Posted on August 1, 2017 by rhallberg
The American Public Gardens Association seeks a plant protection program manager. The Plant Protection Program Manager will ensure the Plant Protection Program’s ongoing engagement with Association members, recruit and retain new gardens, secure and steward programmatic funding and budgets, and continue to expand the program. They train staff at several member gardens, coordinate targeted pest surveys, and develop new and revised educational materials about the importance of the urban forest, forest health, and plant protection for various audiences.
The Plant Protection Program currently combines the Sentinel Plant Network, Plant Heroes™, and other important urban forest health elements into a cohesive and powerful platform that positions our gardens as leaders in the battle against invasive species and other threats to healthy forests and gardens. Continue reading →
Filed under: employment | Tagged: National Plant Diagnostic Network, Plant Heroes, plant protection, plant protection manager, public gardens, public gardens association, Sentinel plant Network | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 2, 2017 by rhallberg
The North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) is seeking new project proposals from June 1 to July 31, 2017. This is the first step in NAPPO’s process for identifying new projects or topics to add to its work program. This is also the initial step in the NAPPO standard-setting process for proposals that seek to develop a regional standard.
U.S. stakeholders are invited to work with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) to submit new project proposals. Proposals may focus on the development or revision of regional standards, workshops (e.g. to improve the implementation of standards), technical and scientific documents, surveillance protocols, or other projects to develop similar and consistent approaches for plant health measures. For your reference, the NAPPO Secretariat has posted on its Web site a list of current projects and topics. They have also posted a list of regional standards that need updating. Continue reading →
Filed under: news | Tagged: APHIS, nappo, plant protection, PPQ | Leave a comment »
Posted on April 3, 2017 by rhallberg
The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) is releasing an issue paper titled Crop Protection Contributions toward Agricultural Productivity–a paper in the series on The Need for Agricultural Innovation to Sustainably Feed the World by 2050. The presenter will be Dr. Susan Ratcliffe, task force chair of the project and director of the North Central IPM Center at the University of Illinois.
Pre-register here.
The authors of the paper examine the current plant protection revolution that is driven by the biological realities of pesticide resistance, various market forces, and real or perceived side effects of pesticides, while stressing the need for new technologies and an integrated cropping systems approach.
CAST Issue Paper 58 will be available April 5 as a free download from the CAST website, cast-science.org/publications. Continue reading →
Filed under: featured | Tagged: Agricultural innovation, CAST, North Central IPM Center, pesticide resistance, plant protection, sustainable agriculture | 1 Comment »
Posted on March 30, 2017 by rhallberg
APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) has posted Weed Risk Assessments (WRA) for the following seven weed species:
Continue reading →
Filed under: news | Tagged: APHIS, noxious weed list, plant protection, PPQ, weed control, weed risk assessments, WRA | Leave a comment »
Posted on January 18, 2017 by rhallberg
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the release of Lasioptera donacis in the continental United States to biologically control giant reed, Arundo donax. Based on the finding of no significant impact, we will not prepare an environmental impact statement.
Giant reed is a pervasive non-native plant that has invaded riparian areas (areas where land meets river or stream) of the Southwest United States, especially in California and the Rio Grande area of Texas. These infestations cause stream bank erosion, damage to structures like bridges, and a loss of biodiversity. Giant reed infestations also provide habitat for cattle fever ticks that spread bovine babesiosis, a devastating and costly cattle disease. In addition, the infestations impede law enforcement activities on the international border. Federal, state, and private entities who conduct giant reed management programs and wish to release Lasioptera donacis to reduce the severity of giant reed infestations in the continental United States should contact APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine for a permit. Continue reading →
Filed under: news | Tagged: APHIS, biocontrol, giant reed, invasive species, Lasioptera donacis, plant protection, weed control | Leave a comment »
Posted on April 20, 2016 by rhallberg
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT – NAPPO TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Highly qualified candidates are invited to submit applications for the position of Technical Director (TD) for the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO). NAPPO is the Regional Plant Protection Organization (RPPO) for North America (Canada, United States, Mexico), created under the authority of Article IX of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. NAPPO operates according to a Cooperative Agreement signed by representatives of Canada, the United States and Mexico on October 13th, 1976, in order to promote and secure the field of plant protection. Accordingly, NAPPO is accountable to the Senior Plant Health Officials in the NAPPO member countries. The NAPPO Secretariat is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America. Continue reading →
Filed under: employment | Tagged: nappo, plant protection, technical director position | Leave a comment »
Posted on October 28, 2013 by rhallberg
The 2013 Texas Plant Protection Conference is scheduled for December 10 & 11, 2013 at the Brazos Center, Bryan, TX. For 25 years the conference has offered an excellent program that is supported by all involved in Texas crop production including many leaders representing academia, Extension, research, consulting, agribusiness, farming and regulatory. In addition to the opportunity to learn about trends, new ideas, and new technology in the educational program the conference also offers an opportunity to network with ag leaders and to discuss the latest with key industry professionals. http://tppa.tamu.edu/conferences/2013/index.cfm
Filed under: news | Tagged: agriculture, integrated pest management, pest control, plant protection, Texas Plant Protection conference | Leave a comment »
