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Funded Project |
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Funding Program:
Regional IPM Grants (S-RIPM) |
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Project Title:
Reducing Homeowner Pesticide Use and Increasing Consumer and Student Knowledge of IPM Through Public Outreach/Education |
Project Directors (PDs):
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Lead State: GA Lead Organization: University of Georgia |
| Extension Funding: $14,620 |
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Start Date: Jan-01-2005 End Date: Jan-01-2007 |
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Summary:
The IPM Clinic is a consulting resource at the University of Georgia. We handle diagnoses and recommendations for plant samples from home and urban landscapes at no cost to the client. 1,524 samples were received in 2004. Integrated pest management strategies are given so the client can have an attractive landscape with minimal use of pesticides. The Home and Garden Information Center at Clemson University provides thousands of consumers information via a website and a toll-free phone number through an interactive voice response (IVR) system. Nearly 600 recorded messages on landscaping and gardening are available 24 hours a day. There are also specialists available to answer consumer questions directly. Both IPM programs have as its goal reducing pesticides in urban communities. Workshops through master gardener programs, commercial associations, and the cooperative extension are conducted. Although, response to public workshops has been positive, evaluations request more information about ecologically-sound practices. We propose to design workshops to introduce additional aspects of IPM such as monitoring techniques, physical and biological controls. Because these topics fall under the heading ecologically sound practices , we will create a workshop title without using the term IPM to attract more interest. Many gardeners are unfamiliar with the term IPM, and they often view pest control as a minor part of their gardening experience. We propose using conventional methods of delivery through cooperative extension and industries, but also to utilize school systems which teach agricultural education. Although the curriculum will be specific to Georgia and South Carolina, the core emphasis may be used anywhere in the southeastern United States.
Objectives: Objective 1: Training the IPM educators A two-tiered approach is proposed. The first tier in the approach would be to train county extension agents as educators. This approach would allow the agents to also serve as trainers of participants in the second tier. The second tier participants would include Master Gardeners, landscape professionals, and agriculture education teachers. By taking this approach, the number of potential IPM educators can be greatly enhanced in a short amount of time. Some basic skills and information that would be obtained at this training would include: the knowledge of IPM concepts, the limitation and benefits of using IPM in the home and/or commercial landscapes, and where to search for scientifically-based information. Objective 2: Developing audience targeted materials. Currently there is much information on pest biology, best management practices, and chemical information. However, this information is not always easily accessible or understood by the general public. Also, Hispanic workers form the backbone of the Green Industry with 80% of landscape companies employing Hispanics as part of their workforce. We propose to use existing and new information to develop fact sheets that provide nuggets of information. These fact sheets would be in both the English and Spanish languages and available via the web through the Home & Garden Information Center. Additionally, posters and manuals would be purchased as tools to promote the IPM education awareness program and the benefits of IPM in the home landscape. Promotional brochures will be developed to guide consumers through a brief IPM outline and website information at Clemson University. Objective 3: Evaluating outreach effectiveness To evaluate effectiveness of the outreach program, surveys will be aimed at two groups: landscape professionals and the general public. Surveys directed to the landscape professional would seek to obtain information relating to treatment types and customer requests. Public directed surveys would seek to identify whether or not homeowners understand basic IPM principles and if they have applied these principles in their own landscape. |
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