IPM incentives - NRCS programs, EQIP

A North Central Region work group
Grower Incentives for IPM

Our work group's goal is to encourage adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through participation in conservation programs administered through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in the North Central region. The group is multi-state and multi-disciplinary to include university extension, state offices of NRCS, state lead agencies, EPA, and industry.

Our first efforts will identify and prioritize regional IPM and NRCS needs, and build a strong working partnership between existing IPM infrastructure and NRCS. An effective partnership will greatly improve our ability to address goals and priorities from the National IPM Roadmap (Download Adobe Acrobat Reader to view pdf files.), the NC IPM Center and USDA Secretary Johanns’ 2005 memo on market-based stewardship.

NEW: North Central Fruit IPM tool (pdf)

NEW: North Central Field Crops tool (pdf)

Writing EQIP pest management plans - audio and template (March 2009)

Guide to IPM Elements and Guidelines (February 2009)

Updated IPM Planning Guide for Vegetable Growers

A template for building NRCS and IPM collaborations. (June 2008)

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader to view pdf files.

Our group will improve support for IPM practices and increase IPM implementation in the region by:

(1) Facilitating communication through an initial two-day meeting (held Nov. 15-17, 2006) and follow-up conference calls, email and web pages dedicated to IPM and NRCS program linkages.

(2) Assembling collaborations and resources to develop information for growers to identify IPM tools for addressing conservation concerns prioritized by NRCS conservation programs. Develop simple verification/assessment tools for growers and local NRCS staff to authenticate the value of IPM.

(3) Compiling support documentation to craft program recommendations to NRCS designed to increase use of IPM as a conservation tool.

(4) Supporting producer participation in market-based programs such as SYSCO’s Sustainable Agriculture Initiative, Food Alliance and soil, air and water quality credit trading by increasing awareness of these programs and potential linkages to both IPM and NRCS programs.

(5) Exploring opportunities for ongoing cooperative agreements and other collaborative arrangements between NRCS and IPM professionals.

Sponsored by NCERA-201 Regional IPM Committee and the NC IPM Center.

12/08/09