IPM Education, Internships and Employment

Norm LepplaNorm Leppla

University of Florida, IFAS

Leppla’s CareerLeppla’s Career

University of Arizona- Insect Behavior &University of Arizona- Insect Behavior &Rearing Research (2 yr)Rearing Research (2 yr)

USDA, ARS- Pest Management & USDA, ARS- Pest Management & Biological Control, FL & TX (17 yr)Biological Control, FL & TX (17 yr)

USDA, APHIS- Methods Development, USDA, APHIS- Methods Development, Washington DC & International (7 yr)Washington DC & International (7 yr)

University of Florida- Administration & University of Florida- Administration & Integrated Pest Management (15 yr)Integrated Pest Management (15 yr)

• What is IPM and where does a DPM fit?

• How should you approach a mentor?

• How are internships related to post-

graduation employment?

• What are the competencies of an IPM

education?

• What is a "state" IPM program? .

Seminar Topics

National Road Map for Integrated Pest Management

(USDA, Office of Pest Management Policy)May 17, 2004

http://www.ipmcenters.org/Docs/IPMRoadMap.pdf

What is IPM?

Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is a long-standing, science-based, decision-making process that identifies and reduces risks from pests and pest management related strategies..

What is IPM?

IPM is the coordinated use of pest and environmental information and available pest control methods…

to prevent unacceptable levels of pest damage by the most economical means...

with the least possible hazard to people, property and the environment.

REDUCE RISK…

• Pest outbreaks & disease epidemics

• Environmental contamination

• Human health hazards

• Pest mgmt. costs

IPM SystemIPM SystemINCREASE…

• Reliability

• Sustainability

Cultural & Physical MethodsCultural & Physical Methods

Biological ControlBiological Control

ChemChem

Biological knowledgeBiological knowledge Monitoring and inspectionMonitoring and inspection Act to control pests when necessaryAct to control pests when necessary Choose least-risk options Choose least-risk options Long-term, preventative practicesLong-term, preventative practices Evaluation and recordsEvaluation and records Pesticide managementPesticide management Continual improvementContinual improvement

Generic IPM ProgramGeneric IPM Program

Where Does a DPM Fit?

There is a need for “broadly trained, There is a need for “broadly trained, interdisciplinary specialists to deal with interdisciplinary specialists to deal with the challenge of IPM and the complexity the challenge of IPM and the complexity of crop systems…a doctoral degree in of crop systems…a doctoral degree in plant health.” (NAS Spring 2000)plant health.” (NAS Spring 2000)

Les Ehler and Dale Bottrell http://www.nap.edu/issues/16.3/ehle

r

Where Does a DPM Fit?IPM requires “innovative partnerships IPM requires “innovative partnerships among scientists, extension agents, pest among scientists, extension agents, pest consultants, progressive farmers, farm consultants, progressive farmers, farm workers, and consumers.”workers, and consumers.”

AgronomyAgronomy

EntomologyEntomology

Plant PathologyPlant Pathology Soil ScienceSoil Science

ForestryForestry

HorticultureHorticulturePlant Plant MedicineMedicine

The Future of IPM and Plant Medicine

Multi-disciplinaryMulti-disciplinary

PartnershipsPartnerships

Resources- internetResources- internet

Knowledge intensiveKnowledge intensive

NematologyNematology

Weed ScienceWeed Science

IPM and DPM

How to Approach a Mentor?How to Approach a Mentor?

Make an appointment via telephoneMake an appointment via telephone

or email.or email.

Provide some background information, Provide some background information, e.g., CV, statement of interest.e.g., CV, statement of interest.

Have a discussion about 30 minutes.Have a discussion about 30 minutes.

Prepare questions in advance.Prepare questions in advance.

Expectations of prospective mentor Expectations of prospective mentor and mentor of you.and mentor of you.

Civility and Respect

Civility- politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.

Respect- consideration or concern (honesty).

The faculty is here to help you gain the best possible education.

We must work hard to provide you with the resources you need, so we are interdependent.

Why are you here?

How are Internships Related to Post-Graduation Employment?

We are always being evaluated.We are always being evaluated.

Internships provide a trial period.Internships provide a trial period.

Potential employers are always Potential employers are always seeking outstanding employees.seeking outstanding employees.

Employers expect a return on their Employers expect a return on their investment in you.investment in you.

Successful employment is based on Successful employment is based on how well you fit.how well you fit.

IPM Education and Training

Prevent pest outbreaks through habitat Prevent pest outbreaks through habitat manipulation and other cultural practicesmanipulation and other cultural practices

Gain experience with pest habitats, e.g., Gain experience with pest habitats, e.g., crops or buildingscrops or buildings

Know the life cycles of the host plants, Know the life cycles of the host plants, pests and beneficial organismspests and beneficial organisms

Understand the ecology and adaptability Understand the ecology and adaptability of the organismsof the organisms

Pest Prevention and Detection

IPM Education and Training

Utilize scouting and other monitoring techniques

Accurately identify key pest and beneficial organisms

Apply damage, economic and other action thresholds

Design systems of mitigation that minimize environmental impacts

Pest Identification and Management

IPM Education and Training

Practice safe and appropriate use of Practice safe and appropriate use of pesticides and other IPM tacticspesticides and other IPM tactics

Know current laws and regulations Know current laws and regulations pertinent to pest managementpertinent to pest management

Be able to rapidly access pest Be able to rapidly access pest management information management information

Be involved in pest management and Be involved in pest management and related organizationsrelated organizations

General Knowledge and Professionalism

IPM Capabilities

Education & experience. An inter-disciplinary education in the traditional scientific disciplines plus hands-on, practical experience is essential.

Synthesis & integration. Education and training prepare pest managers to synthesize knowledge from across disciplines and integrate pest management within entire production systems.

IPM Capabilities

Problem solving & critical thinkingProblem solving & critical thinking. . Experience is gained in accurately Experience is gained in accurately diagnosing and rapidly solving diagnosing and rapidly solving plant health plant health problems while minimizing environmental problems while minimizing environmental impacts and economic losses.impacts and economic losses.

Speaking & writing effectivelySpeaking & writing effectively. Superior . Superior communication skillscommunication skills, both written and , both written and verbal, are required to effectively verbal, are required to effectively communicate IPM principles and practices. communicate IPM principles and practices.

USDA, CSREES (NIFA) Funding

Cooperative Extension Directors

State IPM Coordinators

Cooperators

What is a “State” Extension IPM Program?

1972- "Huffaker Project" $12.5 million

(NSF, USDA, EPA)

1975- CES Extension IPM formula funding

for every state 1862 land grant (56

states, $0.5-$1.5 m total)

1979- “Adkisson Project” $3.5 million

2010- E-IPM grant funding, 1862 and 1890

land grant eligible (75 institutions, ca

$8.4 m)

PROGRAM MANAGEMENTPROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Designated Coordinator……………………..18 Designated Coordinator……………………..18 Manage the Smith-Lever 3(d) Funds….……26Manage the Smith-Lever 3(d) Funds….……26Obtain Extramural Funding……………….…41Obtain Extramural Funding……………….…41Adequate Technical Support…………….….24Adequate Technical Support…………….….24Adequate Facilities and Equipment……...…41Adequate Facilities and Equipment……...…41Program Management Structure…………...53Program Management Structure…………...53Planning/Priority Setting Process…………..45Planning/Priority Setting Process…………..45Assure IPM Program Recognition………….53Assure IPM Program Recognition………….53Professional Development Opportunities….45Professional Development Opportunities….45

PROGRAM DELIVERYPROGRAM DELIVERY

Communication System (e.g., website)…..51Communication System (e.g., website)…..51Grants Program..……………………………22Grants Program..……………………………22Produce Extension Materials.……………..49Produce Extension Materials.……………..49Provide IPM Consultation…...……………..34Provide IPM Consultation…...……………..34Seek Funding for Cooperators…………….28Seek Funding for Cooperators…………….28Conduct Education & Training Activities….52Conduct Education & Training Activities….52Means of Measuring Benefits……..……….53Means of Measuring Benefits……..……….53

PROGRAM INVOLVEMENTPROGRAM INVOLVEMENT

Cooperative Extension Collaboration…….....53Cooperative Extension Collaboration…….....53

Research Collaboration...…………………….52Research Collaboration...…………………….52

Clientele Collaboration…………………….….51Clientele Collaboration…………………….….51

Interdisciplinary Scope………………………..53 Interdisciplinary Scope………………………..53

Inter-Institutional Collaboration…………….. Inter-Institutional Collaboration…………….. 5252

Statewide Involvement………………………..52Statewide Involvement………………………..52

Regional, National & International Liaison….43Regional, National & International Liaison….43

PROGRAM SUPPORT

USDA, NIFA.…..……………………………..54USDA, NIFA.…..……………………………..54

Regional IPM Center………………………..54Regional IPM Center………………………..54

University Administration…………………...30University Administration…………………...30

Unit Leader………………………………......30Unit Leader………………………………......30

Clientele………………………………………20Clientele………………………………………20

“A comprehensive and at least stable state IPM program would benefit every land grant university, as agriculture, communities and natural areas are increasingly difficult to protect from pests and diseases without unacceptable risks to human health and the environment.”

The Functions, Evolution and Benefits of State Integrated Pest Management ProgramsN. C. Leppla, D. A. Herbert, Jr. and D. D. Thomas

American Entomologist, Winter 2009

Potential Threats to Food Potential Threats to Food Crop ProductionCrop Production

Food borne illnesses Food borne illnesses Land availability and useLand availability and use Labor and immigrationLabor and immigration Water quality and quantity Water quality and quantity Higher operating costs (fuel)Higher operating costs (fuel) New plant pests and diseasesNew plant pests and diseases

Potential Threats to Food Potential Threats to Food Crop ProductionCrop Production

Loss of pesticidesLoss of pesticides Offshore competitionOffshore competition Damaging weatherDamaging weather Population growthPopulation growth EnvironmentalismEnvironmentalism Government “assistance”Government “assistance”

http://ipm.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu

IPM Florida: IPM Florida: The UF, IFAS The UF, IFAS Statewide IPM Program Statewide IPM Program