CROP PROTECTION AND PEST MANAGEMENT EXTENSION IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM FOR SOUTH CAROLINA

The overarching goal of the SC CPPM EIP is to increase adoption of cost-effective and environmentally sound integrated pest management (IPM) practices, providing long-term solutions to critical pest management challenges. Coordinated Extension programming will aim to develop appropriate knowledge and competencies in producers and pest managers across the state, with the purpose of preventing excessive levels of pest damage, minimizing risks to the environment and to people, and reducing the evolution of resistance among target pests to pesticides. The objectives and activities outlined in this proposal address critical needs identified by a range of audiences including conventional, organic and limited resource farmers, agricultural consultants, commodity and NGO organizations, Extension agents and other agriculture professionals, and will build upon previous Extension IPM Program accomplishments to advance the adoption of IPM to a higher level (i.e. to increase confidence and competency in IPM practices among stakeholders that result in a reduction in reliance on pesticides). Statewide IPM training efforts will be coordinated and supported by the SC EIP by developing training and demonstration programs with inter- and trans-disciplinary emphases. The program will address recommendations outlined in the National IPM Road Map to promote practices that improve the cost/benefit relationship of adopting IPM practices, and to reduce the potential human health risks and adverse environmental effects of related management strategies. The objectives will focus on economically important IPM priority areas for South Carolina in (1) Agronomic and Specialty Crops, (2) Pollinator Health, and (3) Support for Pest Diagnostic Facilities, with the latter being a new priority area in South Carolina for this cycle. The core program emphasis will be on Extension activities to transfer research-based recommendations and new knowledge to stakeholders by combining formal and informal training methods, including field demonstrations and experiential learning, and development of online and smartphone IPM tools.