Federal government agencies support IPM research and outreach

USDA has regional pest management centers that work on your behalf. The center that serves Wisconsin is the North Central Region Pest Management Center located in Michigan. Check out their web site for information a wide variety of information on IPM for Wisconsin crops, pests and beneficials -- the soybean aphid, fruit and vegetable production, even IPM curricula for elementary school students. They link to all the IPM newsletters in this multi-state region, and can help you identify and locate other federal resources and information on IPM.

The United States Department of Agriculture offers a number of grant programs and supports research and extension work on IPM.

USDA has a new program that helps farmers make the transition to organic farming.

USDA in conjuction with Land Grant universities, such as the University of Wisconsin, sponsors research and extension in pest management options. At the UW, much of this work is done through the Madison campus' Nutrient and Pest Management program or NPM.

USDA - North Central Region offers grants to farmers, Extension educators, and researchers through its Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program.

The Environmental Protection Agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C. conducts a program entitled Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program. PESP is a voluntary program that supports the work of farmers, agencies and others to reduce risk associated with pesticide use. Visit their website to learn more about organizations all over the country that are reducing pesticides in innovative ways. PESP also offers small grants to help participating organizations reduce pesticides. EPA also offers a web site with general information on IPM and another site with information on public-private partnerships to reduce pesticide risk.

The EPA - Region V works with states to reduce reliance on high-risk pesticides. Contact Barbara VanTil with your questions and concerns regarding high-risk pesticides, their registration, their use, and their alternatives. Barbara can also help you locate experts in other states in Region V or help you link to other regional EPA offices. This project is partially supported by EPA -V.

EPA publishes materials and reports on pesticides, available through their Office of Pesticides Programs.

EPA is in the process of re-evaluating all pesticides for their risk, as mandated through the Food Quality Protection Act. For more information on their progress in implementing this program, specific pesticides and their recommendations for risk reduction or other information, contact the Office of Pesticides Programs - FQPA site.



Who sponsors this site?

This site is made possible by Wisconsin agricultural organizations that know reducing high-risk pesticides is both possible and desireable. Reducing pesticides is possible because farmers and researchers are continually searching for better ways to manage pests. Reducing high risk pesticides is desirable because high risk pesticides can have unintended negative affects on our health and environment.

A number of agencies also support the University of Wisconsin's Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems work on pesticide reduction. They are:

  • US EPA - Minor and Specialty Crops IPM Special Projects: “Pesticide reduction in WI fruit production,” 2006-2009
  • USDA Special Projects pesticide reduction grants, 2002-present
  • Center for Agricultural Partnerships, in cooperation with the US Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters: “EQIP for apple growers,” 2005
  • American Farmland Trust, in cooperation with the US Environmental Protection Agency – Region V: “Pesticide Risk Reduction in WI Apple/Fruit Production,” 2004-2007
  • USDA SARE PDP: “WI Eco-apple production education and outreach,” 2004-2006