Questions to Help in Reporting Impacts and Potential Impacts
Here are some questions that may guide you in assessing and then describing the impacts and potential impacts of your project. The relevance of each question will vary depending on your project.
1. Innovations in IPM
- Are there new IPM practices that have been or could be adopted as a direct result of your project? What is the total number of acres (or homes, schools, greenhouses, nurseries) on which these practices could realistically be implemented?
2. Safeguarding human health and the environment
- Has the project reduced risk by changing the use of pesticides on farms, in homes, in schools, etc.? For example, could it result in fewer sprays per season or a switch to lower-risk pesticides? If possible, quantify the changes in condition.
- Are there any other impacts or potential impacts on human health or the environment as a result of your project?
3. Economic benefits
- What is the economic benefit for clientele who adopt IPM strategies and systems you studied? Do you envision potential commercialization or mass production of these systems?
- How many clients are satisfied with IPM results (such as improved yield, improved quality of yield, reduced pest populations, more effective pest control, greater preservation of nonpest species)?
- Are there other financial benefits that might be realized as a result of your project?
4. Implementation of IPM
- How many IPM strategies and systems have been validated through this project (through on-farm trials, large plot tests, or other methods used to confirm efficacy)?
- How many educational materials were delivered? To whom? And what are the impacts or potential impacts?
- What is the number of growers or personnel trained? And what are the impacts or potential impacts?
- For a website, what volume of traffic and type of use has the site experienced? And what are the impacts or potential impacts?
- How many more people adopted IPM practices as a direct result of your project, or how many people adopted new IPM practices?
- Are there other ways in which your work will result in improved use or increased implementation of IPM strategies in your region or across the Northeast?
5. Increased collaboration
- Has your project or study increased collaboration among stakeholders interested in the development and implementation of improved IPM strategies and systems?