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Funded Project

Funding Program: Enhancement Grants - State Contacts/IPM Documents

Project Title: State Contact Project and IPM Documents for Alabama

Project Director (PD): Henry Fadamiro [1]

Lead State: AL Lead Organization: Auburn University

Cooperating State(s): Alabama

Undesignated Funding: $44,760

Start Date: Jun-01-2009 End Date: May-31-2010

Pests Involved: All

Site/Commodity: Alabama-statewide

Area of Emphasis: IPM

Summary: The aims of this multiple project type proposal are to i) request funding renewal for the Alabama State Contact Project (ASCP), and ii) support the development of crop profiles for key vegetable crops in Alabama. The main functions of the ASCP are to support the communications network of the Southern Region IPM Center (SRIPMC) and promote IPM implementation in Alabama. The ASCP has been funded annually since 2005 by the SRIPMC and this proposal is a request for funding renewal to allow continuation of project activities. Specifically, the ASCP at Auburn University will continue to: 1) Serve as the primary contact for regulatory questions related to pest management and pesticides in Alabama; 2) Document activities related to pesticide and pest management inquiries from entities other that the SRIPMC, USDA and EPA; 3) Expand and maintain a stakeholder network to consult, advise and participate in the activities of the ASCP; 4) Provide coordination and oversight of Crop Profiles, Pest Management Strategic Plans in Alabama; 5) Provide an annual assessment prioritizing Crop Profiles and PMSPs for Alabama; 6) Provide/update a list containing names of the IPM-related experts for research and extension for all important commodities and settings pertinent to Alabama; 7) Maintain/update the ASCP website (Alabama Pest Management Information Center website- www.alabamaipm.com) as required by the SRIPMC; 8) Attend an annual state contact meeting arranged by the SRIPMC ; 9) Facilitate collaboration between IPM specialists at Auburn University and their counterparts at Alabamas 1890 institutions; 10) Provide important and timely IPM information to stakeholders in Alabama through appropriate media including fact sheets, pest alerts, newsletters, presentations at grower meetings and IPM workshops, electronic mails, and IPM websites; and 11) Develop and conduct surveys to further determine the production and pest management practices and challenges of fruit and vegetable growers Alabama. The second component of this proposal focuses on the development and publication of priority crop profiles for three key vegetable crops in Alabama (tomatoes, cabbage/leafy greens, and watermelons). Currently, no crop profiles have been developed for vegetable crops in Alabama; yet Alabama is ranked ninth nationally in the production of vegetable crops with a market value of over $40 million. The development of crop profiles for the above crops has been identified as high priority by Alabama vegetable growers and other stakeholders. The crop profiles will document the production practices, worker activities, endemic and emerging pest problems, and current pest management practices for these crops in Alabama, and communicate stakeholder needs to the EPA and USDA. The documents will be developed using instructions provided by the SRIPMC with inputs from relevant stakeholder groups including local vegetable growers, grower associations, university researchers, extension specialists and agents, and other appropriate stakeholders. Development of crop profiles for these key vegetable crops in Alabama will help to assess the impact of the passage of the Food Quality Protection Act and identify areas of critical needs in Alabama's vegetable industry. Thus, crop profile publication is a requisite for implementation of a comprehensive IPM program for these crops in Alabama. Completed crop profiles will be submitted to the SRIPMC leadership for approval and inclusion in the National IPM Centers database. Crop profile information and data will be used to develop a pest management strategic plan (PMSP) for each crop in the near future. Both project types address the goals of the National IPM Roadmap and the priorities of the SRIPMC by promting implementation of IPM in Alabama. Furthermore, the projects will enhance timely access of growers and other stakeholders to IPM information and foster communication among researchers, growers, public citizens and other IPM stakeholders. Objectives: Alabama State Contact Project (ASCP): The specific objectives of the ASCP component of this proposal are to: 1) Serve as the primary contact for regulatory questions related to pest management and pesticides in Alabama. 2) Document activities related to pesticide and pest management inquiries from entities other that the Center (SRIPMC), USDA and EPA. 3) Maintain and expand a stakeholder network to consult, advise and participate in the activities of the ASCP. 4) Provide coordination and oversight of Crop Profiles, Pest Management Strategic Plans (PMSPs), and stakeholder-identified IPM priorities in Alabama. 5) Provide an annual assessment prioritizing Crop Profiles and PMSPs for Alabama. 6) Provide a list containing names of the IPM-related experts for research and extension for all important commodities and settings pertinent to Alabama. 7) Maintain and update the Alabama State Contact Project (ASCP) website as required by the SRIPMC. 8) Attend an annual state contact meeting arranged by the SRIPMC in consultation with Project Directors. 9) Continue to facilitate collaboration between IPM specialists at Auburn University and their counterparts at Alabamas 1890 institutions. 10) Provide important and timely IPM information to stakeholders in Alabama through appropriate media. 11) Develop and conduct surveys to further determine the production and pest management practices and challenges of fruit and vegetable growers Alabama. Crop Profiles for Key Vegetable Crops: The goal of this component of the proposal is to develop and publish priority crop profiles for the following three key vegetable crops in Alabama: tomatoes, cabbage/leafy greens, and watermelons. The two main objectives are: 1) Develop crop profiles for three key vegetable crops in Alabama (tomatoes, cabbage/leafy greens, and watermelons) using recommended instructions and with inputs from appropriate stakeholder groups. 2) Submit completed crop profiles to the SRIPMC for approval and publication.

Final Report:

Outcomes 1. Serve as primary contact for federal regulatory inquiries In 2009/2010, the Alabama State Contact (ASC) responded to several information requests from SRIPMC and EPA relating to IPM and pesticides. Many of these responses were sourced from extension specialists and other stakeholders and were deemed reliable. 2. Responses to other entities (strongly encouraged) In addition to responding to federal regulatory inquiries, the ASC also responded to several stakeholder inquiries relating to pesticide use and pest management. These entities include the Southern Region IPM Center, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Grower/Commodity groups, and other stakeholders. 3. Maintain and expand a stakeholder network to consult, advise and participate in the activities of the ASCP. The Alabama IPM Advisory Committee was established in 2006 as the main stakeholder network for the State Contact. This board consists of about 14 members representing different stakeholder groups and key commodity areas statewide. Members include representatives of major growers/producers of key crops in Alabama, commodity groups, university researchers, extension specialists and agents, state IPM coordinator, school IPM coordinator for Alabama, pesticide safety education program (PSEP) coordinator, private consultants, state regulatory agencies, state public health official, IR-4 representatives, EPA, and USDA. In 2008 the board was expanded to include a representative from Tuskegee University, one of Alabamas 1890 Land Grant. In 2009, the board provided inputs in establishing priorities for IPM research, education and regulatory changes in Alabama. Members of the Alabama IPM Advisory Board are also listed on the Alabama Integrated Pest Management Information Center (www.alabamaipm.com) 4. Provide coordination and oversight of Crop Profiles, Pest Management Strategic Plans (PMSPs), and stakeholder-identified IPM priorities in Alabama. The ASC provided coordination and oversight of IPM documents (e.g. crop profiles and PSMPs) and other projects funded by SRIPMC in Alabama. The ASC also acted as liason between the SRIPMC and IPM stakeholders in Alabama. 5. Provide an annual assessment prioritizing Crop Profiles and PMSPs for Alabama. The ASC continues to work with the SRIPMC to develop IPM priorities for the region and the prioritize crop profiles and PMSPs for Alabama. In 2009, the ASC developed a document prioritizing IPM documents in Alabama for distribution at the 2009 State Contact meeting. 6. Provide a list containing names of the IPM-related experts for research and extension for all important commodities and settings pertinent to Alabama. The ASC developed for SRIPMC a list of IPM specialists and experts in Alabama. 7. Maintain and update the Alabama State Contact Project (ASCP) website as required by the SRIPMC. The Alabama State Contact Project website Alabama Integrated Pest Management Information Center (aka Alabama IPM Center) was established in November 2005 and re-designed in 2008. This website is available at http://www.aces.edu/anr/ipm/ In order to facilitate ease of access by stakeholder we purchased the name www.alabamaipm.com. The website was developed to match the required attributes outlined by the SRIPMC (http://www.sripmc.org/webstandards.cfm) and contains information on program objectives, activities, personnel, IPM information on various commodity areas in Alabama, IPM-related news, links to Alabama IPM publications and crop profiles, as well as links to the Southern Region IPM Center, IPM programs for other southern states, and relevant federal and state websites. The site serves as a central location for posting pest management information, such as pest alerts, news, important upcoming meetings, changes in pesticide use and regulations, and other related information. The website contains information on the ASCP, program activities, Alabama IPM Advisory Board members, state and regional IPM priorities, links to completed crop profiles and PMSPs, relevant IPM publications, as well as linkages to the websites for the SRIPMC, USDA Crop Database, EPA, commodity group websites, and other IPM sites. 8. Attend an annual state contact meeting arranged by the SRIPMC in consultation with project directors. The ASC was unaware of an annual state contact meeting in 2009. 9. Facilitate collaboration between IPM specialists at Auburn University and their counterparts at Alabamas 1890 institutions The ASC worked to foster IPM collaboration between Auburn University and Alabamas 1890 Land Grants (Alabama A & M University and Tuskegee University). For instance, both 1890 institutions were collaborators on the 2010 Alabamas Extension IPM grant funded by the USDA-CSREES. 10. Provide important and timely IPM information to stakeholders in Alabama through appropriate media. The ASC provided timely IPM information to stakeholder in Alabama through appropriate media, including fact sheets, pest alerts, newsletters, presentations at grower meetings and IPM workshops, electronic mails, and IPM websites. The ASC served as a resource for public (e.g., schools, colleges, Department of Agriculture) and private sectors on pest management practices and challenges in Alabama. The ASC worked to facilitate interaction and communication between the different pest management programs and coordinators in the state (i.e., State IPM Coordinator, School IPM Coordinator, IR-4 Coordinator, SARE Coordinator, Organic Agriculture Coordinator, Pesticide Safety Education Program Coordinator, Alabama Fire Ant Pest Management Program, and the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service).

Impacts The ASC supported the communications network of the Southern Region IPM Center (SRIPMC). Ultimately, the project supports and facilitates implementation of IPM in Alabama. Implementation of IPM programs for key commodities in Alabama has allowed farmers to maximize their yields and protect their crops with practices and materials that pose minimal health and environmental risks. Fewer pesticides are being applied in several crops and farmers are now using reduced-risk pesticides. Reduction in the use of pesticides has resulted in economic savings to several farmers.

Outputs Prioritization of Crop Profiles and PMSPs The ASC has developed a document prioritizing IPM documents in Alabama with inputs from the Alabama IPM Advisory Committee. Below is a summary of the document: Crop Profiles for Alabama Crops/Commodities Medium Priority (crop profiles more than 3 years old): Cotton (last updated: 09/01/2001) Hay and Pasture (last updated: 08/01/2001) Peanuts (last updated: 08/01/2000) High Priority (crop profile more than 6 years old): Peanuts (last updated: 08/01/2000) High Priority (crop profile not available): Tomatoes, Cabbage, Collards, Pecan, Pepper, Poultry (Chicken) Medium Priority (crop profile not available): Corn, Strawberries, Ornamentals, Potatoes, Leaf Greens, Small Grains, Christmas Trees Crop Profile currently under development (should be available by 06/01/08): Peaches Pest Management Strategic Plans (PSMP) for Alabama Crops/Commodities High Priority (PMSP not available): Peaches, Satsuma Mandarin, Tomatoes, Cabbage, Collards, Pecan, Pepper, Poultry (Chicken) Medium Priority (PMSP not available): Corn, Strawberries, Ornamentals, Potatoes, Leaf Greens, Small Grains, Christmas Trees Development of Crop Profiles The ASC worked to develop draft crop profiles for the following crops: tomatoes, cabbage/leafy greens, and watermelons. The draft profiles will be published after a detailed review by relevant stakeholders.

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