Harnessing Marketplace Power to Improve Health, Environment and Economics Grower Opportunities for Integrated Pest Management Through USDA NRCS Conservation

Harnessing Marketplace Power to Improve Health, Environment and Economics

Grower Opportunities for

Integrated Pest Management

Through USDA NRCS Conservation ProgramsTuesday, January 8, 2013 & Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Presenters

Mark Parson, NRCS National EQIP Specialist

Peter B. Goodell, PhD, PCA, TSP

Cooperative Extension Advisor, IPM University of California

Tim Pilkowski, NRCS Natural Resources Specialist TSP Team

Organizer and moderator

Peter Werts, Project Coordinator IPM Institute

NRCS & IPM Working Group

http://www.nrcs.ipm.msu.edu/ 2012, 2009 US EPA Sustained Excellence in IPM Award

2009, 2008, 2005, 2004 National Champion, US EPA Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program 2005 Children’s Environmental Health Recognition Award, US EPA Office of Children’s Health Protection


AgendaIntroductions (Peter Werts, IPM Institute) Slides 1-4 NRCS Opportunities for IPM (Mark Parson, NRCS) Slides 5-11

– Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) overview• Authority• Application process

– EQIP payment schedules• Authority• Support for IPM (IPM Practice Standard, Conservation Activity Plans)

Extension and NRCS collaborations (Pete Goodell, UC IPM) Slides 12-19

– Need/role of conservation driven IPM planning– Importance of developing Extension and NRCS relations

TSP training program (Tim Pilkowski, NRCS) Slides 20-26

– Role of Technical Service Providers (TSPs)– TSP requirements– Training available

Resources Slide 27-28

Acknowledgements Slide 29

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Call recording : http://www.nrcs.ipm.msu.edu/uploads/files/46/jan8call.mp3

http://www.nrcs.ipm.msu.edu/uploads/files/46/jan8call.mp3

http://www.nrcs.ipm.msu.edu/uploads/files/46/jan8call.mp3


Executive Summary

• The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides opportunities to protect natural resources on private lands through IPM, Organic and other strategies.

• IPM coordinators and others can help alert growers and crop consultants to these opportunities, and help coordinate training for consultants, growers and NRCS to better maximize this opportunity.

• Join the National NRCS and IPM Working Group to stay informed on these important opportunities by contacting Peter Werts, [email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]


Objectives

• Learn about 2013 NRCS Environmental Qualities Incentive Program (EQIP) 595 IPM Practice Standard and Conservation Activity Plans for IPM and Herbicide-Resistant Weeds (CAPs, 114 and 154 Practice Standards).

• Understand opportunities for crop consultants to become Technical Service Providers (TSPs) and provide conservation technical assistance to growers.

• Learn role of IPM coordinators to help facilitate NRCS IPM trainings in their state for consultants, growers and NRCS.

• Understand benefits of conservation planning for IPM.• Learn about additional resources for IPM Coordinators,

TSPs and others.

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NRCS Opportunities for IPM

The Natural Resources Conservation ServiceHelping people help the land

Mark Parson, NRCS


NRCS EQIP Program Authority

• NRCS is the lead federal agency of the USDA working with private land owners to protect and enhance natural resources.

• NRCS programs are funded through the Farm Bill.• NRCS provides Financial Assistance to implement approved

conservation practices.• Conservation practices must address a natural resource concern

and equal a positive environmental benefit. • Practice design and implementation/installation must meet NRCS

technical standards. • Practices must be land-based.

Harnessing Marketplace Power to Improve Health, Environment and Economics 6

EQIP Application Process

Application Eligibility– Agricultural producer/primary landowner/operator.– Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pasture

land, private non-industrial forest land and other farm or ranch lands.

– Be in compliance with highly-erodible land and wetland conservation provisions of Farm Bill.

– At least $1,000 in agricultural income annually.– In-eligible if adjusted gross non-farm income exceeds

$1,000,000 and other specific AGI limits.


EQIP Application Process Cont.

Application Processing– Applications are ranked to provide a uniform evaluation of the relative

environmental risk and the potential for improvement.– Typical ranking factors include:

• Distance to surface or ground water.• Presence of concentrated flow channels or other direct

conveyances to surface or ground water.• Presence of Threatened or Endangered Species.

Application Periods– NRCS offers continuous signup. – States can offer up to eight application ranking deadlines:

• Third Friday of each month, October 2012 through May 2013– Application information for states available at:

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=nrcs143_008223




EQIP Payment Schedules

Financial Assistance payments based on estimated incurred costs & income foregone. – Program Payment Percentages ≠ “Cost-Share” (WTO compliant)– Component Costs = Practice Standard = Program Authorities – Eligible practices, payment scenarios are documented in a Payment

Schedule.

Regional payment scenarios – Regionalization ensures compliance to national policy, consistency

between states and efficiencies in program management. – State payment scenarios may vary based on payment percentage, e.g.,

50%, 75% or 100% of estimated costs.– States are divided into 11 different regions.


NRCS 595 Practice Standard

Financial Assistance – Contract for three years of payments; practices must remain in place

for a fourth year without payment.– Producers implement a combination of site-specific Prevention

Avoidance Monitoring & Suppression pest management strategies.

Technical Assistance – IPM plan development and evaluation of current practices, scouting

and pest monitoring, equipment calibration, training, etc.

Resource protection– Prevent or mitigate impacts of pest management on natural resources:

• Off-site pesticide risks to water quality,• Soil, air, water, wildlife from drift and volatilization,• Direct contact to pollinators and beneficial insects.


Conservation Activity Plans

IPM CAPs 114 and 154 Herbicide Resistance– Financial Assistance for a one year contract for planning only, not

implementation.– Develop a site-specific ecologically-based IPM plan to identify and

protect all natural resources from pest management with Prevention Avoidance Monitoring & Suppression pest management strategies.

– IPM CAPs 154 designed specifically to address herbicide resistance.

Technical Assistance – IPM plan development and evaluation of current practices.– Identify appropriate conservation practices to protect resources, e.g.,

595 and may include additional conservation practices.


Extension & NRCS Collaborations

Peter B. Goodell, PhD, PCS, TSPCooperative Extension Advisor, IPM

University of California Kearney Agricultural CenterFresno County, California


IPM Can Be a Valuable Mitigation Tool

• IPM is system based and is well positioned to address multiple resource issues: soil, water, air, plants, animals and humans.

• IPM goes well beyond the individual pest, crop, field and instant in time.

• IPM professionals can work with clients to address larger and longer term issues in complex ecological settings.

• IPM professionals can develop plans to address environmental and regulatory issues.

• There is value in developing 114 IPM CAPs.– Plan development provides professional, economic and

personal benefits.


NRCS Seeks to Mitigate Natural Resource Issues

• IPM has a role in addressing some of those issues because IPM:– Is an ecosystem based strategy.‐– Seeks long term prevention of pests.‐– Utilizes a combination of techniques:

• biological control,• habitat manipulation,• cultural practices.

– Employs pest id, monitoring, thresholds and selective pesticides.– Selects and applies pest control materials to minimize risks:

• to human health,• beneficial and non-target organisms,• the environment.


California Experience, Past Ten Years

Next to Invasive Species, environmental and regulatory Issues have been the most Important drivers of IPM including:

• Water Quality– Ground water– Surface water

• Air Quality– Ozone & VOC (volatile organic compounds)– Particulate matter

• Wildlife– Endangered and threatened species– Pollinators– Conservation of Natural Enemies– Habitat improvement

• Human & food safetyHarnessing Marketplace Power to Improve Health, Environment and Economics 15

IPM CAPs Support Resource AND Pest Management

IPM planning can:– Increase understanding and help limit surprises.– Improve management by goal setting and follow through.– Allow integration of activities and avoid “counter indications”.– Provide documentation for current IPM practices that address natural

resources issues.– Measure progress and provide evidence of best management

practices for air and water mitigation.– Address environmental issues requiring integration of activities and

longer time frames.– Allow whole farm scale to be addressed.

• UC IPM Year Round Programs and Checklists can play an important role. • Your local NRCS office can get you started.


The Value of an IPM Plan

• Grower– Inventorying current practices– Setting goals– measuring progress

• IPM professional– Facilitates conversation– Researches possible solutions– Integrates across crops/fields/landscape

• Any plan is a dynamic document.• IPM plan will change as situations change.


Tools to Support IPM Planning• NRCS

– Professional planners can develop Whole Farm Conservation Plans.– Professional staff can help support development of IPM CAPs.– Step-by-step guidelines developed with Extension Service.– 595 Practice Standard supports mitigation through improved IPM.– Technical tools, e.g., WIN PST, Rusle2‐– TSP certification and training

• Cooperative Extension– Step-by-step guidelines developed with NRCS– Supporting TSP training– Pest management guidelines highlight pest control and mitigation of possible off-site

implications to natural resources.– Example: UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines which include:

• Year Round IPM programs for 23 crops.• Water Tox – WIN-PST linked to Pest Management Guidelines.• Links to CA Dept of Pesticide Regulation, VOC calculator to address Clean Air

Standards.• [email protected]


Developing Partnerships with State and Local NRCS Colleagues

• Never forget:– NRCS’ primary function is to work with landowners to identify

and mitigate resource issues, NOT to deliver IPM.– IPM is one approach, IF appropriate to the situation.

• Take the time to seek out your state TSP coordinator and those interested in increasing the use of IPM CAPs Practice 114.

• Take time to learn the mission, organization and constraints of local and state NRCS professionals.

• Seek common ground where everyone gains, Extension, NRCS, landowners, public.


NRCS Technical Service Provider Training Program

Tim PilkowskiNatural Resources Specialist

NRCS TSP Team


TSP Overview• Great need for TSP’s in all categories

– IPM 595 and IPM CAPs, Nutrient Management, Organic Plan CAP

• Anyone can become a TSP– TSPs are private sector Individuals, businesses or non-profits with technical expertise in

planning/design/application of various conservation activities are used by NRCS to implement USDA conservation programs.

• TSPs must be certified for each conservation practice or “activity” for which they provide Technical Assistance.

• NRCS does not pay TSPs. TSPs are responsible for charging producers for their services.

• NRCS can require a producer to use a certified TSP for Technical Assistance relating to NRCS conservation program contracts or producer may work directly with NRCS on some practices.


TSP Relationships


NRCS

Producer

TSP

EQIP

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TSP Certification Options

Two routes to become a NRCS TSP1. Certifications:

Complete required NRCS modules State licenses Third-party licenses

2. Knowledge and training: NRCS modules State licenses Complete narratives explaining knowledge and

experience


IPM CAPs TSP Criteria

1. All criteria for a 595 TSP.2. Have knowledge of NRCS Electronic Field Office

Technical Guide (EFOTG).3. Develop a sample IPM CAP that meets IPM plan

criteria (activity 114) in EFOTG Sec III.4. Have knowledge of National Plan Procedures

Handbook – Title 180, part 600.5. Complete Conservation Planning Training (AgLearn)

• Conservation Planning Part One (Modules 1-5)• Pest Management Track 2 (Modules 1-6)


Prospective TSP must meet all of the following::

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TSP Certification Process

1) Register on TechReg:– http://techreg.usda.gov– Obtain user ID and password.– Apply for Level 2 eAuthentication.– Create a profile.

2) Apply online for certification as a TSP:– Once criteria have been meet for all categories ,fill out and submit

application to the state you are seeking certification in.– Sign certification agreement to complete submission process.– Note: Applicant must submit be certified for each state they want to provide

TSP services in.

3) Become certified:– NRCS will have 60 days to review application and verify credentials. – NRCS will countersign certification agreement.– NRCS posts TSP information on an approved list on TechReg indicating what

services the TSP may provide in that state.

4) Provide services.Harnessing Marketplace Power to Improve Health, Environment and Economics 25

TSP Training Opportunities

• Streamlined training offers consultants face time with NRCS.– Organizations partner with NRCS to offer training, e.g., National

Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants, Certified Crop Advisor. – Consultants leave certified as a TSP.– NRCS helps TSPs build Techreg profiles.

• Required learning modules for TSP certification:– TSP Orientation– Conservation Planning Modules 1-5– Service category, i.e., IPM CAPs, Nutrient Management CAP, Organic

Plan CAP

• Contact your state TSP coordinator to learn about local training opportunities.


https://techreg.sc.egov.usda.gov/RptStateContact4Admin.aspx

NRCS & IPM Working Group• Goal: Increase grower participation in NRCS conservation programs for

IPM. Accomplishments:– New grower access in: IN, OH, IA, MN, FL and KS. – Educated more than 150 NRCS and IPM professionals, TSPs.– Recruited, trained IPM-qualified Technical Service Providers TSPs and support

staff.– Acquired, analyzed, circulated data on participation and payment rates.

• Funded to date by three USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture IPM Centers, major funding from the North Central IPM Center.

• Over 140 members from NRCS, University Extension, crop advisors and others. Monthly conference calls, website at: http://www.nrcs.ipm.msu.edu

• Contact Peter Werts, [email protected] to join the working group!


http://www.nrcs.ipm.msu.edu/

mailto:[email protected]

Additional Resources

• Find EQIP application information for your state, http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=nrcs143_008223

• AgLearn, http://www.aglearn.usda.gov• NRCS Techreg, http://techreg.usda.gov• UC IPM website, www.ipm.ucdavis.edu• UC IPM WaterTox site, www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/TOX/winpstdoc.html#PPD• NRCS Windows Pesticide Screening Tool, http://go.usa.gov/Kok• PRIME – Pesticide Risk Mitigation Engine: www.ipmprime.org• State TSP Coordinator Directory,

https://techreg.sc.egov.usda.gov/RptStateContact4Admin.aspx• Extension State IPM Coordinator Directory,

http://www.ipmcenters.org/contacts/IPMDirectory.cfm




http://www.aglearn.usda.gov/

http://techreg.usda.gov/

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/TOX/winpstdoc.html

http://go.usa.gov/Kok

http://www.ipmprime.org/

https://techreg.sc.egov.usda.gov/RptStateContact4Admin.aspx

http://www.ipmcenters.org/contacts/IPMDirectory.cfm

Acknowledgements

• Thanks to:– Presenters Mark Parson,

Pete Goodell and Tim Pilkowski

– North Central, North Eastern and Southern IPM Centers

– NRCS

• Contact information:Peter Werts, project coordinator [email protected](608) 232-1410http://www.ipminstitute.orgNRCS & IPM Working Group, http://www.nrcs.ipm.msu.edu


http://www.nrcs.ipm.msu.edu/

Documents

Harnessing Marketplace Power to Improve Health, Environment and Economics Grower Opportunities for Integrated Pest Management Through USDA NRCS Conservation