Northeast Small Fruit IPM Working Group and Pest Issues Tour
The goal of this partnership grant was to gather IPM stakeholders from multiple disciplines to share information in the field of small fruits, specifically around pest identification, and IPM strategies for both organic and conventional systems, with special emphasis on high tunnels, brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), spotted wing drosophila (SWD), and winter moth.
The group met for three days and included small fruit and/or pest management specialists from Extension and state organic associations from New England, New Jersey, and New York. During the first day of the meeting, resources and pest information were shared and they discussed ways to reduce pesticide use and to increase non-pesticide control tactics. During the second day, the group visited farms growing small fruit in both field and high tunnels. The third day was spent working together to determine and discuss future research, extension, and education priorities for small fruit growers.
The group continues to discuss pest and disease issues for small fruit growers through emails, phone calls, and newsletters throughout the year and continues to promote IPM strategies and tactics for controlling and managing pests in small fruits.