Food and Biomass Science Fellowship Available
August 6, 2008
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is now accepting applications
for a two-year, full-time Food and Biomass Science Fellow. The Fellow will join a
cross-program effort at NRDC to advocate for sustainable policies, metrics, and
practices across an array of policy and standard setting processes, seeking to protect our
climate, land and water resources. Applications due August 31, 2008.
More.
Plant Pathologist Needed at EPA
July 21, 2008
The EPA Office of Pesticide Programs is looking to hire a full-time plant pathologist. The position is located in
Virginia and applications will be accepted until August 6, 2008. Visit
USA Jobs for more information; enter the announcement number
HQOPPTS -DE-2008-0059 in the Keyword search field.
Southeastern US has First Green Shield Certified Provider
July 14, 2008
Peachtree Pest Control, a family-run business founded in 1976, has earned
Green Shield Certification, the first provider in the Southeastern US to achieve this
third-party credential. Customers in Georgia, northern Florida and southern South Carolina
now have the option of choosing the new “Peachtree Green” service, ensuring less toxic
pest control. Read the press release here. Visit the Green Shield Certified
website.
North Central States Pest Alert
July 9, 2008
The North Central IPM Center has created a publication - a regional pest alert - addressing the plum pox virus. Plum pox affects all stone fruit; it
distorts and discolors fruit, reduces yield and shortens tree life. Read the alert
here.
(PDF)
Funds Available to Support IPM-Related Travel
July 1, 2008
The Northeast Vegetable IPM Working Group has funds to help support northeastern growers, vegetable and/or strawberry specialists,
Cooperative Extension educators or county agents, crop consultants, government agency staff, and agricultural professionals
in nonprofit organizations with their travels. Through its Educator Exchange Program, the
working group is helping professionals learn about and share IPM practices. Interested parties must
submit an application by July 30, 2008 and travel must take place before September 1, 2008. More.
(PDF)
Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District Earns IPM STAR Certification
June 27, 2008 Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District has become the first district in Texas to earn IPM STAR certification. “The approach to healthy schools and classrooms at Carrollton – Farmers Branch is unique and one of the best we have seen,” reports Dr. Thomas Green, president of the IPM Institute, who conducted the evaluation. “IPM is fully integrated into the overall effort to create healthy schools…” See Carrollton-Farmers Branch's profile for more.
NRCS and IPM Workshops in Northeast
June 25, 2008 IPM and NRCS professionals and interested growers are invited to attend a series of workshops given by the Northeastern IPM Center's Vegetable Working Group. These
workshops emphasize the shared goals of NRCS conservation efforts and IPM practices. Also,
the workshops provide growers an opportunity to learn about the economic benefits of NRCS and IPM practices.
The workshops will be held this summer in Maine, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. For a listing, see
here.
IR-4 Southern Region Field Coordinator
Needed at University of Florida
June 23, 2008
The University of Florida is looking for a candidate who is able to interact with university staff and stakeholders
to identify pest management voids for growers in the southern region and facilitate the submission of IR-4 Project Clearance Requests
(PCR). This coordinator will also prepare grants and
make decisions concerning general field operations and budgets including funding for research centers. Applications due July 20, 2008. More.
Save the Date!
2008 National Schools Working Group Meeting - November 20, 2008
June 18, 2008
In 2006, the National Schools Working Group set a goal for each school in the nation to transition to IPM practices by 2015. 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.
Wells-Ogunquit Community School District Earns IPM STAR Certification
June 18, 2008 Wells-Ogunquit Community School District has earned IPM STAR certification after passing a rigorous 37-point inspection.
The district shows many signs of a well managed organization in general. “Good overall management is key to effective pest management with a minimum of pesticide use,” according to Dr. Thomas Green. Read more in Wells-Ogunquit's IPM Profile.
Strategic Agricultural Initiative (SAI) Grants Available in EPA Region 3
June 12, 2008 EPA Region
3 is now accepting proposals for Fiscal Year 2008. The SAI program supports grants for education, extension, demonstration, and field projects for the Food Quality Protection Act's transition away from high risk pesticides and reduced risk practices for pest management in agriculture. Proposals due July 3, 2008.
More.
Organic Lawn and Turf Workshops, Article
June 9, 2008 Lawn and landscape professionals and interested homeowners in the Northeast are invited to attend
a series of courses the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) is hosting in August. This year, the course offers
a case study based on the organic conversion of athletic fields in two Connecticut towns. There are three dates and locations for the courses:
August 14, 2008, in Hillsborough, NJ; August 19, 2008, at the University of Massachusetts; and
August
21, 2008, in Manchester, CT.
For more, please see NOFA's website.
Also, the May 2008 edition of Lawn & Landscape Magazine featured an article on organic lawn care.
"A Growing Interest in Organics" starts on page 60. Read the article here.
Bellevue School District Earns IPM STAR Certification
May 29, 2008 Bellevue School District has become the 27th in the nation and the fourth program in the state of Washington to earn IPM STAR certification. The district, serving more than 16,000 students in Northwestern Washington, manages pests primarily with pro-active, preventive practices rather than relying on pesticide applications. See Bellevue's IPM profile for more.
Safer Pest Control Project Seeks Program Associate
May 28, 2008 Safer Pest Control Project (SPCP), a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the health risks and environmental impacts of pesticides and promoting safer alternatives in Illinois, is looking for a full time Program Associate. The program associate will conduct workshops on IPM for a variety of audiences, help develop IPM policies and programs, and will supervise the creation of an online training module and survey tool. The position begins in July 2008. More.
University of California Cooperative
Extension Seeks Agriculture and
Environmental Issues Advisor
May
13, 2008
The Agriculture and Natural Resources division of the University of
California Cooperative Extension is seeking an advisor
for the high desert areas of Los Angeles and San Bernardino
counties. The primary responsibility of the advisor will be to
design, develop, implement, and evaluate educational programs for high
desert growers and the public on crop production and related
environmental issues. Qualified candidates will have a Master's
degree in an agricultural field, and a background in education and
outreach. Applications due June 13, 2008. For more, please visit our employment
page.
Salt Lake City School District Earns IPM
STAR Certification
May 6, 2008 The Salt Lake City School District recently became the first district in the Rocky Mountain area to
achieve IPM STAR certification. Pesticide applications and pest complaints have dropped by over 90% since the program began three years ago. Gregg Smith, Director of Facility Services and head of the district's IPM
committee, says, “The IPM training we've put in place for our custodial, maintenance and food service staff has resulted in not only better pest awareness and control but cleaner, safer and healthier schools all around.” See
Salt Lake City School District's profile for more.
Webinar on Bt Insect Resistance Management
April
28, 2008 DTN Agriculture and the National Corn Growers Association is hosting a webinar
on Friday, May 2, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. CDT to address the disconnect between the rise in Bt hybrid acreage
and the drop in compliance with non-Bt refuge requirements. Extension professionals
are encouraged to attend this online training session. For a list of presenters and
more information,
please visit the DTN Agriculture website.
Fort Stewart's Child Care Facilities Earn IPM STAR Certification
April
9, 2008 The child and youth services program at Fort Stewart, GA recently became the ninth
Army facility to achieve IPM STAR certification. This installation, which is one of the largest at
280,000 acres, manages to adhere to stringent IPM practices. All program staff are trained by the
installation's entomologist, Captain Hee Kim, to know what should be considered a pest and what should not. See Fort Stewart's profile for more.
Bug Off
Pest Control Center Presents Green Pest Management Summit
April 3, 2008 Bug Off Pest Control Center is holding a Green Pest Management Summit on
June 19, 2008 in New York City. The Summit will define what green pest
management is from a science-based, industry-tested, common-sense point of view and will set the standards and criteria for green products and techniques. The goal of the Summit is two fold: to emphasize the role pest management providers play as protectors of health and the environment, as well as show how to use "green" to increase revenue. Read the
announcement
on the Bug Off Pest Control Center's website.
Eco-friendly Pest Control Products and Services in Demand
April 2, 2008 Armed with detergent water, vacuum cleaners and caulk,
green IPM practitioners across the country are protecting human environments while providing effective pest control.
Clare Trapasso of the Associated Press wrote on April 2, 2008 that concerns for indoor air quality, children's health and the environment are fueling this change in
consumer demand for IPM in pest control. "Amid a new wave of environmentalism, eco-savvy consumers are realizing they no longer need to rely on traditional pesticides, which may pose health risks, to combat rodents and insects," Trapasso reported. Read the full
article.
Extension Educator Awarded for IPM Tactics on Grapes
March 19, 2008 Andy
Muza, an extension educator at Penn State, has devised a strategy to prevent grape berry moth infestation. For this accomplishment, and others, he will be honored the New York State IPM "Excellence in
IPM" award later this month. Muza's protocol for the pest includes pheromones to disrupt mating, a growth regulator to prevent larvae from maturing and a beneficial wasp that
lays its own eggs inside the moth's eggs. Even though this protocol is a work in progress, it's helped many growers reduce pesticide use. More.
Ag/Natural Resources Specialist Needed as Consultant in Afghanistan
March 18, 2008
ACDI/VOCA, a nonprofit that promotes economic growth and the development of civil society in developing countries, is looking for a senior advisor in
ag/natural resources with IPM expertise. The advisor will work on the Management for the Alternative Development Program/Northeast, a US AID-funded project in Afghanistan. Visit our employment page for more.
Position for National Pollinator Outreach Coordinator Available
March
27, 2008
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, a nonprofit based in Portland, OR,
is looking to hire an outreach coordinator who can train NRCS staff, land managers and other ag professionals on pollinator
habitat management, creation, restoration and enhancement. The coordinator will also work to build the general public's awareness
about native pollinators. Applications due April 18, 2008. More on our
employment page.
IPM Program Director Position Available
March
14, 2008
The University of California- Davis seeks a proven leader to serve as director
of the Statewide IPM Program. Some duties of this position include directing development and implementation of
UC IPM program policies and procedures, overseeing competitive grants and IPM advisors and developing
a teaching, research and extension program in a discipline-based academic home department.
Applications due April 15, 2008. See more on our employment
page.
Conference on Pest Control Options in Affordable Housing
March 11, 2008 The New England Asthma Regional Council, the Boston Public Health Commission and the Boston Housing Authority are sponsoring a two-day conference that will address issues that landlords and tenants of affordable housing face when it comes to pest management. The meeting, April 16-17, 2008 is open to the public and is free. More.
Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Appointments
March
10, 2008
Luis Agurto, Sr., 57, of Antioch, CA, has been appointed to the California Structural Pest Control
Board. Agurto has been a
licensed pest control operator since 1986. Agurto's
family-owned pest control business, PESTEC, was established in 1986, and in 2007 became Green Shield Certified by the IPM Institute. For more, visit
PESTEC's website or go to Green Shield Certified.
Purdue University Seeks Field Crops Entomologist
March 5, 2008 The Department of Entomology at Purdue University invites outstanding candidates in the field of insect pest management and ecology to apply for a 12-month, tenure-track, extension/applied research faculty position. The assistant professor will be expected to provide leadership in the development and implementation of innovative Extension IPM programs for economically important arthropods affecting field crops. Participation in the department's teaching program is also expected. Applications due April 15, 2008 or until a suitable candidate is found. More.
Program Proposals Requested for Sixth International IPM Symposium
February 7, 2008 The program committee for the Sixth International IPM Symposium is now accepting program proposals. Programs include mini-symposia, workshops, poster sessions, and brainstorming sessions. Session proposals must be submitted online by
April 18, 2008. This sixth international symposium will be held March 24–26, 2009 at the Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR. More. (PDF)
EPA Region 5 Re-Opens Request for Proposals for Strategic Agricultural Initiative Grants
January 24, 2008 Programs that encourage farmers to implement IPM and resolve regional pest issues and/or air and water quality concerns through IPM, can submit proposals for EPA’s Strategic Agricultural Initiative grant. The deadline for proposal submission has been extended to February 22, 2008. More.
New Website Promotes Teaching IPM, Green Pest Control in Schools
January 16, 2008 The new Junior Pest Investigators website, created by Orkin, is a resource for both teachers and school administrators. Teachers can find free lesson plans and school administrators can learn about IPM in schools. The lesson plans are for grades K-6. More.
Unique Workshop for Northeastern Agricultural Educators
January
17, 2008 The New York State IPM Program at
Cornell University is hosting a workshop on Tactical Agriculture (TAg.) TAg programs deliver locally adapted, season-long, in-field education to
agricultural clientele. The workshop, February 14-15, 2008 in Albany, NY will give educators
the chance to design their own experiential, hands-on training program for small groups of local
farmers. More on TAg. For more on the workshop, contact
Ken Wise or Julie Stavisky.
Two Government Programs Announce Request for Applications
January
7, 2008 The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service
(CSREES) is now
accepting applications for two of its grant programs- Crops at Risk (CAR) and Risk Avoidance
and Mitigation (RAMP.) The CAR program helps create or enhance IPM practices for individual
food or fiber crops grown for commercial purposes. The RAMP program helps develop and implement
IPM strategies for multi-crop food and fiber production systems, or production systems on an
area-wide or landscape scale. The application deadline for both programs is February 29, 2008. More on CAR
applications. More on RAMP
applications.
Ecological Pest Management Conference
January
4, 2008 The Association of Applied IPM Ecologists is holding their annual conference
February 3-5, 2008 at Embassy Suites in San Luis Obispo, CA. Some of the topics to be covered
are risks of pesticide exposure, structural IPM, weed management, landscape IPM and new
technologies. This year the conference features the option to participate in
a wine tasting and auction to fund IPM scholarships. Agenda and registration available
here.
Two More Pest Management Providers' Services Become Green Shield Certified
January 3, 2008 Green Shield Certified recognizes Suburban Exterminating and Magic Exterminating, both of New York, for offering services that meet rigorous IPM standards. Learn more about Suburban and Magic's Green Shield Certified services, Suburban Green and Magic Green, here.
Strategic
Agricultural Initiative Grants Available in EPA Region 8
December 31, 2007
EPA
Region 8 is now accepting proposals for Fiscal Year 2008. The Strategic Agriculture
Initiative (SAI) grant program for this region has not changed and the process for applying
is the same as last year. The SAI program prefers projects that address an array of commodities,
focus on sustainable agriculture, incorporate conservation planning and have an outreach and
extension component. Proposal deadline is January 18, 2008. More.
New
York's "Father of IPM" Receives IPM Award
December 10, 2007
The New York State IPM Program at Cornell University recently recognized
Dr. James Tette for his work in creating New York's IPM program from scratch. The program
is now one of the top in the nation thanks to Tette. A chemist by training, Tette created
the pheromone lures and traps now used as key IPM tools. Tette was honored with Cornell's
"Excellence in IPM Award." More.
National Conference Call on Residential Pest
Management's Impact on Environment December 4, 2007
The New York State Community IPM Program at Cornell University is
hosting an open conference call concerning residential structural pest management's impact
on water quality and other areas of the environment. The call will take place Wednesday,
December 19, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. You can participate by dialing
1 800-861- 4084, pass code 9978876#. For more, see our events
page.
Two Positions Open at Northeastern IPM Center
December 3, 2007
An extension support specialist and an administrative assistant are needed
at the Northeastern IPM Center, which is part of Cornell University. The extension support
specialist will work on a new project, teaching IPM to staff and residents in public housing.
The administrative assistant will support the Center's co-director and staff. Both positions
are half-time and applications for both are due December 7, 2007. More on our
employment page.
Two Additional Facilities Achieve IPM STAR Certification
November 29, 2007 Recently, the staff at both Fort Bragg Child Development and Youth Services Centers and New York City's Department of Education received acknowledgment of their dedication to adhere to IPM standards when both passed rigorous measures to become IPM STAR certified. Fort Bragg, the ninth Army installation to be certified, takes precautions such as using sticky cardboard traps to detect any insect activity in kitchens and food storerooms.
New York City Public Schools, which serve more than one million students, make sure all staff, including administrators, teachers and food service, custodial and maintenance staff are trained on
IPM. Read more about Fort Bragg. Read more about New York City's Dept. of Education.
Funds Available to Northeast IPM
Projects
November 16, 2007
The Northeastern IPM Center is seeking applications from projects that
will address or develop regional IPM priorities. IPM working groups, state network
programs and those working on regional IPM publications and planning and
assessment documents are encouraged
to apply. Proposals are due December 7, 2007. More.
Schools, Indoor Air Quality Firms Sought to Participate on American Lung
Association Initiative
November 15, 2007
The American Lung
Association of the Mid-Atlantic has received the Indoor Air Quality Tools
for Schools grant. The purpose of the grant is to increase awareness of and to reduce the effects of poor indoor air
quality in public and private schools in Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Schools that join the project will receive free walkthroughs and visual assessments of buildings and reports on these assessments, as well as free training.
Indoor Air Quality firms will be paid for approved services and reimbursed for approved expenses. More.
IPM Implementation Helps Growers Find Niche Market
November 13, 2007 This month the Boston Globe reported Massachusetts' apple industry suffered the loss of 1,150 acres in a matter of five years due to financial hardships in keeping the land. One solution to increasing revenue these growers have found is to market their apples as locally grown "Eco Apples." Red Tomato, a non-profit committed
to acquiring fair prices and expanding market access for small businesses, has partnered with the IPM Institute to create the "Eco Apple" brand. The apples sold from these family-run farms must pass rigorous IPM standards. Read the Boston Globe article here.
IPM
Institute Positions Open
October 25, 2007
Project
manager and business manager to be hired for
current and new projects. More.
Open Conference Call on New York City's IPM Program
October 15, 2007
Interested in how the largest city in the US does
IPM? Take part in our upcoming conference call, October 26, 12:00 p.m. EST. Professionals from the New York City Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene will share current IPM efforts and challenges. Topics include new Local Law 37 which restricts pesticide use in city-owned and leased
buildings and requires pesticide use reporting. To join the call, RSVP to
Becky to receive call-in and password information.
Grants
for Biopesticides Research Available
October 10, 2007
Rutgers
University's IR-4 Biopesticide
Research Program has announced its request for grant proposals.
The program is particularly interested in work that deals with biopesticides
as resistance management tools, rotated with conventional products.
Proposals are due November 12, 2007. More.
IPM
Awareness in School Fact Sheet
October 8, 2007
An
educational IPM resource for schools is now available from The National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. A 4-page fact sheet titled
“Reducing Pesticide Exposures at Schools” summarizes what IPM is,
what pesticides are, and recommendations on how to start IPM
implementation in schools. The
fact sheet is available online in PDF
format. Hard copies can also be ordered.
School IPM Networking Committee to Form
October 5, 2007
School IPM enthusiasts are invited to join the first meeting of the School IPM Networking Committee on December 11, 2007. The meeting will take place during the Entomological Society of America's 2007 Meeting, Dec 9-12 in San Diego, CA. The objectives of this first meeting are to Vote in a Chair, Secretary, etc.,
identify who the members will be, and to plan ESA activities for 2008. Contact us for more info.
Grants Available for Work in Critical Areas
October 1, 2007
The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
(CSREES) is providing one-time seed
funding for work on honey bee colony collapse disorder and Uganda ‘TTKS’ strain of wheat stem rust. CSREES
will solicit proposals several times during fiscal year 2008 to address other emerging issues. The deadline for this request for applications is November 7, 2007. More.
YouTube Video Highlights
PESTEC, the
first Green Shield Pest Control Provider to be Certified
September 28, 2007
Employing bedbug-sniffing canines and setting up gopher traps are just some of the unique alternative services that PESTEC provides to the traditional approach to pest management. A new YouTube video showcases just how
PESTEC, which serves the city and county of San Francisco, reduced the city's use of
pesticides by 70 percent. Requests for PESTEC's Green Shield Certified services have doubled in the last four
years. Watch the
YouTube
video.
Assured
Environments and Atlantic Pest Solutions Provide Green Shield Certified
Services
September 26, 2007
Two
new pest control service providers have joined the ranks of companies
offering Green Shield Certified services. Assured Environments is
offering the Green Assurance service in the New York metro area.
Atlantic Pest Solutions serves Southern Maine and New Hampshire with
Atlantic Green Pest Solutions. Green Shield Certification requires
an extensive on-site evaluation of service providers before they are
approved. More.
New Public Agency and Commercial Facility IPM
Resource Page and Listserve
September 26, 2007
Interested in
IPM for your public agency or business? Need help to get started? A new
resource is now available, providing model IPM program documents and a variety of presentations, workshop
proceedings and upcoming events. Also, a new listserve has been created for
sharing information and networking.
Visit the site now!
New Program Provides Environmental Education in Faith-Based Schools
September 19, 2007
The Center for Health Environment and Justice's Green Flag Program has completed it's first year of it's Green
Flag/GreenFaith Program. The program helps children in faith-based schools learn about environmental issues and empowers staff and parents to protect children’s health. Six religious schools in New Jersey made significant, environmentally-conscious changes during the program last year. View the Green
Flag/GreenFaith
website for more.
Farm
Bill Amendment Could Hamper IPM Efforts by Conservation Agencies
September 14, 2007
An
amendment added to the current US House Farm Bill package would prohibit
USDA from "discriminating" against specific pesticides in
implementing the farm bill. Pesticides are important tools in both IPM
and organic systems. However, a key element of IPM and organic
approaches is using science-based criteria to choose
least-hazardous options when a pesticide is needed. The amendment could
prevent conservation managers implementing USDA programs from mitigating
impacts resulting from specific pesticides by providing incentives or
assistance for transitioning to less hazardous alternatives. Programs
potentially affected include the Environmental Quality Incentives
Program and the Conservation Security Program, both of which have been
used to support IPM adoption. Congress should instead increase capacity
for USDA to promote IPM. The amendment text reads "In
establishing priorities and evaluate criteria for the approval of plans,
contracts and agreements under Title II of this Act, the Secretary shall
not discriminate against the use of specific registered pesticide
products or classes of pesticide products." Your call or
letter is needed to your Senators by October 1 encouraging removal of
this amendment and asking for greater support for IPM in conservation
programs.
Grants Available to Farmers, Ag Professionals, and Community Organizations
August 28, 2007
The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program is awarding grants that support sustainable agriculture projects. Commercial farmers who want to explore pest management, soil health and other endeavors will need to apply by
December 18, 2007. Extension agents, NRCS officials, and other professionals who work with farmers can apply for the partnership grant which supports on-farm research; application deadline is December
4, 2007. Organizations that have projects that connect farming and rural economic development can apply for the sustainable community grant; application deadline is November 27, 2007. More.
Working
Group Seeks to Promote IPM to Conservation Professionals
September 14, 2007
A
group of IPM and conservation professionals from the North Central
region is entering its second year of working together towards mutual
goals using IPM. The group, funded by a grant from the USDA North
Central IPM Center, aims to help IPM, NRCS and other professionals learn
more about each others programs and how working together can accelerate
conservation of air, soil and water resources. More.
URGENT: More IPM Please - This Time for Green
Buildings!
August 29, 2007
The
US Green Building Council is now revising its LEED standards for
existing Green Buildings. Unfortunately, neither the existing standards
nor the proposed revisions effectively promote Integrated Pest
Management. The Council is doing a terrific job promoting green building
practices; sign on to a comment letter
to urge more IPM. The letter was drafted by Jonathan Kaplan of the
Natural Resources Defense Council. Your name, title and
organization are needed to jkaplan@nrdc.org
by Noon Pacific time on Friday, August 31. Or you may submit your
comments directly to USGBC
through Sunday, September 2. The standards are available for
viewing here.
Learn How
to Create Successful Structural IPM Contracts
August 14, 2007
Ecowise
Certified and the UP3 Project is hosting a
one-day workshop "Wise
Ways to Get the Structural IPM Service You Want"
in Oakland, CA. On November 6, 2007 participants will learn the basics of creating IPM bids and
contracts from Dr.
Albert Greene of the federal General Services Administration. More on our
events page.
Green-Blue
Grants Program Accepting Applications
August 13, 2007
The
Northeastern IPM Center is looking to support projects
that educate residents about how using IPM in residential
structures and landscapes can affect water quality. Project ideas
should tie to ideas articulated at the July 2007 Green-Blue
Summit. Application deadline is September 7, 2007. More.
Thysanoptera Workshop in California
August 10, 2007
UC Davis and the Western Pest Diagnostic Center are holding a hands-on workshop on thrips identification with a focus on exotic thrips not yet established in US crops. Register ASAP because the workshop is limited to 50 participants. The workshop is October 15-17, 2007. For more, visit http://www.cevs.ucdavis.edu/Cofred/Public/ and choose Thysanoptera Workshop.
Extension Educator in Vegetable Crop
Management Needed
July 13, 2007
Michigan State University and Ohio State University Extension have joint funding to hire a candidate who can conduct field research and demonstration plots and assist growers in adopting IPM and conservation practices. Application deadline is
September 5, 2007. More on our employment
page.
Stored Products Pest Management Position Available
July 11, 2007
Oklahoma State University is seeking candidates for an 11-month tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Associate Professor. Applicants should have training in managing arthropod pests of stored products. Review of applications begins on September 30, 2007. More.
New Publication Helps Elementary Schools Teach IPM
June 21, 2007
IPM Jump Start: An Exploration Into IPM is a new book that
contains lessons plans for elementary school teachers. The lessons,
which were developed by the Pennsylvania IPM Program, cover pest
identification and pesticide safety. The book is available free online
in PDF format. See the
press release
for more information.
Utah State University Seeks Plant Disease Diagnostician
June 20, 2007
This full-time position requires the candidate to have one to two years experience in plant disease diagnostic procedures. Applications can only be made online and review of applications will begin on July 14, 2007. More on our employment
page.
Sustainable Ag Expo
June 19, 2007
This year's Sustainable Ag Expo will take place November 1-2, 2007 in Paso Robles,
CA. The event features a trade show, exhibitor showcase, and continuing education credits for
PCA's, PA's, CCA's, and water quality. More.
Summit Focuses on
Residential IPM and Clean Water
June 15, 2007
The Northeastern IPM Center is hosting a "Green-Blue" summit on July
18-19, 2007 at Penn State's Great Valley Conference Center. The summit will
identify core messages for consumer outreach and education and will develop strategic plans for addressing IPM needs in turf and structural settings. More on our
events page.
Second Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting
May 25, 2007
Biological plant protection professionals should plan to attend the second international meeting on October 22-23, 2007 in Lucerne, Switzerland. This meeting gives professionals the opportunity to present new products, agents, systems and solutions in this industry.
More.
Beyond Pesticides' 25th National Pesticide Forum
May 24, 2007
This year's pesticide forum focuses on solutions for the environment in a changing climate. The forum will take place June 1-3, 2007 at Loyola University, Chicago, IL. Topics include protective policies, Great Lakes and pesticides, and emerging sciences such as
nanotechnology. More on our
events page.
EPA Discussion on Indoor Air Quality and IPM
May 21, 2007
EPA employees and EPA national partners for indoor air quality and IPM programs are encouraged to attend a national dialogue on Tuesday June 5, 2007. For those who are not in the D.C. area, a call-in number is available. If you wish to attend or call in, please RSVP.
More.
Grant Available to Help Reduce Environmental Impacts of School Siting
May 16, 2007
A new EPA Request for Proposal focuses on how state policies and practices affect spending on school construction and renovation. Proposals are due July 2, 2007. More.
Erie County Seeks Horticultural IPM Educator
May 15, 2007
An individual is needed to develop, plan, deliver, and evaluate educational programs (IPM and Horticulture) for commercial greenhouse and nursery industries for the Erie County Cooperative Extension
Office in Pennsylvania. Applications are due May 18, 2007. More.
IPM
Contract Training Available
May 11, 2007
The Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program, EcoWise Certified, and the UP3 Project is hosting a brief training on structural IPM contracting in Hayward, CA. On May 23, 2007 from 1:30-3:30 p.m., participants will learn about the EcoWise Certified program as well as the basics of creating IPM bids and contracts. More on our
events page.
Free Workshop on Biology & Control of Insects and Rodents
May 7, 2007
The National Environmental Health Association is offering a free workshop in Atlantic City, NJ on June 16-17, 2007. This workshop is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Workshop agenda. More.
Attend the Third National Product Stewardship Forum
May 3, 2007
The Product Stewardship Institute is holding it's third forum on product stewardship on May 30-31, 2007 in San Francisco, CA. The keynote speaker will be John Wells, President and CEO of Interface Americas.
More.
Insect Pathologist Needed at University of Tennessee
May 2, 2007
The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville is seeking candidates for a 12-month, tenure-track position in insect pathology. Application review begins on June 15, 2007. More.
Trap System Helps Corn Farmers Save Time and Money
April 30, 2007
The New York State Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell has developed a system to help corn farmers track such pests as the European corn borer, corn earworm, and fall armyworm. They have set up traps and lures throughout NY and update the trap counts online. By keeping watch on the website, growers can know when these pests are in their area and start scouting for them.
More.
International Plant Protection Summit in England
April 27, 2007
The International Plant Protection Congress offers networking, business growth, and commercial opportunities. This year the BCPC (formerly known as the British Crop Production Council) is hosting the event in Glasgow, England. The summit will take place October 15-18, 2007. More on our events
page.
Texas A&M University
Seeks Plant Pathologist
April 26, 2007
This position is 75% extension specialist, with duties to include developing publications, workshops and conferences. The other 25% is a formal teaching component, to include classes in plant pathology and direction of graduate students.
More.
Fruit IPM Extension Educator Needed at Michigan State University
April 23, 2007
A full-time IPM position is open at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station, Traverse City, MI. This person will provide leadership and focus for fruit pest and crop management in northern Michigan. Applications
due May 18, 2007. More on our employment
page.
Food Alliance Midwest Seeks Assistant Program Manager
April 19, 2007
An assistant program manager is needed to provide program support to the Director and the Business Development Manager of Food Alliance Midwest. Duties include research and assistance in grant writing, research of prospective brands, and administrative work such as database management. Applications due April 20, 2007. More on our employment
page.
IPM Training CD Available from University of Florida
April 18, 2007
A CD-based tutorial, (SP-427) Institutional IPM: Inspection, Monitoring, and
Strategies, is now available from the Entomology and Nematology Department of the University of Florida. The CD contains five modules, narrated flash presentations with video walkthroughs, that cover Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies in a school setting.
More.
Learn
How to Reduce Pest
Problems and Pesticide Use in Public
Facilities at April 18 Workshop in
Los Angeles
April 18, 2007 Interested
in reducing pests and pesticide use in your facility?
A new, full-day workshop promises a wealth of information from
proven performers. Workshop tracks will address both purchasing and
delivering proven, high performance Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
approaches. Facility
managers, and buyers and providers of structural pest management
services are encouraged to attend.
The
event will be held at the Oxford Palace Hotel in Los
Angeles
on April
18, 2007. Pest
Control Applicator, Pest Control Advisor and Structural Pest Control Board
continuing education units pending.
Registration form here.
Agenda here.
Flier here. More.
New Forage and Rangeland Insect Handbook Available
April 10, 2007
The Entomological Society of America and the American Phytopathological Society has developed a color handbook that helps growers, researchers and others identify beneficial and harmful arthropods. The handbook also contains sections dedicated to IPM, pollinators, foliar pests, and the ecology and physiology of forage crops.
More.
National Zoo
Needs Associate Entomologist
March 29, 2007 The IPM office of the National Zoological Park in Washington DC is looking for an associate entomologist. This person will conduct building inspections, monitor population levels of structural pests and commensal rodents, and will assist in project planning and training sessions. Applications due April 19, 2007. More.
Washington State University Seeks Water Resources Scientist
March 23, 2007 A senior level specialist is needed to lead Washington State University's water resources extension program. This is a full-time tenured position located in Pullman, WA. Application screening begins May 2, 2007.
Join the March 23 Conference Call: San Francisco's Road to IPM
March 21, 2007
Chris Geiger, program manager for the San Francisco City/County IPM program, will explain San Francisco's unique approaches including the use of goats and weed-flamers on county property. The city's program was the first of its kind in California and has served as a model for government agencies nationwide. For call information and other details, see
here.
New IPM Scouting Guides Available
March 20, 2007
Michigan State University has created three new pocket guides for IPM scouting. The guides are for scouting in herbaceous perennials, nurseries and landscapes, and Christmas trees.
Ordering
information.
Weather Forecasting Tool Useful to Cotton Growers
March 16, 2007 A new online tool, a five-degree day weather
forecaster, helps cotton producers decide the best time to plant their crop. The tool is offered by the University of California Statewide IPM Program on its website.
More.
Aberdeen Proving Ground Receives IPM
STAR Certification Today
March 12, 2007 This morning Abderdeen Proving Ground and Edgewood Child and Youth Services Program, MD, becomes the
sixth army installation to achieve IPM STAR certification. The child and youth service centers boast that no pesticides have been used in the facilities since 1988. Instead, the centers use IPM tactics, such as replacing damaged door seals.
More.
Get "The
Connection"- A Free IPM Newsletter
March 9, 2007 The North
Central IPM Center's newsletter "The Connection" is a great resource for IPM-related news. Topics covered in the February 2007 edition include the soybean rust outbreak and EPA updates. See the edition
here. To sign up for the newsletter, contact
Susan Ratcliff, Co-Director of the North Central IPM Center. Be sure to include "NC IPMC Connection" in the subject line.
Army Child Development Center Becomes IPM STAR Certified
March 7, 2007
Fort Lewis Child Development and Youth Services Centers, Fort Lewis, WA, is the
seventh army facility to pass IPM STAR certification. Fort Lewis implements numerous IPM practices, such as monthly inspections of food service areas, to combat pests. Fort
Lewis is also committed to the environment in other ways; current goals include reducing water consumption by 50% by 2025 and continuing a spotted owl management plan for timber cutting and sales on post.
More.
Sixth International IPM Symposium Date Announced
March 2, 2007 Planning for
the sixth International IPM Symposium has begun, with a date and location established: Portland, OR,
March 24-26, 2009 at the Portland Convention Center. The last symposium drew more than 650 professionals from 23 countries. For up-to-date information, including minutes from various Symposium conference calls, visit the Symposium
website.
Open Conference Call
Series to Begin on IPM for Public Agencies with Presentation
on "Buying IPM"
February 26, 2007 An open conference
call with Dr. Albert Greene on buying
IPM for structural pest management is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. EST on February 28, 2007. All are welcome, including
corporate buyers of pest management services as well as service
providers. This
call will be a prelude to full-day “Buying IPM” workshop to be
scheduled this spring, featuring Dr. Greene and successful IPM
buyer-provider partnerships in school systems and other public
agencies. More.
IPM Training Conference for Professionals in Stored Product
February 8, 2007 Professionals in bulk raw commodities, processed food, and all related products that are interested in learning about IPM techniques in their field are invited to the Seventh National Stored Product IPM Training Conference. The event is held by Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK on April 18-20, 2007. The conference features hands-on training. More.
Workshop Addresses
Low-Impact Approaches to Landscape Care
February 8, 2007 Landscape
contractors and land care professionals from parks departments, school
systems and corporations interested in learning about natural and
organic lawn care practices are invited to attend a workshop in Madison,
WI
on February 19 and 20, 2007. Chip
Osborne, president of Osborne Organics based in Massachusetts, will instruct on organic turf management.
James Sottilo of TreeWise Organics will explain cultural
practices, organic inputs and application techniques for woody
ornamentals. Local expert
Dr. John Steir of the University
of Wisconsin-Madison will report on his recent research in this arena, and provide an
overview of local resources. Workshop
agenda here.
Register here. Flier
here.
Sponsored by: Bando Lawn and Landscape, GEMPLER'S, Happy Grass
Landscaping, Healthy Lawn Team, MGE, Trader Joe's, UW Medical Foundation, Veridian Homes, and Whole Foods.
Popular Crime Show Raises Awareness
about Pesticide Exposure
February 6, 2007 On
Tuesday, February 6, NBC will air "Loophole," an episode on
the crime drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit that will focuson
the controversy over EPA's testing rule for pesticides on humans.
The episode highlights regulatory issues concerning pesticides and the
difficulty of linking exposure with specific health outcomes. The show
also addresses other environmental health threats faced by low-income
children in their homes.
Cornell
Honors Entomologist with “Excellence in IPM Award"
January 22, 2007 Entomologist
Dan Gilrein, an educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension, has
received an “Excellence in IPM Award” from Cornell
University's New York State
IPM Program. Gilrein is said
to be one of the key people at the forefront of dealing with new pests.
He educates nurseries and other groups on mating disruption
techniques for pests, scouting methods, and beneficial parasite
information. More.
Unusual IPM Project for Vegetable
Growers
January 19, 2007
Penn
State
and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture have a new IPM project
for vegetable growers in 2007. The
program will educate two very different groups of local growers-
conventional farmers in the Amish and Mennonite communities, and organic
farmers involved in Community Supported Agriculture- about biological
controls and other important IPM practices.
More.
EPA Region 3 Accepting SAI Grant
Proposals
January 15, 2007 EPA
Region 3 is soliciting proposals to help implement the Food Quality
Protection Act (FQPA) and foster transition by the agricultural
community to the use of less and reduced risk pesticides, alternative
methods of pest control and sustainable practices in food production.
The deadline for grant proposal submission is February 9, 2007.
More.
Plant Clinic Director Needed at
University of Maryland
December 22, 2006 The
University of Maryland's entomology
department is now accepting applications for the position of plant
clinic director. This position also includes Extension duties such
as development of training programs for Extension faculty and
collaborating with State Extension Specialists to diagnose plant health
problems. Applications are due February 1, 2007. More.
Study Finds IPM Reduces Pesticide
Exposure During Pregnancy
December 20, 2006
Researchers at Columbia University have reported that their IPM
intervention in inner-city homes decreased cockroach infestations and
may have eliminated insecticide exposure in pregnant women. Study
summary here.
Pesticide
Stewardship Conference Announced
December 18, 2006
The
Pesticide Stewardship Alliance (TPSA) will host its 7th
annual working conference in Reno,
NV
February
25-28, 2007. The conference will address many issues including:
collection
and disposal of obsolete pesticides, the recycling of pesticide
containers and reducing agrochemical movement in air and water.
More.
California IPM Program
Announces New Interim Director
December 15, 2006 Peter
Goodell, an entomologist and nematologist, is the new interim director
for University of California-Davis' Statewide IPM Program. Goodell is well
known for his work with the cotton industry, cotton growers, and cotton
commodity groups to develop solutions for pest problems such as
whiteflies and aphids. More.
Eco-labels Abundant in 2007
Predicts Restaurant Business
December 14, 2006 Food
service buyers should expect to see more eco-labels in 2007, says the
magazine Restaurant
Business. In their
December issue, the article “2007 Preview: Green Grows” provides
some examples of new products already on the market, such as FreeBird
Chicken, an antibiotic-free, all-natural poultry brand, and the
Wisconsin Healthy Grown potato. The
article predicts this trend will continue to grow since it helps to
give producers and manufacturers a
competitive edge in the foodservice market.
Read the article here.
Unique Horticulture Company
Seeks Technical Manager
December 13, 2006 Becker
Underwood creates and produces specialty bio-agronomic and colorant
products for turf management, agriculture, seed treatment and other
industries. A technical manager position is available. The
duties of this position include new product development, product
maintenance and application projects.
Plant Science Position
Available at CSREES
December 12, 2006 CSREES
is looking for a qualified candidate that will support National Program
Leaders in the implementation of programs, policies, and
procedures. This position is located in the Plant Systems section
of the Plant & Animal Systems (PAS) unit of the CSREES.
Applications are due January 22, 2007. Go to USAJobs
and enter CSREES-2007-0008 in the keyword search to learn more.
CSREES
Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants for IPM
Program Announcement
December 11, 2006 CSREES
is now accepting applications for the IPM Section 406 Program grants.
The amount available for these two program areas: Crops at Risk
(CAR) and Risk Avoidance and Mitigation (RAMP) is approximately
$5,494,000. The grants
support integrated, multifunctional/ multidisciplinary agricultural
research, extension, and education activities that address complex pest
management priorities. More.
Publication Explains IPM
Risk Management
November 29, 2006 IPM:
A Risk Management Framework to Improve Decision Making is available
for purchase on the University of Minnesota Extension website.
The publication includes three case-study fact sheets in addition to an
introduction to risk concepts. See a sample of the document here.
CSREES Changes Proposal
Submission Process
November 28, 2006 The
CSREES is requiring new forms for all applications and electronic
submission for some applications in the fiscal year 2007.
A listing of the authorized submission formats for CSREES
programs is available at: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/
funding/fy07changes. Electronic submissions are accepted on the grants.gov
website.
National Water Conference
Focuses on Water Quality
November 15, 2006 Water
quality professionals, university scientists, instructors, and extension
educators are encouraged to attend the USDA CSREES National Water
Conference in Savannah, Georgia on January 28-February 1, 2007.
EPA Grants for IPM
Implementation
November 9, 2006 EPA
Region V and American Farmland Trust have small grants available to
farmers who want to reduce their reliance on pesticides reviewed under
the Food
Quality Protection Act (FQPA). RFPs due January 15, 2007. More.
USDA CSREES Awards Regional
IPM Competitive Grants
November 10, 2006 The
USDA CSREES funded four regional grants totaling $2.7 million for
projects that develop individual pest control tactics, integrate
individual tactics into an IPM system and develop and implement
extension education programs. More.
San Francisco IPM Conference
November 6, 2006 Save
the date- February 13, 2007- to be a part of next year's San
Francisco IPM conference. Pest management professionals such as
program managers and local agency staff are encouraged to attend. More.
Grants Available for
Invasive Species Research
October 31, 2006 The
National
Research Initiative program supports efforts to slow invasive species growth.
The NRI will grant up to $500,000 per project in 2007. Letters of
intent are due December
6, 2006. More.
EPA
Office of Pesticide Programs Grant Announcement
October 30, 2006 The
EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) has announced grant funds for
work that furthers the pesticide risk
reduction goals of the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP).
Total available is estimated to be $509,000 in fiscal year
2007. Proposals are due January 12, 2007. More.
Eco-Apple
Grower Featured in Magazine
October 24, 2006 Clark
Brothers Orchard is the focus of an in-depth article in the October 2006
American
Fruit Growers magazine. The small family farm is a participant
in Red Tomato's and the IPM Institute's Eco Apple program. Read
the article here.
Professor
Earns Cornell Award for Dedication to IPM
October 23, 2006 Daniel
Marion, a plant health professor at Finger Lakes Community College, Canandaigua,
NY, has been honored with an "Excellence in IPM" award from
the New York State IPM Program at Cornell. Marion developed the
first IPM-focused courses in New York State. More.
Pest
Control Advisors' Conference
October 18, 2006 Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo,
CA
will again host this year’s Sustainable Agriculture PCA Conference on December
1 and 2, 2006. Industry
professionals will get information on innovative strategies for
controlling pests using sustainable agricultural practices.
There is also opportunity to earn continuing education
credits. For an agenda and
more information, please visit the Sustainable Agriculture Resource
Consortium’s website.
2006
Gold Medal IPM Partner Award Winners Announced
October 17, 2006 Four
United States
and four Canadian companies were honored today with the 2006 Gold Medal IPM Partner Award.
These awards, presented by Orkin, Inc. and The IPM
Institute of North
America, recognize commercial
facilities that have shown the most commitment to Integrated Pest
Management (IPM). See the press
release for the list of winners.
Ontario
Conference on Sustainable Communities
October 9, 2006 Those
in the Norfolk
area who are
interested in sustainable agriculture, tourism, and conservation will
want to mark their calendars for November 3-5, 2006.
The Long Point World Biosphere Reserve will present this year’s
Building a Sustainable Norfolk Community Conference in Simcoe,
ON.
The conference starts with a wine and cheese reception and gives
participants the option of concluding the conference with either a bus
tour of natural areas and farms that practice sustainable agriculture or
a bike tour of the Lake Erie
shoreline.
More.
Give us Your Input on our Pest
Management Strategic Plan
October 2, 2006 A
PMSP is being
developed for IPM in Schools and we
would like input from
school
health and safety enthusiasts on our draft matrix. The matrix represents a compilation of strategies
sorted by pest, management area or zone, conducive conditions, and
adoption techniques. More.
Organic Certification, Tours and More at 21st Annual Sustainable
Ag Conference
September 25, 2006 "Gathering
the Ingredients for a Sustainable Food System" is this year's theme
at the Sustainable Agriculture Conference. The event, held October
27-29, 2006 in Spartanburg, SC, features morning yoga classes, fresh
produce and a silent auction. Find out more on the Carolina Farm
Stewards' website.
Environmental Health Specialist Needed
at Pennsylvania IPM Program
September 22, 2006 The
PA IPM program is looking for someone to coordinate
and administer a public health survey to low-income housing residents in
Philadelphia, PA and Camden, NJ regarding their attitude and behavior
around pest infestation and pesticide use. More.
NYC Department of Health Seeks IPM
Coordinator
September 20, 2006 The
position of IPM coordinator for New York City is now open. The
candidate should have a masters degree in public health, environmental
science, entomology, or similar field and have at least three years
related work experience. More can be found on the city's
