Source: UNIV OF IDAHO submitted to NRP
EXTENSION IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM FOR IPM IN IDAHO 2024-2027
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1032918
Grant No.
2024-70006-43754
Cumulative Award Amt.
$471,476.00
Proposal No.
2024-03452
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2024
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2026
Grant Year
2025
Program Code
[EIP]- Extension Implementation Program
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF IDAHO
875 PERIMETER DRIVE
MOSCOW,ID 83844-9803
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The University of Idaho Integrated Pest Management Extension Implementation Program supports development and delivery of IPM education for Idaho citizens. Idahoan's needs range widely and will only multiply given that our state is the second fastest growing in the United States (US). Agriculture is a large part of Idaho's economy and culture, and many IPM needs are centered around our state's primary crops which feed people and livestock in Idaho, across the nation, and even around the globe. Idaho devotes over 11.5 million acres to farming land and is the nation's leading producer of potato (294,500 ac), barley (560,000 ac), alfalfa hay (1.1M ac), and peppermint oil (13,000 ac), and ranks among the top 10 states for other key crops including sugar beet (170,000 ac), wheat (1.1M ac), dry edible peas (28,000 ac), dry edible beans (44,000 ac), silage corn (210,000 ac), lentil (14,000 ac), onion (10,100 ac), and hops (9,300 ac). Idaho's primary crops have an annual production value of 9.9 billion dollars, with agriculture and food processing generating 18% of the state's economic output. The objective is to sustain crop health and productivity and conserve pollinator habitat. Producers rely on UI to address their production challenges and use online resources and pest advisors to manage pests. We aim to coordinate all IPM educational activities, use innovative outreach methods, and improve decision tools and information access to increase the adoption of IPM practices. The goal is to manage pests and enhance profitability and production sustainability, contributing to human and environmental health.Although agriculture dominates Idaho's economy and much of its land, accelerating population growth has contributed to an increased need for IPM education in communities, including the pesticide applicators that serve urban areas. Communities across the socioeconomic spectrum suffer from pest management issues and can further suffer consequences of misapplication of pest management practices, particularly the misapplication of chemical pesticides. We will address the growing demand for education concerning pesticide management as stakeholders recognize its importance to ensure the safety of people and the environment, protect key pollinators, and maintain water quality. The UI Master Gardeners (MG) play a critical role in statewide IPM outreach to both adult and youth audiences. However, both County Extension Educators and MG often lack the IPM knowledge and skills required to advance pest management practices among homeowners. Our objective is to increase homeowner adoption of IPM practices to manage the landscape and garden pest problems to enhance the public value of IPM.The methods of this program include maintaining and creating resources that guide stakeholders through effective and safe pest management, including websites, monitoring programs and newsletters, written and multi-media materials, and both in-person and virtual events. A core team of 20 experts, backed by an interdisciplinary group of UI Extension Educators and Specialists, has been assembled to employ these methods. These resources and services will address ongoing and emerging challenges in 1) agronomic and specialty crops, recognizing the need for education and innovation, 2) communities and horticultural settings including gardens, landscapes, and homes, 3) pesticide applicator education, to ensure safe, sustainable, and effective pesticide use in agriculture and communities, and 4) providing pest diagnostic services to provide accurate and timely monitoring and identification of pests across the state. In all, this program aims to facilitate more effective, sustainable and safe pest management across a wide variety of settings across the state of Idaho through education and outreach.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
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
2112410106010%
2122410106010%
2132410106010%
2162410106030%
2162199106015%
2166099106015%
1332410106010%
Goals / Objectives
UI Extension has naturally aligned with National IPM Roadmap priorities of improving cost-benefit analyses when adopting IPM practices, reducing potential human health risks, minimizing adverse environmental effects from pests and related management strategies, and with the USDA Science and Research Strategy priorities of accelerating innovative technologies and practices, driving climate-smart solutions, bolstering nutrition security & health, cultivating resilient ecosystems, and translating research into action. Issues of focus are identified by working closely with stakeholders. In a regionally specific manner, we address top priorities for our citizens including challenges to Idaho's agricultural productivity and improving efficacy of IPM in homes, gardens, and landscaping through environmentally compatible and cost-effective management of pests (arthropods, pathogens, nematodes, and weeds) while also minimizing risks to human health. We advance these aims by improving pesticide education for our state's pesticide applicators, both professional and private, and by continuing to provide accurate pest monitoring and diagnostics services in both agricultural and urban settings.Using program assessment metrics as our guide, we continue to identify new IPM needs and funding opportunities through partnerships with state commodity groups, industry field staff, and public agencies. These efforts depend on the synergism of a network of 78 extension educators and 38 extension specialists, located in 45 extension offices in 42 (out of 44) Idaho counties, three federally recognized Tribal programs, and nine Research and Extension Centers. We have identified key areas of needed support that inform this UI IPM-Extension Implementation Program (EIP) proposal.The UI IPM-EIP FY2024-2027 is designed to accomplish 4 objectives:1. Support, coordinate, and deliver extension programs in diverse cropping systems across the state using written material, multi-media approaches, and in-person/virtual events.2. Support and facilitate outreach to homeowners and other urban land managers using written material, multi-media approaches, and in-person/virtual events.3. Maintain and improve web-based resources that provide decision support tools, pest identification services, monitoring and alert data, and educational resources for stakeholders.4. Provide IPM training for private and commercial pesticide applicators.These objectives will be addressed under the four primary Extension Implementation Program Area Priorities (EIPAP): IPM Implementation in Agronomic and Specialty Crops (40%), IPM Implementation in Communities including House and Schools (20%), IPM for Pesticide Applicators (20%), and IPM Support for Pest Diagnostic Facilities (20%).
Project Methods
Efforts will include:Hosting key in-person and virtual trainings and field days (see outputs/products)Maintain key online resources, including the UI IPM website, PNW Pest Alert, and Idaho Pest Monitoring Dashboard;Monitor for pathogens, weeds, and insects;Weed management and identification workshop;Beneficial insect identification and education workshops;Written and audio/visual resources concerning pests, economics of production, and resistance management;Organize and deliver Extensional workshops and field days on IPM and IPM resources;Deliver webinars in multistate collaborations,Annual EIP team meetings;Detect new and emerging pests in Idaho through diagnostics and monitoring;Provide timely identification of insects, diseases, weeds, and pesticide-resistant populations;Build upon IPM curriculum for Master Gardeners online and in-person;Annually hold In-Service IPM Professional Development Workshops;Production of educational material (written, audio/visual) related to relevant pests in homes, gardens, landscaping, etc.;PNW PestAlert website improvements, new monitoring programs for horticultural crops;Biennial MG symposiums, IPM workshops;Development of weed and beneficial insect identification workshops;Diagnose insect and disease outbreaks;Detect new and emerging pests in Idaho through diagnostics and monitoring programs;Provide timely identification of insects, diseases, weeds, and pesticide-resistant populations;Revise and update IPM subject-matter and publish and update study manuals used by persons preparing for certification exams as Idaho private or commercial pesticide applicators;Conduct pre-license workshops (live on-site or hybrid online), emphasized training about new IPM subject-matter in study manuals;Collaborate with Western Region Pesticide Risk Management Team to develop pesticide risk education/outreach materials.Evaluation will include:We have a comprehensive evaluation plan for the four EIPAPs within this project and will use Logic Models (see attachment) to inform evaluations. In coordination with the project team, evaluator Ghimire will conduct annual and summative evaluations. A mixed method approach will be used to measure project outcomes, successes, and challenges. To measure short-term outcomes (e.g., knowledge gain), pre- and post-tests will be administered during educational events. For example, knowledge and problem-solving skills of program participants will be assessed by posing pest situational problems and asking participants to rank multiple IPM options. Downloaded records of project publications and access of online resources will serve as proxy measures of awareness, knowledge, and intent to adopt IPM practices. Surveys with pesticide E-learning modules will be used to measure knowledge gain and the intent of using IPM practices. A follow-up survey evaluation will be conducted six months after the educational program or after the crop harvest (whichever is most applicable) to measure the medium-term outcomes, including change and/or adoption of IPM practices by program participants. The long-term impacts (e.g., economic gain and sustainable production strategy) will be measured at the end of this project by using surveys, focus groups, and in-depth individual interviews (FY2021-24 IPM-EIP data will serve as benchmarks to measure the long-term impacts of this and future EIP projects). Long-term outcomes will also be assessed based on pesticide incident complaints data from the ISDA and extrapolated to assess whether environmental conditions and human health have improved based on these rates. Additional surveys will be conducted using web-based outreach efforts through the PNW PestAlert, and eXtension platform to measure the effectiveness of IPM education for pesticide applicators. Our key assessment indicators include the number or percentage of the UI IPM-EIP participants who: 1) gained knowledge, 2) increased IPM skills, 3) reported their intention to change pest management practices, 4) adopted the learned practices, 5) reported the use of decision tools to implement IPM, 6) reduced pesticide use, 7) increased relative diversity and abundance of beneficial organisms, 8) replaced "more toxic" pesticides with "less toxic" products, 9) reduced exposure hazards by increasing the safe use of all pesticides, 10) increased production and marketing of locally grown fruits and vegetables (farmers market and food co-op records), 11) increased the amount of produce distributed to food banks from community gardens (food bank records), 12) reduced food insecurity by improving dietary diversity and frequency of meals per day, and 13) saved cost and/or increased income as a result of the program participation.

Progress 09/01/24 to 08/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audiences reside in Idaho, though the target audience also includes individuals in surrounding states with similar plant and pest concerns. Audience members are diverse, including large-scale producers of agronomic and specialty crops, small-scale producers, home gardeners, as well as community members experiencing urban pest problems not associated with plant production. The aim in targeting these audiences is broadly to provide tools and education to facilitate safe, effective, and sustainable implementation of Integrated Pest Management programs across a diverse array of settings. Broadly, target audience groups include: -Producers of agronomic crops including cereal grains, sugar beet, alfalfa and other hays, as well as other field crops. The aim is to help these producers design, implement, and improve IPM programs in their crops. -Producers of specialty crops including potato, peppermint, hops, onions, dry beans, tree fruits, and other crops. The aim is to help them design, implement, and improve IPM programs in their crops. -Small-scale farmers and horticulturalists. The aim is to help them design, implement, and improve IPM programs in the plants they manage. -Pesticide applicators. Both current and future applicators are trained to foster understanding of IPM and safe application practices for the applicator, the public, and the environment. The aim is to ensure those applying pesticides are aware of risks of application and are able to use tools and tactics to reduce hazard exposure. -County Extension Educators. Inclusion of this target audience in the project develops a larger team of educators who can extend the reach of educational efforts, train additional target audience members on IPM principles and tactics, and address the IPM outreach needs of a broader array of stakeholders. -Master Gardeners. County Extension Educators can train this group to further extend the reach of educational programming related to IPM. Master gardeners engage the public for thousands of hours annually; training this group allows them to help with public outreach through their required and elective service. -Home gardeners. Education of these individuals can promote IPM in home gardens and sharing of IPM information within the community. Changes/Problems:Funds were not available to spend until January 2025, leaving little time before the writing of this report to commence programs requiring start-up costs. However, our team worked to plan ahead and establish elements of programs that were less dependent upon immediate funding. During this reporting period we were without a Pesticide Safety Education Program director due to retirement. Our team worked together to cover the important responsibilities of this role in the interim, still ensuring launch of key online training materials before the program's busiest time of year, in November and December. Furthermore, a new faculty member with pesticide safety expertise has been hired and will begin to fulfill key responsibilities of the position. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Three undergraduate students were actively involved in various components of the University of Idaho IPM-EIP program during the most recent reporting cycle. These students contributed meaningfully at every stage of the scientific method--from formulating questions and designing sampling strategies to collecting and analyzing data, interpreting results, and communicating findings. In addition to supporting research, students played key roles in extension efforts, including preparing educational materials, contributing to peer-reviewed extension publications, and assisting in outreach events. They also helped with data management and report preparation and participated in professional conferences. Each student received one-on-one mentorship and training from faculty, staff, and fellow students, which strengthened their skills in scientific writing, data analysis, and professional communication, while developing a strong foundation in scientific inquiry and applied agricultural research and extension. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The University of Idaho IPM-EIP team serves a diverse array of stakeholders, including producers of agronomic and specialty crops (ranging from large-scale operations to small farms), horticulturalists, homeowners, the general public, and licensed pesticide applicators. To effectively reach these audiences, we implement a broad spectrum of outreach strategies tailored to varying preferences and levels of access. Online resources play a central role in our dissemination efforts. These include the newly developed UI IPM website, the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Pest Alert Network and associated email and text notifications, the PNW Handbooks, our Idaho Pest Monitoring dashboard and blog, educational video series hosted on YouTube, and virtual webinars. All of these tools are freely accessible and help extend the reach of our materials and research findings, especially in a geographically expansive and largely rural state like Idaho, where travel can be a barrier. Still, we recognize that not all stakeholders are equally equipped or inclined to engage with digital platforms. To meet the needs of those who prefer tangible materials or face technological limitations, we continue to prioritize in-person education. We distribute printed materials at various events and maintain a strong presence at field days, crop schools, and conferences. Many Extension offices also support these efforts by offering local webinar viewings and maintaining hard copies of popular publications. Pest identification support is a core component of our work. We offer direct assistance in identifying insect, weed, and disease pests through both in-person and digital channels. In addition to providing diagnostic help, we actively work to build stakeholder capacity by equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to identify pests on their own. This dual approach--immediate support coupled with long-term skill-building--enhances the effectiveness and sustainability of IPM practices in Idaho. We also continue to provide pesticide applicator training across the state, supported by Extension staff located in nearly every Idaho county. This local presence ensures that individuals seeking in-person assistance can access training and resources close to home. At the same time, we offer robust online training options, allowing for flexible, accessible education that meets the needs of a broad range of applicators regardless of location or schedule. Our team collaborates closely with commodity groups and stakeholder organizations to ensure timely and relevant distribution of research updates, educational tools, and decision support resources. These partnerships help amplify our outreach through direct communication channels such as newsletters, meetings (virtual and in-person), and informal networks. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals??I. EIP Area Priority - IPM Implementation in Agronomic and Specialty Crops I-1.1. Provide IPM education on agronomic and specialty crops through in-person and virtual venues During the next reporting period UI will support at least 20 events relating to IPM in specialty and agronomic crops. The IPM webinar series entitled "Cultivating Healthy Plants", will also be a continued collaboration. I-1.2. Develop and distribute educational content in printed materials and online platforms The UI IPM site will continue to be built with additional IPM information on prominent pests and various IPM webinars and courses. At least two new IPM bulletins in the "Pest Profiles" series will be published. There will also be newsletters issued by the Spore Trapping Network, Aphid Monitoring Programs in both Northern and Southern Idaho, Potato Psyllid Monitoring Program, Ag-Talk Tuesday podcast series, and Potato IPM Team. Annually updated regional pest management handbooks (PNW Handbooks) will again be published in collaboration with Oregon State University in March 2026. Multi-media and video production will occur during the next reporting period with the creation of an additional 10 videos on common weed biological control, identification, and invasive weeds will continue, with script development in progress now. Each of these videos will then be accompanied by a UI bulletin publication, to be published in our ongoing IPM series. Online content concerning potato IPM will be published by the end of summer 2025. I-1.3. Support statewide pest monitoring and advisory programs The north-Idaho-based aphid monitoring program, also known as the Legume Virus Project, Southern Idaho Aphid Monitoring Network, Spore Trap Network and Parma Plant Diagnostics Laboratory and Potato Psyllid/Zebra Chip Monitoring Program will continue during the next reporting period, monitoring key pests and making findings and associated recommendations available to stakeholders using the PNW Pest Alert Network and Idaho Pest Monitoring Dashboard. I-1.3.1 The PNW PestAlert Network development will continue to optimize functionality. Importantly, our team will give talks at key stakeholder events to advertise the new features and value of this alert system. I-1.3.2 The Idaho Pest Monitoring Dashboard will continue to be supported and advertised to stakeholders via in-person events and newsletters. I-1.4 IPM Economics Education Team member Hatzenbuehler will develop an online profitability calculator related to treatments for Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus by fall 2025. Hatzenbuhler will also work to implement research on weed management perception changes with a special focus on herbicide resistance issues in the PNW. Results from this research will be presented at grower meetings in the next reporting period. I-1.5 Pollinator and beneficial insect conservation and education I-1.5.1 Education and resources to support pollinator health I-1.5.2 The Annual 2-Day Pollinator Summit will be held during the next reporting period I-1.5.3 In-Service trainings Key personnel Falcon-Brindis and Stokes will organize one "train-the-trainer" webinar during the next reporting period and at least one presentation at a commodity school to train County Educators and crop consultants on pollinator conservation in agricultural systems. I-1.5.4 Cocoon Testing Laboratory (see IV-1.3). I-1.5.5 Beneficial Insect Workshops Additional workshops showcasing live specimens of common beneficial insects will be held at various events such as University of Idaho Potato Conference (ca. 800 attendees annually), University of Idaho Sugar Beet Conference (ca. 250 attendees annually), and other UI commodity schools (hundreds of combined attendees annually). II. EIP Area Priority- IPM Implementation in Communities including Housing and Schools II-1.1. In-Service IPM Workshops for County Educators In-Service Horticulture IPM Workshops will be held during the next reporting period. Collaboration with other Western states is ongoing to build and improve these trainings. II-1.2. IPM Training for Master Gardeners and the Public Training will continue through on-site workshops but also will include support and training through online resources such as revised chapters in the Idaho Master Gardener Handbook concerning IPM in general (in review) and IPM of insects (in review). The EIPAP team will continue to provide annual on-site training to ca. 250 Master Gardener volunteers and county Extension Educators and support the annual Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association's Green Collar College. The existing local Master Gardener Symposiums will again include an IPM component to further the education of IPM practices. Arthropod identification training for Master Gardeners and the public will be accomplished using workshops with live specimens of common beneficial insects (see I-1.5.5) as well as "Art-thropod" scientific drawing exhibitions. During the next reporting period, we plan to continue expanding the reach and impact of the Pest Friends educational board game and curriculum. In addition, we will begin beta testing of Pest Friends Junior, a new adaptation designed for younger audiences. This version replaces lengthy instructional text with engaging comic-style panels, making the game more accessible to elementary and middle school learners. Early prototypes are already in development, and we anticipate launching classroom playtests soon. II-1.3. IPM Resources for Educators, Master Gardeners, and General Public Insect Identification website/tools see IV-1.2 The PNW PestAlert Network During the next reporting period, we will commence monitoring of codling moth and western cherry fruit fly, key pests of backyard apple and cherry trees. Additionally, see I-1.3.1 III. EIP Area Priority - IPM for Pesticide Applicators III-1.1. Deliver IPM-based annual pesticide recertification education All EIP team members will continue to hold trainings, and the new PSEP coordinator will provide guidance and standardized materials to ensure consistency across dozens of trainings annually. III-1.2. Deliver IPM-based annual pre-license pesticide safety education Module development will continue with help of new PSEP coordinator. III-1.3. Collaborate on the development of new study manuals for applicators in response to recent regulation updates New faculty member and PSEP program coordinator will work with ISDA to update training materials to reflect new pesticide license categories. IV. EIP Area Priority - IPM Support for Pest Diagnostic Facilities IV-1.1. Support for Disease Monitoring in southern Idaho The Plant Pathology and Diagnostic team, based at Parma will continue to offer proactive disease monitoring and alerts in potato, hop, grape vines, sugar beet, wheat, and onion using a spore trapping network (see I-1.3.2), and reactive disease diagnostic services for all crops, as well as for nursery, landscape, and home gardeners. IV-1.2. Insect Identification website/tools The Idaho Insect Identification website will be further developed to streamline photo submission and decrease response times. We will also integrate insect information resources and onboard additional UI Extension personnel to promote and assist in identifications through the site. IV-1.3 Cocoon Testing Laboratory Continue to provide X-ray testing for brood health and to predict emergence. IV-1.4 Pigweed Monitoring and Herbicide Resistance Diagnostics All Palmer amaranth and waterhemp seeds collected from infested fields across southern Idaho are currently being screened for resistance to commonly used herbicides in crops such as dry beans, potatoes, and corn, to determine which herbicides will provide good control of these pigweeds. "Quick facts" and management guides for these pigweeds will be published and distributed to stakeholders across the state. Surveys to detect the extent of the spread of these pigweeds will continue.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? I.EIPAP- IPM inAgronomic and Specialty Crops 1.1 IPM education on agronomic and specialty crops We supported 28+ events relating to IPM in crops and delivered 97+ presentations. Over 1,500 attendees were present at Idaho Potato Conference, Sugar Beet Conference, and the Forage, Cereal, and Bean Schools alone. Key impacts include a 26% knowledge increase in forage producers and 14% cereals yield increase expected. The IPM webinar series "Cultivating Healthy Plants", a regional effort, averaged 326 attendees per webinar, with the highest attendance (502) for a grasshopper IPM talk, and a total of 2,609 attendees. Surveys indicate that participants are satisfied with the webinars (97%), have increased topic knowledge (98%), and plan to use at least one recommendation from webinars (90%). The Ag Talk Tuesday series featured timely topics related to crop management, including IPM, reaching 347 stakeholders across 8 sessions. 1.2 Develop and distribute educational content The UI IPM site received over 16,000 views during this reporting period. Nearly 75% were views of "Pest Profiles" that describe IPM of Idaho's most prominent pests. Annually updated regional pest management handbooks (PNW Handbooks) were published in collaboration with Oregon State University, with 23 handbook sections contributed by UI personnel (see products). 1.3 Statewide pest monitoring and advisory programs 1.3.1 The PNW PestAlert Network reaches 1,609 subscribers, with 34 alerts posted during the 2024 field season to give stakeholder notice of key pest activities and make recommendations concerning their management. In a 2024 survey of subscribers, respondents indicated that alerts were useful (92%) and resulted in changes in IPM knowledge and action. These changes included increased awareness of pest presence (81%) and spread (59%), increased timeliness of pesticide application (64%), increased scouting (53%), and overall managing pests more effectively (53%). Furthermore, 67% of respondents indicated that they shared information from the PNW Pest Alert with others. 1.3.2 The Idaho Pest Monitoring Dashboard continues to grow with 95% increase in users in 2024. The site received 2,088 views in 2024 spread across our four monitoring programs. The north-Idaho-based aphid monitoring program (Legume Virus Project) provided weekly reports on pea aphid captures, virus prevalence, and decision support tools to guide management during the growing season. Presentations on this monitoring program were delivered at the Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America and Western Pulse Growers Association Annual Meeting. The Southern Idaho Aphid Monitoring Network placed 23 bucket traps and four suction traps across 19 sites. Aphid captures were reported weekly. The Spore Trap Network issued 3 bulletins and continued to issue weekly updates concerning the presence and prevalence of pathogen spores that cause late blight, early blight, white mold, brown spot, and grey mold. The Potato Psyllid/Zebra Chip Monitoring Program monitored 58 fields across southern Idaho for potato psyllids and the ZC pathogen. Weekly updates were posted to help growers and crop consultants make psyllid management decisions. 1.4 IPM Economics Education The economic impacts of voles in potatoes were presented at the Idaho Potato Conference (112 attendees) and published in a popular press article (Potato Grower Magazine; approximately 9,500 readers). Additionally, estimates were made on the cost of treatment for a key pest in sugar beet, the sugar beet root maggot. 1.5 Pollinator and beneficial insect conservation and education 1.5.1 Education and resources to support pollinator health Events included one in-person workshop on how to foster and conserve pollinators in the home garden and a webinar for Master Gardeners on pollinator protection. 1.5.2 The Annual 2-Day Pollinator Summit was held, attracting more than 100 attendees to presentations on pollinator identification, conservation, and pollinator adaptation. 1.5.4 Cocoon Testing Lab See IV-1.3 I-1.5.5 Beneficial Insect Workshops showcasing live specimens of common beneficial insects were held at the Idaho Potato Conference, Idaho Sugar Beet Conference, and other UI commodity schools and educational events such as agricultural trade shows. Over 600 individuals were contacted across all events. Surveys showed that attendees had significantly increased confidence (+31%) in identifying both beneficial and pest insects. II. EIPAP- IPM in Communities including Housing and Schools 1.1 In-Service IPM Workshops for County Educators Expanded In-Service reached educators from 10 counties, serving as a train-the-trainer program to extend IPM outreach efforts. 1.2 IPM Training for Master Gardeners and the Public The Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association's Green Collar College offered 6 presentations on sound management practices in horticultural settings and reached 398 participants. Arthropod identification training See I-1.5.5 The educational game "Pest Friends" has been played by 4,659 individuals through in-person and online platforms across 26 states. Surveys indicated a positive shift in pest management mindset after playing the game (98%) and plans to change pest management practices (64%). Respondents planned to increase scouting before treatment, reduce pesticide applications, consider pesticide resistance risks, and use non-chemical pest control strategies. 1.3 IPM Resources for Educators, Master Gardeners, and General Public A 5-part IPM webinar series was hosted in collaboration with the UI Small Farms and Horticulture team with 46 participants. Attendees indicated increased confidence in pest identification (98% of survey participants) and pest monitoring (94%), and increased knowledge of the role of chemical control in IPM as well as in their ability to implement an IPM plan (100%). Presentations were delivered to 70 children in 1st to 5th grade across western Idaho school districts. Insect Identification website/tools See IV-1.2 The PNW PestAlert Network See I-1.3.1 E-learning modules - Pesticide Safety E-learning modules reached 200+ students to educate them on safe and effective pesticide use. III.EIPAP- IPM for Pesticide Applicators 1.1 IPM-based annual pesticide recertification education The University of Idaho Pesticide Education webpage was viewed 1,886 times, directing viewers to educational material and recertification trainings. Online trainings reached 391 and in-person trainings reached 979 stakeholders. Well over 150 hours of continuing education credits were delivered by EIP team members. 1.2 IPM-based annual pre-license pesticide safety education Online pre-license courses were launched and reached 154 individuals. IV.EIPAP- IPM Support for Pest Diagnostic Facilities 1.1 Disease Monitoring in southern Idaho The diagnostic team processed 702 samples (+22% from 2023), employing 87 different tests across 44 plant species. 1.2 Insect Identification website/tools The Idaho Insect Identification Website helped prevent at least 77 unnecessary pest control calls, and 74 unnecessary pesticide treatments, saving an estimated $17,000. 1.3 Cocoon Testing Lab The Parma Cocoon Testing Lab has been upgraded and can now process digital x-ray bee samples. We processed 15 samples between November 2024 and May 2025. 1.4 Pigweed Monitoring and Herbicide Resistance Diagnostics We made 113 Palmer amaranth detections in southern Idaho, affecting more than 7,000 acres of crops. More than 70% of sampled populations were resistant to glyphosate and we observed reduced sensitivity to 2,4-D, dicamba, mesotrione, and rimsulfuron. There were 6 waterhemp detections from three counties in southern Idaho, with all sampled populations showing resistance to glyphosate and about 75% showing resistance to rimsulfuron. A live, interactive "Palmer amaranth watch" map was created, enabling stakeholders to track detections of Palmer amaranth across Idaho.

Publications

  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Strausbaugh, C. A., Wenninger, E. J., Jackson, L. K., & Vincill, E. (2024). Wind-Mediated Dispersal of Beet Leafhoppers and Pine Pollen in Southern Idaho. PhytoFrontiers", 4(4), 498-503.
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Switzer, L. M., Wood, B. B., Woodhall, J. W., & Cumagun, C. J. (2024). First Report of Rhizoctonia solani AG 4 HG-III Causing Stem Lesion of Watermelon in Idaho. Plant Disease, 108(10), 3188. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-24-0837-PDN
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Wenninger, E. J., DeGrey, S. P., Insinga, J., Knopf, E., Alyokhin, A., Barnes, E. R., ... & Piaskowski, J. (2025). Responses of non-target arthropods to the dsRNA bioinsecticide Calantha" and conventional insecticides targeting Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). American Journal of Potato Research, 102(2), 129-151. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-025-09979-5
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Winston, R. L., Schwarzl�nder, M., Hinz, H. L., Rushton, J., & Pratt, P. D. (2024). Prioritizing weeds for biological control development in the western USA: Results from the adaptation of the biological control target selection system. Biological Control, 198, 105634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105634
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Wyckhuys, K. A., Zou, Y., Crowder, D. W., Adriani, E., Albaytar, A. B., Beltran, M. J. B., ... & Elkahky, M. (2025). Biological control mitigates spread of vector-borne plant pathogens. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 388, 109683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2025.109683
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Xanthopoulos, G. T., Paytosh, S., Dungan, R. S., Olsen, N., Spear, R., & de Almeida Teixeira, G. H. (2024). Relative contributions of respiration and transpiration to the weight loss of russet-type potatoes. Biosystems Engineering, 248, 297-307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2024.11.006
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Yimer, B. A., Patterson, R., Krause, M. R., & Marshall, J. (2025). Development and validation of a quantitative PCR assay method to assess relative resistance of winter wheat to dwarf bunt at early growth stages. Crop Science, 65(1), e21422. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21422
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Stokes, B., Henning, S., Harvey, L. & J. Woodhall. 2025. Peach Leaf Curl  Diagnosis & Disease Management in Idaho. UI Extension BUL 1088.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Vargas, A., Falcon-Brindis, A. Evaluating the influence of conventional and regenerative agriculture practices on the biodiversity of ground-dwelling communities. ESA Pacific Branch Meeting. Salt Lake City, UT. March 2025. (250 attendees). POSTER.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Falcon-Brindis, A., Thomas, J. 2025. A visual guide to two-spotted spider mites in hops. Extension Bulletin. BUL1025.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2025 Citation: Cumagun, C.J., K. Duellman, P. Hutchinson, R. Spear, G. Teixeira, E. Wenninger, and J. Woodhall. 2025. Quick Facts  Idaho Potatoes. In University of Idaho BUL XXX, X pp. (in press)
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Chellappa, J. 2025. Stay One Step Ahead: Leveraging the PNW Pest Alert Network for Smarter Crop Protection. UI Extension BUL 1093.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Majumdar, R., E. Wenninger, and Strausbaugh, C.A. 2025. Foliar and seed treatment products for the control of curly top in Idaho sugar beet, 2024. Plant Disease Management Reports, The American Phytopathological Society.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Adjesiwor, A.T., Felix, J., Alder, C. 2025. Palmer amaranth  quick facts. Pacific Northwest Extension Publication, PNW 782.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Adjesiwor, A.T., Alder, C., Hawkes, S. 2025. Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds in Southern Idaho. The Sugarbeet Magazine, Research Edition 2025: 85  90. https://www.srcoop.com/articles/theSugarbeetMagazine/tSB-2025-Research.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Adjesiwor, A. (2025). Palmer amaranth: The New Villain in Pacific Northwests Crops. Potato Grower Magazine (pp. 26-27). https://issuu.com/hpmags/docs/_pg0225_interactive
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Adjesiwor, A. 2025. Alfalfa In 2025 Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Adjesiwor, A. 2025. Alfalfa Seed In 2025 Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Adjesiwor, A. 2025. Dry Beans In 2025 Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Adjesiwor, A. 2025. Oats In 2025 Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Adjesiwor, A. 2025. Sugar Beets In 2025 Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Eigenbrode, S. 2025. Dry Edible and Seed Pea In 2025 Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Falcon-Brindis, A. 2025. Alfalfa Grown for Seed. In 2025 Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Falcon-Brindis, A. 2025. Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee Pests. In 2025 Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Falcon-Brindis, A. 2025. Alkali Bee Pests. In 2025 Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Falcon-Brindis, A. 2025. Blue Orchard Bee Pests. In 2025 Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Hirnyck, R. 2025. Pesticide Safety In 2025 Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Hirnyck, R. 2025. Safe Pesticide Use In 2025 Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Hutchinson, P. 2025. Potato In 2025 Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Prather, T. 2025. Alfalfa Seed In 2025 Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Prather, T. 2025. Birdsfoot Trefoil In 2025 Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Prather, T. 2025. Control of Problem Weeds In 2025 Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Prather, T. 2025. Forage Alfalfa In 2025 Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Prather, T. 2025. Grass Hay In 2025 Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Prather, T. 2025. Noncropland In 2025 Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2025 Citation: Prather, T. 2025. Pasture and Rangeland In 2025 Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Wenninger, E.J. and A. Stanzak. 2025. Pests of sugar beet grown for seed. In 2025 Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Wenninger, E.J. and A. Stanzak. 2025. Sugar beet pests. In 2025 Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Wenninger, E.J. and A. Stanzak. 2025. Pests of table beet grown for seed. In 2025 Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook, Oregon State University.
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Adams, C. B., Kongraksawech, T., Ross, A., Long, D. S., Neely, C., Marshall, J., ... & Liang, X. (2025). As grain mineral densities have declined over time, have densities converged across wheat classes?Insights from the US Pacific Northwest and worldwide benchmarks. Crop Science, 65(1), e21409. https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/csc2.21409
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Adams, C. B., Rogers, C. W., Marshall, J. M., Hatzenbuehler, P., Walsh, O. S., Thurgood, G., ... & Tarkalson, D. D. (2024). Uptake and economic value of macro-and micronutrient minerals in wheat residue. Agronomy, 14(8), 1795.https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081795
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Adams, C. B., Rogers, C. W., Marshall, J. M., Hatzenbuehler, P., Walsh, O. S., Thurgood, G., ... & Tarkalson, D. (2024). Understanding the Mineral Nutrient Value of Wheat Residue. Crops & Soils, 57(6), 44-49. https://doi.org/10.1002/crso.20409
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Adams, C. B., Rogers, C. W., Marshall, J. M., Walsh, O. S., Thurgood, G., Dari, B., & Loomis, G. (2025). Wheat mineral nutrient uptake, harvest indices, and grain density from a regional perspective. Agronomy Journal, 117(3), e70066. https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/agj2.70066
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Adhikari, S., Srivastava, V., Wist, T., & Eigenbrode, S. D. (2025). Charting the course of invasion: Ensemble species distribution models predict the range expansion of a newly invasive aphid pest Metopolophium festucae cerealium in North America. Crop Protection, 190, 107042.
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Adjesiwor, A. T. (2025). Winter cereal cover crop termination timing to optimize trade-off between weed suppression and impact on sugar beet yield. Crop Science, 65(2), e70015. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.70015
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Christian, C. L., Rosnow, J., Woodhall, J. W., Wharton, P. S., & Duellman, K. M. (2024). Pathogenicity of Fusarium Species Associated with Potato Dry Rot in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-24-2136-RE
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Cumagun, C. J., Wood, B. B., Rosnow, J., & Woodhall, J. W. (2025). First report of Rhizoctonia solani AG 5 causing stem lesion and root necrosis of mint in Idaho. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-24-2154-PDN
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Falcon-Brindis, A., & Villanueva, R. T. (2024). Hemp regulates the fitness of corn earworm (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) and its tachinid (Diptera) parasitoids. PloS one, 19(9), e0311220. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0311220
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Hinz, H. L., Walsh, G. C., Paterson, I., Paynter, Q., Schwarzl�nder, M., Smith, M., & Weyl, P. (2024). Enhancing pre-release studies for weed biocontrol agents: A review of existing and emerging tools. Biological Control, 105607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105607
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Kwarteng, A. O., Kuhl, J. C., Murdoch, B. M., & Adjesiwor, A. T. (2025). Multigenerational exposure of spring wheat to weed competition and the role of memory response in crop?weed interaction. Weed Research, 65(2), e70013. https://doi.org/10.1111/wre.70013
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Ma, C. S., Wang, B. X., Wang, X. J., Lin, Q. C., Zhang, W., Yang, X. F., ... & Ma, G. (2025). Crop pest responses to global changes in climate and land management. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 6(4), 264-283. 1. Ma, C. S., Wang, B. X., Wang, X. J., Lin, Q. C., Zhang, W., Yang, X. F., ... & Ma, G. (2025). Crop pest responses to global changes in climate and land management. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 6(4), 264-283. Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark Cite this article Ma, CS., Wang, BX., Wang, XJ. et al. Crop pest responses to global changes in climate and land management. Nat Rev Earth Environ 6, 264283 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-025-00652-3
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Majumdar, R., Strausbaugh, C. A., & Wenninger, E. J. (2025). Foliar and seed treatment products for the control of beet curly top in Idaho sugar beet, 2024. Plant Health Progress. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-25-0042-PDMR
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Menalled, F., & Adhikari, S. (2025). Impacts of edible weeds on other components of the associated biodiversity. In Agroecology of Edible Weeds and Noncrop Plants (pp. 55-72). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-16076-9.00005-6
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Milan, J., Rushton, J., West, N. M., Weed, A. S., & Schwarzl�nder, M. (2024). Application of a Standardized Impact Monitoring Protocol (SIMP) to assess biological weed control projects in the State of Idaho, USA. Biological Control, 196, 105567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105567
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Montgomery, C. L. M., Spackman, J. A., Schroeder, K. L., & Adjesiwor, A. T. (2024). Efficacy, crop response, and economics of alternatives to glyphosate for pre?plant weed control in small grains. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, 7(3), e20551. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20551
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Moore, A., Leytem, A., Olsen, N., Price, W., & Dungan, R. (2024). Dairy manure influences soil properties, plant nutrient uptake, and tuber quality in potatoes. Agronomy Journal, 116(5), 2284-2303. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21660
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Nikoukar, A., Sadeghi, R., Eigenbrode, S. D., Price, W., & Rashed, A. (2025). Wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) Use Root Volatiles and CO2 to Discriminate Among Host Plants. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 10227. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93339-0
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Orellana, G. E., Messman, C. H., Reyes-Proa�o, E., Moore, A., Wenninger, E. J., & Karasev, A. V. (2025). Occurrence of Snake River alfalfa virus in alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in Oregon and in Northern California. Plant Disease, 109(2). https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-24-2134-PDN
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Pedrosa, V. M. D., Izidoro, M., Paythosh, S., Dungan, R. S., Olsen, N., Spear, R., & de Almeida Teixeira, G. H. (2025). The Relationship Between Respiration Rate and Quality Parameters of Russet Potatoes During Long-Term Storage. American Journal of Potato Research, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-025-09977-7
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Rogers, C. W., Adams, C. B., Tarkalson, D. D., Marshall, J. M., Hatzenbuehler, P., Thurgood, G., ... & Loomis, G. (2024). Improving estimates for barley residue biomass, nutrients, and economic value. Crops & Soils, 57(4), 25-29. https://doi.org/10.1002/crso.20378
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Rogers, C. W., Spackman, J. A., Tarkalson, D. D., Hu, G., Marshall, J. M., Adeyemi, O. E., & Evans, C. (2025). Irrigated spring hull?less food barley response to nitrogen fertilization. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 89(2), e70029. https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.70029
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Sisson, A. J., Allen, T., Andersen, K., Aoun, M., Bergstrom, G. C., Betts, A. K., ... & Wiersma, J. J. (2025). Estimated yield reductions and economic losses on wheat caused by disease from 2018 through 2021. Plant Health Progress. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-09-24-0087-RS
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Slininger, P. J., Schisler, D. A., Olsen, N. L., Shea-Andersh, M. A., Woodell, L. K., Hendricks, R. L., ... & Dien, B. S. (2025). Control of Fusarium Dry Rot on Postharvest Russet Burbank and Clearwater Russet Potatoes by Pseudomonas Biocontrol Agents Used Alone and in Combination with a Chemical Fungicide. American Journal of Potato Research, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-09-24-0087-RS