Source: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY submitted to
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY EXTENSION INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
EXTENDED
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0223496
Grant No.
2010-41534-21780
Project No.
FLAX-2010-05191
Proposal No.
2010-01591
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
QQIPM
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2010
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2014
Grant Year
2013
Project Director
Phills, B.
Recipient Organization
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
TALLAHASSEE,FL 32307
Performing Department
Extension Service
Non Technical Summary
Pests continue to pose serious challenges to agriculture, human health and critical environmental resources such as water. Implementation of IPM is therefore essential to improve competitiveness of agriculture, and to enhance environmental sustainability. This project focuses on provision of technical support and education to key stakeholders to ensure increased adoption and application of IPM and other best management practices. This program is implemented by a multi-disciplinary group of faculty distributed in five research and extension centers/programs which are responsible for delivering IPM solutions to clientele. The FAMU extension IPM program will primarily focus on specialty crops (small fruits and vegetables) and three secondary emphasis areas: IPM in public health, IPM in recreational areas and training of pesticide applicators.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2160599106010%
2161139106025%
2161499106055%
7211139106010%
Goals / Objectives
The primary objective of the Florida A&M University (FAMU)extension IPM program is to enhance the adoption of IPM by small to medium sized vegetable and small fruit growers. The secondary objectives of the program are to: 1). improve the management of mosquitoes through the development and dissemination of relevant information to key stakeholders by means of regional workshops and the internet. 2). increase the effectiveness of efforts to manage hydrilla in two cold water springs (Wakulla and Wacissisa) in North Florida, by educating key stakeholders on relevant aspects of IPM. 3). enhance current pesticide applicator training programs and expand training efforts to include private and limited (institutional) categories of applicators, particularly in the areas of pesticide labeling, worker safety, and environmental protection.
Project Methods
The multidisciplinary FAMU IPM extension team comprising of participants from across different university units will meet regularly to coordinate planning, development, implementation and reporting of IPM activities. This team will also provide a focal point for responding to IPM related enquiries, and for linkage with other state partners and stakeholders. This coordinated program will maximize on FAMU's competitive strengths to address key pest challenges by deploying the available resources in an effective and efficient way. The team will provide critical knowledge solutions which will enable stakeholders to effectively protect and/or conserve plant, animal and human resources through implementation of pertinent components of the national IPM Roadmap. The program will primarily focus on small to medium sized vegetable and small fruits growers with a view to enhance IPM adoption through education, and provision of relevant IPM knowledge. The program will also address three secondary emphasis areas where FAMU has a competitive advantage. The overarching themes in all areas of emphasis are: training, and production and effective dissemination of educational materials and other relevant IPM information. The project emphasizes the development of strong collaborative linkages both within and outside FAMU, and strong linkages with stakeholders.

Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Integrated Pest Management Demonstration: Demonstration plots comprising a range of vegetables including: okra, beans, tomato, pepper, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, collard, eggplant, squash, and turnip were established during the key growing seasons. These plots formed the basis for clientele training in IPM. For fruits, demonstration plots consisted of new as well as already established cultivars of apple, grapes, plum, persimmon, peach, chestnut, citrus, and figs. The availability of these demonstrations plots has enhanced the capacity for IPM training for farmers and other clientele including backyard growers and students. Field Days and Workshops: Several season based, annual or one time field days and workshops were organized as follows: i) Two field days were conducted on the vegetable and fruit production strategies in June 2012 and these were attended by more than 30 participants. ii) A vineyard management and small fruit pruning workshop was organized in February 2012, attended by 30 participants. iii) In March, several `let's grow workshops' were organized targeting beginning and advanced farmers and community gardeners interested in organics or just eating healthy iv) A grape and small fruits harvest festival was organized in August 2011, attended by more than 3000 participants many who visited the IPM demonstration plots. v) A fall vegetable and fruit field day was organized in October 2011 and this was attended by 15 participants. Pest monitoring and IPM recommendations: A program of regular monitoring for pests was implemented on the plots. A range of key pests which are important in the North Florida region were identified. Efforts to apply and/or adapt IPM recommendations against these pests are continuing. Certification training: From November 2-4, 2011, FAMU organized the 35th Entomology Field Day and Workshop, an activity primarily coordinated by Ms. Janice Peters. This three day event attracted nearly 200 participants and provided practical hands on training geared towards private and public sector personnel involved in pest management. Sessions covered aspects of managing medical, structural and urban and agricultural pests. Other sessions also covered topics on weeds and regulatory aspects as well. The program was implemented with a range of collaborators from FAMU, University of Florida, private sector participants and several state and federal agencies.IPM Coordination: IPM faculty participated in several IPM related activities. Thus two faculty participated in the Florida small farms and alternative enterprises conference and presented ongoing training and demonstration work (July 2012). A survey instrument to garner information and feedback from growers and farmers was developed and is being used during field days and workshops. PARTICIPANTS: Kairo, M.T.K., Haseeb, M., Phills, B.R., Taylor, J., Mbuya, O., Peters, J., Umar, G., Hix R., and Vonda Richardson TARGET AUDIENCES: Small farm owners, backyard gardeners, pesticide applicators, fresh vegetable and fruit producers, fresh market suppliers, students, etc. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: One additional collaborator, Dr. Mathews Paret (University of Florida) has been added to this project to provide assistance in case of plant pathology, diseases identification & diagnosis and training component. Dr. Paret will be instrumental to fill in the gap of a plant pathologist for this project.

Impacts
The Florida A&M IPM Extension program has leveraged improved collaboration among specialists at FAMU, and other partner institutions. The demonstration plots have provided a good vehicle for practical application and dissemination of different IPM approaches in small vegetable and fruit systems. More effective linkages with stakeholders are being established providing the opportunity for problem identifications and development of more appropriate solutions. Training sessions organized as part of the entomology field day and workshop have continued to impart knowledge to pesticide applicators and other stakeholders resulting in more effective application of IPM.

Publications

  • Haseeb, M., R. Said, B. Phills, A. Bolques and G. Umar. Some Priority Pest Problems in Small Scale Fruit and Vegetable Production in North Florida. Extension Poster presented at the 7th International Integrated Pest Management Symposium, held in Memphis, TN, USA (March 2012).


Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Integrated Pest Management Demonstration: A permanent demonstration site has been established and is being used as the basis for provision of education and training to clientele including: small scale farmers and backyard producers, master gardeners, students and teachers. The demonstration encompasses both conventional and low input and organic production. Crops will be grown on these demonstration sites each season and will form the basis for regular formal and informal training activities. In addition an in house multidisciplinary collaborative field day and workshop was organized to sensitize the university community on the Extension IPM project and to identify opportunities for collaboration. IPM for vegetables in North Florida: A study to characterize insect pest problems and farmer decision making in crucifer crops in small scale low-input and organic farming systems in North Florida was completed. The results from this work are being used to develop targeted solutions for farmers. Sustainable farming workshops for vegetable and small fruits: A range of workshops provided hands-on training to enhance production, integrated pest management and organic-biorational strategies to a range of famers. The training was provided as part of a series of workshops led by Jennifer Taylor. This is an active participatory capacity building program designed and implemented to assist and equip underserved farming populations and their families toward a sustainable development. The training sessions included two workshops during 2011: 1) Thriving, beyond sustainability: This foundational whole-farm/farmscape ecology workshop. 2) Thriving, beyond sustainability: This capacity building workshop was delivered by Will Allen and provided insight on the impact of using organic methods. During 2010, the following workshops were organized: 1) Organic urban farming: The workshop provided hands-on training in concepts of farming in small spaces with maximum benefit and organic production strategies. 2) Transitioning to organics: The workshop provided information on organic farming and how to transition from conventional farming to organic methods. 3) 2010 - Organic farming for youth: This workshop provided information and hands-on experiences in organics for youth. 4) Organic integrated pest management: Hands-on training on management of pests. 5) Organic fruit tree production and management strategies: This two day workshop provided hands-on training in growing fruit trees using organic methods. Certification training: Janice Peters organized another successful entomology Field Day and Workshop. This three day event provided practical hands on training geared towards private and public sector personnel involved in pesticide application. The program was implemented with a range of collaborators from FAMU, University of Florida and several state and federal agencies. PARTICIPANTS: Ms. Roaida Said and Mr. Gohar Umar Six undergraduate students Mr. Will Allen, Growing Power Inc. TARGET AUDIENCES: Small scale farmers and backyard producers, master gardeners, students and teachers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Whereas there is growing participation and interest in adoption of integrated pest management approaches, it is too early to assess impact of the project.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period