The Future of State IPM Programs Norman C. Leppla University of Florida, IFAS

Leppla’s Career University of Arizona- Insect Behavior &Rearing Research (2 yr) USDA, ARS- Pest Management & Biological Control, FL & TX (17 yr) USDA, APHIS- Methods Development, Washington DC & International (7 yr) University of Florida- Administration & Integrated Pest Management (12 yr)

Current Situation in Agriculture Agricultural goals Threats to food production Reactions to threats IPM options Sustainability Generic IPM program

Shared Goal: for on-farm production, post-harvest handling and processing, distribution, retail and food-service operations-- to provide the safest possible fresh fruits and vegetables to consumers-- through wise, consistent, scientific and industry-wide best practices

Potential Threats to Food Crop Production  Food borne illnesses  Land availability and use  Labor and immigration  Water quality and quantity  Higher operating costs (fuel)  New plant pests and diseases

Potential Threats to Food Crop Production  Loss of pesticides  Offshore competition  Damaging weather  Population growth  Environmentalism  Government “assistance”

Grower’s Reaction to Threats

Resistant Crop Competitors Natural enemies Resistant varieties Vulnerable Crop Alien Invasive Pest Integrated pest management program: Cultural practices Scouting, Identification of pests and NE Conservation of natural enemies Augmentation of natural enemies Reduced-risk insecticides Resistance management Pesticide program: Application methods Resistance management New pesticides Reaction to a New Pest

What is IPM?  IPM is the coordinated use of pest and environmental information and available pest control methods….  to prevent unacceptable levels of pest damage by the most economical means….  with the least possible hazard to people, property and the environment.

Agricultural Sustainability Through IPM Sustainability Sustainability Cultural Methods Cultural Methods Biological Control Biological Control Chemical Control Chemical Control Physical Methods Physical Methods

Sustainability of Agriculture  Economic profitability  Environmental health  Social and economic well-being

REDUCE RISK… Pest outbreaks & disease epidemics Environmental contamination Human health hazards Pest mgmt. costs IPM System INCREASE… Reliability Sustainability Cultural & Physical Methods Biological Control Chem

 Biological knowledge  Monitoring and inspection  Act to control pests when necessary  Choose least-risk options  Long-term, preventative practices  Evaluation and records  Pesticide management  Continual improvement Generic IPM Program

State Extension IPM Programs Origin of state IPM programs Structure and function of state IPM programs Future of state IPM programs "Huffaker Project" $12.5 million (NSF, USDA, EPA) CES extension IPM, every state $0.5-$1.5 m (total) “Adkisson Project” $3.5 million

USDA, CSREES Funding Cooperative Extension Directors State IPM Coordinators Cooperators The USDA, CSREES (NIFA) Extension IPM Program Previous program: formula-funded 1862 land grant system (56 states, ca $8.2 million) Current program: competitively- funded 1862 and 1890 land grant eligible (75 institutions, ca $8.4 m)

1.Coordination Programs (ca $168,000) A. IPM Coordination ($25,000) B. IPM Collaboration (Unfunded) C. Areas of Emphasis (Selected by State) People and Communities Ornamentals and Turf Vegetables Watersheds and River Basins Pasture and Forage Crops Citrus Deciduous and Small Fruit Past New 1.Coordination Programs (ca $168,000) A. IPM Coordination ($25,000) B. IPM Collaboration (Req., unfunded) C. Areas of Emphasis (Defined EIPM-CS) Agronomic Crops (Not req.) High Value Crops ($100,000) Conservation Partnerships ($25,559) Pest Diagnostics (Req., unf.) School IPM ($18,000) Housing IPM (Req., unfunded) Recreational Lands (Req., unf.) Consumer/Urban (Not req.) Human Pests and Diseases (Not req.) Wide-Area Monitoring (Not requested) 2.Critical Support Impact Evaluation (Not requested) Critical Issues (Not requested) Florida Statewide IPM Program

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Designated Coordinator……………………..18 Manage the Smith-Lever 3(d) Funds………26 Obtain Extramural Funding……………….…41 Adequate Technical Support…………….….24 Adequate Facilities and Equipment……...…41 Program Management Structure…………...53 Planning/Priority Setting Process…………..45 Assure IPM Program Recognition………….53 Professional Development Opportunities….45

PROGRAM DELIVERY Communication System (e.g., website)…..51 Grants Program..……………………………22 Produce Extension Materials.……………..49 Provide IPM Consultation ………………..34 Seek Funding for Cooperators…………….28 Conduct Education & Training Activities….52 Means of Measuring Benefits……..……….53

PROGRAM INVOLVEMENT Cooperative Extension Collaboration…… Research Collaboration …………………….52 Clientele Collaboration…………………….….51 Interdisciplinary Scope………………………..53 Inter-Institutional Collaboration…………….. 52 Statewide Involvement………………………..52 Regional, National & International Liaison….43

PROGRAM SUPPORT USDA, CSREES …………………………...54 Regional IPM Center ………………………54 University Administration………………… Unit Leader……………………………… Clientele……………………………………….20

Smith-Lever 3(d) Funds

EIPM-CS Program Stakeholder lnput Funded network of state IPM programs is a great value (coordination and infrastructure) (33) Leverage additional external funding (20) Increase stakeholder involvement (17) Fund base functions (12) Multi-year funding for continuity (29) Improve the review panels and process (22) Mini-grants (sub-awards) (5) Increase program flexibility (17) One application per institution (5)

Agronomy Entomology Pathology Soil Science Forestry Horticulture PlantMedicine The Future of IPM Multi-disciplinaryPartnerships Resources- internet Knowledge intensive

Partnerships

Resource Intensive

IPM Education and Training Identifying key pest and beneficial organisms Understanding the ecology and adaptability of the organisms Mastering scouting and other monitoring techniques Applying economic and other action thresholds Preventing pest outbreaks through habitat manipulation Designing systems of mitigation that minimize environmental impact Experience with the habitat, e.g., crops or buildings Understanding laws and regulations pertinent to pest management Familiarity with the safe and appropriate use of pesticides Exposure to pest management information and organizations

IPM Competencies Education & experience. An interdisciplinary education in the traditional scientific disciplines plus hands-on, practical experience are essential. Synthesis & integration. Education and training prepare pest managers to synthesize knowledge from across disciplines because plant health problems often are not limited to a single cause. Problem solving & critical thinking. Experience is gained in accurately diagnosing and rapidly solving plant health problems while minimizing environmental impacts and economic losses. Speaking & writing effectively. Superior communication skills, both written and verbal, are required to effectively communicate IPM principles and practices.

University of Minnesota WebVista (Blackboard Learning System) Core Concepts- $375 for 15 contact hours IPM3 Training Consortium Unit 1. Introduction to IPM Unit 2. IPM Economic Concepts Unit 3. Host Plant Resistance Unit 4. IPM Tactics Unit 5. IPM Tactics―Chemical Control Unit 6. IPM Tactics―Physical Control Unit 7. IPM Tactics―Cultural Control Unit 8. IPM Tactics―Regulatory Control Unit 9. Introduction to Invasive Species Pest Biology Modules IPM Core Concepts Module Specialty Modules

Opportunities for Sustainable Food Crop Production  Research innovations  Technology implementation  Rapid information exchange  Education and training  Biosecurity and trade  Food safety- supply chain  Environmental stewardship

“A comprehensive and at least stable state IPM program would benefit every land grant university, as agriculture, communities and natural areas are increasingly difficult to protect from pests and diseases without unacceptable risks to human health and the environment.” The Functions, Evolution and Benefits of State Integrated Pest Management Programs N. C. Leppla, D. A. Herbert, Jr. and D. D. Thomas American Entomologist, Winter 2009

IPM Florida: The UF, IFAS Statewide IPM Program