Signature Programs
Early Detection and Rapid Response
Newly introduced invasive species, recently developed pesticide resistance, and increased emergence of known pest populations are a constant threat to agricultural production systems. Mitigating the risk of these factors requires effective surveillance programs, clear communication among stakeholders, and timely action by multiple different groups. Coordination can be challenging, especially where a damage agent affects multiple commodities across state and regional boundaries.
This program provides tools and resources to coordinate the early detection of threats, research to develop more effective control tactics, and outreach to provide timely information for supporting management decisions.
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Climate Change
Climate-smart pest management aims to strengthen the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of climate change through a cross-sectoral approach. Reducing crop losses due to pest damage, enhancing ecosystem services, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are the three key pillars to climate-smart pest management. Obstacles facing the adoption of climate-smart pest management exist both at the practitioner level and the institutional level . A comprehensive approach to climate-smart pest management involves a coordinated effort in the areas of production, extension and research, and the private and public sector.
Extension and research approaches aimed at pest management information networks contribute to all three pillars of climate-smart pest management: productivity, adaptation, and mitigation.
This program seeks to better understand and facilitate the adoption of climate-smart pest management (CSPM); the cross-sectoral approach aimed at strengthening the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of climate change. A participatory approach to regional focus groups and a national adaptive capacity questionnaire will not only identify stakeholder needs and gauge stakeholder resiliency, but also recognize the climate change adaptation and mitigation contributions of IPM users. This program will ultimately strengthen the IPM network, improve IPM collaboration, and increase IPM adoption.
Protection of Pollinators and Other Beneficial Insects
Insect pollination is vital for the production of fruits, nuts, and vegetables that comprise approximately 35% of global food production. The Southern IPM Center will collaborate and support the North Central IPM Center’s Signature Program on Pollinators that protects pollinators and beneficial insects that consume pollen and nectar.
Working group initiatives include: Rights-of-way as pollinator habitats, pollinator protection and action for youth, developing pollinator-friendly agricultural practices and utilizing IPM to manage honey bee pests, and developing plans addressing state-specific risks to pollinators with focus on habitat protection, honeybee health, and pesticide applicator education.
IPM Identity
IPM encompasses many settings, disciplines, and people, but this fact is not always apparent. The inherent network diversity can cause confusion about who is a part of the IPM community and what can be identified as IPM. Programs and people can become siloed and segmented instead of forming a cohesive, harmonized, and collaborative IPM identity.
This program takes a social science approach and envisions representative and inclusive voices and experiences in IPM. It (a) highlights those who are already using IPM principles and have already adopted IPM, even though they might not realize it; and (b) emphasizes the diversity and inclusion of IPM and its people, showing that those who practice IPM come from many disciplines, backgrounds, populations, and ethnicities.