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We propose to build upon our previous successes by improving and expanding existing programs. In addition, we propose to include four new major initiatives. Two of these initiatives involve partnerships with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Tribal Nations and the 1994 Land Grant Tribal Colleges. Our third initiative involves the new and devastating colony collapse disorder and our fourth initiative involves raising the level of competitiveness of unsuccessful grant writers through a Grant Writing Mentors Program.
Non-Technical Summary: The mission of the North Central IPM Center (NCIPMC) is to provide leadership and cooperate with our partners in promoting and improving the economic, environmental and human health benefits of IPM adoption. The NCIPMC goals are to: 1) Improve economic benefits of adopting IPM practices; 2) Reduce potential risks to human health; and 3) Reduce potential risks to the environment. As articulated in our NCIPMC Strategic Plan, developed by the Stakeholder Panel, we have identified strategies and core activities to achieve these goals. In our proposal, we describe how the NCIPMC will establish new and maintain existing information networks, continue to build partnerships to address IPM challenges and opportunities, evaluate and communicate successes, and manage funding resources effectively. While our Center will have a regional focus on pest priorities, we will continue to increase interregional collaboration and communication to ensure coordination of pest management efforts at the national level. The NCIPMC will serve as a catalyst for promoting and reporting IPM accomplishments achieved by our broad-based clientele to increase accountability. Our Center will actively respond to the goals of the National Roadmap for IPM to ensure coordination of efforts and resources to enhance IPM development and adoption for production agriculture, natural resources and recreational environments, and residential and public areas. <P> Approach: The NCIPMC has improved communication, coordination and collaboration among the numerous groups involved in IPM-related programming, but much more needs to be accomplished to gain the full benefits IPM has to offer in reducing environmental and human health risks. Public education and engagement at the local level will have direct positive impacts on IPM adoption as consumer awareness of the benefits of IPM is increased. The current NCIPMC personnel have the background, experience and expertise to provide IPM leadership for regional and national programming efforts. We propose to continue to build on our programming efforts to increase our connection with stakeholders and increase IPM implementation while moving the goals of the IPM Roadmap forward on regional and national levels. Many groups and governmental agencies are involved in IPM and through previous efforts strong partnerships and programs have been developed with the assistance of the NCIPMC. We propose to build upon existing relationships and foster many more through the efforts of the key personnel on this proposal. Building on current educational and outreach programs and support for IPM-related eXtension Communities of Practices, the NCIPMC will expand to address IPM issues involving underserved and under represented audiences including low income and minority partners. Industry and retailers play an important role in pulling IPM through the system as demonstrated by SYSCOs IPM and Sustainable Agriculture Supplier Program, Gerber, Green Giant, Scotts Miracle-Gro and Walmart. The NCIPMC will continue to work to educate the public about the value of IPM adoption in food production and urban settings. Creating a demand to IPM-related products and services will encourage the adoption of IPM practices by producers, home owners and building managers.