Progress 09/01/24 to 08/31/25
Outputs
Target Audience:Stakeholder advisory council, pesticide safety education program educators,regulatory partners, growers, commodity growers, state extension specialists, agents, and technicians, State IPM faculty and staff, NC Department of Agriculture (NCDA) agronomists, certified crop consultants and other private practicianers, private pesticide/chemical sales reps, landscaping professionals, nurseryman and greenhouse growers, landscape/lawncare managers, SERA3 partners, NC K-12 teachers and educators, County 4-H leaders, NC public library staff, Horticulture Field Lab, JC Raulston Arboretum, Waynesville Field Lab, and Turfgrass Research Laboratory staff and employees, Extension IT personnel, NC State University researchers, undergraduates, and graduate students, IPM Programmers, Southern IPM Center, Other Land-grant University Collaborators (Clemson, Iowa State University and University of Kentucky), Extension master gardeners (EMG) volunteers, beekeepers, and consumers/NC residents and homeowners, NC State extension administrators, NC A&T faculty, NGOs, Federal Partners (i.e. EPA, USDA, etc.), Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Project 1.1 Co-PI trained research associate and bi-weekly research technician on Phytophthora detection using Agdia ImmunoStrips. Project 1.2 N/A Project 1.3 Masters Graduate student presented poster at 2025 IPM Symposium in San Diego, CA and won first place in Masters Poster Session Project 2.1 PI Seth-Carley and Co-PI Bradley will mentor county Horticulutre Agent selected to work as project coordinator of Pollinator Abassador School. Three addtional presentation/trainings were given as precursors to curriculum development. Project 3.1 19 different training and professional development opportunities offered through this project ranging from STEM workshops, Train-the-trainer, field trips, educational booths, state fair exhibit, field days and regional IPM stakeholder meeting. Project 3.2 Three presentation to industry, consumers, etc on pollinator-friendly habitats. Project 4.1 10 Opportunities for training and professional development were offered through this program. These include the Pesticide Safety Schools, Webinars and Applicator Trainings. NC EIP Program Development Developed and held a two-hour professional development workshop on project evaluation for EIP PI, Co-PI's and staff How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Our dissemination/communication protocol has two primary components focused on promoting IPM with specialists, agents, growers, consumers, and youth; 1) Effectively communicate IPM in various contents and formats, depending on the knowledge of our intended audience; and 2) Utilize a variety of approaches for IPM dissemination to reach intended audiences. As a result, we plan to disseminate results in a wide variety of forms, including peer-reviewed journal articles and Extension publications, print and web-based fact sheets, videos and vignettes, presentations to stakeholders, youth enrichment (e.g., schools, 4-H programs, etc.), and direct communication with stakeholders. We plan to accomplish this through traditional communication channels such as phone, email, webinars, or in-person. We will also reach our existing and new audiences through local and regional Extension agents, EMG volunteers, shared newsletters, and social media. Feedback will be gathered when appropriate and discussed at quarterly EIP meetings to improve and inform future IPM programming. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Project 1.1 Plan of work for year 2: Evaluate baits types for detecting Phytophthora in soil or potting medium. Test additional water collected from ornamental greenhouses using the leachate method. Collect water and soil from three vegetable farms and two greenhouse to confirm test validity. Conduct at least one agent training to teach identified bait evaluation method. Develop survey to measure knowledge and adoption rate of new technique. Continue development of Phytophthora detection extension publication. Program 1.2 Plan of work for year 2: Continue to collect data for IPM categorizations Present model to growers at winter grower meetings in early 2026. Modify and finalize survey to measure short term impacts Develop and measure IPM categorizations protocols for tarnished plant bug management in cotton Collaborate on coordinated EIP evaluation surveys with Clemson University. Program 1.3 Plan of work for year 2: Expand and offer programs to at least two additional flower growers to quickly adapt their production system to meet new IPM initiatives by major retailers. Train additional consultants and Extension agents to provide customized support and expertise to growers Create pre-populated templates with IPM information tailored to local flower production and pest management strategies. Facilitate training programs focused on pollinator habitat management and effective IPM practices. Follow up interview with Pilot IPM Certification grower Program 2.1 Plan of work for year 2: Establish training objectives and outcomes Define participant learning goals as a result of survey of Extension specialists and volunteers (e.g., pollinator identification, conservation strategies, community education) Recruit instructors and develop curriculum and materials for identified core topics Pilot-test the curriculum Conduct training with EMG volunteers from Chatham and Lee County (Feb-March 2026) Evaluate effectiveness and refine materials based on participant feedback Plan and launch the first Pollinator Ambassador School, Summer 2026 Develop a marketing and registration plan for EMG volunteers Secure location, schedule speakers, and coordinate logistics for in-person school that will be held in Western NC Evaluate effectiveness and refine materials based on participant feedback Program 3.1 Plan of work for year 2: Host regional train-the-trainer workshops for Extension agents to deliver training to volunteers and teachers for pollinator garden implementation. Develop post-pre surveys for Train-the-Trainer workshops. Pilot test pollinator and beneficial habitat garden design activities. Compile region specific educational resources to develop pollinator habitat in schools publications for Western, Central, and Eastern NC. Program 3.2 Plan of work for year 2: The NC State Extension Portal system is currently being moved to a new platform. We will continue to gather and organize information and images to prepare the series of fact sheets and presentations on pollinator-friendly habitats once launched. These fact sheets will also be used in coordination with the Southeast EG Handbook. Complete edits of all chapters, appendices, FAQs and Case Studies for Southeast EG Handbook Continue weekly social media posts on Instagram & Facebook to promote pollinator-friendly gardening and IPM. Program 4.1 Plan of work for year 2: Develop a one-hour credit program on mixing/loading and calibrating application equipment (e.g., backpack sprayers, granular fertilizer applications and rotary spreaders). Meet with county Extension offices and agents to identify areas for education kiosk placement. Discuss credit program with NCDA to determine monitoring and testing protocols. NC EIP Program Development Plan of work for year 2: Continued leadership team progress meetings Continued development of program evaluation surveys and development of interview protocols. Development and implementation of the next professional development workshop. Continue to ensure alignment of project activities with the priorities of the new administration
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Project 1.1 (40% Complete) Accomplishments: Evaluated three bait types (to identify the optimal bait). Testing identified the optimal bait for Phytophthora capsici in water to be squash. Pears were determined to be the best for detection of Phytophthora nicotianae. Baiting in water for two days followed by one day at room temperature outside of the water was optimal for detection by Agdia Immunostrips. Draft of Extension publication that describes the Phytophthora detection techniques developed for irrigation water and soil is in development. Outcomes/Impacts: Outcomes will be generated in Year 2/Year3 once Agent trainings are held to teach identified bait evaluation method. A survey will be developed to measure knoweldge and adoption rate of the new technique. Program 1.2 (15% Complete) (Progress was delayed due to an extended leave of absence by one of the key contributors but is now proceeding as expected) Accomplishments: Identified a graduate student that will present model results at winter grower meetings Ongoing data collection of IPM categorizations including; current scouting practices, insecticide choice, number of insecticide applications, and the use of economic thresholds in tarnished plant bug management in cotton. Outcomes/Impacts: Outcomes will be generated after data collection of IPM categorizations is completed and model is presented to growers at winter meetings in early 2026. A survey will be used to measure short term impacts. Program 1.3 (33% Complete) Accomplishments: Poster presented at 2025 IPM Symposium in San Diego, CA won first place in Masters Poster Session. Pilot IPM program partnering with a bulb and cut flower grower led to third-party IPM Certification through the Bee Better Certification from the Xerces Society in the fall of 2024. Interviews and on-site visits with farm managers were conducted, featuring detailed discussions and data collection focused on the farm's IPM program Includes pest monitoring, scouting, pollinator habitat, and description of tillage procedures, and preventative non-chemical pest management practices employed Outcomes/Impacts: A follow up interview will be held with the Pilot IPM Certifcation grower in Year 2. Short and medium term impacts will be measured as will successful adoption of practices. Program 2.1 (40% Complete) Accomplishments: Advertised position and selected Amanda Bratcher to serve as project coordinator of the Advanced Certificate Program (Pollinator Ambassador School) starting April 1, 2025. Reviewed existing programs to identify characteristics of effective training to implement in NC. Our model will include: 3-4 synchronous online modules covering pollinator health and conservation principles that volunteers complete before attending schools. In-person, day-long school focused on hands-on activities Launched survey in May 2025 to gather input from Extension specialists and other subject matter experts on course content, tools, and resources needed. Outcomes/Impacts: Three additional presentations were given as precursors to curriculum development reaching 219 Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteers. On average polled audience members strongly agreed (n = 51, M = 4.64) the seminars improved their understanding of the respective topic area and 100% of respondents would recommend the respective seminar to a colleague. Outcomes of the survey launched in May 2025, will be available during the next reporting period as will the evaluation effectiveness of the pilot-test curriculum. Program 3.1 (33% Complete) Accomplishments: Seven STEM workshops were held reaching 243 K-12 youth, 25 post-secondary students, and 20 teachers and Extension agents. Three Train-the-Trainer opportunities were held through Junior EMG volunteer Training for 135 Extension agents. Five Educational Field Trips with 245 agents, public school teachers, and K-12 students IPM Extension Bugfest Booth at NC Museum of Natural Sciences. The event has more than 40,000 attendees and the booth engaged with approximately 1,200 K-12 children, young adults, and educators. State Fair 4-H Entomology Exhibit reached approximately 100,000 people STEAM Field Day at Wake County Elementary School reached 850 public school teachers and K-12 students. Keynote Address at Soil and Water Supervisors Annual Meeting to 150 Extension agents, growers, and regional IPM stakeholders Outcomes/Impacts: Surveyed participants of STEM workshops (n = 55) indicated improved knowledge of pollinator resources, species identification, and importance of pollinators for food security. Fourteen of the 15 constructed pollinator plots contained all three pollinator needs (shelter, water, and food). Additional outcomes will be generated in Year 2 following post-pre surveys for Train-the-Trainer workshops. Program 3.2 (25% Complete) Accomplishments: Developed overall plan for creation of the new, expanded Southeast Extension Gardener (EG) Handbook, including print version, online version, and Top Hat version as well as the instructor resources. Held three listening sessions with Horticulture Extension agents to better understand their use of the handbook and how they could be improved. Two in-person presentations and one webinar reaching 129 participants and one blog post provided supplemental resources that address pollinator-friendly habitats. Additionally, 41 social media posts on Instagram and Facebook focused on pollinator-friendly gardening. Outcomes/Impacts: On average polled audience members strongly agreed (n = 13, M = 4.62) the webinar improved their understanding of the respective topic area and 100% of respondents would recommend the respective webinar to a colleague. Participants also indicated they are better equipped to answer stakeholder questions as a result of this webinar. Additional outcomes and impacts will be generated following fact sheet and Handbook development. Program 4.1 (25% Complete) Accomplishments: Seven Pesticide Safety Schools were held across NC reaching 361 participants. Held preliminary discussion with Extension agents on logistics in New Hanover, Wilson, and Swain Counties. Collaborated with Iowa State University's Pesticide Safety and Education Program and recorded an IPM Webinar to be used in 2025 to train approximately 1500 applicators. Two Pesticide Applicator trainings were held reaching 174 landscape professionals and Extension agents Outcomes/Impacts: On average participants indicated medium knowledge levels (n = 164, M = 1.82) on various topic areas before the Pesticide Safety School and high knowledge levels (n = 164, M = 2.70) on the same topic areas after the workshop. Of the participants not already using an IPM approach, 93% (n = 116) indicated they intend to use an IPM approach as a result of the workshop. On average 98% (n = 103) of participants would recommend the workshop to a colleague. NC EIP Program Development Eight team progress meetings were held during this reporting period. Development and launch of a new user-friendly reporting system to track project outputs and outcomes. Development and distribution of evaluation surveys used across projects. Poster Presentation "A Borich Model IPM Needs Assessment: Survey Development Best Practices for Extension Programs" at 2025 IPM Symposium in San Diego, CA. Wrote and submitted manuscript "Prioritizing IPM Training Needs of North Carolina Extension Professionals: A Borich Model Needs Assessment" to the Journal of IPM. Poster Presentation "The SERA3 IPM Priority Document - A Decade of Identifying Regional IPM Priorities" at 2025 IPM Symposium in San Diego, CA. Published SERA3 2025 IPM and Pest Priorities for the Southern Region Developed and held a two-hour professional development workshop on project evaluation for EIP personnel Outcomes/Impacts: EIP PI, Co-PI's and staff (7 participants) indicated they strongly agreed (n = 5, M = 4.73) the workshop improved their understanding of the different aspects of program evaluation.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2025
Citation:
Publication - Conference Poster. 2025, 05. Understanding growers needs in achieving integrated pest management certification. Love, M., Seth Carley, D. and Adams, R.S. Understanding growers needs in achieving integrated pest management certification. 2025 IPM Symposium. San Diego, CA. March, 2025.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2025
Citation:
Publication - Conference Poster. 2025, 05. A Borich Model IPM Needs Assessment: Survey Development Best Practices for Extension Programs.. Walker, T.J., R.S. Adams and D. Seth Carley. A Borich Model IPM Needs Assessment: Survey Development Best Practices for Extension Programs. 2025 IPM Symposium. San Diego, CA. March, 2025.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2025
Citation:
Publication - Conference Paper. 2025, 05. The SERA3 IPM priority document: A decade of identifying regional IPM priorities. R.S. Adams, H.M. Kelly, K.P. Watson & T.J. Walker. The SERA3 IPM priority document: A decade of identifying regional IPM priorities. 2025 IPM Symposium. San Diego, CA. March, 2025.
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