Feb 22, 2017Southern IPM Center funds new projects
Nine researchers will pursue new methods for fighting a variety of pest management challenges in the South, in both agricultural and urban settings. Over the next year, the Southern IPM Center will spend a total of $257,724 to address issues in the region.
The IPM Enhancement Grant is one of the funding mechanisms that the Southern IPM Center uses to support and expand integrated pest management research and Extension in the southern region. The annual competition begins with a request for proposals in September, with new projects funded by March of the next year.
A panel of experts outside the region selected the nine projects out of 37 project proposals submitted for the grant. Individual funding amounts range from $9,910 for a new invasive conehead termite IPM working group to $40,000 for an existing working group on the tawny crazy ant to create and disseminate extension materials.
Projects were scattered throughout the region. Researchers in Mississippi will embark on a project to improve sweet potato insect pest management in the Southeast, while scientists at North Carolina State University will use a citizen science project to teach the public about tree IPM. Specialists at Clemson and University of Georgia will streamline the popular “MyIPM” apps into one app that contains information on pests and diseases from different regions, as well as adding pests for apple, pear, cherry and cranberries.
Newly funded projects include:
- Improvement of sweet potato insect pest management in the southeast, Mississippi State University, Fred Musser, $29,952
- MyTree: Using citizen science to teach and learn about tree IPM in the city, North Carolina State University, Stephen Frank, $29,866
- Streamlining and advancing the smartphone “MyIPM” app series, University of Georgia, Brett Blaauw, $37,037
For a full list of grant recipients visit the Southern IPM Center’s blog.
The Southern IPM Center is funded by a grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
