OLD_SERA3: Southern Region Information Exchange Group for IPM
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
OLD_SERA3: Southern Region Information Exchange Group for IPM
Duration: 10/01/2004 to 09/30/2011
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
Project's Primary Website is at http:http://www.cipm.info/ent/Southern_Region/SERAIEG/ (direct link can be found under LINKS)
Losses due to pests and efforts to control pests are major obstacles to cost effective crop and livestock production in the Southern Region. In addition, the cost of controlling pests in recreational areas, home landscapes, public and commercial facilities and households combined with the environmental concerns associated with pesticide-dependant control tactics makes IPM a high priority in the Southern Region and the U.S. This multitude of pest situations combined with the numerous pest disciplines makes the coordination of all aspects of IPM critical. Historically, IPM has revolved around entomology and row crops with less emphasis on plant pathology, weed science, nematology, and other related disciplines and in areas other than crop production. However, for IPM to be truly effective, all aspects must be integrated. SERA003 originated with the Experiment Station and Extension Directors naming individuals from each state to provide recommendations on coordination of the IPM activities in the region. Continued development and implementation of IPM strategies under current funding will increasingly depend on effective coordination at the geographical, institutional and disciplinary levels. This need for coordination is as great or greater today than when this SERA-IEG was formed.
SERA003 has annually brought research and extension professionals together to discuss research and education projects related to integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Since its formation this group has consistently impacted the Southern Region IPM grants program by providing input on funding priorities and on mechanisms to encourage participation by representatives of all pest management disciplines and from all southern region states. SERA003 has developed a forum for reporting accomplishments of previously funded IPM grants. To this objective, the group has hosted principal investigator presentations at annual meetings providing a regional overview of successes and outcomes from project funding. The group meeting has also provided an annual forum for the state IPM Coordinators and interested research scientists to meet with the CSREES IPM Program Leader to review progress in each state, discuss reporting mechanisms and make plans for future programs. Since the inception of the Pest Management Centers through USDA/CSREES this SERA has taken the lead in developing linkages with the Center Directors who are now included as members and this SERA provides significant input as to policy, procedures and methods in operations of the Southern Region Pest Management Center.
Objectives
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To bring together, on an annual basis, research scientists and extension specialists from a diversity of disciplinary backgrounds and who share responsibilities and interest in integrated pest management to share current information, research finds and innovative Extension programming efforts.
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To exchange current information on the status of new research findings and extension programs dealing with IPM.
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To provide a forum for reporting findings from projects funded from Smith Lever 3d funded and SR- IPM grants.
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To collaboratively develop and disseminate educational materials and educational training modules for Extension Agents and end users of IPM.
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To provide a forum for developing multi-state collaborations that lead to expanded sources of funds for research, Extension and integrated programs.
Procedures and Activities
This group will meet annually at an appropriate location in the Southern Region or in conjunction with the National IPM Symposium to exchange ideas and discuss common issues related to coordination of IPM research, extension and education activities in the region. The Chair, Chair-elect and Secretary for the SERA003 are currently in place. Annual meetings will be arranged by the Chair and Chair-elect, working with the Administrative Advisors, and minutes of the meetings will be distributed by the Secretary. The Southern Region Pest Management Center Director(s) will be invited each year and will report to the SERA003. Members of the group shall be comprised of two representatives from each state in the Southern Region, the USDA/CSREES Program Leader for IPM, the Director(s) of the Southern Region Pest Management Center and administrative advisors from the Experiment Station and Extension Service Directors. From each of the Southern Region Land Grant Universities, one representative should be appointed by the respective Director of the Cooperative Extension and one by the Director of the Experiment Station. It is recommended that the Cooperative Extension Service representative be the Cooperative Extension IPM Coordinator for the state. Other participants should be encouraged and may represent entomology, plant pathology, weed science, nematology, toxicology, engineering, physiology, sociology, and other appropriate disciplines.
Expected Outcomes and Impacts
- Exchange of current information on new research findings and Extension programs dealing with IPM will foster generation of new ideas, programs and interactions among the group.
- Information from report of projects funded from Smith Lever 3d Southern Region RIPM and SR-IPM grants will provide insight into successful projects and/or failures in the design of the RFP for the IPM grants program and the ability of a competitive grants program to achieve results in research and Extension goals and will encourage similar programs in other states.
- Meeting with the Southern Region Pest Management Center Director(s) and exchange of information regarding regional IPM programs and strategies and will provide input into programming priorities at the Pest Management Center. An annual working group format interaction among the IPM coordinators, significant IPM research scientists and the Pest Management Center staff will allow the exchange required for the Center to effectively assist the advance of IPM in the region. These exchanges will result in recommendations for an RFP for the SR-IPM grants programs, ancillary grants programs with oversight from the Pest Management Center and for priorities for the Center operations.
- Educational information, including web-based and printed materials, and training modules for Extension Agents and others that can be shared across states will be developed.
- SERA 003 meetings will foster multi-state and interdisciplinary collaborations that lead to enhanced funding for research, Extension and integrated programs.
Projected Participation
View Appendix E: ParticipationEducational Plan
The Chair, Chair elect, Secretary and two other members will serve on the Southern Region Pest Management Center advisory council and provide input from the SERA003 to the Center annually. Additionally, two members of the SERA003 will serve on the steering committee of the Pest Management Center and therefore be involved in policy decisions for the Center. The members of the committee will provide information from the meetings to members of their institutions: Research members will provide annual reports to their respective Directors of Experiment Stations and Extension members to respective Directors of the Cooperative Extension Service, members will assist in circulating RFAs for IPM related programs including the SR-IPM. The group will work with the Southern Region Pest Management Center communication specialists to distribute information about activities, opportunities and accomplishments, using newsletters, world wide web and other mass media outlets. The group will work with the Southern Plant Diagnostic Network to facilitate its mission and to disseminate information on pest alerts, training and other resources. The group will develop educational materials and training materials for Extension Agents.
Organization/Governance
Chair 2006: Thomas W. Fuchs, Texas A&M University Chair-elect 2006: Norm Leppla, University of Florida Secretary 2006: Henry Fadimiro, Auburn University A standard governance format will be used including election of a Chair, Chair-elect and Secretary. A Secretary shall be elected each year and serve as such for one year. The secretary will then automatically become the Chair-elect in the second year of service and Chair in the third year of service. Administrative guidance will be provided by an assigned Administrative Advisor and a CSREES Representative, generally the IPM Program Leader. The SERA003 web site will reside on the Southern Region Pest Management server at North Carolina State University and will be maintained in collaboration with the executive committee of the SERA and Director of the Pest Management Center. The SERA003 will meet annually and/or in conjunction with the National IPM Symposium. Contact: Thomas W. Fuchs, Texas Cooperative Extension.
Literature Cited
No literture cited.