Mid-Atlantic Information Network

for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies - DE

Advisory Committee Meeting November 26, 2002

Minutes

      The 2002 meeting was held on November 26 at the Kent County Extension Office from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  Members attending were: Richards, Purnell, Petitt, Stayton, Towle, Johnson, Whalen, Walker and Whitney.  Edith Lurvey, IR-4 Geneva NY was an invited guest.  Members absent were: Bryan, Chorman (Jr and Sr), Winkler, Townsend, Kee, Wootten, VanGessel, and Mulrooney.  Absent members expressed interest in being informed of the activities of the Committee and reviewing documents.

      Whitney presented the history, funding and purpose of the Information Network.  The route from NAPIAP to Pest Management Centers was explained.  Discussion on the relationship of the Delaware Network to the Mid-Atlantic Network and to the NE Center was held.

      Whitney presented a slide show on Pesticide Registrations which emphasized the differences FQPA has made to registration procedures.  Lurvey gave a presentation on the IR-4 Minor Crop Program.  A lively discussion on the problem with soybean mites in Delaware was held.  Lurvey asked to be informed of needs in the state.

      The “Pesticide Briefs” web page was discussed and suggestions for improvement were made (listed below).  Johnson noted that the Information Network procedure was the best that could be done.

      Discussion after lunch centered on future commodities for Crop Profiles and Pest Management Strategic Plans: green peppers; carrots; cucumbers and pickles; greens; strawberries; cantaloupe and pumpkin; soybeans; and dry beans.  Committee members pointed out that green pepper is not a Kid’s Food, carrots may come back and cucumbers may explode with the new processor.  Whitney explained that USDA will not consider grant requests under Crops At Risk or RAMP unless the requesting state has completed a Pest Management Strategic Plan.

The  Committee recommended:

An Advisory Committee should be established for the Mid-Atlantic Information Network to solidify the five states in the region.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture Pesticide Administrator, Grier Stayton, should notify Whitney when Section 18's and 24C’s are established. Whitney should notify the Mid-Atlantic Information Network Leader, George Hamilton, who will post the information on the region’s web site.

Pesticide Safety Education sessions (formerly Pesticide Applicator Training) should include an on-line lesson in how to use the “Pesticide Briefs” web page.

Whitney should print a post card with directions for getting on the e-mail list for notification of new postings of “Pesticide Briefs.” Whitney should provide extension staff and the Delaware Department of Agriculture with a supply of the post card. The post card will be distributed at grower meetings and added to pesticide applicator mailings made by the Department of Agriculture.

Key members of commodity groups should be added to the e-mail list for notification of new postings of “Pesticide Briefs.”
Articles on the “Pesticide Briefs” home page should be grouped by category and placed under descriptive headings. Titles of articles should be more descriptive. A category, “Local Scene,” should be added to complement the national news. Decisions of the Information Network Advisory Committee could be included in the Local Scene category.

The next Advisory Committee meeting will be held in November ‘03. Commodities for Crop Profiles and Pest Management Strategic Plans will be discussed. The Committee will assist in evaluation of the Information Network.