August 10, 2023
EPA’s Proposed Herbicide Strategy
Featuring: EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs
Synopsis: EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs presents their Herbicide Strategy for endangered species, which is part of EPA’s work to meet its obligations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for pesticide actions and furthers the goals outlined in EPA’s ESA Workplan. EPA released a framework for the proposed strategy, as well as case studies and crop scenarios, that identify draft mitigation measures for all agriculture uses of herbicides. The proposed mitigations would be applied to herbicides as part of their regular registration review, and when new uses or products are registered.
Recording available on USDA’s YouTube channel!
July 12, 2023
EPA’s Vulnerable Species Pilot Project
Featuring: EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs
Synopsis: EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs presents their Vulnerable Species Pilot project for endangered species, which is part of EPA’s work to meet its obligations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for pesticide actions and furthers the goals outlined in EPA’s ESA Workplan. EPA released a draft white paper for public comment on June 22, 2023, in support of the Agency’s Vulnerable Species Pilot that identifies draft mitigation measures for the 27 vulnerable species, all of which are particularly vulnerable to pesticide exposure. As part of the pilot, EPA developed proposed mitigations and a draft implementation plan to reduce the species’ exposure to most outdoor uses of conventional pesticides.
Recording available on USDA’s YouTube channel!
July 10, 2023
FieldWatch: Enhancing Communication between Crop Producers, Beekeepers, and Pesticide Applicators
Featuring: Bob Walters, FieldWatch
Synopsis: Bob Walters, President and CEO of FieldWatch, presents their easy-to-use, reliable, accurate and secure on-line mapping tools. FieldWatch enhances communications that promote awareness and collaborative stewardship activities between crop producers, beekeepers and pesticide applicators. FieldWatch now operates in 25 states and continues to grow.
Recording available on USDA’s YouTube channel!
May 23, 2023
Herbicide Resistant Annual Bluegrass: Integrated Weed Management Strategies
Featuring: Muthu Bagavanthiannan (Texas A&M), Becky Bowling (Univ. of Tennessee), David Ervin (Portland State Univ.), Travis Gannon (North Carolina State Univ.), Alec Kowalewski (Oregon State Univ.), Clint Maddox (USDA Agricultural Research Service), Joe McCurdy (Mississippi State Univ.)
Synopsis: Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) is a common and troublesome weed in turfgrass and other landscapes, and increasingly widespread populations of herbicide resistant-Annual bluegrass pose challenges for turfgrass managers. In this webinar an interdisciplinary group of experts discussed the USDA-SCRI (Specialty Crops Research Initiative)-funded ResistPoa project (www.resistpoa.org), which sought to characterize the national distribution of herbicide-resistant P. annua and limit its impact as a weed on managed turfgrass systems through a coordinated research and outreach effort on its biology, resistance mechanisms, socioeconomic aspects, and alternative control methods.
Recording available on USDA’s YouTube channel!
April 12, 2023
Pesticide Resistance: Strategies for Community Management Approaches
Featuring: Katherine Dentzman (Iowa State Univ.)
Synopsis: Dr. Katherine Dentzman discussed her research on the social dynamics of pesticide resistance issues, including an analysis of case studies of community-based resistance management efforts focusing on the elements of successful efforts. This work has informed a model of community-based pesticide resistance management efforts that Dr. Dentzman has developed that addresses environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
Recording available on USDA’s YouTube channel!
September 29, 2022
An Overview of the Mushroom Industry: The Magic of Growing
Featuring: Rachel Roberts, Mike Wolfin, and Rick Wright
Synopsis: To culminate National Mushroom Month, the American Mushroom Institute (AMI) introduced an overview of cultivated mushroom production, processing, and marketing including challenges for a sustainable mushroom industry. With a holistic approach to mushroom production, AMI also presented on the development of best management practices, implementation of an integrated pest management (IPM) program, and labor, food and worker safety operations.
Recording available on USDA’s YouTube channel!