Progress report for WPDP25-018
Project Information
Effective management of agricultural pests is crucial for food security and sustainable farming in Idaho. However, the growing complexity of pest challenges exacerbated by climate change, evolving pest resistance, and an influx of new agricultural producers creates a pressing need for comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) education. Many new farmers lack experience with IPM strategies in Idaho, while seasoned producers can benefit from updated practices and technologies. As pest management becomes increasingly intricate, agricultural professionals like University of Idaho (UI) Extension Educators must remain informed about the latest techniques.
The Pest Patrol initiative addresses this gap through an innovative training program centered around an IPM Demonstration Farm. This hands-on learning environment allows agricultural professionals to engage with practical IPM techniques, including companion planting, crop rotation, pest identification, and beneficial insect use, alongside cutting-edge approaches like biological soil amendments, pheromone disruption, and drone-based pest monitoring. By incorporating technology, Pest Patrol will also showcase data-driven tools such as remote sensing for early pest detection and precision pest management to reduce pesticide reliance.
Building on existing IPM initiatives by the UI Extension and local agricultural organizations, this program aims to enhance educators’ knowledge and skills in IPM principles. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the training will encompass best practices, innovative techniques, and the latest research findings, facilitating effective communication with diverse producer groups. The program will include peer discussions, expert-led webinars, podcasts, and best practice resources to foster a collaborative learning community.
By establishing the Pest Patrol initiative, we aim to develop a network of skilled IPM practitioners capable of leading sustainable pest management efforts throughout Idaho. This initiative will enhance the ecological health of agricultural systems, improve crop yields, and bolster the economic viability of farming operations, thereby promoting pest management excellence and ensuring sustainable food production in the region.
Objectives
- Establish an Innovative IPM Demonstration Farm for Hands-On Training: The goal is to create a hands-on IPM demonstration farm at the Parma Research and Extension Center, Parma, Idaho. Success will be measured by establishing a farm that demonstrate at least five distinct IPM practices. We aim to train a minimum of 60 agricultural professionals over three years through workshops and hands-on activities. The project team, composed of agronomists and extension specialists, will oversee the farm's development. Given the existing infrastructure at the center, this objective is feasible, with a target within the first 18 months for laying the foundation.
- Build a Collaborative Network of IPM Practitioners and Educators: Develop a collaborative network among agricultural professionals and extension educators to enhance knowledge sharing in agricultural pest management. Success will be tracked by organizing at least two hands-on workshops and six interactive networking sessions annually, aiming to engage at least 60 professionals trained as the first target audience. The project team will recruit participants from local agricultural organizations and educational institutions to ensure diverse representation. This objective aligns with current educational frameworks, with the development of training materials and execution of sessions to be completed within the project completion.
- Advance Region-Specific IPM Education: The aim is to deliver targeted IPM training that addresses Idaho's unique agricultural conditions and pest profiles and, ultimately, judicious usage of pesticides. We plan to train at least 60 individuals, who will, in turn, educate and assist a minimum of 100 growers in their regions. Experienced educators will lead sessions supported by local agricultural agencies. Stakeholders will gain IPM knowledge through extension and outreach activities, including field days with 30 participants each, organized regionally. An IPM Symposium will be conducted in the last 12 months to engage 100 participants statewide and showcase program impacts.
Idaho’s agricultural landscape faces complex pest challenges intensified by climate change, pest resistance, and regulatory shifts (Bottrell and Schoenly, 2018). Climate variability disrupts pest patterns, making management increasingly unpredictable. Rising input costs and market volatility compound these issues, often leading to greater reliance on chemical controls that threaten environmental health and long-term sustainability (Skendzic et al., 2021). Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers a sustainable, science-based alternative that combines cultural, biological, and chemical methods tailored to local crop and pest conditions (Karlsson Green et al., 2021). By reducing pesticide dependency while maintaining yields, IPM benefits Idaho’s soil health and water quality (Bouri et al., 2023). Idaho Extension educators receive an average of five pest inquiries daily during peak seasons (Chellappa, 2024). However, many educators lack formal pest management training, underscoring a pressing need for professional development in sustainable practices.
The Pest Patrol initiative seeks to bridge this gap by establishing an IPM Demonstration Farm as an experiential educational environment for Idaho’s agricultural professionals. This farm will showcase various IPM techniques, such as crop rotation, companion planting, pest identification, beneficial insect habitats, and advanced biological controls. Educators will be equipped with actionable, Idaho-specific solutions tailored to local conditions. Incorporating drone-based monitoring, remote sensing, and smart traps will enhance precision pest management skills, ensuring educators can effectively apply these techniques in training sessions with Idaho’s farmers. Additional training in arthropod identification, biological control, and region-specific cropping systems will help create a statewide network of IPM experts. By integrating technologies like smart traps, identification apps, artificial intelligence, and wireless microscopes, the Pest Patrol initiative aims to cultivate leaders in pest management, enhancing the role of IPM in sustainable agriculture. Building on the University of Idaho (UI) Extension’s existing IPM resources, this project seeks to reduce environmental, economic, and health risks by integrating chemical, mechanical, cultural, and biological strategies. However, limited region-specific training has hindered practical application, which the Pest Patrol addresses by providing field-specific training tailored to Idaho’s cropping systems.
The initiative builds upon prior Western SARE-funded IPM efforts, such as "Training IPM Professionals in Rural Areas" (EW14-031) and "Empowering Professionals through a Train-the-Trainer Short Course Program" (EW09-001) to enhance sustainable pest management education. Projects include a pheromone-based monitoring initiative aimed at increasing knowledge among Northern Plains agriculture professionals (EW18-011), a pest management board game (WPDP22-005), outreach efforts in California and Oregon through innovative educational methods (EW98-001), and a collaborative project across 12 Western states aims to build capacity and education through a transferable model for agricultural professionals (EW17-019). These initiatives lay a crucial foundation for hands-on pest management education across the Western USA. As more educators join Idaho’s Extension service and pest-related inquiries rise, establishing a robust IPM foundation is critical.
The IPM Demonstration Farm will serve as a central hub for workshops, peer discussions, expert-led sessions, and follow-up activities addressing local agricultural pest challenges to cultivate a community of well-equipped educators who can guide Idaho’s agricultural sector toward sustainable pest management solutions, fostering collaboration that supports environmental health and long-term agricultural success.
*Agricultural professionals: The primary target audience consists of UI Extension Educators and other local organization personnel interested in equipping themselves with IPM foundational knowledge.
|
Year |
Month |
Milestone |
Participants |
Expected Outcomes |
|
Year One: Establishing the Foundation |
1 |
Kickoff Meeting |
Project team, stakeholders |
Clear objectives established for the initiative. |
|
2-4 |
Demonstration Farm Setup |
Agronomists, extension specialists |
An operational demonstration farm that showcases IPM practices. |
|
|
5-7 |
IPM Training Lesson Development |
Educators, project team |
Comprehensive training materials created for effective teaching. |
|
|
7-11 |
Training Sessions |
*Agricultural professionals |
Increased engagement and knowledge in IPM. |
|
|
12 |
Hands-On Workshop Planning |
Project team |
Prepared for practical training, ensuring that workshops are effectively organized and ready to deliver impactful, hands-on experiences. |
|
|
Year Two: Expanding Expertise and Resources |
1-3 |
First Two-Day Workshop |
*Agricultural professionals |
Enhanced understanding of IPM concepts and practices, equipping participants with the knowledge to implement sustainable pest management practices on their farms. |
|
4-6 |
Crop-Specific Guides |
Educators, agricultural experts |
Development of resource materials will be developed that offer tailored guidance for specific crops, enabling producers to implement best practices for pest management effectively. |
|
|
7-11 |
Additional Training Sessions |
*Agricultural professionals |
Ongoing professional development to support continuous learning. |
|
|
12 |
Evaluation Session |
Project team |
Improved strategies and plans based on participant feedback. |
|
|
Year Three: Statewide Engagement and Knowledge Sharing |
1-3 |
Second Two-Day Workshop |
*Agricultural professionals |
Deepened knowledge and enhanced networking opportunities among participants, fostering collaboration and sharing of best practices within the agricultural community. |
|
4-8 |
Field Day |
*Agricultural professionals, local producers |
AAssessment of IPM techniques will occur in a real-world setting, allowing for practical evaluation and discussion of pest management strategies. |
|
|
9-11 |
Comprehensive IPM Symposium |
All stakeholders |
Increased awareness of sustainable pest management practices across the agricultural sector, facilitating dialogue and knowledge sharing among a diverse group of participants. |
|
|
12 |
Final Report |
Project team |
Comprehensive resource for ongoing pest management efforts. |
Cooperators
Education
The project used an experiential learning approach centered on an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) demonstration farm established at the University of Idaho Extension Parma Research and Extension Center. Education was delivered through a field-based model that combined real-time demonstrations, guided observations, and interactive discussions to help participants connect IPM principles with practical on-farm decision making. The featured field day showcased whole-farm IPM strategies relevant to Treasure Valley cropping systems on companion planting and trap cropping. Extension educators and specialists facilitated peer-to-peer learning, enabling growers and agricultural professionals to exchange experiences and evaluate practices under local conditions. Approximately 100 participants attended, strengthening regional knowledge networks and increasing awareness and adoption of practical, research-based IPM strategies. Building on this foundation, future demonstrations will focus on each level of the IPM pyramid, providing stepwise education on prevention, monitoring, thresholds, and control strategies to strengthen long-term adoption of integrated pest management principles.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
The overall objective of the IPM Demonstration Farm was to strengthen integrated pest management knowledge and decision-making skills among agricultural stakeholders by providing a visible and practical demonstration of how IPM works in real cropping systems. The initiative aimed to help participants move beyond calendar-based pesticide programs and toward evidence-based, field-driven management that integrates prevention, monitoring, and responsible intervention.
Specific objectives included:
Demonstrate how preventive and cultural strategies (e.g., trap crops, cover crops, and companion planting) can reduce pest pressure and improve crop resilience.
Improve participant ability to use field monitoring and scouting as the foundation for pest management decisions.
Increase awareness of beneficial organisms and the role of biological balance within cropping systems.
Support adoption of IPM practices that reduce unnecessary pesticide applications while maintaining effective crop protection.
Promote long-term stewardship by reinforcing resistance management principles and reduced-risk decision-making.
The IPM Demonstration Farm under the Pest Patrol Project was implemented as a field-based, hands-on learning sitewhere growers and agricultural professionals could observe and evaluate IPM practices under real Southwest Idaho cropping conditions. The farm was designed to function as a “learning laboratory,” where multiple pest management tactics were demonstrated side-by-side so participants could directly compare outcomes and understand how different approaches influence pest pressure, crop response, and overall system performance.
During the growing season, the demonstration plots were structured around IPM principles with a strong emphasis on the lower levels of the IPM Pyramid, particularly prevention and cultural practices. Field activities included establishing treatments such as companion planting, trap crops, cover crops, and biofumigant crops, along with additional cultural approaches that reduce pest establishment and support crop health. Throughout the season, the demonstration farm incorporated repeated field scouting and monitoring activities, allowing participants to track pest populations, observe beneficial insects, and connect pest development with crop stage and field conditions. This approach ensured that the demonstration was not simply a static plot display, but a season-long training model grounded in observation, discussion, and decision-making.
The IPM Demonstration Farm was delivered through a combination of field-based education and outreach activities designed to maximize participation and learning impact. These efforts included:
-
Establishment of IPM demonstration plots showing multiple management strategies in comparable field settings.
-
Guided field observations and hands-on scouting activities to build skills in pest identification, life-stage recognition, and monitoring techniques (Follow up workshops will be conducted in 2026)
-
Facilitated discussions connecting scouting results to IPM decision-making, including the use of thresholds and timing considerations.
-
Demonstrations of how different preventive approaches influence pest establishment, pest spread, and crop response across the season.
-
Development and delivery of Extension-style learning materials (field handouts, short summaries, and outreach messaging) to support take-home learning and adoption through regional field days every year ( August 14th, 2025 with 100 participants in southwest, Idaho and expected to followup with one regional field days in central, eastern and north Idaho within the project period)
These activities were designed to ensure participants gained not only exposure to IPM concepts, but also practical experience that can be applied directly to their farm and advisory contexts. IPM Demonstration Farm initiative advanced the Pest Patrol Project mission by turning research-based IPM principles into a hands-on learning experience that builds long-term capacity for sustainable pest management in Idaho cropping systems.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
First Year - The IPM demonstration farm at the University of Idaho Extension Parma Research and Extension Center serves as a living learning tool where participants engage in hands-on, field-based learning that links research to real-world management decisions. The educational approach emphasizes experiential learning through live demonstrations, guided observation, and peer-to-peer discussions during field days, allowing growers and agricultural professionals to evaluate practical IPM strategies under local Treasure Valley conditions. The featured showcase field day engaged approximately 100 participants and highlighted integrated practices such as pest monitoring, cultural and biological controls, and decision-support tools. Building on this foundation, future demonstrations will focus on each level of the IPM pyramid, providing stepwise education on prevention, monitoring, thresholds, and control strategies to strengthen long-term adoption of integrated pest management principles.
Second year - IPM Webinar statewide for making this a basic learning tool for IPM theory and basics. Planning on a hands-on workshop for Agricultural Professionals and a living laboratory of IPM Demonstration Farm for the participants.
Future project phases will examine:
-
Adoption rates of IPM strategies among trained educators and growers.
-
Changes in pest management decision-making.
Year 1 activities primarily involved demonstration-based applied learning rather than formal experimental research. Methods included:
-
Establishing the IPM Demonstration Farm to showcase multiple IPM approaches, including monitoring, cultural controls, habitat diversification, and biological support practices.
-
Developing monitoring protocols for pest scouting and identification training.
-
Designing data collection procedures for future participant learning evaluation and on-farm application tracking.
-
Identifying key indicator practices and metrics that will be evaluated in later project years (e.g., adoption of monitoring techniques, reduction in preventative pesticide applications).
Data collection during Year 1 focused on baseline educational and operational metrics rather than field research outcomes.
Year 1 outcomes were largely foundational:
-
Demonstration farm infrastructure was initiated, including layout planning and installation of basic educational and monitoring stations.
-
Initial IPM demonstration plots were established to represent multiple management approaches.
-
Baseline assessment protocols for participant knowledge tracking were developed.
Quantitative results:
-
Demonstration site established to implement IPM concepts planned for training use.
-
Monitoring and educational infrastructure prepared for Year 2 training activities.
Statewide Networking and Collaboration