US (TX): AgriLife Extension sets institutional IPM coordinator training for Aug. 6, 7
The meeting site will be Room S118, 600 Agronomy Road, with training from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. both days.
“The purpose of this course is to train pest management technicians and college and university staffs in integrated pest management,” said Janet Hurley, AgriLife Extension school integrated pest management program specialist at Dallas.
Hurley said integrated pest management, or IPM, strives to use a variety of methods to control pests in the most cost-effective, environmentally sound ways available. The methods put considerable effort toward preventing pest problems from occurring by controlling or eliminating conditions attractive to pests.
The course includes how to develop an integrated pest management policy, specific integrated pest management objectives, responsibilities of the integrated pest management technician, and requirements for using pesticides and the associated record keeping.
Hurley said the training stems from the agency’s state-mandated public school integrated pest management coordinator training. That curriculum has been tailored to this training, which targets institutions wanting to implement an integrated pest management program, but aren’t required to follow the state’s rules.
Integrated pest management has long been used in agriculture and is increasingly being applied in non-agricultural settings, she said. While indoor efforts target structures, outdoor integrated pest management centres on plant management, specifically maintaining healthy, vigorous plants whether that be athletic turf or landscaping, so they don’t become susceptible to pests.
The first day’s training will include an overview, developing an outdoor turf plan,and identifying and controlling common outdoor and indoor pests.
The second day will cover developing an institutional integrated pest management plan, licensing, required Texas Department of Agriculture postings and notifications, and a continuation of the first day’s common pest control measures. The program will also feature a presentation by a speaker who oversees the integrated pest management program for the Texas A&M University System.
AgriLife Extension instructors along with Hurley include: Elizabeth “Wizzie” Brown and Molly Keck, urban entomologists in Austin and San Antonio, respectively; Dr. Janis Reed,agricultural and environmental safety, College Station; and Dr. Casey Reynolds, turfgrass specialist, College Station.
Individual registration is $100 for one day or $150 for both days. Register online at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/IPM or call 979-845-2604.
For more information, contact Hurley at 877-747-6872 or 972-952-9213, [email protected].