Revise/reprint "Biological Control of Insects and Mites"

Revise/reprint "Biological Control of Insects and Mites"

Summary

The project moved from the book production phase to the workshop / outreach phase of the project. In 2007 lead authors finalized the manuscript and the University of Wisconsin Extension produced both hard copies and a portable document format (PDF) for electronic distribution. Hard copy distribution will begin with workshops targeted to organic growers. We are on-schedule to finish the project as contracted.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Authors spent much of the year finalizing changes to the book and ensuring top-quality photographs and illustrations. Meanwhile, staff began to ramp up work on outreach. All seven participating states were asked to begin organizing workshops where participants would be given a free copy of the book and have an opportunity to learn about biocontrol. To date, three states have specific events planned for the book release – Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Accomplishments/Milestones

The revised edition of Biological Control of Insects and Mites is now available. Go to http://learningstore.uwex.edu/Biological-Control-of-Insect-Pests-of-Cabbage-and-Other-Crucifers-P569C0.aspx
North Central Region states will receive a free copy. The project also has a poster available for display at meetings throughout the region, making it easy for those interested in the topic to take home a URL for ordering or downloading the full text. Contact the PI to retrieve a copy.

The first event is offered by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Extension, to be held February 14th in Clay Center, targeted to organic farmers. Bob Wright is organizing the session.

The following week, February 23, the Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference (primarily serving MN, WI, IA, and IL) will feature a workshop on biocontrol. Lead author Dr. Paul Whitaker will moderate a farmer panel with publication reviewers Harry Hock, Linda Halley, Nino Ridgway, and Kevin Shelley. The 90 minute session will likely reach 50-60 farmers.

Wisconsin also plans to organize a fresh market session targeting cole crop entomology in May; field crops session featuring biocontrol for the soybean aphid in mid-July; and a joint workshop with IL on hoophouse applications.

Ohio has scheduled three sessions on biological control August 27, September 17, and December 3.

We are waiting to hear from workshop coordinators in Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and Indiana about their plans for biocontrol education events in 2008.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The last six months of the project will involve workshop development and coordination. Thus far, four states have not arranged workshops. Complementary copies of the report will only be provided to states that, by June 30th, schedule at least one workshop in 2008.

As farmer workshops are offered throughout the region in 2008, we expect to reinvigorate the discussion around biological control and its future direction as applied research.

Although we are asking all workshop coordinators to conduct participant evaluations, we were unable to secure additional funds to expand the scope of the workshops (to cover speaker travel or insure day-long workshops) or to underwrite the evaluation component of the project. We intend to gather contact information from participants interested in reporting to us their actual implementation of biological control strategies, but may or may not be able to follow through with a survey after a field season, depending on resources.

Collaborators: