Duration: 10/01/2020 to 09/30/2025

Administrative Advisor(s):

NIFA Reps:

Non-Technical Summary

Statement of Issues and Justification

The mission of NRSP-4* is to facilitate regulatory approval of sustainable pest management technology for use in specialty crops as well as specialty uses in major crops to promote public well-being. Specialty crops are defined in law as “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.” IR-4 generates data that are mainly used to facilitate registration of biopesticides (microbial and biochemical products) and synthetic chemical pesticides by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  IR-4’s data are shared with federal/state agencies and State Agricultural Experiment Stations (SAES) as well as agrochemical industry partners with the principal objective to provide farmers/growers legal access to essential pest management products that protect specialty crops from destructive pests. Without safe and effective pest management products which have been approved by regulatory authorities, crops would suffer significant yield and quality losses. IR-4 also supports larger federally sponsored research efforts to manage invasive and emerging/re-emerging pests (Citrus Greening, Spotted Wing Drosophila, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Spotted Lanternfly, Cucumber Downy Mildew, Palmer Amaranth, etc.), protect pollinators from Varroa mites, and help remove barriers for important international markets for domestically produced specialty food crops.  

More specifically, IR-4 generates data that are utilized throughout the "information supply chain" from field to fork including: 

• USDA 
  
  
  
  • Regional Integrated Pest Management Centers (RIPM Centers) in developing expertise in IPM with growers, pest control advisors and extension personnel on the ground.
  
  
  • Office of Pest Management Policy (OPMP) in supporting the development of sustainable agricultural practices and policies. 
  
  
  • Agricultural Research Service National Program 304 and other programs in USDA research and extension that fall into field to fork pathways.
  
  
  
  

• US Environmental Protection Agency
  
  
  
  • Office of Pesticide Programs in submitting residue and performance data required for registration of new chemical and biological pesticides 
  
  
  • Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee in advising policy on sustainable agriculture and pest management
  
  
  
  

• International Work to Support Export of US Agricultural Goods
  
  
  
  • North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Technical Working Group on Pesticides in supporting trade
  
  
  • Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) in supporting and expanding international regulatory harmonization 
  
  
  • Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) Agreement Between the US and the European Union
  
  
  
  

• Commodity Producers/Food Processors/Retailers/Consumers
  
  
  
  • Farmers/growers have safe and effective products to manage pests and produce their crops
  
  
  • Food Processors have a consistent supply of raw materials to produce their product
  
  
  • Retailers have ample supply of high-quality product to meet consumer demand for specialty crops
  
  
  • Consumers have access to high-quality horticulture crops that are nutritious and enhance the environment
  
  
  
  

The NRSP-4 mission of research support and data generation to identify and provide farmers access to new sustainable pest management technologies is fully consistent with the mission of a National Research Support Project.  It is an excellent example of how State Agricultural Experiment Stations (SAES) and USDA resources can be effectively leveraged for the direct benefit of U.S. specialty crop growers, food processors and consumers. IR-4’s efforts and deliverables help ensure that the public has a safe and adequate supply of fruits, nuts, vegetables, and herbs for a healthy diet and environmental horticulture crops that enhance the environment and quality of life. IR-4 has further assisted specialty crop producers and the public through initiatives to harmonize international pesticide standards to support global trade of specialty crops.

 

*Throughout this proposal the terminology NRSP-4 and IR-4 are used interchangably.  NRSP-4 was origionally established at Interregional Reserach Project Number Four (IR-4) in the 1960's.  When IR-4 and other Interregional Reserach Projects were converted to NRSPs, USDA allowed IR-4 to maintain the name as it was well known by stakeholders.

Prerequisite Criteria

How is the NRSP consistent with the mission?

How does the NRSP pertain to a national issue?

NRSP-4 addresses a critical problem relevant in every state, tribal land and U.S. territory – the Minor Use Problem.  This problem occurs when the cost for the crop protection industry to develop the required data to register pest management technology for specialty crops far exceeds the profit from sales, which results in an inadequate return on investment. The registrants of pesticides and biopesticides typically focus their product development efforts on large acreage crops (major crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, etc.) where the potential profits have the potential to be significant with a positive net return on investment. Specialty crops are considered minor markets and the development of pest management technology for specialty crops are not usually economically beneficial for the private sector.

Specialty crops have a farm gate value of nearly $83.1 billion dollars and contribute to about 40 percent of the U.S. domestic crop value. With specialty crops/specialty uses being such a large driver of local and regional economies, damage to these crops can have devastating impacts to local, regional and/or national economies.

The Minor Use Problem extends beyond specialty crops to specialty (minor) uses in major crops such as corn, soybean, cotton, and wheat. Certain pests can cause localized or sporadic pest damage on the major crops. When outbreaks occur, the impacts can be devastating. Registrants do not focus their research efforts on issues that are localized or sporadic as the costs can be greater than the return on investment. 

Many pest management scientists within the SAES system and USDA-Agriculture Research Service (ARS) are actively involved in trying to solve the Minor Use Problem. The SAES Directors in each state assist by appointing a scientist to serve as the IR-4 State Liaison Representative (SLR) to ensure that specialty crop/minor use pest management needs for crops grown in all states are addressed. In some states a second SLR representing the environmental horticulture industry is assigned. SLRs are encouraged to meet with farmers/growers to discuss their pest control needs and to explain how IR-4 can help. Many other public sector scientists are actively engaged with IR-4 by identifying critical pest management voids, suggesting solutions and participating in priority setting. These scientists submit “Requests for Assistance” that start the IR-4 process.

Since its inception in 1963, IR-4’s efforts have supported more than 70,000 registered crop uses for food and environmental horticulture crops.  This includes over 20,000 food crop registrations and approximately 160 product registrations on environmental horticulture crops, affecting nearly 50,000 environmental horticulture crop uses.  The overwhelming majority of IR-4’s recent efforts have focused on products that are compatible with Integrated Pest Management Systems (IPM).  The use of lower hazard technologies result in a reduced risk to humans and the environment. Since most registrations of pest management products are national in scope, all states/tribal lands/territories benefit from the efforts of IR-4. 

However, there remain many emerging factors and challenges that drive the need for NRSP-4:

• Legal Requirements for Pesticide Safety Evaluations: The EPA conducts continuous reassessment of data associated with specific conventional chemical pesticides and biopesticides to ensure they meet current safety standards. Changes in use directions and use restrictions of important conventional chemical pesticides and biopesticides are expected to continue to occur due to such factors as cumulative risk, aggregate risk, potential for endocrine disruption, and to ensure protection of endangered species or their habitats. IR-4 efforts are key in facilitating registrations of alternative pest management products

• Pollinator Protection: Increased concern regarding the potential impact of pesticides in the health and sustainability of pollinators. It is anticipated that some existing registrations or current legal labeled uses modified or restricted to reduce exposure.

• Invasive and Emerging/Re-emerging Pests: Occurrence of new, difficult to manage invasive pests such as Citrus Greening, Spotted Wing Drosophila, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Spotted Lanternfly, Boxwood Blight, and the significant number of noxious weeds in agriculture. New technologies are needed to manage these new and difficult problems. 

• Resistance Management: Resistance to pesticides; pests continue to evolve, creating an environment where the effectiveness of one or more pesticides may be lost after continued use. This creates a need for new technologies and the registration of new pesticides with different active ingredients to prevent or manage pest resistance to pesticides such as Palmer Amaranth and glyphosate resistance.

• Pests of New Crops: Pest management needs associated with introduction of new crops such as hemp, second generation biofuels (e.g. Miscanthus, Switchgrass), sweeteners (e.g. Stevia, Agave), and crops being introduced to meet specific needs of new ethnic populations. The crop protection companies typically do not invest significant resources in the development of pesticide registrations on new crops until expansion of the crop and associated increases of potential sales reach an appropriate level for business models to justify further development. 

• Expansion of Trade for U.S. Agriculture: Specialty crop growers are keen to export their goods; however, allowable pesticide standards established in the U.S. and those of international trading partners can be different. IR-4’s data and activities with international regulatory harmonization are key to reduce barriers to trade.

• Public rejection of certain products- Some sectors of the public have rejected certain products and specialty crop farmers/growers need to have access to a broader range of tools that improve IPM, health and the environment.

All factors considered, it is safe to say that the need for a substantial IR-4 effort will continue for decades to come. 

 

Rationale

Priority Established by ESCOP/ESS

NRSP-4 activities and deliverables address five of the seven Grand Challenges identified in the recently updated Science Roadmap (http://escop.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Scimap-2010.pdf). The five specific Grand Challenges that NRSP-4 addresses are:

Challenge: We must enhance the sustainability, competitiveness, and profitability of U.S. food and agricultural systems.

The availability of crop protection technologies, including the latest generation of reduced risk chemical pesticides and biopesticides, is a critically important component to enhance the sustainability, competitiveness and profitability of domestically produced fruits, vegetables, nuts, ornamentals and other specialty crops. New and emerging arthropods, plant diseases, and weeds, including those classified as invasive or emerging/re-emerging, can reduce the quality and quantity of crops, resulting in lower revenue to the farmer/grower, potentially higher costs to the consumer and a negative impact on economies. For example, Citrus Greening has cost Florida over $1 billion annually and the loss of 7,000 jobs over the last few years.

Impacts of IR-4’s efforts are significant. In November 2017, Michigan State University’s Center for Economic Analysis, issued an updated report titled "Economic Impact of the IR-4 Project and IR-4 Project Programs". The authors note, “… the IR4 Project is estimated to contribute to 95,261 jobs with total labor income of $5.6 billion and contributes about $9.4 billion to annual gross domestic product…” 

Additionally, U.S specialty crop growers want access to profitable international markets. Access to export markets is often limited by the lack of international standards regarding pesticide residues in crops. In an effort to minimize the problem, IR-4 is partnering with USDA-Foreign Agriculture Service to promote harmonization of maximum residue levels of pesticide residues and thereby reduce trade barriers for U.S. grown specialty crops. This partnership was formally recognized by Congress in the 2014 Farm Bill where IR-4 authorization was modified to include" assist in removing trade barriers caused by residues of pesticides registered for minor agricultural use and for use on domestically grown specialty crops."

Finally, the successful introduction of new specialty crops is often dependent on the activities of IR-4 to provide access to pest management technology. The manufacturers, formulators and distributors of pesticide products are not willing to invest significant resources in the development of pesticide registrations on a new crop until the potential sales of their products reach an appropriate level.

Challenge: We must adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change on food, feed, fiber, and fuel systems in the United States.

 Many scientists expect that climate change will cause fundamental changes in cropping systems, with certain plants and pests having extended optimum and survival zones. Pests previously unable to overwinter in northern states may be able to survive as conditions change. IR-4 will be expected to provide practical solutions for these new challenges to the production of specialty crops.

Challenge: We must play a global leadership role to ensure a safe, secure, and abundant food supply for the United States and the world.

IR-4 is recognized by the international community as the model program to help specialty crop growers obtain legal access to safe and effective pest management technology. IR-4 personnel, in association with UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have sponsored three Global Minor Use Summits. IR-4 has consulted with the governments of Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan in finding solutions for the Minor Use Problem. Additionally, IR-4 has been the principal educator in World Trade Organization funded capacity building projects in the ASEAN region, Sub-Sahara Africa and in Latin/South America. The goal of these activities is to train others in the development of appropriate data and to collaborate on research projects of mutual interest. IR-4 expects that the demand for its expertise will increase in the future with the expansion of global trade of specialty crops.

Challenge: We must improve human health, nutrition, and wellness of the U.S. population.

The medical community is increasingly recognizing the health benefits from eating fruits and vegetables. The improved mental health and emotional well-being experienced when consumers are exposed to environments with greenery and landscaping has also been recognized. IR-4 efforts directly contribute to making these specialty crops affordable and available year-round to promote public well-being.

 Challenge: We must heighten environmental stewardship through the development of sustainable management practices.

IR-4 focuses efforts on chemical pesticides that are often classified by EPA as reduced risk for one or more of that product’s uses. Availability of reduced risk alternatives helps growers transition away from pesticides with higher risk profiles to the safety of applicators, consumers, and the environment. IR-4 is also leading in the advancement of biopesticide registration and subsequent adoption by growers as useful options for managing pests in their pest management programs.

Recently, IR-4 introduced an Integrated Solutions initiative as part of IR-4’s Food Program. The goal of this initiative is to screen conventional chemical pesticides and biopesticides to identify best management practices to existing pest management voids. This effort will offer growers effective pest management products with reduced risk profiles to humans and/or the environment. The strategic integration of biopesticides and reduced risk chemical technologies addresses pest resistance to pesticides, and may mitigate concerns with pesticide residues on commodities in trade for international markets. 

Relevance to Stakeholders

NRSP-4 primary stakeholders are the farmers/growers and processors of domestic specialty crops. The interests of these primary stakeholders are articulated by four main groups:

• Individual growers who directly interact with the program.

• IR-4 Commodity Liaison Committee (CLC), a formal advisory group consisting of growers, commodity groups, and food processors.

• Minor Crop Farmers Alliance, a national organization representing farmers, processors and others involved in the production of various specialty crops from across the U.S. 

• SAES and USDA research scientists and extension specialists who directly represent the interests of specialty crop growers.

The primary stakeholders and other partners have significant involvement in identifying IR-4 priorities. It starts with the initial Request for Assistance to IR-4. Any individual or organization can submit a Request for Assistance with the exception of representatives from crop protection companies. Broad involvement continues during priority setting of research. IR-4 solicits input on the importance of specific projects utilizing a variety of methods, including regional focus meetings, web-based nominations of the highest priorities, input from EPA and the USDA-Regional Pest Management Centers, and face to face dialogue at national priority setting workshops. Approximately 175 participants typically attend the annual Food Use workshop, and approximately 100 participants typically attend the Environmental Horticulture and the previously held Biopesticide workshops every other year.

To ensure that all stakeholders and their proposed priority projects are heard, IR-4 maintains a "Safety Net" whereby a stakeholder can propose an upgrade in priority for a specific study via submission of a detailed proposal articulating the critical pest management void.

IR-4 anticipates that stakeholder involvement will increase as pest management issues evolve. IR-4 leadership continues to receive numerous invitations to formally address stakeholders at regional, national and international conferences, meetings and workshops to discuss the program and its ability to provide service.

In addition to these primary stakeholders, IR-4 solicits involvement and input from other partners, agencies and organizations to address specialty crop issues including: 

• USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) oversees the $11.9 million Congressional appropriated funding for Minor Crop Pest Management (IR-4). This grant is the largest single source of funding for IR-4. The funding is awarded through a competitive grant process. This funding supports the development of the required data IR-4 uses to provide deliverables to stakeholders. A representative of NIFA regularly attends and participates in the IR-4 Project Management Committee (PMC) meetings to provide direction and input.

• State Agricultural Experiment Stations host IR-4 field research centers, laboratories, or offices and contribute significant in-kind support. It is estimated that the SAES annually provides over $5 million of in-kind support. The SAES Directors’ interests are represented through the four NRSP-4 Regional Administrative Advisors who regularly attend and participate in PMC meetings. 

• USDA-ARS works in full coordination with IR-4. ARS provides personnel and funds for IR-4 activities at six field research centers and two analytical laboratories. An ARS Senior Scientist and an ARS National Program Leader attend the IR-4 PMC meetings. The Senior Scientist participates as a voting member of the PMC.

• Crop Protection Industry provides IR-4 access to their conventional chemical pesticides, biopesticides and plant incorporated protectants. This cooperation and access to their products allows IR-4 to help specialty crop/specialty use stakeholders. IR-4 meets with most companies at least once a year to develop cooperative strategies and timelines.

• US Environmental Protection Agency reviews IR-4 submissions and assesses the safety of the potential uses. EPA assists IR-4 by providing IR-4 with an analysis of potential research projects prior to initiation to eliminate any product with anticipated regulatory concerns. This allows IR-4 to effectively utilize its resources on products with high potential for regulatory success. EPA also waives fees for service charges associated with IR-4 submissions.

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Pest Management Centre (CN-PMC) cooperates with IR-4 and conducts research of mutual interest to U.S. and Canadian specialty crop growers. CN-PMC conducts approximately 30 field trials and manages an average of 4 studies each year. The resulting data are simultaneous submitted to both EPA and Canadian regulatory agencies. This cooperative effort saves U.S. taxpayers approximately $0.5 million annually and often assists in giving U.S. growers greater access to Canadian markets.

• USDA-FAS collaborates with IR-4 in the development of strategies to break down barriers of trade associated with pesticide residues in exported crops. FAS provides direct funding for many of IR-4’s international initiatives.

• USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) collaborates with IR-4 and funds programs to develop pest management strategies for numerous invasive and emerging/re-emergent pests that attack specialty crops.

 

Implementation

Objectives

1. Facilitate registrations of crop protection products on specialty food crops and minor uses.
   Comments: NRSP-4 supports the production of specialty food crops (fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, etc.) and minor uses on major crops by developing data required by US Environmental Protection Agency to register reduced risk chemical and bio-based pesticides. Emphasis will be placed on using lower/reduced risk chemicals and encouraging uses compatible with IPM and resistance management programs. Components include: (1) magnitude of residue studies to determine the amount of pesticide residue remaining on a specialty crop after being exposed to applications of a pesticide; (2) product performance studies to develop efficacy and crop safety data that are required by a state (e.g. California) or company to “prove” that the proposed use is safe and effective; (3) integrated solutions to focus on the development of “systems” to mitigate, or lower, the level of chemical pesticide in fruits and vegetables at harvest, to develop processes to avoid pest resistance to pesticides or to manage hard to control pests; and (4) crop grouping to establish extrapolation models for residue data for certain representative crops used to establish pesticide tolerances for those a group of crops that are botanically related.
2. Provide regulatory support to assist public sector scientists and small business achieve pesticide registrations with new technology
   Comments: NRSP-4 will provide regulatory support and guidance to help public sector and small business obtain registrations for Plant Incorporated Protectants (including genetically modified organisms, RNAi, and gene-edited organisms) and other new technology through US Environmental Protection Agency. Regulatory support will also be provided to assist organic growers by obtaining approval of products for use in certified organic production..
3. Develop product performance data needed to support registration of chemical and bio-based pesticides on environmental horticulture crops
   Comments: NRSP-4 will develop necessary product efficacy and/or plant safety data (collectively called Product Performance) to assist in the approval of pesticide registrations or prohibitions for environmental horticulture crops. Emphasis will be placed on using lower/reduced risk chemicals and encouraging uses compatible with IPM and resistance management programs. Additionally, USDA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative supports NRSP-4 efforts to address threats to pollinators including (1) identifying pollinator attractiveness of top selling ornamental crops; (2) filling specific regulatory data gaps for pollinator risk assessment of systemic insecticide residues within ornamental horticulture crops; (3) comparing current pest management practices with alternative strategies; (4) providing guidance to growers and landscape managers with updated Best Management Practices; and (5) developing outreach tools for multiple stakeholder audiences
4. Cooperate with various domestic and international partners to harmonize global pesticide registration standards for specialty crops
   Comments: Pesticide residues can be a technical trade barrier to export of US grown specialty crops. NRSP-4 working with USDA-Foreign Agriculture Service, Agriculture and Ag-Food Canada, European Union Minor Use Coordination Facility, the Minor Use Foundation and other international organizations are developing systems and data to support global harmonization of pesticide residues and pesticide regulatory practices.

Projected Outcomes

Management, Budget and Business Plan

Long-term policy, coordination, and integration of NRSP-4 are provided by the IR-4 Project Management Committee (PMC). The PMC consists of seven voting members and six non-voting members. The voting members are the IR-4 Executive Director, the Directors of the four IR-4 regional offices, the ARS Director of the Office of Minor Use Pesticides, and the Chair of the IR-4 Commodity Liaison Committee. Non-voting members include four Administrative Advisors (each one representing their respective regional associations of the SAES Directors), an ARS National Program Leader for Plant Health and NIFA’s Minor Crop Pest Management (IR-4) National Program Leader. The PMC Chair is elected by the voting members for three-year terms. The PMC meets three times a year to review the status of ongoing programs, develop policy and procedures, set operational budgets, develop strategies and ensure that the program’s overall goals are being met. IR-4 Headquarters, the four IR-4 regional offices, and the USDA-ARS Office of Minor Use Pesticides are responsible for day-to-day management, coordination, and operation of the national program.

IR-4 including participating ARS scientists, currently employs approximately 125 full-time equivalent staff. All personnel and infrastructure are associated with the State Agricultural Experiment Station (SAES) System or USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS). IR-4 Headquarters (HQ) is currently co-located at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University and North Carolina Agriculture Researh Service at North Carolina State University.  The two HQ units employ approximately 26 full-time scientists and support staff. Many of the IR-4 HQ scientists have advanced degrees in pest management sciences, analytical chemistry or horticulture. IR-4 Headquarters staff consists of: Executive Director, Senior Associate Director, Assistant Directors, Program Managers and Research Coordinators who oversee the Food, Environmental Horticulture, and Biopesticide/Organic Support programs. Please note, HQ is in the process of transitioning operations from NJ to NC.  All operations will be at NQ by October 1, 2021.  

The four IR-4 regional offices are currently located at State Agricultural Experiments Stations in Maryland at University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Northeast); in Florida at University of Florida (Southern); in Michigan at Michigan State University (North Central); and inCalifornia at University of California/Davis (Western). These offices are each led by a Regional Director responsible for staff, program and budget in their respective region. Staff in the regional offices includes the Regional Field Coordinators. In addition, Regional Laboratory Coordinators, Regional Quality Assurance Coordinators, additional analytical chemists, technicians and support staff are supported in the analytical laboratories located in the North Central, Southern and Western regions.
 

The ARS Director of the Office of Minor Use Pesticides, located in Charleston, South Carolina, manages a program similar to that of the IR-4 Regions. ARS sponsored field research is conducted at research sites in California, South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Oregon and Washington State. ARS maintains two analytical laboratories in Georgia and Washington State. 

In order to assure that the overall IR-4 organization structure was appropriate, an outside panel of experts was employed in 2016 to conduct an organizational assessment. Members of the panel include Chair Steven Slack, Professor Emeritus and Associate Vice President for Agriculture at the Ohio State University; Kathryn Burkgren, Senior Director for Organizational and Workforce Development at Cornell University; James Cranney, California Citrus Quality Council; John Abbott, Syngenta Crop Protections; and Brian Scully, Laboratory Director, US Horticulture Research Laboratory.

The panel was tasked with critically evaluating IR-4’s infrastructure including the number and locations of the state and ARS coordination offices, field research centers and analytical laboratories. They were also asked to explore operational efficiencies and/or possible savings that could be achieved through reorganization of the IR-4 units. The panel concluded that the current structure meets the existing and future needs of specialty crop producers, processors and consumers and made no recommendations for organizational restructuring. It noted that the major limiting factor in serving the needs of its constituents is not the structure of the organization, but a projected shortfall in financial resources. The panel recommended that IR-4 continue to support and invest in entrepreneurial efforts such as extramural grants and collaborative relationships to grow relevant programs and resources to support them. It further recommended that IR-4 continue to identify cost savings through increased efficiency.

Based on the recommendations of the panel, IR-4 implemented a number of changes in field and analytical laboratory operations to increase coordination and integration and thus improve efficiencies. IR-4 was also successful in securing additional funding from other sources including the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service to assist in data development of further harmonization of standards involving pesticide residues in specialty crops in the U.S. and its international trading partners, Additionally, the State of California has funded IR-4 studies to support registration of alternatives pesticides in specialty crops.

The NRSP-4 funds are a critical component of the total funding that IR-4 receives, and augments funds from USDA and other sources. NRSP-4 funds directly pay salaries for IR-4 Headquarters management who provide overall leadership and coordination of IR-4’s on-going research support efforts. Their leadership is critical to ensure research goals and objectives are met and to coordinate efforts between SAES and USDA-ARS field and laboratory scientists throughout the United States. They support activities necessary in the multiyear lifecycle of each study conducted by IR-4 including:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Encouraging input from stakeholders in the prioritization process for potential research projects through on-line and workshop participation.

• Communicating the IR-4 Mission: Providing outreach materials for the national IR-4 program through the website, technical reports, blogs, newsletters, special publications and social media.

• Database Management: Maintaining multiple databases to track research progress and to disseminate results to stakeholders.

• Providing Data Access to Stakeholders: Maintaining an online portal that allows specialty crop growers, commodity group representatives, SAES researchers, Cooperative Extension educators, USDA-ARS scientists and the IPM community to submit “Requests for Assistance” for crop protection solutions.

• Research Planning: Interacting with registrants of pest management technology and regulatory authorities to determine the type and amount of data needed to allow for regulatory approval. Developing protocols with researchers at appropriate research sites and analytical laboratories to ensure that data meet regulatory requirements.

IR-4 has been very successful in leveraging the $481,182 of NRSP funds with funds from four USDA units (NIFA, ARS, FAS, and APHIS), the crop protection industry and commodity organizations. IR-4 receives approximately $17 million dollars in total annual direct funding, thus leveraging the NRSP funding roughly 33 to 1. In addition, IR-4 receives in-kind contributions of estimated at approximately $17 million annually.

IR-4 receives an annual Congressional appropriation through USDA-NIFA of $11.9 million. These funds are used to provide resources for IR-4 core operations in the four IR-4 regional offices and IR-4 Headquarters including personnel, supplies, equipment, and laboratory analysis; field trials that produce the necessary residue samples; efficacy/crop safety testing of pesticides on food crops; ornamental trials.

USDA-ARS allocated $3.1 million that is used by ARS scientists, who work on cooperative projects that align with priorities and studies managed by IR-4. These participating ARS scientists are given specific research assignments that fully complement and do not duplicate the on-going research at the SAES.

IR-4 receives funds from USDA-FAS and USDA-APHIS to manage international capacity building and invasive species management activities, respectively. Funds from these two USDA sources are through annual grants that vary in amount based on funding availability and priority.

Unrestricted contributions from grower groups, commodity associations and the crop protection industry are also received. IR-4 receives approx. $1.25 million annually and uses these resources to support additional projects, IR-4 Headquarter operations, priority setting/research planning workshops, EPA training tours and related meetings.

IR-4 also receives a significant amount of in-kind contributions from multiple sources including:

• SAES/Land-grant Universities (LGU) by hosting IR-4 field centers, analytical laboratories and management offices throughout the United States


• EPA Pesticide Registration Improvement Act fee waivers


• Growers and crop protection industry


• Canadian Pest Management Centre in Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The long term and continued support provided by Congress, USDA, the land grant university system, through SAES, and industry strongly indicates the commitment of these organizations and recognition of IR-4’s unique and very effective partnerships with federal and state governments, the crop protection industry and producers of specialty crops. IR-4’s efforts impact every state, region and US territory to solve a problem of national importance.

IR-4 remains the longest running and one of the most successful NRSPs. The continued relevancy and significant leveraging of funds have justified the multiple renewals of NRSP-4. NRSP funds are a critical component of the success of IR-4. Recognizing the fiscal realities, this proposal requests to maintain NRSP-4 funding at the current level of $481,182 while targeting other sources for increased funds to achieve strategic benchmarks.

Integration

IR-4 has been highly successful in meeting the needs of its stakeholders due in large part to the extensive partnerships it has cultivated over the years. These partnerships involve a number of public sector organizations and agencies including: 

• SAES/LGU– A significant amount of IR-4's activities are driven by personnel within the SAES/LGU community including teachers, researchers, and extension agents/specialists. In many states the SAES personnel work with individual farmers/growers or commodity associations and when a new pest problem surfaces, the SAES personnel perform preliminary screening research to identify the most promising pest management product(s) to manage the target pest. In certain circumstances, IR-4 will work with the SAES researchers and manage the screening research to identify the most promising pest management product for use in IR-4 sponsored residue studies. Once the registration is approved, SAES/LGU personnel share the news of success and of the availability of the new management tool with their stakeholders. This involvement of SAES/LGU personnel makes IR-4 a true grassroots organization.

IR-4 scientists contribute to the LGU system through the education and training of the next generation of scientists. IR-4 scientists are often asked to share their unique knowledge of pest management, analytical chemistry, regulatory science and other expertise through guest lectures in the classroom. IR-4 scientists also mentor students as members of Graduate Advisory Committees. Additionally, IR-4 often hires undergraduate and graduate student interns. Many of these interns have progressed and completed advance degrees in agricultural, chemical and life sciences.

 IR-4 personnel routinely participate in educational conferences and workshops that are organized by Cooperative Extension that target grower education on pest management and the safe use of pest management products. Many of IR-4 presentations provide participants with the opportunity to earn State Pesticide Applicator Recertification credits.

IR-4 personnel also participate in the operations of University departments and colleges. This includes maintenance of teaching laboratories, service on department committees and in some cases participation in college leadership positions.

• NIFA Pest Management Programs– IR-4 and the Regional Integrated Pest Management (RIPM) Centers collaborate on a number of projects. IR-4 solicits input from the RIPM Centers on the predicted impact of pesticide use on new and existing IPM systems. This input is used by participants at IR-4 Workshops in setting research priorities. 

IR-4 personnel participate in all four of the RIPM Center Advisory Committees. IR-4 personnel also participate on task forces or teams associated with high profile pest management issues, including the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and the Citrus Greening research teams.

• ARS/FAS/APHIS– The integrated partnership between IR-4 and ARS scientists involved in developing pest management strategies for specialty crops was highlighted in other sections of this document.

 The integration of activities between IR-4 and FAS has expanded significantly over the recent past. IR-4 personnel work closely with FAS's Science and Capacity Building Divisions to harmonize pesticide registrations and allowable Maximum Residue Levels as global standards. In many cases IR-4 personnel provide scientific expertise and leadership in technical harmonization issues.

APHIS also utilizes IR-4's unique expertise. Utilizing APHIS funds, IR-4 has assisted in developing a better understanding of invasive pests and how best to manage them. Projects managed by IR-4 personnel include Chrysanthemum White Rust, Boxwood Blight, and Impatiens Downy Mildew.

• Office of Pest Management Policy (OPMP)– IR-4 continues to work closely with OPMP on projects of mutual interest. IR-4 and OPMP have explored options for pollinator protection, including the potential registration of new products to manage Varroa mites.

• EPA– EPA and IR-4 personnel meet at least twice each year to discuss new regulatory approaches that enhance and improve regulatory efficiencies, data requirements, and research collaboration. IR-4 assists EPA by conducting agriculture field tours for EPA employees to provide opportunities for them to better understand crop production systems and agriculture. EPA regularly asks IR-4 to join in their international delegations to NAFTA, OECD, and Codex.

Outreach, Communications and Assessment

IR-4 prepared a comprehensive strategic communications and outreach plan in 2017 which is currently being further refined. The goals of the 2017 plan were:

• Generate greater visibility for IR-4 through a comprehensive communication and education plan that keeps stakeholders informed and elevates the understanding of the value of IR-4 and its activities to Congress and the general public.


• Promote stakeholder involvement through networking and collaboration to increase engagement and information exchange. 

The target audiences of these efforts include farmers/growers, commodity associations, food processors, internal IR-4 personnel (State Liaison Representatives, staff at the IR-4 regional offices and analytical laboratories, and cooperating ARS scientists), state and federal government agencies, international partners, registrants of pesticides and biopesticides, and interested members of the public. 

The IR-4 website (https://www.ir4project.org) was completely redesigned in 2018. It contains the most current news and information about IR-4 activities, with extensive information specific for the Food, Environmental Horticulture, and Biopesticide/Organic Support programs. Stakeholders can submit a Project Request for food residue, performance, and integrated solutions. Project Requests and/or Grower Surveys can also be made for environmental horticulture through the website, and to check the status of IR-4 research on specific crops and pests. Users can also access other relevant information through multiple searchable databases as well as view Food Crop Success Stories and Environmental Horticulture Research Summaries and Crop Vignettes. IR-4 also maintains the Global Minor Use Information Portal that provides a key source of information in support of international harmonization of pesticide registrations and maximum residues levels. 

IR-4 also uses social media and communication tools such as Constant Contact to "push" information to its stakeholders. Constant Contact subscribers receive monthly updates about IR-4 activities and other breaking news related to the program. Through this tool, IR-4 regularly delivers this same information via Facebook (facebook.com/IR4project) and its Twitter account (twitter.com/IR4_Project).

IR-4 personnel regularly attend scientific, association, and trade meetings in order to contribute presentations about IR-4 accomplishments and provide information to growers. IR-4 personnel frequently submit articles for industry trade magazines and peer reviewed journals. IR-4 Directors also routinely attend USDA and SAES meetings to update them on IR-4 activities and progress in achieving new pest management products for specialty crop stakeholders.

IR-4 communication and outreach activities include input from many within IR-4, including a Communication Committee with representatives from IR-4 Headquarters, the four IR-4 regions, the Project Management Committee, State Liaisons, and the Commodity Liaison Committee. Additional feedback and suggestions for improvements are also sought from stakeholders. A comprehensive list of publications and presentations from 2014 to 2018 is attached.

IR-4 utilizes programs like Google Analytics and applications within Constant Contact to determine who is using IR-4 electronic communication information. The goal is to use this analysis to better serve those who are already using the information and to recruit new users. This analysis is also used to modify communication strategies and increase awareness of IR-4.

Projected Participation

View Appendix E: Participation

Literature Cited

Miller, S.R. and J. T. Mann, The Economic Impact of the IR-4 Project and Programs. 2017, Michigan State University Product Center Food-Ag-Bio Center for Economic Analysis.  Report can be found at: https://www.ir4project.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IR4-2017-Impact-Final.pdf

USDA NASS, Crop Values: 2016 Summary. 2017

USDA NASS, Horticultural Census. 2014

Attachments

Land Grant Participating States/Institutions

ID, MI, MN, NC, NJ, OH, PA, PR, SC, UT, WA

Non Land Grant Participating States/Institutions