RAMP Advisory Committee Notes - February 2, 2002

RAMP Project Update - July 19, 2002

Project Summary

Farmers in the intensive vegetable producing regions of Wisconsin and Florida have made significant investments and notable progress since the mid-1990s in the development, implementation and evaluation of biointensive IPM (bioIPM) systems. The goal in both states has been to bring a quality crop to market through innovation while markedly reducing pesticide risks and managing resistance.

Credible baseline estimates of key risks will be established focusing on two staple crops, tomatoes and potatoes. With our advisors and stakeholders, risk reduction goals will be set and achieved through pest suppression and bioIPM. Economic consequences and risk reduction outcomes will be built into all decision-support and evaluation tools. Progress will be accelerated through the team's collective experience, exchange and critique of field research methods, and the talents of committed, field research grower-partners.

This effort will also develop new IPM system and resistance management decision support and evaluating tools. The princiipal investigators will build on extensive collaborative work with Wisconsin and Florida growers to target specific issues in the transition to biointensive IPM. A common geo-referenced IPM system database for use in potatoes and tomatoes will be developed and field-tested.

To support growers in adopting biointensive IPM practices, practical outreach tools and educational programs will be developed. These will include a grower workbooks for planning and daily assessment of biointensive IPM practices, workshops for cooperating growers in the two states, IPM field short courses to promote biointensive IPM achievements and potential, and a joint biointensive IPM website for Wisconsin and Florida vegetable production.