Beneficial insects work to control pests

New Specialty Crop Research Initiative Funding Opportunity

A specialty crop research and extension initiative has been established through the new Farm Bill to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry. This initiative will award approx. $27 million in grants on a competitive basis in FY2008 to support research and extension benefitting growers of fruits, tree nuts, vegetables, and nursery crops. Eligible applicants include federal agencies, national labs, colleges and universities, research institutions and organizations, private organizations or corporations, state agricultural experiment stations, and individuals. Applicants must provide funds or in-kind support from nonfederal sources in an amount that is at least equal to the federal funds requested. It is anticipated that the Request for Applications will be released in July 2008 with a 30-day open period. For details about this opportunity and updates on release of the RFA, visit the CSREES newsroom.

Northeastern IPM Center Newsletter - IPM Insights

Read the July 2008 issue of IPM Insights, our newsletter about IPM research, outreach, resources, and success stories in the region.

Vegetable and Strawberry IPM Educator Exchange Program: Apply now for summer travel!

Would you like to visit another state to see the field work that is being done in Vegetable or Strawberry IPM? Do you wish you had funds to get to a twilight meeting, field day, or spend a few days with a colleague in another state in the Northeast or another region? Our Educator Exchange Program will pay up to $800 to help agricultural professionals in the Northeast learn about and share IPM practices in vegetables and strawberries. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis –– apply by July 30 for travel that will take place before September 1, 2008! Follow the link for more details.

Upcoming On-Farm Workshops for Vegetable Growers, NRCS Staff, and Others

This summer, the Northeastern IPM Center's Vegetable Working Group is once again teaming up with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to offer workshops where growers can learn how to minimize environmental impacts while improving crop yield and pest control. IPM and NRCS professionals are also participating in these events to learn about each other's work and help growers reap benefits from the strengths of both of these USDA-funded groups.

IPM programs promote the use of effective, economical pest management practices that reduce risks to the environment and human health. NRCS offers financial incentives to growers whose farming practices reduce nonpoint source pollution to protect water, air, and soil quality. In many cases, conservation and IPM practices overlap, giving growers an opportunity to benefit economically from using practices that protect the environment while managing pests.

Workshops are being held this summer in Maine, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania; see the Vegetable IPM Working Group page for details.

National Schools Working Group Meeting to be held November 20, 2008

In 2006, the National Schools Working Group set a goal for each school in the nation to transition to IPM practices by 2015. Since then, a School Pest Management Strategic Plan has been completed, each Regional IPM Center has created a School Working Group, and other federal agencies have made progress toward IPM goals. In November, participants will establish the next steps to ensure that we are on track for the 2015 goal. See the brochure for more information.