Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The MSU Urban IPM Program was created in 2008 at the demand of professional landscape organizations. In response to their needs, we created the Urban IPM Practitioner Program. After the completion of 12 approved education credits, practitioners are listed on the website (http://www.urbanipm.org) and can use the name of the program and seal to promote their businesses. Currently there are: 85 enrollees; 24 certified practitioners; Practitioners are advertising their qualifications in local newspaper, their websites, and are displaying the stickers we distribute on their vehicles and windows. We conducted a baseline survey of new participants; 86% indicated they use IPM practices at some time. Demand for immediate results was identified as a barrier to adoption while desire for perfect landscape was about evenly split between barrier and not a barrier. Lack of information, ineffectiveness, lack of qualified labor, willingness of customers to pay and lower profits were not recognized as barriers. Important reasons for using IPM included benefits to the environment, employee health risk and reduced water pollution. We developed two workshops. How to Manage Pests of Turf and Trees: IPM for the Urban Landscape, March, 2010, 60 attendees, was very successful as measured by the number of potential enrollees we had to turn away and the continued positive feedback we receive. Pesticides for the Home Landscape: What, When, and How, January, 2011, 23 attendees, was in conjunction with the Association of Montana Turf and Ornamental Pest Professionals (AMTOPP) annual meeting. In addition to receiving Urban IPM credits, our workshops are cross registered with the state Commercial and Private Applicator licensing programs and International Society of Arboriculture certification. We developed and participated in approximately 30 presentations and training activities per year that reached about 100,000 people including presentations at: Montana Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) and AMTOPP annual meetings (2010 and 2011); local garden clubs in 2010; Master Gardener training in 2010 and 2011; WY Recertification Rendezvous in 2011. 8% of certified practitioners report they have received First Detector training; 50% from the NPDN online modules and 50% from other training. Online training modules are presented on the web site. We developed educational materials as follow: brochure to advertise certification program; brochure for consumer education for distribution at farmers' markets, to clients, etc.; roll-up poster to accompany brochure at farmers' markets, trade shows, etc.; web site development http://www.urbanipm.org/index.cfm. This web site, developed in Jan. 2011, allows online enrollment in the certification program, contains course information and online registration, tracks education credits, and archives the newsletter. An electronic bimonthly Urban IPM Newsletter started in June 2011. We held annual meetings of our 6-member advisory committee to review progress and discuss activity and ways to make this program sustainable. Members are from the landscape industry (2), Montana State University (3) and the Montana Department of Agriculture (1). PARTICIPANTS: Leadership of the MSU Urban IPM program is the responsibility of Dr. Linnea Skoglund under the supervision of Dr. Mary Burrows. Other IPM professionals involved in this project include Drs. Fabian Menalled, Jane Mangold, Kevin Wanner, Barry Jacobsen, and Mr. Toby Day, Ms Melissa Medley and Ms Ruth O'Neill. Stacey Terrill (graduate student in Dept Health and Human Development) conducted surveys and other evaluations under the guidance of Dr. Shannon Arnold (Agricultural Education Department). Laurie Neuman (undergraduate student) provides general project support. These participants are all with Montana State University. This project has collaborations with the Montana Department of Agriculture, which holds 1 seat on the advisory committee and landscape organizations including MNLA and the AMTOPP, which both hold seats on the advisory committee. We have also formed close ties with personnel at Colorado State University including Ronda Koski, Ned Tisserat, Whitney Cranshaw, and Howard Schwartz to collaborate and provide IPM educational resources. Training and professional development opportunities include: Tree Pests of the Great Plains Workshop and the National Plant Diagnostic Network/Great Plains Diagnostic network meeting. Training was provided to the public at farmers' markets in summer 2010 and 2011 through the extension booth and through appearances by PIs on the TV program Montana Ag Live (20,000 contacts per appearance). We also took part in training for MDA field personnel, extension county agents and landscape professionals in the areas of diagnostic services and pesticide education. TARGET AUDIENCES: The primary audience we intend to reach with this program is landscape professionals throughout Montana. Currently there are 85 participants from the landscape/horticultural industry (with app. 4500 clients) as well as extension and regulatory agencies. It is through them that we are targeting homeowners and the communities in which they live and work. Our goal is to increase knowledge about IPM and how it partners with environmental stewardship and health and safety thereby leading to decreased pesticide use and increasing use of less toxic alternatives. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Surveys conducted at the end of the workshops indicated high demand for training and improved communication. Participants felt strongly that workshops had educational value and that they would like to have future workshops in conjunction with AMTOPP. First Workshop: 92% indicated they would attend a future workshop; 83% indicated they use IPM practices while 6% indicated they did not know; 100% indicated their knowledge increased due to the workshop; 92% indicated they will implement what they learned. Second Workshop: 57% attended both workshops; 100% indicated their knowledge increased due to the workshop; 94% indicated increased confidence in their. Workshop Follow-up Survey: 10% reported they did not use IPM principles before attending. 100% of those now use IPM. Use of IPM practices increased: 95% report they now monitor pest levels vs. 40% previously: 67% currently set action thresholds vs. 55% previously; 78% report recommending cultural management techniques vs. 66% before; 77% evaluate effectiveness of practices vs. 61% before. 26% report their pesticide use has decreased as a result of attending a workshop. Comment on survey: "We have stopped using pesticides unless we see that it is the only method to prevent irreversible damage to a landscape. Now we try culture practices first and only use pesticides as a last resort." Certified Practitioner Survey: 100% reported that certification has been valuable to their businesses; 70% feel the certification program has led to a decrease in the amount of chemicals they purchase; 90% report an increase in customers choosing IPM-based practices. Comment: "In some cases it has reduced revenue from pesticide applications, but it has led to better business practices and customer trust because we have chosen not to treat when it isn't necessary and can offer valid reasons and alternative action plans" A Google search on the phrases "urban IPM practitioners", "urban IPM" and "IPM Montana" all located our website within the top 5 items. This permits a homeowner to locate a certified practitioner with ease. There were over 1200 pageviews for the certified practitioner site (http://www.msuextension.org/urbanipm/cert_people.cfm) since it was established in April, 2010. The program home page had over 10,500 pageviews from 8/30/2010 to 8/30/2011. The Urban IPM Program has been leveraged to obtain several grants totaling $674,860: Burrows, M., N. Tisserat, W. Cranshaw, R. Koski, R. Hammon. 2009-2011. Creation of online urban IPM resources for the High Plains and Intermountain region. Western Region IPM Center. $58,355. Jacobsen, B., et al. 2009. Montana Extension IPM Program. Extension Integrated Pest Management Coordination and Support Program. $104,000. Burrows, M. and S. Arnold. 2009-2011. Assessment of pesticide use and barriers to IPM implementation by landscape professionals in Montana. EPA-PESP. $50,000 Jacobsen, B et al. 2010-2013. Montana's Extension IPM Coordination Project. Extension Integrated Pest Management. $409,515 Burrows, M., L. Skoglund, J. Mangold. 2010-2012. Reducing pesticide use by expanding the educational mission of the Montana State University Urban IPM program. EPA-PESP. $52,990
Publications
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2010. Purple Needles on Spruce. April 20, 2010. Via email and internet at: http://www.pdis.org/AgAlerts/Overview.aspx
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2010. Urban IPM FIRE BLIGHT MODEL available for your use May 10, 2010. Via email and internet at: http://www.pdis.org/AgAlerts/Overview.aspx
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2010. Urban IPM Fire Blight Risk for May 28, 2010. Via email and internet at: http://www.pdis.org/AgAlerts/Overview.aspx
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2010. Urban IPM Fire Blight Risk for June 3, 2010. Via email and internet at: http://www.pdis.org/AgAlerts/Overview.aspx
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2010. Horticulture/Urban IPM Cytospora Canker is widespread in Montana. June 3, 2010. Via email and internet at: http://www.pdis.org/AgAlerts/Overview.aspx
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2010. Horticulture/Urban IPM Fire blight infection risk medium to high in parts of Montana. June 16, 2010. Via email and internet at: http://www.pdis.org/AgAlerts/Overview.aspx
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2010. Horticulture/Urban IPM Looking for a remedy to the damaged ash tree situation August 9, 2010. Via email and internet at: http://www.pdis.org/AgAlerts/Overview.aspx
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2011. Austrian pines dying around Montana. 2/3/2011. Press release.
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2011. URBAN IPM: Austrian pines dying around Montana. 3/2/2011. Via email and internet at: http://www.mtagalert.org/
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2011. Have you heard of Integrated Pest Management 3/8/2011. Press Release
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2011. Austrian pines dying around Montana. 4/28/2011. Press release.
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2011. URBAN IPM: Update on Austrian Pines (May 5, 2011). Via email and internet at: http://www.mtagalert.org/
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2011. URBAN IPM: Fire Blight Risk - 9 May 2011. Via email and internet at: http://www.mtagalert.org/
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2011. URBAN IPM: FIRE BLIGHT RISK - 16 May 2011 5/16/2011. Via email and internet at: http://www.mtagalert.org/
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2011. URBAN IPM: Fire Blight Risk - 7 June 2011. Via email and internet at: http://www.mtagalert.org/
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2011. URBAN IPM: Fire Blight Risk - 13 June 2011. Via email and internet at: http://www.mtagalert.org/
- Urban IPM Newsletter: Vol 1, Issue 1 (June 17, 2011); Vol 1, Issue 2 (July 1, 2011); Vol 1, Issue 3 (July 15, 2011); Vol 1, Issue 4 (August 1, 2011); Vol 1, Issue 5 (August 15, 2011)
- Terrill, S., L. Skoglund and M. Burrows. 2011. Integrated pest management education of homeowners with an interactive garden series. Journal of Extension [in preparation, spring 2012]
- Terrill, S., L. Skoglund, S. Arnold, A. Harmon and M. Burrows. 2011. Barriers, incentives and strategies for integrated pest management (IPM) implementation in the urban setting. [in preparation, spring 2012]
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2011. URBAN IPM: FIRE BLIGHT RISK - 23 May 2011. Via email and internet at: http://www.mtagalert.org/
- Skoglund, Linnea. 2011. URBAN IPM: FIRE BLIGHT RISK - 31 May 2011. Via email and internet at: http://www.mtagalert.org/
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Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In order to determine IPM education needs, we surveyed 108 county extension agents and urban landscape professionals in CO, ID, MT, NE, ND, SD, and WY. The majority of participants currently receive information primarily from extension publications (46 percent) and the internet (31 percent). They used IPM-based recommendations most of the time (55 percent). The majority (80 percent) desired more training on identification and control of invasive urban and horticultural pests. The most need for IPM training was seen for home yard and landscapes (59 percent) and lawn/tree services (39 percent). Participants wanted information via the internet (79 percent) and written publications (72 percent) rather than regional meetings/personal interactions. They desired the most information about pesticide use, pest control and cultural controls. In August 2009 we surveyed the public at the Bozeman farmers market about whether they know what IPM means. Only one person out of 40 knew how to define IPM. Two additional people had heard of IPM, but thought it meant using no pesticides at all. In 2008, 75 percent of clients surveyed on a single day at the Extension booth at the farmers market chose a non-pesticide based pest management option based on their interaction with specialists at the booth. In 2008 we received 1,115 questions and in 2009 we received 965 questions in 12 weeks. We initiated an IPM Certification program for landscape professionals in Montana in early 2009. A 6-member advisory committee was formed and met to help design the program. Members are from the landscape industry (2), MSU (3) and the MT Department of Agriculture (1). A full color tri-fold brochure was developed and distributed to advertise the program. There are currently 33 participants in the program. They must complete 12 credits to become certified. We have offered 2 online and 3 in-person training opportunities. Activities included presentations on Urban IPM at the MNLA Green Expo, AMTOPP winter meeting, and MNLA Fall Tour. Online opportunities included 1st Detector Training modules and the Great Plains Diagnostic Network (GPDN) webinar series. Credits may also be earned by subscribing to AgAlert and completing a Pest and Pesticide Use survey. As of August 31, 2009 a participant could have completed 9 credits. We plan to have the first participants certified by the summer of 2010. The Urban IPM Program website is hosted by MSU Extension (www.msuextension.org/urbanipm). Currently, the site explains the program and lists training opportunities. There have been 1,183 hits to the site. The Urban IPM 2009 Invasive Pest Calendar resulted from a collaboration with the GPDN. The calendar featured full page colored pictures of four disease, four weed and four insect pests along with descriptions. 1000 calendars were printed and distributed to train Master Gardeners and other members of the horticultural community and general public. Grants were received from EPA-PESP to provide assessment instruments to support the Urban IPM program and the WRIPMC to create lucid keys of woody ornamental pests on the High Plains IPM website (wiki.bugwood.org/HPIPM). PARTICIPANTS: This program was initiated by Dr. Nina Zidack and Dr. Jim Knight. Kara Schile took Nina Zidack's place in October of 2008 but left her position in June of 2009. Ms. Schile presented an interim report on this project at the International IPM conference in Portland, OR. Leadership is now the responsibility of Dr. Linnea Skoglund under the supervision of Dr. Mary Burrows. Other IPM professionals involved in this project include Drs. Fabian Menalled, Jane Mangold, Kevin Wanner, Barry Jacobsen, and Mr. Toby Day. Stacey Terrill (graduate student in Dept Heath and Human Services) is conducting surveys and other evaluations under the guidance of Dr. Shannon Arnold (Agricultural Education Department). Laurie Neuman (undergraduate student) provides general project support. These participants are all with Montana State University. This project has collaborations with the MT Dept Ag (MDA) which holds 1 seat on the advisory committee and landscape organizations including the Montana Nursery and Landscape Professionals (MNLA) and the Association of Montana Turf and Ornamental Pest Professionals (AMTOPP), who both hold seats on the advisory committee. We have also formed close ties with personnel at Colorado State University including Ronda Koski, Ned Tisserat, Whitney Cranshaw, and Howard Schwartz to collaborate and provide IPM educational resources. Training and professional development opportunities include: First Detector Train-the-Trainer presentations, 6th International IPM Conference, and the Great Plains Diagnostic network meeting. Training was provided to the public at 11 farmers markets in summer of 2009 through the extension booth (965 contacts) and through 3 appearances by PIs on the TV program Montana Ag Live (20,000 contacts per appearance). We also took part in training for MDA field personnel, extension county agents and landscape professionals in the areas of diagnostic services and pesticide education. TARGET AUDIENCES: The primary audience we intend to reach with this program is landscape professionals throughout Montana. Currently there are 33 participants who represent the landscape/horticultural industry as well as regulatory agencies. It is through them that we are targeting homeowners and the communities in which they live and work. Our goal is to increase knowledge about IPM and how it partners with environmental stewardship and health and safety thereby leading to decreased pesticide use and increasing use of less toxic alternatives. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Homeowners often turn to pesticides as a quick fix to a perceived problem. By educating consumers at farmers' markets about IPM and proper use of pesticides, we found a significant change in attitudes when 75 percent of clients chose a non-pesticide option after discussion of their pest problem with IPM specialists at an Extension booth. By enrolling in the certification program, landscape professionals indicate their desire to increase their knowledge of IPM and take that to their clients.
Publications
- Burrows, 2008. Bring questions about plants and weeds to Extension at Sept. 6 Farmers Market. Press release, MSU Extension Publications.
- Burrows. 2009. New MSU Extension program aims at safe pest management. Press release, MSU Extension Publications.
- Burrows. 2009. Bring plant and 4-H questions to Extension experts at July 4 Farmers Market. Press release, MSU Extension Publications.
- Burrows. 2009. Bring plant and mountain pine beetle questions to Extension experts at June 27 Farmers Market. Press release, MSU Extension Publications.
- Burrows. 2009. Bring plant and soil questions to Extension experts at June 20 Farmers Market in Bozeman. Press release, MSU Extension Publications.
- Burrows. 2009. Bring plant and pesticide questions to Extension experts at July 25 Farmers Market. Press release, MSU Extension Publications.
- Burrows. 2009. Bring plant and nutrition questions to Extension experts at Aug. 1 Farmers' Market. Press release, MSU Extension Publications.
- Burrows. 2009. MSU Extension's booth at Saturdays Farmers Market will feature horticulture and plant disease specialists. Press release, MSU Extension Publications.
- Burrows. 2009. Bring water quality and plant disease questions to Extension experts at Aug. 22 Farmers Market. Press release, MSU Extension Publications.
- Burrows. 2009. Bring 4-H and insect questions to Extension experts at September 5 Farmers Market. Press release, MSU Extension Publications.
- Burrows. 2009. Bring weed questions to Extension experts at Aug. 29 Farmers Market. Press release, MSU Extension Publications.
- Burrows. 2009. Bring 4-H and insect questions to Extension experts at Sept. 5 Farmers Market. Press release, MSU Extension Publications.
- Burrows. 2009. Bring mountain pine beetle and other insect questions to September 12 Farmers Market. Press release, MSU Extension Publications.
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