Source: UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT submitted to
VERMONT IPM EXTENSION IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM (VT EIP): 2021-2024
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
EXTENDED
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1027204
Grant No.
2021-70006-35509
Project No.
VTN-FP1180
Proposal No.
2021-05149
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
EIP
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2021
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2024
Grant Year
2023
Project Director
Hazelrigg, A. L.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
(N/A)
BURLINGTON,VT 05405
Performing Department
Ext - Programming & Fac Sup
Non Technical Summary
The VT EIP is aligned with IPM needs of the diverse crops and audiences in Vermont and includes the Primary Priority areas of IPM Implementation in: Agronomic Crops, Specialty Crops (Tree Fruit/Grapes, Greenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery crops), Communities, and IPM for Pollinator Health. Secondary Priority areas of IPM Support for Pest Diagnostic Facilities and IPM Education for Pesticide Applicators will serve as resources for all Primary Priority areas. Each Priority area advances the goals of the CPPM program by developing new IPM tools and tactics promoted through education and outreach programs to increase adoption of IPM by new stakeholders, established growers and consumers that reduce pesticide use, crop losses due to pests and disease, decrease production costs and reduce health and environmental risks. National IPM Roadmap goals integrate through all program areas by promoting adoption of IPM in landscapes and gardens, mentoring students for a new generation of IPM scientists, tackling challenges of invasive and emerging pests and by forging collaborative relationships with northeast stakeholders and other CCPM programs to achieve long-term solutions to regional pest management challenges. The VT EIP includes specialists in plant pathology, entomology, horticulture, agronomy, pesticide education and community outreach. Each Priority area solicits stakeholder input on pest management challenges through surveys and develops IPM tactics and programs to meet those needs. Impacts of programs are shared on our VT EIP website and the VT IPM Stakeholder Advisory Team.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2161119106010%
2160199106020%
2161139106010%
2161549106010%
2163110106030%
2165220106020%
Knowledge Area
216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1119 - Deciduous tree fruits, general/other; 1549 - Wheat, general/other; 0199 - Soil and land, general; 3110 - Insects; 1139 - Grapes, general/other; 5220 - Pesticides;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);
Goals / Objectives
The overarching goals of the Vermont IPM program are to develop and promote effective education and outreach programs toimprove IPM practices, reduce costs through those IPM practices, increase IPM adoption and reduce human and environmentalrisks for our commercial growers and communities. Specific goals of each priority area are:Agronomy-In this project we will identify the disease and pests that challenge northeast growers. Farmers will learn to ID pests in their fields, learn if their seed sources are disease free and learn the best agronomic practices to minimize pest damage. Our goal is to help farmers design robust crop systems that successfully address pest challenges to produce a diversity of food and feed grains while minimizing impacts on the environment.Tree Fruit/Grapes-Goals include timely delivery of IPM information to apple and grape growers; orchard pest monitoring training and assessment, and 'natural' grape production evaluation. Outreach communications will integrate site- and region-specific weather and pest models based on NEWA information to provide timely information to growersGreenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery-Goals include addressing grower needs while improving environmental sustainability and profitability of the greenhouse industry in ME, NH and VT through IPM strategies learned at workshops, individual instruction, and outreach education.Communities-Goals include educating home gardeners about pest identification and IPM strategies through a course, a statewide Helpline and outreach events.Pollinator Health-Goals include educating growers and home gardeners on the importance of pollinator protection through agronomy outreach, habitat plantings, on-line presentations, and pesticide applicator training.Pest Diagnostics-Goals include providing timely, accurate and cost-effective diagnostics to Vermont stakeholders so they can make informed management decisions based on IPM strategies.Pesticide Education-Goals include providing IPM education for current and prospective pesticide applicators through training opportunities, newsletter, online IPM courses, and regional meetings.
Project Methods
Agronomy:Field Days/Winter Conferences-Post surveys assess knowledge gain on IPM strategies for pests, intent to adopt IPM practices. Repeat attendees surveyed to assess whether they have adopted specific IPM tactics.Hop/Hemp Disease Survey-Survey for cone/flower diseases. Diagnostic Cards developed. Pre/post growing season surveys assess knowledge gain of disease identification on hop cones, hemp flower buds, IPM management. The same farms surveyed the following year to assess if they adopted new scouting techniques, cultural, other management options.Seed Quality Testing-Results with information on how to reduce pathogens in seed lots sent to the grower. Number of farmers testing seed assessed. Number of farmers testing, buying certified or cleaning their seed, assessed the following year.Extension Outreach Education-An IPM Hour post survey assess knowledge gain, interest in adopting practices discussed. Repeat attendees from the previous goScout Action Survey, IPM Hour surveyed to assess whether they have adopted specific IPM tactics.Tree Fruit/Grapes:Orchard Scouting Network-Orchard pest monitoring training. Growers complete monitoring, submit data. Fruit assessed at harvest for pest-related damage/defects. Students participate in scouting, grower education. Growers surveyed annually for level of confidence in scouting, applying IPM practices for decision making. Scouted farms surveyed to assess if they have adopted an IPM practice.Evaluation of 'natural' grape production-Survey growers to determine extent of 'natural' management, define common practices, determine baseline pest incidence/severity, common pest intervention practices. Vineyards under 'natural' production evaluated for incidence of pest damage, crop yield, juice quality, trends in pest populations. Assess number of vineyards under 'natural' production.Extension Outreach Education- Annual pre/post surveys of apple, grape growers at educational events assess changes in IPM knowledge. Meeting attendees surveyed to assess if they have adopted an IPM practice since previous meeting.Greenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery:Tri-State IPM Workshops-Pre/post surveys assess increased knowledge of IPM practices on topics from the workshop. Past workshops attendees surveyed to determine if they adopted new IPM tactics.IPM First-"New Farms for New Americans" farmers provided basic information on ID, management, start an IPM program. IPM Factsheets on key pests. Pre/post season interviews assess increased IPM knowledge. A checklist of key IPM practices maintained to monitor participant adoption during site visits. All attendees re-surveyed to assess adoption of IPM practices to reduce chemical pesticide use.Extension Outreach Education-Presentations, factsheets, newsletters linked to a survey to assess knowledge gain. Attendees surveyed the following year to determine whether they adopted a new IPM practice.Communities:Master Gardener Course-Students surveyed post-course to determine whether they knew what IPM was before the course, whether they gained knowledge of IPM, if they plan to adopt a new IPM practice. Students surveyed one year after the course to assess if they adopted an IPM practice, whether pesticide use was reduced.Master Gardener Helpline-Clients surveyed after the call to assess gain in knowledge of the lifecycle, IPM management of their pest issue. Clients surveyed after the growing season to assess if a new IPM practice was adopted, whether pesticide use was reduced.Advanced Training Webinars with factsheets-webinars + online archive access. Factsheets. Pre/post surveys assess IPM knowledge gain, intent to adopt a new IPM practice, reduce pesticide use. Attendees surveyed after the growing season to assess if they adopted a new IPM practice related to the webinar content.Pollinator Health:Agronomy Pollinator Education-Pollinator Protection Briefs, Protecting Pollinators in Field Crops Bulletin, A Pollinator Protection Webinar Series, growers develop a Pest Assessment Plan. Post Surveys of webinar attendees assess knowledge gain on pollinators, protection strategies, intent to adopt practices. Farmers who develop PAPs surveyed to determine result of adopting a plan.Greenhouse/High Tunnel Pollinator Plantings-Survey bee nesting boxes for colonization at each site. Educational signs, brochures produced for the public. Growers encouraged to offer pollinator-friendly supplies for sale. On-site educational event for the public. Pre/post season surveys of growers at pilot site assess knowledge of the importance of habitat plantings, sales of pollinator supplies. Surveys of customers attending the educational event assess knowledge gain on importance of pollinators. Numbers of growers who deploy habitat plantings assessed 2 years after the completion of the training. Surveys of customers attending past educational event assess adoption of pollinator-friendly practices.Master Gardener Pollinator Education-Factsheets, On-line presentations, with linked survey assess knowledge gain. Attendees surveyed after the growing season to assess if a new pollinator-friendly practice was adopted.Pesticide Education Pollinator IPM Training-Pre/post surveys assess knowledge gain of IPM practices to protect pollinators. Attendees surveyed annually to assess adoption of IPM practices to protect pollinators.Pest Diagnostics:Diagnostics-"New Farms for New Americans" farmers assisted with pest ID, IPM. Clients are surveyed after diagnosis to assess change in IPM knowledge, intent to adopt a new IPM practice. PDC clients surveyed after the growing season to assess increase in IPM adoption (bulleted list provided) &/or reduction of pesticide use as a result of the information received.Extension Outreach Education-Pre/post workshop survey assess IPM knowledge gain. Workshop attendees surveyed after the growing season to evaluate whether they have adopted a new IPM practice, have reduced pesticide use.Pesticide Education:Pesticide Certification Meetings-Pre/post surveys assess knowledge gain of IPM practices to reduce pesticide use. Annual survey of attendees to assess if they have adopted a new IPM practice to reduce pesticide use.Pesticide Applicator Report-Number of submitted quizzes assess knowledge gain of IPM practices to reduce pesticide use. Recipients surveyed yearly to assess adoption of IPM practices to reduce pesticide use.IPM, Pesticide Basics-eXtension online course + factsheets. Pre/post surveys assess knowledge of IPM practices to reduce pesticide use. Attendees surveyed one year after the course to assess adoption of an IPM practice to reduce pesticides.Extension Outreach Education-Pre/post surveys assess knowledge gain of IPM practices to reduce pesticide use. Attendees surveyed annually to assess adoption of an IPM practice to reduce pesticide use.

Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Commercial field, forage and oil seed growers, vegetable and berry growers, apple and grape growers, nursery and greenhouse operators, landscapers, pesticide applicators, Master Gardeners, beekeepers, home gardeners and general public Changes/Problems: Master Gardener Course: not offered in 2022 due to staff changes. Tree Fruit/Grape: a late spring destructive frost in Vermont will impact fruit assessment in 2023. No changes/problems of note for other program areas. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Agronomy: IPM information is distributed through field days, winter meetings, blogs, websites, webinars, Facebook posts, YouTube videos, phone calls, emails and social media. Conference proceedings and meeting videos will be posted to our website. Tree Fruit/Grape: IPM information is distributed through newsletters, website, blog posts, factsheets, on-farm workshop, one-on-one consultations, and presentations at regional grower meetings. Information collected in surveys will remain confidential. Greenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery: IPM information is distributed through workshops, conferences, presentations, site visits, factsheets, websites, Facebook page and a listserv. Master Gardener: IPM information is delivered through the Master Gardener Course, Master Gardener Helpline, advanced training, newsletter, state reports, website, and emails. Pollinator: IPM information is distributed through each responsible program area networks. Plant Diagnostic Clinic: IPM information is distributed through sample diagnosis, websites, meetings, presentations, webinars, newsletters, television, radio, factsheets, emails, and phone calls. Northeast Small Fruit and Vegetable IPM Working Group education/research priorities will be shared on the NE IPM center website. Pesticide Applicator: IPM information is distributed through presentations, newsletters, online courses, factsheets, website, emails, and phone calls. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continuation of objectives: Agronomy Field Days & Winter Conferences •Planning for annual events Hop and Hemp Disease Survey •Survey for diseases and plant health at northeast hop and hemp farms Seed Quality Testing •Offer annual seed quality testing for grains and corn farmers Agronomy Extension Outreach Education •Ongoing activities (presentations, website, etc.) Orchard Scouting Network •Training/data collection at selected orchards Grape 'Natural' Production Evaluation •Pest damage, crop yield, and juice quality data collection at selected vineyards Tree Fruit/Grape Extension Outreach Education •Ongoing activities (presentations, website, etc.) Greenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery Tri-State IPM •Planning for next event to be held 2024 Greenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery IPM First •Continue to offer individual grower instruction and IPM Factsheets on key pests Greenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery Extension Outreach Education •Ongoing activities (presentations, website, etc.) Master Gardener Course •Evaluate 2023 course •Planning course to be held 2024 Master Gardener Helpline •Ongoing service answering questions on insect, weed, and disease problems and IPM strategies Master Gardener Advanced Training •Offer webinars with factsheets on emerging insect, weed, and disease problems and IPM strategies for management Agronomy Pollinator Education •Pest Assessment Plan evaluation Greenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery Pollinator Plantings •Continue to support established habitat plantings and bee nesting boxes Master Gardener Pollinator Education •Continue to offer on-line presentation and factsheets Pesticide Education Pollinator IPM Training •Continue to deliver pollinator module at Initial Pesticide Certification Meetings •Invite pollinator speakers to 2024 Vermont Pesticide Applicator Meeting Plant Diagnostic Clinic Diagnostics •Continue to provide stakeholders with rapid and accurate diagnosis and current IPM recommendations that consider pollinator health. Northeast Small Fruit and Vegetable IPM Working Group •Query group for potential meeting in 2023-2024 Plant Diagnostic Clinic Extension Outreach Education •Ongoing activities (presentations, website, etc.) Pesticide Certification Meetings •2024 Initial Pesticide Certification Meeting •2024 Vermont Pesticide Applicator Meeting Pesticide Applicator Report •Fall 2023, Spring 2024 issues IPM and Pesticide Basics •Course will be available Summer 2023 Pesticide Applicator Extension Outreach Education •Ongoing activities (presentations, website, etc.)

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Each facet of the VT EIP is increasing the adoption of IPM practices in a variety of crops and settings to reduce the amount of pesticides used and lower costs while protecting the environment and human health. Agronomy Field Days & Conferences participants have increased knowledge of prevalent pests, IPM practices to minimize crop impact, including managing seedborne diseases. 63% of orchards have changed management practices to improve identification and management. "Helped confirm importance of cultivating beneficials and tolerating some damage." Up to 77% of Greenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery Tri-State IPM participants have learned new techniques they intend to use this year including biocontrol use, sanitation strategies, abiotic disorder diagnosis. 68% of Master Gardener Helpline clients implemented the IPM strategies recommended and 54% reduced or avoided the use of pesticides, saving $124 per client on pesticide costs. Up to 89% of pesticide applicators are likely to adopt at least one new IPM practice to protect pollinators following trainings. 85% of Plant Diagnostic Clinic clients implemented recommended IPM strategies and 66% reduced their the use of pesticides, saving $600 per client on pesticide costs. "I plan to make more use of this service in the future as I continue to understand how beneficial it can be." Annual pesticide certification meeting, webinar, and online course participants are likely to use pesticides more safely and adopt IPM practices, including protective equipment, worker protection, container recycling, and reading labels.Please see the following accomplishments for more details. Agronomy Field Days & Winter Conferences Fall Field Day 88% increased knowledge of prevalent pests, IPM to minimize crop impact Small Grain Webinar Series 76% increased knowledge of prevalent pests, IPM to minimize crop impact Hemp Conference 94% increased knowledge of prevalent pests, IPM to minimize crop impact 82% intend to implement an IPM practice to manage pests in hemp Annual Crop & Soil Field Day 84% increased knowledge of hemp/grain/hop pests, IPM to minimize crop impact 56% intend to implement a new IPM strategy to manage pests 45-93% will purchase certified seed, improve crop rotation, buy tolerant/resistant varieties, modify mechanical cultivation Small Grain, Dry Bean Farm Tours 98% increased knowledge of prevalent pests, IPM to minimize crop impact 90% intend to implement an IPM practice to manage pests in hemp Dry Bean Webinar Series: 88% increased knowledge of prevalent pests, IPM to minimize crop impact 70% intend to implement an IPM practice to manage pests in hemp Small Grain Webinar Series 76% increased knowledge of prevalent pests, IPM to minimize crop impact 62% intend to implement an IPM practice to manage pests in hemp Hemp Conference 96% increased knowledge of prevalent pests, IPM to minimize crop impact 90% intend to implement an IPM practice to manage pests in hemp Hop and Hemp Disease Survey 100% increased knowledge of pest scouting, pest identification, IPM to manage pest pressure/crop impact Seed Quality Testing 96% increased knowledge of prevalent diseases, IPM to minimize crop impact 76% intend to implement a new IPM strategy to manage seedborne diseases 62-92% will purchase certified seed, improve crop rotation, buy tolerant/resistant varieties, manage harvest to segregate lots of seed Tree Fruit/Grape Extension Outreach Education 2023 VT Tree Fruit Growers Assoc Annual Meeting 91-100% moderate/considerable knowledge of Core IPM Concepts, Insect/Disease IPM Strategies, Updated VT Pesticide Policy 90% moderately/very likely to adopt at least one new IPM practice 63% have changed a management practice in 2022 (better timing, identification) "Helped confirm importance of cultivating beneficials and tolerating some damage" "Good to talk with other growers facing similar issues and using different approaches" Greenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery Tri-State IPM 89% average usefulness rating for solving pest management problems 77% learned new techniques they intend to use this year 58-73% increased knowledge of biological control, integrating chemical pesticides with biological control, sanitation strategies, disorder diagnosis 26-42% intend to use biocontrol use/release information, pesticide-biocontrol compatibility strategies, sanitation strategies, abiotic disorder ID/management techniques Master Gardener Helpline 90% said the info they received on IPM strategies that addressed their questions 68% implemented the IPM strategies recommended 54% reduced or avoided the use of pesticides $124 average individual saving in pesticide costs Pesticide Education Pollinator IPM Training 2022 Commercial Pesticide Applicator Meeting 98% moderate/considerable knowledge of Reducing Pesticide Risk to Pollinators 88% moderately/very likely to adopt at least one new IPM practice to protect pollinators 2023 VT Pesticide Applicator Meeting 96% moderate/considerable knowledge of Reducing Pesticide Drift Risk to Pollinators 84% moderately/very likely to adopt at least one new IPM practice to protect pollinators 2022 & 2023 Initial Pesticide Certification Meetings 89% moderately/very likely to adopt at least one new IPM practice to protect pollinators Plant Diagnostic Clinic Diagnostics 85% clients said diagnostic ID helped to manage their pest problem with IPM 66% clients able to reduce pesticides as a result of the IPM information $600 average per client estimated cost savings by reducing pesticide use "This ultimately saved an entire crop of almost 25,000 mums" "Helpful in suggesting cultural control options before going to typical pesticide solutions" "The information I received meant I was able to give recommendations to commercial growers that provided alternatives to pesticide use" "I plan to make more use of this service in the future as I continue to understand how beneficial it can be" Pesticide Certification Meetings 2022 Commercial Pesticide Applicator Meeting 98% moderate/considerable knowledge of PPE for Pesticides, Ag Container Recycling 94% moderately/very likely to apply/use pesticides more safely 92% moderately/very likely to adopt at least one new IPM practice 2023 VT Pesticide Applicator Meeting 92-98% moderate/considerable knowledge of Pesticide Compatibility, Worker Protection Standards, Respirator Safety & Fit Testing 90% moderately/very likely to apply/use pesticides more safely 79% moderately/very likely to adopt at least one new IPM practice 2022 & 2023 Initial Pesticide Certification Meetings 51-97% moderately/very likely to apply/use pesticides more safely 81-84% moderately/very likely to adopt at least one new IPM practice "Because I'm so new to the industry, this meeting has been very helpful" "Good overview of the regulations and strategies for pest management" "Went over all the basics and stressed the importance of reading the label" "Helped me consider how to better buy, store, and apply pesticides" Pesticide Applicator Report 103 Spring 2022 recertification credits issued Pesticide Applicator Extension Outreach Education Mindful Pest Management. Master Gardener Advanced Training Webinar 91-100% moderate/considerable knowledge of reading pesticide labels, pesticide regulations, pesticide exposure/risk 100% moderately/very likely to apply/use pesticides more safely 93% moderately/very likely to adopt at least one new IPM practice "Professional and inviting on a topic that is not always welcome!" On-demand online training 98% moderately/very comfortable with the manual information 100% moderately/very likely to apply/use pesticides more safely 95% moderately/very likely to adopt at least one new IPM practice

Publications

  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Bradshaw, T. & S. Kingsley-Richards. 2023. Commercial Horticulture: Grapes. https://www.uvm.edu/extension/horticulture/grapes
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Bradshaw, T. & S. Kingsley-Richards. 2023. Commercial Horticulture: Tree Fruit. https://www.uvm.edu/extension/horticulture/tree-fruit
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Darby, H. 2023. Northwest Crops and Soils Program. https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Darby, H. 2023. Champlain Valley Crop, Soil and Pasture Team. https://www.uvm.edu/extension/cvcrops
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Hazelrigg, A. 2023. Plant Diagnostic Clinic. https://www.uvm.edu/extension/pdc
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Hazelrigg, A. 2023. UVM Extension Master Gardener. https://www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Hazelrigg, A. & S. Kingsley-Richards. 2023. Pesticide Safety Education Program.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2023 Citation: Pelletier, B. and T. Bradshaw. Defining Natural wine in New England: Results from a stakeholder survey. Submitted to III International Symposium on Beverage Crops. Acta Hort.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2023 Citation: Pelletier, B. and T. Bradshaw. Managing grape disease in Vermont with mineral-based and biologically-derived fungicides: Preliminary results. Submitted to III International Symposium on Beverage Crops. Acta Hort.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2023 Citation: Sullivan, C.F., Davari, A., Parker, B.L., Skinner, M. A Guardian Plant System for Management of Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Greenhouse Ornamentals. Pest Mange. Sci.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Sullivan, C.E.F. and Skinner, M. 2023. Greenhouse IPM: https://www.uvm.edu/~entlab/Greenhouse%20IPM/UVMGreenhouseIPM.html
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Sullivan, C.E.F. and Skinner, M. 2023. High Tunnel IPM: https://www.uvm.edu/~entlab/High%20Tunnel%20IPM/HighTunnelIPM.html
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Sullivan, C.E.F. and Skinner, M. 2023. Landscape IPM: https://www.uvm.edu/%7Eentlab/Landscape%20IPM/LandscapeIPM.html
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Bradshaw, T. Question those assumptions: Success with modern orchard systems demands attention to the details. Proc. 2022 New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference. Manchester, NH. https://newenglandvfc.org/proceedings/
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Bradshaw T., Autio, W. Blatt, S. Clements, J. Einhorn, T. Elkins, R. Fallahi, E., Francescatto, P., Lordan, J., Minas, I., Peck, G., Robinson, T., and Yao, S. 2023. Performance of Modi apple trees after 5 years under Organic management as affected by several dwarf rootstocks in the 2015 NC-140 Apple Rootstock Trial. J Am Pom Soc. (APS) 77:14-27 http://www.pubhort.org/aps/77/v77_n1_a2.htm
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Bradshaw, T. and L.P. Berkett. Vineyard disease management that works: Using IPM to minimize pesticide applications while managing diseases in cold climate winegrape varieties. Proc. 2022 New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference. Manchester, NH. https://newenglandvfc.org/proceedings/
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Foster, J. Kingsley-Richards, S.L., and Bradshaw, T. 2022. Effect of Summer Hedging on Return Bloom, Yield, Tree Growth, and Juice Quality of Apples Grown for Cider. Acta Hortic. 1346, 439-446. DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1346.56
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Foster, J., Kingsley-Richards, S.L. and Bradshaw, T.L. (2022). Summer applications of NAA and ethephon show little effect on return bloom, yield, tree growth, and juice quality of cider apple cultivars. Acta Hortic. 1346, 511-518 DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1346.65.


Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:Commercial field, forage and oil seed growers, vegetable and berry growers, apple and grape growers, nursery and greenhouse operators, landscapers, pesticide applicators, Master Gardeners, beekeepers, home gardeners and general public. Changes/Problems: Master Gardener Course: not offered in 2022 due to staff changes No changes/problems of note for other program areas. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Agronomy IPM information is distributed through field days, winter meetings, blogs, websites, webinars, Facebook posts, YouTube videos, phone calls, emails and social media. Conference proceedings and meeting videos will be posted to our website. Tree Fruit/Grape IPM information is distributed through newsletters, website, blog posts, factsheets, on-farm workshop, one-on-one consultations, and presentations at regional grower meetings. Information collected in surveys will remain confidential. Greenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery IPM information is distributed through workshops, conferences, presentations, site visits, factsheets, websites, Facebook page and a listserv. Master Gardener IPM information is delivered through the Master Gardener Course, Master Gardener Helpline, advanced training, newsletter, state reports, website, and emails. Pollinator IPM information is distributed through each responsible program area networks. Plant Diagnostic Clinic IPM information is distributed through sample diagnosis, websites, meetings, presentations, webinars, newsletters, television, radio, factsheets, emails, and phone calls. Northeast Small Fruit and Vegetable IPM Working Group education/research priorities will be shared on the NE IPM center website. Pesticide Applicator IPM information is distributed through presentations, newsletters, online courses, factsheets, website, emails, and phone calls. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continuation of objectives: Agronomy Field Days & Winter Conferences Planning for annual events Hop and Hemp Disease Survey Survey for cone and flower diseases prior to harvest at northeast hop and hemp farms Seed Quality Testing Offer annual seed quality testing for grains and beans Agronomy Extension Outreach Education Ongoing activities (presentations, website, etc.) Orchard Scouting Network Training/data collection at six selected orchards Grape 'natural' production evaluation Pest damage, crop yield, and juice quality data collection at two selected vineyards Baseline survey result data analysis Tree Fruit/Grape Extension Outreach Education Ongoing activities (presentations, website, etc.) Greenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery Tri-State IPM Planning for next event to be held 2023 Greenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery IPM First Continue to offer individual grower instruction and IPM Factsheets on key pests Greenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery Extension Outreach Education Ongoing activities (presentations, website, etc.) Master Gardener Course: Planning course to be held 2023 Master Gardener Helpline: Ongoing service answering questions on insect, weed, and disease problems and IPM strategies Master Gardener Advanced Training Offer webinars with factsheets on emerging insect, weed, and disease problems and IPM strategies for management Agronomy Pollinator Education Develop Pollinator Protection Briefs, Protecting Pollinators in Field Crops Bulletin Tree Fruit Pollinator Community Assessment: Habitat hedges will be installed in 2022 Evaluating on orchards and surrounding habitat in summer 2022 Data presentation once per year, end of season Greenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery Pollinator Plantings Establish habitat plantings and bee nesting boxes Master Gardener Pollinator Education Develop on-line presentation (habitat hedges and creating nest boxes for native bees) with factsheets Pesticide Education Pollinator IPM Training Develop pollinator module for Initial Pesticide Certification Meetings Invite pollinator speakers to Commercial Pesticide Applicator Meeting 2022 Plant Diagnostic Clinic Diagnostics Continue to provide stakeholders with rapid and accurate diagnosis and current IPM recommendations that consider pollinator health. Northeast Small Fruit and Vegetable IPM Working Group Compile survey results to rank priorities Plant Diagnostic Clinic Extension Outreach Education Ongoing activities (presentations, website, etc.) Pesticide Certification Meetings Initial Pesticide Certification Meeting 4/19/22, 4/21/22 Commercial Pesticide Applicator Meeting 3/28/22 Pesticide Applicator Report Spring 2022, Fall 2022 issues IPM and Pesticide Basics Establish online platform, consult with Master Gardener, outline course Pesticide Applicator Extension Outreach Education: Webinar pesticide credit administration Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium Winter Webinar Series (7 events) Ongoing activities (presentations, website, etc.)

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Each facet of the VT EIP is begun progress on goals toward increasing the adoption of IPM practices in a variety of crops and settings to reduce the amount of pesticides used and lower costs while protecting the environment and human health. 88% of Agronomy Field Day participants have increased knowledge of prevalent pests, IPM practices to minimize yield and quality impact. Orchards and vineyards have been identified for developing the scouting and evaluation in 2022. Up to 78% of Greenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery Tri-State IPM participants have learned new techniques they intend to use this year and increased knowledge of biological control use. 63% of Master Gardener Helpline clients implemented the IPM strategies recommended and 61% reduced or avoided the use of pesticides, saving $137 per client on pesticide costs. Bee boxes have been installed for Tree Fruit Pollinator Community Assessment in 2022 and the Master Gardener E-Book "Gardening for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects: Resources for the Home Gardener" was published in September 2021. The Plant Diagnostic Clinic moderated session at the NE Vegetable and Fruit Conference Small Fruit sessions reached 7,688 acres in New England where 43% learned new pest management practices that will increase profits. The Pesticide Applicator Report aids 92% of Vermont pesticide applicators to apply and use pesticides more safely and adopt IPM practices. "Good reminders of certain PPE considerations that applicators can become lax over time about." Online training prepares pesticide applicators to take certification exams and to apply and use pesticides more safely & adopt at least one new IPM practices. Please see the following accomplishments for more details. Agronomy Field Days & Winter Conferences Fall Field Day 88% increase knowledge of prevalent pests, IPM practices to minimize yield/quality impact Greenhouse/High Tunnel/Nursery Tri-State IPM 88% average rating overall program, 90% average rating usefulness 78% learned new techniques they intend to use this year (testing quality of biocontrol agents, use of dips for incoming plug trays, use/rearing of rove beetles and other soil-dwelling biocontrol agents, and new information on pesticides/modes of action) 63% increased knowledge of biological control use, biological control agent quality assessment, root disease id 42% increased knowledge of disease monitoring 38% increased knowledge of chemical pesticide use/integration Master Gardener Helpline 72% received information on IPM strategies to address their questions 63% implemented the IPM strategies recommended 61% reduced or avoided the use of pesticides $137 average individual saving in pesticide costs Plant Diagnostic Clinic Extension Outreach Education NE Vegetable and Fruit Conference-Online Small Fruit sessions (Berry Crops II) 43% learned new pest management practices 28% will increase profits 7,688 acres represented in New England Pesticide Applicator Report 227 recertification credits issued 92% apply and use pesticides more safely 56% adopt at least one new IPM practice "Good reminders of certain PPE considerations that applicators can become lax over time about." "We're paying more attention to timing of treatment." "The PAR is the only way I get exposure to the current information regarding pesticide use in VT." Pesticide Applicator Extension Outreach Education On-demand online training 100% moderately/very prepared to take the exam 94% moderately/very likely to apply and use pesticides more safely & adopt at least one new IPM practice 1 recertification credit issued

Publications

  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Bradshaw, T. & S. Kingsley-Richards. 2021. Commercial Horticulture: Tree Fruit. https://www.uvm.edu/extension/horticulture/tree-fruit
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Bradshaw, T. & S. Kingsley-Richards. 2021. Commercial Horticulture: Grapes. https://www.uvm.edu/extension/horticulture/grapes
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Darby, H. 2021. Northwest Crops and Soils Program. https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Darby, H. 2021. Champlain Valley Crop, Soil and Pasture Team. https://www.uvm.edu/extension/cvcrops
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2022 Citation: Foster, J., Kingsley-Richards, S.L., and Bradshaw, T. Summer Applications of NAA and Ethephon Show Little Effect on Return Bloom, Yield, Tree Growth, and Juice Quality of Cider Apple Cultivars. Acta Horticulturae.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Hazelrigg, A. 2021. Plant Diagnostic Clinic. https://www.uvm.edu/extension/pdc
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Hazelrigg, A. 2021. UVM Extension Master Gardener. https://www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Hazelrigg, A. & S. Kingsley-Richards. 2021. Pesticide Safety Education Program. https://www.uvm.edu/extension/psep
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Skinner, M. & C. Frank Sullivan. 2022. Plant Mediated Systems in High Tunnels. Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention Proceedings.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Sullivan, C.E.F. and Skinner, M. 2021. Greenhouse IPM: https://www.uvm.edu/~entlab/Greenhouse%20IPM/UVMGreenhouseIPM.html
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Sullivan, C.E.F. and Skinner, M. 2021. High Tunnel IPM: https://www.uvm.edu/~entlab/High%20Tunnel%20IPM/HighTunnelIPM.html
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Sullivan, C.E.F. and Skinner, M. 2021. Landscape IPM: https://www.uvm.edu/%7Eentlab/Landscape%20IPM/LandscapeIPM.html