degree in plant pathology and at least three years of full-time professional experience in applied research in plant pathology.

Open until filled.

USGS Fellow, Climate Change and Invasive Species Research Prioritization (U.S. Department of the Interior)

The Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (RISCC) Management network, in collaboration with the National Invasive Species Council, is seeking a Fellow to conduct research at the intersection of climate science and invasive species management to contribute to prioritizing management action in the face of climate change across the U.S. As a member of the RISCC network, the Fellow will collaborate in stakeholder-driven research and engage in actionable science and science communication that serves the network.

Application deadline August 1, 2022, 3:00 p.m. EST

Executive Director (Western New York Land Conservancy)

The executive director has overall strategic and operational responsibility for the Land Conservancy’s staff and programs and the execution of its mission. This position reports to the board of directors, manages five direct reports, and oversees a total staff team of 16. It is based in East Aurora, New York.

Open until filled. Interviews will start in August 2022.

Funding Opportunities

Call for Research Proposals 2022 (The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF))

TACF is pleased to announce its 2022 request for research proposals. We will entertain any proposal concerned with the myriad of aspects involved in chestnut restoration that address our core mission to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range. This is a small grants program. TACF does not ordinarily fund projects in excess of $10,000.

Proposals must be sent via email attachment to externalgrants@acf.org by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 1, 2022.

Call for Preproposals (Northeast SARE)

Northeast SARE is accepting preproposals for three programs: Research and Education ($30 - $250k), Research for Novel Approaches ($30k - $200k), and Professional Development ($30k - $150k)

Interested in learning what it takes to write a successful preproposal? Northeast SARE held an informational webinar on June 23 and the recording is online. Shorter clips from that webinar, focusing on the various individual grant programs, are also available on the Northeast SARE YouTube channel.

Preproposals due by August 2, 2022.