NCERA222: Integrated Pest Management
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Active
NCERA222: Integrated Pest Management
Duration: 10/01/2021 to 09/30/2026
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
The need for integrated pest management (IPM) research and Extension programs can be found in the citizens of each state, growers of food, fuel, and fiber crops, independent crop consultants, agri-chemical industry representatives, and with regulatory agencies such as EPA. IPM requires pest identification and an understanding of thresholds, plus knowing the economic value of a pesticide application and potential effects of pesticide use on human, environmental, and economic health. The need for IPM continues to grow as evidenced by the development and adoption of transgenic crops that has accelerated development and detection of herbicide resistant weeds and insects resistant to crop traits. Widespread adoption of dicamba tolerant crops and associated non-target effects of dicamba use has fostered a changing regulatory environment. Emerging and invasive pests (e.g., spotted lanternfly, spotted wing Drosophila, brown marmorated stink bugs, kudzu bug, tar spot on corn, downy mildew on basil, Palmer amaranth, etc.) and the re-emergence of old pests (e.g., corn rootworms, bed bugs, gray leaf spot, soybean cyst nematode, giant ragweed, etc.) require continued refinement of approaches to their management. Similarly, continued research is needed to evaluate how to deliver information in ways that increase IPM adoption by a variety of audiences.
NCERA222 members continue to emphasize integrating judicious pesticide use with all available pest management strategies to minimize risks, especially in light of the recent focus on pollinator health, endangered species, and non-target effects of herbicides. IPM programs throughout the region continue to address farmers’ needs such as field crops, fruits, vegetables, nursery, greenhouse, etc., along with crop consultants, small businesses, homeowners and communities in production fields, schools, urban areas, and other public places.
This Committee works closely with the North Central IPM Center (NCIPMC) to communicate opportunities for regional IPM scientists to participate in or form working groups to meet specific IPM needs of our clientele. The state IPM programs and NCIPMC work as a two-way communication conduit for IPM needs and opportunities across the region. Local and regional needs are funneled to the center through state IPM programs. And the center provides some infrastructural support or helps connect state IPM programs with resources to address these needs.
This IPM community has provided critical data and professional opinion to EPA, USDA-OPMP, other federal and state agencies, collected stakeholder needs, identified emerging issues, refined state/regional/national competitive calls for proposals and reviewed/updated/prioritized regional IPM needs. With the ever-changing federal funding and programming environment, the role and responsibilities of regional IPM centers, state IPM programs and NCERA222 continues to evolve in efficient, complementary, synergistic and dynamic fashion. For example, the rapid switch of education programs to distance learning platforms in response to Covid-19 has created greater opportunities for regular professional exchange between research and Extension professionals and multistate collaborations. In addition, the expertise and experience gained by educator and scientist members of the North Central IPM Center (NCIPMC) and NCERA222 have resulted in regular and long-term requests for participation in regional, national and international professional symposiums, conferences, and joint programming efforts. This has also led to specific collaborative opportunities with rapid communications, publications, curriculum, educational materials and innovative programs with significant impact. Specific details with programs and venues are provided in NCERA222 annual reports in NIMSS. All of these activities lead to increased continuity of efforts and enhanced quality in an era with finite resources.
Lastly, three members of the NCERA 222 committee (past Chair, current Chair, and Chair elect) attend the annual National IPM Coordinating Committee held in Washington, DC to exchange information with other regional IPM Coordinators and to shape IPM policy and direction on a national stage.
Objectives
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Increase the capacity of members to implement Extension based programs.
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Review, prioritize and disseminate IPM research and Extension needs.
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Increase collaboration and coordination between state IPM programs, NCIPMC-related working groups and relevant NC multistate committees.
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Facilitate multistate programming to share curriculum and educational materials, and communication technology.
Procedures and Activities
Objective 1 – Members from each state will share at least one innovative project or program that is currently being implemented.
Objective 2 – Review key IPM research and Extension needs that would be useful in conducting Extension programs, informing research activities, enhancing grant applications and assisting with state, regional, national and international agendas.
Objective 3 – Focus on communicating and interacting with relevant NCIPMC-funded working groups and other NC multistate committees in an effort to reduce redundancy and create efficient streams of information exchange and proactive future activities.
Objective 4 – Provide publications, workshops and concepts that might have regional interest, enrich the knowledge base of members and positively impact end users in other states.
Expected Outcomes and Impacts
- At least one innovative program developed in one state is implemented in another state. At least one multistate collaboration is established. Comments: Our shared geography, crop and pest complexes will facilitate shared programming to meet clientele needs.
- Research and Extension personnel are informed of the current needs of IPM. Comments: As State IPM Coordinators most of the membership acts as a conduit for information distribution to researchers and Specialists in our respective states.
- Invite at least one NCIPMC working group or NC multistate committee to attend our annual meeting to provide an update on their activities while listening to the activities and progress of our committee. Comments: Member involvement with State Specialistis connect us to this network of committees in ways that facilitate these sorts of invitations.
- Exchange verbal and written reports of state activities to provide networking and promote sharing between states in the region. Comments: This happens at our annual meetings.
Projected Participation
View Appendix E: ParticipationEducational Plan
Because many of the committee members are Extension IPM Coordinators, there is an established network to distribute information to each state and to support the development of joint educational materials. In addition, three members of the committee serve on the National IPM Coordinating Committee, which results in further sharing of NC IPM programs, highlights and contributions to the national agenda.
Organization/Governance
The NCERA 222 committee selects one member to be Chair-elect for one year. After one year, the Chair -elect becomes the Chair for the following year, and a new Chair-elect is selected. There is one Chair and Chair-elect serving on the committee at all times. There is no election of a Secretary. Administrative guidance will be provided by an assigned Administrative Advisor and USDA NIFA Representative, if available.