IPM Centers Announce Recipients of 2026 Northeastern IPM Partnership Grants
In 2026, the Southern Integrated Pest Management Center at North Carolina State University will temporarily administer the Northeastern IPM Partnership Grants Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The annual competitive grants program addresses important IPM issues in the northeastern region.
The grant program received 18 proposals totaling $520,874 in requested funds. Of those, five projects were selected for funding, including two working groups, totaling $149,489. Disciplines range from entomology, human health, plant pathology, and weed science. Contracting states include Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont. When including cooperating states, 8 of the 13 Northeastern states are represented.
Congratulations to the following 2026 Northeastern IPM Partnership Grants recipients.
About the Projects
Working Groups
Northeast Tree Fruit IPM Working Group: Cultivating Regional Collaboration for Sustainable Pest Management
Dr. Terence Bradshaw, University of Vermont | Amount Funded: $19,556
The Northeast has been a major U.S. tree fruit production region since the 1700s, especially for apples. In 2010, a Northeast IPM Partnership Grant facilitated the establishment of the Northeast Tree Fruit IPM (NETFIPM) Working Group. This group of fruit professionals includes entomologists, pathologists, horticulturists, extension educators, industry advisors, and consultants. They have met annually to coordinate pest management strategies and share expertise.
The continuity of information and programming is essential for the communication and adoption of IPM practices, which helps ensure the commercial success of tree fruit growers in the Northeast. However, that continuity is threatened by staff turnover, evolving pest challenges, shifting environmental conditions, and increasing regulations around management.
This project aims to strengthen the NETFIPM Working Group’s internal activities, including support for an annual meeting, while expanding education and outreach initiatives. Activities will include webinars, updating IPM priorities, and coordinating research and extension projects.
A Regional Invasive Plant List for Cross-Boundary IPM Coordination
Jenica Allen, University of Massachusetts Amherst | Amount Funded: $39,989
Invasive plants continue to be sold and spread across the Northeast, harming natural ecosystems, crop systems, and forests. Although most states regulate invasive plants, inconsistencies in which species are listed limit the effectiveness of these efforts. This inconsistency stems largely from limited capacity, as volunteer members of invasive plant councils lack the resources to evaluate all potential threats and prioritize species.
In response, members of the Northeast Invasive Plant Council have called for scientific support to develop a unified list of invasive plants and enhance coordination. This project will synthesize numerous existing datasets—ranging from national and state lists to risk assessments and distribution data—into a comprehensive regional database. This effort will address the current inability to clearly identify invasive species across the Northeast.
The resulting list will guide prioritization and improve coordination among states. Outreach materials will further extend its impact. Ultimately, the project aims to provide a centralized resource to support more effective, collaborative management and prevention of invasive plant impacts across the Northeast.
Seed Projects
Navigating Trade-Offs between Pollinator Conservation and Pest Management in the Northeast
Dr. Allison Gardner, University of Maine | Amount Funded: $30,000
Homeowners in the northeastern United States often want to support pollinators and the ecosystem services they provide while also protecting their families from tick-borne diseases. However, common yard care practices can put these goals at odds. For example, leaving leaf litter, logs, and taller grass helps pollinators thrive but can also create ideal conditions for ticks. On the other hand, using broad-spectrum insecticides to control ticks may harm beneficial insects.
This study aims to better understand how homeowners navigate this trade-off. Researchers will investigate what practices people currently use, where they get their information, and what factors—such as cost, personal values, and health concerns—influence their decisions. The project will begin with small focus groups and follow with a larger regional survey to gather broader data.
The findings will help experts develop clearer, more balanced recommendations for managing yards. Ultimately, the goal is to support both environmental health and human safety by improving guidance on sustainable, practical landscaping choices.
Scaling Urban Rodent IPM: Integrated Control, Monitoring, and Education
Juliana Alvarado, Cornell Cooperative Extension Monroe County | Amount Funded: $29,998
South Lawn Farm in Rochester, NY, run by Cornell Cooperative Extension, is a small urban educational farm that provides job training, especially for people facing employment barriers. Since 2022, it has supported workforce development programs and partnerships with local organizations. It also provides fresh food to the community, producing over 1,500 pounds of vegetables in 2025. However, rodents such as rats, mice, and groundhogs have caused significant problems, destroying about 160 pounds of crops and posing health risks through disease and contamination.
To address this, the farm is launching a project to improve pest control using safer, more sustainable methods. Plans include upgrading fencing, improving sanitation, monitoring rodent activity with cameras, and using targeted treatments that avoid harming other wildlife. The project will also train staff, volunteers, and local growers in effective pest management practices.
By combining education, infrastructure improvements, and community outreach, the initiative aims to protect crops, improve food safety, and create a model that other urban farms can adopt.
Clean Start: Using Ozone as a Novel Solution for Seedborne Disease Reduction in Dry Beans
Heather Darby, University of Vermont | Amount Funded: $29,946
Dry beans are a valuable crop in the Northeast, especially for small-scale and organic farmers. Many growers save their own seeds each year to reduce costs and maintain independence. However, this practice can unintentionally allow harmful fungal and bacterial pathogens to persist across planting cycles, leading to increased plant disease and reduced yields. About half of major dry bean diseases can be carried in seeds, and recent extreme weather has made these problems worse. Organic farmers, in particular, have limited options to control these diseases.
This project aims to evaluate the efficacy of ozone (O3) as a seed treatment to reduce the incidence of common bacterial and fungal pathogens affecting dry beans. Ozone can rupture microbial membranes and degrade mycotoxins without leaving chemical residues. Researchers will test how well ozone reduces seedborne pathogens while still allowing seeds to grow normally, first in the lab and then in field trials.
The goal is to develop practical, science-based recommendations that growers and seed companies can use to reduce plant disease while maintaining strong crop production.