In the proposed President’s budget for USDA-NIFA for FY2013, there are significant funding line changes being proposed. If you receive funding directly or indirectly from NIFA, you should be aware of these proposed changes and weigh in on the discussions that will be scheduled. NIFA is planning a series of listening sessions, the first of which will occur at the conclusion of the 7th International IPM Symposium on March 29, 2012, from 2-5 PM, in Memphis, TN. Originally, this listening session was to discuss the E-IPM State IPM Coordinator funding, next year’s RFA and related issues. NIFA is trying to reissue the Federal Register Notice to expand the listening session to discuss the changes proposed in the President’s FY2013 budget. If you are attending the 7th International IPM Symposium, I urge you to attend this session. NIFA intends to have additional listening sessions at later dates and welcomes written comments, as well. The purpose of the listening sessions is to gather stakeholder input on how the new “Crop Protection” line item should be implemented.
This new line item replaces several programmatic lines in several areas. NIFA proposes to consolidate funding for Expert Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Decision Support System, IPM & Biological Control, Minor Crop Pest Management IR-4, Pest Management Alternatives, Smith-lever 3(d) Pest Management (State IPM Coordinators), and Regional Pest Management Centers into a single program called Crop Protection administered under Integrated Activities. This consolidation will enhance NIFA’s ability to support research, education, and extension activities needed to ensure global food security and respond to other major societal challenges.
Funded activities will be for IPM projects that respond to pest management challenges with coordinated regional and national research, education, and extension programs, and promote further development and use of IPM approaches. The program will foster regional and national team building efforts, communication networks, and enhanced stakeholder participation. The program will focus on plant protection tactics and tools; diversified IPM systems; enhancing agricultural biosecurity; IPM for a sustainable society; and development of the next generation of IPM scientists.
Key issues to consider are: What has each of the individual programs contributed to pest management needs of stakeholders? What are tangible outcomes and impacts of these programs? How might they fit into a competitive grant program within the five areas described in the last sentence of the above paragraph? How does the state IPM coordinator fit into this scheme? How does IR-4 (which has the largest financial stake in this proposal) fit? What is the best way to gather meaningful stakeholder input in the design of these programs?
There are many other issues to consider, but each of you has a stake and a say in how this evolves. Not many people believe that Congress with pass the President’s budget as proposed or any budget until sometime after the November elections. Now is the time to begin addressing this proposed change. The discussion of consolidating pest management line items has been ongoing for several years. It is not going away.
Please participate and make your concerns and suggestions known.
Filed under: Budget Tagged: | IPM Centers, IPM Coordinators, IPM Funding, IR-4, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, NIFA
