Progress Updates

6/2/17 June IPM Voice Newsletter Available

June's IPM Voice Newsletter takes a look at how the APLU has petitioned for $200 Million in increased funding for USDA-NIFA programs in FY2018, a new study that examines the effects of landscape characteristics on insecticide use, and an open access guide to stink bug IPM that is now available. Take a look at the Newsletters page for the full articles.

4/1/17 March IPM Voice Newsletter Available

IPM Voice is now published bimonthly instead of monthly! March's IPM Voice newsletter examines the $12.1 million available through USDA-NIFA to support crop protection and pest management, how the USDA Agricultural Research Service has been investigating a Hawaiian tree blight, how researchers have discovered how insect-pathogenic mycoinsecticides are activated and enhanced by mycoviruses and how greenhouse growers are using remote sensing technology to optimize IPM . Visit the Newsletters page for the complete articles.

2/1/17 January IPM Voice Newsletter Available

January's newsletter reports on scientists suggesting ten global policies that can be adopted to protect pollinators. how farmers are turning to falcons to deter bird pests, and an anti-fertility rat control technology that has earned EPA approval. See the Newsletters page for the complete articles.

12/1/16 November IPM Voice Newsletter Available

November's IPM Voice Newsletter takes a look at a new United Nations Food & Agriculture report calling for the broad transformation of global agricultural systems, how a high-powered laser fence is scaring away crop pests, and a research study advocating a change towards holistic, IPM-based thinking for field crop weed management. Check out the Newsletters page for the complete articles.

11/1/16 October IPM Voice Newsletter Available

October's IPM Voice Newsletter provides a federal IPM appropriations status update, a story on a new study analyzing the global invasive species risk and response capacity, a story on researchers who've created an interactive pest-mapping IT tool for IPM decision-making, and a story on a beneficial virus commercialized as a biopesticide for cotton bollworm. For the full version, see our Newsletters page.

10/5/16 September IPM Voice Newsletter Available

September's IPM Voice Newsletter includes a new call by researchers for an increase in diverse systems-based ag funding, how a new discovery may lead to novel mosquito repellents; how comet-sniffing technology has been used to detect bed bug pheromones, news on the 9th International IPM Symposium and a breaking IPM Funding Update. For the full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

8/3/16 IPM Voice Has Moved!

IPM Voice has changed locations. Please update your contact information with our new address:

 

IPM Voice

211 S. Paterson St, Ste 380

Madison, WI 53703

 

7/28/16 July IPM Voice Newsletter Available

July's IPM Voice Newsletter includes articles on how awareness is needed to increase preparedness for the tomato leafminer, a devastating pest that just destroyed 80% of Nigeria's tomato crop; how bats and owls combat pests and protect children from pesticide exposure in South Africa; and how drones are diagnosing plant health and cutting insecticide use in Australia. For the full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

6/30/16 June IPM Voice Newsletter Available

June's IPM Voice Newsletter includes articles on a new study that quantifies the high costs of imported forest pests; scientists using peach pit chemistry to develop a protective seed coating; and a new experimental device that uses sound to disrupt the citrus psyllid's mating. For the full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

5/30/16 May IPM Voice Newsletter Available

May's IPM Voice Newsletter topics include how the Integrated Tick Management Symposium highlighted the need for action on IPM for tickborne diseases; snails are found to select sources of food based on dislike for smells, which could open the door to bio-based olfactory repellents; scientists also identify a new biocontrol mechanism: male-killing bacteria to control insects. For the full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

4/29/16 April IPM Voice Newsletter Available

April's IPM Voice Newsletter includes articles on the USDA announcing $4 Million in grants for IPM; researchers exploring cultures and RNA interference techniques to combat citrus greening disease; and a new biocontrol mechanism discovered: beneficial microbes producing phytohormones and inducing plant disease resistance. For the full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

3/30/16 March IPM Voice Newsletter Available

March's IPM Voice Newsletter highlights a European Union-funded Research-to-Market partnership model for the development of biological control products, a new class of biopesticides derived from arachnid venom and tested as low-risk to honeybees and mammals, and a new fungal biocontrol that is helping European potato farmers who are hamstrung by the EU moratorium on fipronil. For the full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

2/29/16 February IPM Voice Newsletter Available

February's IPM Voice Newsletter highlights an Areawide IPM bill that needs support in the House of Representatives, a new genetic engineering technique known as CRISPR that could transform agriculture and nature, and a new experimental method to detect Lyme disease which highlights the need for greater integrated tick management. For the full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

1/31/16 January IPM Voice Newsletter Available

January's IPM Voice Newsletter discusses how the decline in public research funding has prompted a senator's call for greater investment, microbial seed treatments that are on the horizon, and how bees have a new job. For the full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

12/31/15 December IPM Voice Newsletter Available

December's IPM Voice Newsletter discusses the passage of the 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, attract-and-kill IPM methods for fruit pests being explored by MSU researchers, UN-supported efforts in Jamaica to control beet armyworm and two exciting upcoming conferences for 2016. For the full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

11/30/15 November IPM Voice Newsletter Available

The November issue of the IPM Voice Newsletter announces the publication of a new whitepaper by the Organic & IPM Working Group, a paper aimed at examining what's needed to overcome our food production challenges. It also covers the debate ignited by the first pesticide residue lawsuit for Colorado's recreational cannabis industry, examines new research on the value of biological control for cereal crops, and more. For a full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

10/29/15 October IPM Voice Newsletter Available

The October edition of IPM Voice announces their application for a planning grant to support research and dissemination of a new food narrative, recounts the accomplishments of the National IPM Coordinating Committee and summarizes research that just received a continuation grant on combating brown marmorated stink bug. For the full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

10/13/15 New Publications on Value of IPM from the IPM Centers

Since the beginning of the year, the Western IPM Center has published several special reports on the benefits of IPM and IPM program funding for the Western region and the United States. The oldest of the three special reports, published in March explores adoption and impacts of IPM in the western region. Then in July, a second report was published that explored the extended benefits of the federally funded Regional IPM grants in the Western region. Followed by a report published colalboratively by all the Centers in August that reported on the national impacts of the same Regional IPM grant program. You can fiind links to each of these resources on the Western IPM Center's Special Reports Page or our IPM Resources & Fact Sheets page.

 

09/30/15 September IPM Voice Newsletter Available

The September edition of IPM Voice projects the implications of the federal appropriations process for FY 2016 on IPM funding, summarizes a study on the potential of knowledge networks for extension, highlights a Grist news article that profiles integrated pest control technique, "push-pull," and recaps a study on improving IPM practices for brown marmorated stink bug in sweet corn. For a full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

09/03/15 August IPM Voice Newsletter Available

The August edition of IPM Voice explores new EPA regulations for restricted use pesticde applications, highlights a Western IPM Center report that analyzed the benefits of federal IPM program funding and summarizes new research on bee biology that may hold the key to developing bee vaccines. For a full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

07/31/15 July IPM Voice Newsletter Available

The July edition of IPM Voice investigates the Senate proposal to move consolidated IPM funding into an overhead exempt classification, covers a fly-in of farmers to support sustainable ag programs on capitol hill, summarizes moquito diseases and research in the news and recounts the development of a new lady beetle egg harvesting system. For a full verison, see our Newsletters page.

 

06/30/15 June IPM Voice Newsletter Available

The June edition of IPM Voice describes the IR-4 priority setting process for their research program, summarizes recent developments in policy and research on pollinator health and profiles a new group out of Florida which conducts research and outreach on forest pest threats. For a full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

06/02/15 May IPM Voice Newsletter Available

The May edition of IPM Voice explores various perspectives on the new overhead charges on federal IPM funding lines, digs deeper into the buzz about drones and their potential use in IPM, and profiles a new study which may have found a relative of the brown marmorated stink bug that can be used as biological control against it. For a full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

05/04/15 April IPM Voice Newsletter Available

The April edition of IPM Voice investigates the implications of new consolidated funding lines for federal IPM programs, highlights a New York Times article that describes IPM use in India, summarizes a study that found species diversity slowed the development of pesticide resistance, and profiles an aritcle that explores potential drawbacks to RNAi technology discussed in the March IPM Voice Newsletter. For a full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

03/27/15 March IPM Voice Newsletter Available

The March issue of IPM Voice explores the EPAs new proposed regulations for protecting against corn rootworm resistance to Bt corn, a national news story on IPM responses to a study that identified bubonic plague-carrying fleas on rats in New York City, and a synopsis of a trial that used RNA interference to fight Colorado potato beetle. For a full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

03/04/15 February IPM Voice Newsletter Available

The February issue of IPM Voice explores the President's 2016 budget's potential impacts on agricultural research funding and food safety regulation, recaps a program on IPM Solutions to pesticide resistance aired on the Diane Rehm Show, and summarizes findings of a study in which cover crops improved soil health and inhibited pathogens. For a full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

02/24/15 Early Registration Deadline Extended for IPM Symposium
The deadline for the early registration rate to attend the 8th International IPM Symposium has been extended until Friday February 27, 2015. Don’t miss this chance to register at $350 Regular/$175 student/$185 One-day prices! After February 27th, registration increases to $400 Regular/$225 Student/$210 One-day. For registration information visit
http://ipmcenters.org/ipmsymposium15/registration.html.

 

01/29/15 January IPM Voice Newsletter Available
The January issue of IPM Voice summarizes recent activity around increasing federal agricultural research funding, highlights a national news story by NPR on a new mosquito-borne virus, and recaps recent research that has developed a highly effective bed bug lure. For a full version, see our Newsletters page.

 

01/29/15 EPA Proposes Framework to Prevent Corn Rootworm Resistance

Today, EPA is seeking public comment on a proposed framework intended to delay the corn rootworm pest becoming resistant to corn genetically engineered to produce Bt pesticides. These measures and others are designed to significantly delay corn rootworms from developing resistance to Bt pesticides genetically engineered into corn (a plant-incorporated protectant or PIP). The proposed framework would change the way farmers use Bt corn, in order to slow the development of resistance. The EPA is seeking input from all stakeholders on specific SAP recommendations, including alternative approaches or counter proposals to address corn rootworm resistance management issues raised by the panel.  EPA’s proposed framework is available under docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0805 at www.regulations.gov. Comments and suggestions for alternative approaches are due by March 16, 2015.

 

01/20/15 Complete the USDA 2014 Organic Producer Survey
The 2014 Organic Producer Survey is now underway. The National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) mailed surveys to organic producers nationwide, and participation is mandatory for all organic farmers. The data is crucial to developing agriculture-related programs to benefit growers and communities. Responses are due by mail by February 13, 2015 or online by April 3, 2015. For FAQs, instructions, a sample survey, and promotional materials visit NASS’s website.

 

01/15/15 Organize a Symposium for ICE 2016
Submissions for symposia organizers are now open for the XXV International Congress of Entomology (ICE) in 2016.  Symposia will be 2-4 hours long and comprise of fifteen-minute presentations related to any of 30 designated scientific sections. Submissions on IPM are encouraged and applicable to several of the sections including Integrated Pest Management and Sustainable Agriculture, Urban Entomology in a Changing Environment, and Biological Control and Insect Pathology. Submissions are due March 2, 2015. A full description of application requirements is available here.

 

12/23/14 Upcoming IPM Symposium Opportunities and Deadlines
The 8th International IPM Symposium is set for March 23-26, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah. If you would like to share your IPM work at the symposium poster session, your poster abstract must be submitted online by January 5, 2015. If you would like to be an exhibitor or sponsor to increase your exposure to leaders in the field of IPM, the cost of an exhibit booth is $750 and comes with one symposium registration. Contact Elaine Wolff at wolff1@illinois.edu for more information about exhibiting and sponsorship. General registration will be open shortly, look for an announcement when it goes live.

 

12/19/14 December IPM Voice Newsletter Available
The December issue of IPM Voice presents information on a new European Research Network focused on IPM research in the EU, media coverage of a bed bug hearing held by Philadelphia’s City Council, and new research using alkaloids from the skin of poisonous frogs to stun and kill fire ants and mosquitoes. For a full version, see our Newsletters page.


12/19/14 December Issue of ENDURE News Explores State of IPM in Europe
ENDURE recently published their December issue of ENDURE News containing twelve in-depth articles on IPM practices and research in Europe. The newsletter profiles crop protection practices in Italy, updates on the upcoming PURE congress, and surveys recent activities of the ERA-NET C-IPM. The newsletter also explores several topical issues in IPM research like EuroBlight in Latin America and newly published research on applying agro-ecological principles to cropping systems. Browse the full newsletter here.

 

12/16/14 Ag Annex Posts Article on IPM Practices and Benefits
Canadian online agricultural news aggregator Ag Annex posted a long article this month detailing the basic premises and benefits of IPM in agricultural systems. The article briefly explained IPM control mechanisms like trap crops, precise timing of seeding, pheromone disruption of pest mating, and use of physical barriers like netting for high value crops. Most attention was paid to proper timing of pesticide applications to avoid harming beneficial insect populations. Read the whole article here.

 

12/16/14 IPM-Related Presentations at the 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum
On February 19 and 20 the USDA Office of the Chief Economist will host the Agricultural Outlook Forum in Arlington, Virginia. IPM-related topics include a breakout session on pollinator health including topics like “Diseases & Pesticides Affecting Bee Health” and “Bees on the Farm” on February 20th and another breakout session later that same day around antimicrobial resistance. A complete schedule of sessions and speakers is available online.

 

12/12/14 IPM Enhancement Grant Open, RFA Webinar Recording Available
The Southern IPM Center’s Request for Applications (RFA) for 2015 IPM Enhancement Grants is now online. Deadline for submission is 5 pm EST on January 16, 2015. More information on grant submission format and rules are on the Southern IPM Center website.  A recording of the December 10th webinar explaining the substantial changes made to this year’s RFA is now available online.

 

12/05/14 First Webinar Next Week in New IAQ Master Class Webinar Series
On December 11 the EPA SHIELD Network will debut the first webinar in a series of ten 1-hour technical core-competency trainings intended to build the capacity of school district staff across the country to start, improve, or sustain an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) management program. Continuing education units are pending and certificates of completion will be provided to all who complete the post training evaluation.  The live broadcasts will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing on the EPA website.  The first installment, "Making the Case for Environmental Health, Academic Performance and High-Performing Facilities," will be held Thursday, December 11, 2014 from 1:00 am – 2:30 pm ET (including Q&A). To register click here and for more information on the following webinars in the series see this flyer.

 

11/25/14 IPM Enhancement Grant RFA Coming Soon
The Southern IPM Center’s Request for Applications (RFA) for their 2015 IPM Enhancement Grants will come out no later than tomorrow, November 26, 2014. The application process and proposal requirements have changed substantially since last year, so the IPM Center will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday, December 10 explaining the process. Recommended project periods will be 12 months (no later than Mar. 1 2014 – Feb 28, 2015) with project types and funding limits similar to the 2014 RFA. For more information visit the Southern IPM Center website or their blog.

 

11/25/14 November IPM Voice Newsletter Available
The November issue of IPM Voice explores political activity around pollinator health and pest management, media coverage of 3-D printing in IPM research, the development of new lure products for spotted wing drosophilia and an update on the board’s early November meeting in DC. For a full version, see our Newsletters page. 

 

11/11/14 Online Submission of Poster Abstracts for the 8th International IPM Symposium Now Open!
Share your IPM work at the 8th International IPM Symposium, March 23-26, 2015. More details about the content and design of posters can be found here. The deadline for online submission of poster abstracts that contain an accurate summary of the work is Monday, January 5, 2015.

 

11/11/14 Call for Nominations for Friends of Southern IPM Award
Every year the Southern IPM Center presents professional and academic Friends of IPM Awards to outstanding contributors to IPM research, education, and implementation. There are two graduate student awards for a Masters and a Ph.D. student. Six further professional awards recognize educators, leaders, and teams. Nominations are due Friday, December 12, 2014. For more information on all award categories and the nomination procedure, visit the Friends of IPM Award website.

 

11/11/14 New 2013-2014 NYS IPM Annual Review
This year’s Annual Report of the New York State IPM Program highlights some innovative new tools and approaches to pest management for the northeast and beyond. The update included stories on their new app, Pocket IPM: Greenhouse Guide, to help track pest populations and recommend control measures, high usage of their IPM Organic Guides, dealing with pests in corn production and the dangers of spotted wing drosophila. Read the whole report here.

 

10/31/14 ESA Announces First Class of Science Policy Fellows 
The Entomological Society of America (ESA) selected five candidates for a new fellowship program to train scientists as effective advocates for entomological research. The fellows will interact with lawmakers, legislative staff, federal agency leaders and other scientists on science policy and science funding decisions. The program will select five new fellows yearly for two year terms. More.

 

10/31/14 Red Gold, Inc. Receives Sysco’s Supplier Sustainability Award
Sysco awarded Red Gold, Inc., a canned tomato products supplier, the Sustainable Supplier Award for practices such as in-plant energy upgrades, wetland creation, tree farm development, sponsorship of a Stewardship Award for growers, and water usage reductions. Red Gold, Inc. has been an active participant in shaping Sysco’s IPM Program and is a top performer on its own IPM Program evaluations. Congratulations Red Gold, Inc!  More.

 

10/30/14 October IPM Voice Newsletter Available.
The October issue of IPM Voice provides updates on the recipients of NIFA’s first Crop Protection and Pest Management Program grants, seasonally relevant topics such as the Great Stink Bug Count and IPM for season-extending growing spaces and information on the IPM Voice board meeting scheduled for November 6 & 7 in Washington, D.C. For a full version, see our Newsletters page.  

 

10/30/14 International IPM Symposium Seeks Nominations for IPM Achievement Awards.
The organizers of the 8th International IPM Symposium are accepting nominations for IPM Achievement Awards recognizing outstanding work in IPM implementation. Any one may nominate individuals, organizations or business and self-nomination is allowed. The deadline for nomination is December 1, 2014. Find more information and nomination applications here.

9/24/14 September IPM Voice Newsletter Available.

The September issue of IPM Voice presents NIFA's 2015 Presidential Budget, a watershed contamination study released by the US Geological Survey, and an IPM Committee being held this week in Washington, D.C. For a full version, see our Newsletters page.

8/26/14 August IPM Voice Newsletter Available.

The August issue of IPM Voice discusses a new study showing the variety of constaints to IPM adoption in developed and developing countries, as well as the University of Illinois's University Housing achieving Green Shield Certification. For a full version, see our Newsletters page.

8/21/14 EPA Releases School IPM Best Practice Guide and Webinar Series.

Accompanying its new webinar series, Environmental Protection Agency released “Model Pesticide Safety and IPM Guidance Policy for School Districts.”  This document aids school districts wanting to adopt IPM-related policies and programs in their schools.  The document addresses pesticide safety and proactive pest management. The companion webinar series, which started August 20th, covers IPM as it relates to schools and mosquitos, ticks, outdoor pests, bed bugs, rodents and nuissance birds. Registration for these webinars found here.

8/20/14 Biopesticide Database Available from IR-4 Project.

IR-4 Project hosts an extensive database of biopesticides funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The database is searchable by crop, pest, state, organic approval, active ingredient and trade name.  It provides useful information such as the trade name, an image of the product label, EPA registration number, manufacturer name and contact, worker reentry times, pre-harvest intervals and more. The database can be found here.

8/6/14 Call for Abstracts for European IPM Conference.

The Congress on IPM Innovation in Europe will be held in Poznań, Poland on January 14-16, 2015.Organized by the Pure project and Poland's Institute of Plant Protection - National Research Institute, the Congress is accepting abstract submissions until September 15, 2014 and is currently open for registration. For details on location, registration and lodging, see the 3rd Circular.

7/30/14 July IPM Voice Newsletter Available.

The July issue of IPM Voice discusses the FAO's Farmer Field School bringing IPM practices to the developing world, the new Coordinated IPM program networking the member states of the EU, and the Potato Sustainability Initiative's positive influence on potato production. For a full version, see our Newsletters page.

7/24/14 European Union Launches Coordinated IPM Program.

As of May 2014, the European Union is funding a research coordination project, named Coordinated IPM (C-IPM), to help 21 European countries and 32 organizations develop policies and research strategies regarding IPM. The EU has granted almost $3.5 million (~ € 2.5 million) to help agricultural ministries and research institutions collaborate research efforts and boost extension through such channels as a new exchange forum and by linking existing initiatives. Visit C-IPM.org to learn more and be sure to view their July issue of the C-IPM Newsletter.

7/8/14 June IPM Voice Newsletter Available.

The June issue of IPM Voice discusses the Organic and IPM Working Group, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, and the IPM Voice Board of Directors revisiting its mission, leadership and funding. For a full version, see our Newsletters page.

12/2/13 Solicitation for Comments: Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Programmatic EIS on the CRP. The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the intent to complete a Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement assessing the environmental impacts of potential changes to the Conservation Reserve Program and is seeking public comment. The text of the CCC notice is available here. Submissions are due January 13, 2014.

11/27/13 Comparison of Revised 2013 National IPM Roadmap AvailableIn October, a revised version of the National IPM Roadmap was released. IPM Voice reported on the new version in our September Newsletter. The 2013 Roadmap with changes marked from 2004 is now available to view here.

10/31/13 USDA Gathers #MyFarmBill StoriesGrowers, ag supporters, and individuals can share what the passage of a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill means to them on the official USDA Blog. The blog features stories from North Dakota ranchers devastated by the recent blizzard who are without disaster assistance programs. Share your story today.

10/14/13 Revised National IPM Roadmap Released. The 2013 IPM Roadmap is now available. The Roadmap outlines goals and future directions for IPM in agricultural, residential, and recreational environments. It is intended to guide the direction of IPM research, education, and implementation efforts, with specific priorities and performance measures. Read and learn more about the 2013 IPM Roadmap here.

9/11/13 Entomological Foundation Announces 2013 Integrated Pest Management Award, Names Bt Crop Risk Assessment Research Team. This week the Entomological Foundation awarded its annual Integrated Pest Management Team Award to the Risk Assessment of Bt Plants on Beneficial Non-target Arthropods (NTA) IPM Team, including J örg Romeis (Agroscope, Switzerland), Anthony M. Shelton (Cornell University), Steven E. Naranjo (USDA-ARS), Richard L. Hellmich (USDA-ARS), Morven A. McLean (Center for Environmental Risk Assessment, USA), Alan Raybould (Syngenta, UK), Marco P. Candolfi (Innovative Environmental Services, Switzerland), Jian J. Duan (USDA-ARS), Joseph E. Huesing (USAID/BFS), and Raymond J. Layton (Pioneer Hi-Bred, USA). More information on the team's research and findings and the award can be found on the Entomological Foundation website.

9/10/13 The Pest Management Centre at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Posts Completed 2013 Pesticide Risk Reduction Projects. Several projects focused on IPM strategies in a variety of crops. For complete summaries of these projects, please visit The PMC Website.

6/24/13 Benefits of IPM Highlighted in Press Piece on Rutgers University Extension. The Asbury Park Press recently featured an article on the Rutgers University Cooperative Extension's IPM program. The piece includes a clear explanation of IPM and examples of how IPM helps New Jersey farmers protect their crops and reduce pesticide applications. Read it here.

6/19/13 Crop Protection Program in FY 2014 House Agriculture Appropriations Bill. The House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee has approved the FY 2014 Agriculture Appropriations bill which provides funding for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and other agencies. The Subcommittee restored many NIFA accounts that were reduced by the FY 2013 sequester (across-the-board budget cuts) and agreed to the proposal within the President's FY 2014 budget request to consolidate several core IPM programs in one funding line.

04/02/13 IPM in the President's 2014 Budget Proposal. The Administration has released its FY 2014 budget request. As in last year's proposal, core IPM programs are consolidated under one Crop Protection Program. This consolidation is responsive to Congress's request to reduce individual funding lines, and may help provide critical mass to preserve and build IPM support going forward. More. 

04/02/13 USA Today Highlights Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month. An article in USA Today outlines the dangers of invasive pests and diseases to US cropland and forest. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a list of the top pests, which includes the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Asian Longhorned Beetle and False Codling Moth. The USDA website HungryPests.com has suggestions on how to stop the spread of these and other invasive pests. More.

03/20/13
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations Propose FY 2013 Funding Levels.
The House and Senate Committees on Appropriations have released their respective FY 2013 appropriations bills to fund the government for the remainder of 2013. The Senate Committee has proposed to cut most National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) programs by 7.61% from 2012 levels while providing a net $12.8 million increase to the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) with smaller increases to other NIFA accounts. The House, on the other hand, used the FY 2012 enacted budget levels as their starting point, maintained the 5.1% sequestration plus a proposed additional 0.0098% across-the-board cut. More.

03/06/13
EPA Announces Launch of National Center of Expertise for School IPM.
The US EPA is announcing the launch of its National Center of Expertise for School IPM, which will provide leadership and expertise to carry out the goal of ensuring that millions of children in US schools benefit from verifiable IPM programs. The Center is located in Dallas, Texas and is an arm of the Office of Pesticide Programs' Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division – Environmental Stewardship Branch.

02/20/13 Opportunity for IPM in Next Generation Science Standards.
The National Research Council, the National Science Teachers Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Achieve are developing the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) that will lay out the core ideas and practices in science that students should master in preparation for college and careers. The development of these standards could provide an ideal opportunity to bring IPM curricula into K-12 classrooms nationwide. More.

02/13/13 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Updates Pollinator Factsheet.
The updated factsheet, titled Reducing Risks to Pollinators from Pest Control outlines IPM strategies to protect and benefit pollinators and resources with additional information on IPM. View factsheet.

01/02/13 IPM Helps Reduce Asthma in Boston Public Housing.
A recent Boston Globe article details the reduction in asthma symptoms among public housing residents due to a push to reduce rodents and roaches. Since implementing an IPM program in 2005, the rate of adults who reported having asthma symptoms in the authority's units dropped from 23.6 percent in 2006 to 13 percent in 2010. Asthma rates in other low-income housing in Boston not run by the authority remained relatively unchanged. More.

12/18/12 IPM Working Group Releases Final Discussion Paper. The IPM Working Group appointed by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities Board on Agriculture Assembly, Budget and Advocacy Committee (BAA-BAC) has finalized a discussion paper containing recommendations to guide the budget authorization process by addressing the erosion of previous funding for IPM from the National Institute for Food and Agriculture. The paper will be presented to the BAA-BAC by the end of January. Read final draft here.

12/3/12 USDA NIFA Awards $33 Million for Pest Management Research and Extension. NIFA has awarded more than $33 million for FY 2012 to support research and extension activities addressing pest management issues. A portion of these funds are provided to IPM programs and activities including the Regional IPM Centers and Grants Programs, Extension IPM, and the Pest Management Alternatives Program. For a breakdown of pest management awards, click here.

11/14/12 Latest Discussion Paper Edits Reflect IPM Voice Recommendations. The IPM Working Group formed by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities Board on Agriculture Assembly, Budget and Advocacy Committee has included IPM Voice's suggestions for the latest draft of the discussion paper. These included clarification on a graph about current IPM funding on page one. Read the discussion paper here.

11/5/12 Farm Bill Expiration. While the Senate and House Agriculture Committees were both able to pass versions of a new farm bill, the full House was unable to do so. What are the implications for IPM? More.

10/12/12 National Healthy Schools Day Offers Opportunities for IPM. National Healthy Schools Day is April 30th. Join parents, teachers, school nurses, custodians, and agencies in promoting healthy schools. Activities will be held throughout the country, focusing on opportunities to improve school environments. IPM plays a large role in creating healthy schools, improving air and environmental quality through the reduction of pest problems and pesticide exposure. More.

10/1/12 IPM Survey Results. Preliminary results are in from our survey on IPM outreach priorities released in August. If you have not yet participated and would like to take the survey, please click here. Your ideas contribute to our success!

09/28/12 Latest Discussion Paper Draft is Out. The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities Board on Agriculture Assembly, Budget and Advocacy Committee appointed an IPM Working Group in May 2012 to review the Integrated Crop Protection Program consolidation. The Working Group has drafted a discussion paper containing recommendations that will guide the budget authorization process by addressing the erosion of previous funding for IPM from the National Institute for Food and Agriculture. The IPM Voice Board of Directors submitted a letter of recommendations for the discussion paper, emphasizing the need for additional funding to cover indirect costs and a call for the creation of a national IPM coordinator. The latest draft of the working group's discussion paper reflects all of the Board's recommendations.

09/07/12
Outreach Survey.
Please take an important survey about broadening IPM Voice's outreach efforts. Your ideas contribute to our success! Survey

08/29/12
Updates on Farm Bill.
Three farm-related bills are now being considered by Congress: the Farm Bill, the Agricultural Appropriations Bill, and the Drought Bill. Click here to get the latest on all three!

07/10/12
Potential Threat to IPM in Draft House Farm Bill.
The draft farm bill released by the House Agriculture Committee includes a new 1:1 matching requirement for all commodity and state-specific competitive grants programs involving applied research or extension. If included in the final farm bill, this provision will create cash match hurdles for most competitively awarded extension projects and integrated projects, including IPM projects. More.

06/28/12 IPM Funding Likely Close to Level for Fiscal Year 2013. The US House and Senate Appropriations Committees IPM funding proposals are very close, suggesting that the 2013 budget will likely match or nearly match 2012 amounts. In addition, both the House and Senate rejected the proposed Crop Protection Program, which consolidated IPM functions and funding lines. More.

06/06/12
Opportunities for IPM in Senate Farm Bill. In addition to the authorization of the USDA Regional IPM Centers, the 2012 Farm Bill (S. 3240) reported by the Senate Agriculture Committee contains several sections that may offer additional opportunities for IPM support. These sections include the Pulse Health Initiative and the State Specialty Crop Block Grants. More.

06/28/12 IPM Funding Likely Close to Level for Fiscal Year 2013. The US House and Senate Appropriations Committees IPM funding proposals are very close, suggesting that the 2013 budget will likely match or nearly match 2012 amounts. In addition, both the House and Senate rejected the proposed Crop Protection Program, which consolidated IPM functions and funding lines. More.

5/16/12IPM Center Authorization Included in Senate Ag Committee Draft Farm Bill. Both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees passed their draft versions of the 2013 Farm Bill on May 14 and May 15. In section 7308, the Senate draft includes a provision to explicitly authorize the USDA Regional IPM centers that have been in existence for many years. Authorization language for the Centers was included in a set of Farm Bill initiatives drafted last year by IPM Voice legislative representative Jim Cubie and would ensure ongoing support for the Centers if included in the final bill.

05/02/12 Authorization for Regional IPM Centers in Senate Farm Bill Markup. Late last week, the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee marked up the 2012 Farm Bill. Section 7308 of the Senate bill contains explicit authorization for the USDA Regional IPM Centers. Authorization language for the Centers was included in the set of Farm Bill initiatives drafted by IPM Voice legislative representative Jim Cubie with the help of IPM Voice members and IPM stakeholders. More.

04/27/12 FY 2013 Senate Ag Appropriations Bill Released. On April 26th, the U.S. Senate approved the FY 2013 Ag Appropriations bill which holds IPM funding at FY 2012 levels. The bill does not include the administration's proposed Crop Protection Program which consolidates IPM and IR-4 funding and functions. Proposed 2013 IPM budget numbers reflect last year's amounts: $4 million for Regional Pest Management Centers, $9.918 million for E-IPM - State-based IPM Coordinators, $1.402 million for the Pest Management Alternatives Program, $2.362 million for the Regional IPM Grants Program (RIPM) and $153,000 for Expert IPM Decision Support System.

04/26/12 IPM Voice Sends Comment Letter on Proposed Crop Protection Program. IPM Voice is sending our letter of comment to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture explaining IPM Voice's position on the administration's proposal to combine key IPM functions and funding lines into one consolidated program. View draft comment letter.

03/22/12 IPM Voice Builds the Case for IPM in the Farm Bill. During the first week in March, Jim Cubie, IPM Voice's legislative representative, and Dr. Tom Green of the IPM Institute presented IPM Voice's legislative agenda to Congress. The IPM Voice Board of Directors chose five Farm Bill initiatives which were heard by all the key committees writing the Farm Bill. These initiatives are designed to increase the financial support for IPM and affirm IPM's role as an essential system which provides comprehensive solutions to the pest management challenges faced by farmers and others. See full description of initiatives.

03/22/12 Find IPM Voice at the IPM Symposium! IPM Voice is hosting a session at the IPM Symposium on Tuesday, March 27th at 10 AM. Our session will highlight federal funding trends for IPM as well as presentations on how to expand awareness and support for IPM. We will end the session with a presentation and discussion session on broader IPM advocacy priorities for IPM Voice. We hope to gather input from session attendees on where to focus our efforts increasing awareness and appreciation for IPM among the public, IPM users and potential users.

02/19/12 IPM Voice Policy Initiatives for 2012. In the upcoming month, IPM Voice will be meeting with USDA officials to solicit their support and get their feedback on a series of legislative initiatives proposed for 2012. Proposed initiatives include the following: (1) support mandatory funding of the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) at the level of $50 million annually, (2) slightly modify AFRI priority areas to increase the likelihood that IPM activities will be funded by authorizing projects beyond biological control, (3)...More.

02/17/12 Administration Proposes Reorganization of IPM Programs. The proposed President's budget for USDA-NIFA for FY2013 includes significant funding line changes.  NIFA proposes to consolidate funding for Expert IPM Decision Support System, IPM & Biological Control, Minor Crop Pest Management IR-4, Pest Management Alternatives, Smith-lever 3(d) Pest Management and Regional IPM Centers into a single program called Crop Protection. For the fullest description available on the proposed changes, click here , see page 17-81.

12/19/11 IPM Voice Calls On Broussard to Make AFRI IPM Friendly. IPM Voice recently wrote to Dr. Meryl Broussard, Deputy Director for Agriculture and Natural Resources at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA, on behalf of IPM professionals and customers. The purpose of this letter was to educate NIFA leaders about the importance ensuring a clear path for IPM funding in NIFA requests for applications for funding. View letter to Broussard.

11/17/11 Final Spending Bill Supports IPM. The House and Senate agriculture funding committees have convened a conference committee to resolve their differences.  While final Senate action has not yet occurred, nothing  will change in the Senate related to IPM funding in the final bill.  Generally, IPM did better than expected in the conference: IPM Center funding is restored to 2010 levels, Extension funds dropped slightly from 2011 levels and IPM funding within NIFA will be about $4 million. More.

10/27/11 IPM Voice Visits Congressional Offices. During the week of October 10th, Jim Cubie, former chief counsel for the US Senate Agriculture Committee, and Tom Green of the IPM Institute visited ten congressional offices on behalf of IPM Voice. The key objectives of these meeting were to: 1) Make contact with key congressional staff, 2) Show Congress that there is a constituency for IPM and 3) Inform staff of the consequences of the precipitous decline in funding for IPM. More.

09/27/11 IPM Voice September Newsletter Available. The September newsletter includes an update on IPM Voice's current efforts to educate policy makers about the need for continued and expanded support for IPM. The update includes figures compiled by Harold Coble illustrating a reduction in federal funding for IPM since 2000 despite the successes of IPM programs and IPM Centers. More.

08/26/11 IPM Voice Creating Educational Factsheets. Jim Cubie, former chief counsel for the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, has been working with IPM Voice to develop a series of factsheets to educate policymakers and others about IPM successes. These factsheets will be distributed next month to key congressional contacts. 

07/21/11 Why I Became a Member of IPM Voice, Harold Coble. I became a member of IPM Voice because I believe that for IPM to survive as a strong, viable approach to pest management, we must have a champion - a champion willing to educate and provide documentation of our successes and needs to those in seats of authority. I believe IPM Voice can be that champion.

Those of us involved on a day-to-day basis understand the importance of IPM, but we mostly take for granted that the public and our elected representatives understand that also - WRONG! We have seen what can happen to support programs for IPM when no one is standing up for us. We lost over $6 million in research and extension program support and could still lose another $4 million in support for IPM Centers, and I personally believe we lost that because no one made the case for the importance of those programs. That has to change!

I have heard that some are concerned that they might have a conflict of interest belonging to an organization that advocates for IPM. While it is true many of us, me included, are prohibited from going directly to Congress to advocate for our own programs, there is no conflict in belonging to an organization that might seek to inform our legislators about our situation and advocate for our programs. I also belong to AAA, AARP, USGA, a national political party, and some other organizations that advocate for things I believe in.

If those of us who know IPM and have spent much of our professional lives trying to improve other people's lives through IPM cannot stand up for what we believe in, we should just find something else to do.

- Harold Coble is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Crop Science, North Carolina State University. He now coordinates the Federal IPM Coordinating Committee and is employed as an agronomist by USDA's Office of Pest Management Policy. Dr. Coble previously served as the USDA's National IPM Coordinator .

07/18/11 NIFA Announces FY 2011 RFA for Regional IPM Centers. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announces the availability of grant funds and requests applications for the Regional IPM Centers Program for fiscal year 2011 to advance the NIFA priority area of Global Food Security and the goals of the National Roadmap for Integrated Pest Management The amount available for support of this program in FY 2011 is approximately $2,850,000 to fund equally-funded grants for Regional IPM Centers, one in each of its administrative regions: North Central, Northeastern, Southern and Western for an 18 month period (with a 12 month budget).  Applications are due August 19, 2011. 

06/17/11  House of Representatives Passes 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. On June 16, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its FY 2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill, which funds NRCS and Farm Bill conservation programs. The House-passed bill cuts discretionary USDA and FDA spending by $2.7 billion, nearly 14 percent below last year's level. The  bill also cuts mandatory Farm Bill conservation spending by $1 billion from  2008 Farm Bill levels and total mandatory funding by nearly $2 billion. The Senate has not yet started its budget and appropriations process for FY 2012.  Once ongoing budget/debt ceiling negotiations between Vice President Biden and six congressional leaders reach a deal, the Senate is expected to establish a discretionary spending cap for 2012 that would be somewhat higher than the House-passed numbers.  Although substantial cuts are still expected, this may allow the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee more flexibility than its House counterparts had.

05/26/11 House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee Adopts Bill Cutting Conservation and IPM-Related Program Funding. On May 24, the House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee adopted a funding bill that if passed, will cut $2.7 billion from the food and agriculture budget. Nearly $1 billion would be cut from Farm Bill conservation funding, which includes programs such as the Conservation Stewardship Program. The bill also proposes a $3 million cut to the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (SARE) and $40 million in cuts to the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). This bill threatens many programs that benefit IPM practitioners. Here are some tips for contacting your legislator to express concerns about the impacts proposed cuts in IPM and conservation program funding may have.

05/25/11 A Call for IPM for Stored Products.  Frank Arthur, research entomologist with USDA ARS, expresses his concerns for the future as the numbers of stored product entomologists have dramatically declined at universities and federal centers, and federal centers have been closed.  Stored product pests account for substantial losses of food and other products, with significant threats from potential new introductions and emerging pest species.  Arthur identifies IPM approaches as a key research need, as well as research on basic biology, pest distribution in and around facilities, direct impacts on human health and integration of economics into management systems, distribution.  PDF.

05/20/11 Seven Reasons Why We Need Cooperative Extension in the 21st Century.
This document, written by Jim Langcuster of Alabama Cooperative Extension, details seven reasons why, despite looming budget cuts, Cooperative Extension will continue to thrive in the twenty-first century. Extension provides public users in both rural and urban settings with beneficial, research-based information, resources and demonstrations. Cooperative Extension plays a crucial role in expanding awareness and adoption of IPM by providing both farmers and communities with valuable IPM resources.

05/18/11 View Abstracts of Previously Funded Section 406 Program Projects. Funding for important Section 406 programs including Crops at Risk (CAR), FQPA Risk Mitigation Program (RAMP) and the Critical Issues Program was completely eliminated in the 2011 budget bill. View abstracts for projects that were previously funded under the CAR, RAMP and Critical Issues Program.

05/16/11 Update on Federal Funding for Regional IPM Centers. Current understanding is that a competition is required for distribution of the one year of Regional IPM Centers funds and that successful applicants will probably budget to maintain operations (with the single year of funding and a potential no-cost one year extension). through August of 2013.

Good news for Regional IPM Centers. This month, Congress passed the 2011 budget bill, including a partial restoration of the Section 406 program funding. In past years, the Regional Pest Management Centers, the Methyl Bromide Transition Program,  the Organic Transition Program, Crops at Risk, the FQPA Risk Mitigation Program and the Critical Issues Programs have all been funded under Section 406.   

The 2011 budget bill restores funding to Regional Pest Management Centers, the Methyl Bromide Transition Program and  the Organic Transition Program. Unfortunately, along with several other national conservation programs, funding for these programs has been significantly reduced from last year's levels: Regional Pest Management Centers will be funded at $2,994,000 (reduced from $4,096,000 in FY 2010), the Methyl Bromide Transition Program  is reduced from $3,054,000 to $1,996,000 and the Organic Transition Program is reduced from $5,000,000 to $3,992,000.   

While these Section 406 programs will continue to operate with fewer funds in 2011, funding for Crops at Risk, the FQPA Risk Mitigation Program and Critical Issues Programs has been completely eliminated in the 2011 budget bill.  As 2012 quickly approaches,  we need to turn our attention to educating policymakers and others about the important benefits of IPM funding in the 2012 Farm Bill, where significant cuts to conservation programs are anticipated.   

IPM Voice is incorporated. IPM Voice has finalized the last steps of the incorporation process and as of Monday, March 14 is officially incorporated as a nonprofit corporation.

IPM Voice holds meeting in Alexandria. IPM Voice held a face to face meeting for Steering Committee and Advisory Board members on October 4th in Alexandria, VA. The meeting focused on developing a structure for governance, a plan for incorporation and a roadmap for advocating IPM within the upcoming months.

IPM Voice drafts letter to be sent to Senate and House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee members regarding funding cuts to Regional IPM Centers and programs. To view the letter, click the following link: Letter to Senate and House Ag Appropriations Subcommittees. This letter will be sent out in late August to reach the full subcommittee before the budget's final markup (scheduled for after the August break). If you would like to sign your name to the letter representing your organization, email Leigh Presley (info@ipmvoice.org) providing your first and last name as well as your affiliation.

IPM Voice distributes letter to IPM Stakeholders. In order to make those involved with IPM aware of the omission of funding for the USDA's Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program (often called "Section 406"), IPM Voice has drafted and sent out a letter to stakeholders. So far, the USDA has indicated that these funds will not be reserved within the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) for IPM projects. As a result, most of the funding will likely be used to support other topic areas.

You may view IPM Voice's letter to stakeholders by clicking on the link below

IPM Voice Letter to Stakeholders