North Central IPM Center 2023 Annual Report

The 2023 Annual Report is a summary of integrated pest management (IPM) activities implemented by the North Central IPM Center in 2023.

North Central Integrated Pest Management Center (NCIPMC): A Regional Approach to IPM Implementation

This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Crop Protection and Pest Management Program through the North Central IPM Center (2022-70006-38001).

Director’s Message: Sustainable Future Through IPM

The North Central Integrated Pest Management Center (NCIPMC) is one of four regional centers dedicated to promoting and advancing integrated pest management (IPM) nationwide. We collaborate with farmers, researchers, and educators across twelve states to develop and implement effective pest management strategies. Our mission is to safeguard crops, human health, and the environment while ensuring a secure food supply.

Funding awarded this past year through our competitive grants program is supporting innovative projects addressing challenges like pesticide resistance, invasive species, and pollinator health. These investments have generated tangible results. The Great Lakes Urban Agriculture working group developed virtual farm tours to promote sustainable practices. The Sunflower Pathology working group’s comprehensive disease management resources have significantly benefited more than 500 producers. The Rights-of-Way as Habitat working group has increased its membership by 320% in one year as they work on completing a first-of-its-kind Pest Management Strategic Plan for rights-of-way and utility corridor workers to protect vital pollinator habitat.

Effective communication is vital to effective IPM practices. We’ve expanded our reach through digital platforms, including our website, social media, and webinars. Our newsletter, The Central Issue, has experienced substantial growth, informing stakeholders about the latest IPM developments. We’ve also supported the creation of podcasts and online resources to make IPM information accessible to a wider audience.

Strong partnerships are essential to our success. We collaborate closely with state IPM programs, represented by NCERA 222, to address regional priorities. Our work with federal agencies and other IPM centers expands our impact nationwide. We’ve contributed to national IPM efforts, including the development of Pest Alerts and leading a national survey of state IPM coordinators.

Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in research, education, and outreach to create a more sustainable future. By working together, we can build a thriving agricultural system that protects our environment and ensures food security for generations to come.

Laura C. Iles

Director, North Central Integrated Pest Management Center

Protection and Long-Term Viability

The Center protects IPM by focusing on three goals.

Safeguard diverse cropping systems, human and animal health, and the environment through Integrated Pest Management.

By supporting research, education, and outreach, we address emerging pest challenges, reduce pesticide reliance, and protect public health. Funded work includes developing IPM strategies for various crops, combating the rise of vector-borne diseases like those carried by ticks, and promoting environmentally friendly pest management practices. Through collaborations with stakeholders and the use of innovative tools, we strive to create a sustainable agricultural ecosystem that benefits both people and the planet.

Advance food security by proactively addressing emerging threats to agriculture, including climate change, pest resistance, and invasive species.

We collaborate with researchers and extension specialists to develop and implement integrated pest management strategies that mitigate the impacts of these disruptive forces. By building partnerships, conducting research, and providing educational resources, we aim to strengthen the resilience of agricultural systems and ensure a stable food supply for the future.

Protect pollinators and beneficial insects essential for food production.

By supporting working groups focused on habitat protection, pesticide stewardship, and pollinator health, we aim to reverse pollinator decline and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Our efforts include developing and implementing Managed Pollinator Protection Plans, enhancing pollinator habitat on rights-of-way, and educating youth about the importance of pollinators and their role in the ecosystem. Through these initiatives, we strive to create a thriving environment for pollinators while ensuring the long-term sustainability of food production.

Building a Stronger IPM Community

At the NCIPMC, we believe that a strong and thriving IPM community is one built on collaboration and inclusivity. We achieve this by building partnerships with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including state IPM programs, universities, farmers, researchers, and policymakers, to share resources and advance IPM practices. Additionally, we prioritize the inclusion of underrepresented groups, such as new farmers, non-English speakers, and youth, to ensure IPM benefits everyone. By supporting collaboration and inclusivity, we are driving a more equitable and representative IPM community that reflects the rich tapestry of our nation.

2023 Funding Distribution

$378,000 was awarded to ten of the twelve North Central states
46% of Working Group members reside in our region

Investing in the Future of IPM

The NCIPMC is committed to cultivating a future where IPM is the standard practice across the region. A key pillar of this commitment is our grant funding program, which supports a broad range of initiatives designed to advance IPM knowledge and implementation.

In just the past five years, we have invested over $1.8 million, reaching more than a quarter-million individuals with IPM strategies. This investment has yielded impressive results: funding awarded in 2023 alone generated an additional $3 million in grants, demonstrating a remarkable 12:1 return on investment. This substantial impact highlights the NCIPMC’s key role in driving IPM adoption and sustainability across the North Central region.

Through Critical Issue and Working Group grants, we support research, collaboration, and outreach to advance IPM practices. In 2023, over $378,000 was awarded to projects addressing food security, crop diversity, human and animal health, environmental protection, and pollinator conservation. By bringing together researchers, farmers, educators, and environmental groups, the NCIPMC’s working groups develop practical solutions to complex IPM issues. Additionally, critical issue grants fund pioneering research to address emerging threats.

Critical Issue Grants: Tackling Regional Pest Challenges

These short-term research grants provide seed funding for projects that address critical pest issues impacting crops, human health, or safety. These proposals focus on information, resource, and research needs with regional importance with goals to enhance our understanding of pest biology and behavior, develop effective management strategies to minimize pest damage, and prevent the spread of known pests and emerging threats.

2023 Critical Issue Projects

Survey of Nematode Communities in Soils of the North Central Region

Mandy Bish, University of Missouri

Weed Emergence Scouting Tool (WEST)

Melissa Widhalm, Purdue University

Improving our Ability to Detect, Monitor and Manage Corn Tar Spot in the Great Plains

Tamra Jackson-Ziems, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Working Group Grants: Collaboration on Regional IPM Priorities

The NCIPMC supports collaboration through Working Group grants. These groups tackle important regional IPM challenges by sharing information, enhancing communication, and building partnerships to secure additional funding.

Working Groups are instrumental in connecting the NCIPMC with stakeholders. By sharing information and identifying regional needs, these groups strengthen the IPM community and contribute to a more unified approach to pest management.