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Increasing Adoption of Reduced Risk Practices in the Production of Woody Ornamentals - Final Report

Disclaimer

This report was prepared by an EPA assistance agreement recipient and represents only the views of the author rather than EPA.

A print version of this report is also available (18 pages, 400 Kb, about PDF)

 

Norman C. Leppla1, Thomas A. Green2, Daniel J. Sonke1 and Barbra C. Larson1
1University of Florida, IFAS, IPM Florida
2IPM Institute of North America

Summary

Our two-year project achieved the goal of significantly increasing the number of woody ornamental plant producers who can use an integrated pest management (IPM) assessment program to encourage reduced risk practices and products. A diverse workgroup comprised of producers, buyers, researchers, extension specialists and agents, and other stakeholders have created a reduced-risk practice assessment. This assessment will be available on the web for any producer to use in evaluating their operations. In addition, an IPM certification program for woody ornamental plant production is being made available to producers by the IPM Institute of North America, with the woody ornamental plant industry, consumers, IPM Florida, and University of Florida Extension in advisory roles. This “IPM Star certification” will provide credible recognition in the marketplace for Florida woody ornamentals produced using IPM practices. Individual growers will be able to undergo certification for their woody ornamental products to meet the demands of developing niche markets. Currently, these markets primarily involve environmentally oriented consumers, real estate developments, and public agencies. IPM practices can in some cases be less expensive than non-IPM practices, providing a financial incentive for adoption. IPM certification can provide one or more additional incentives, including price premiums, access to new markets, preservation of existing markets, enhanced neighbor and community relations, and reduced liability from pesticide risks.

Impetus for Project

The mission of IPM Florida is to provide statewide, interdisciplinary and inter-unit coordination and assistance in IPM to protect agriculture, communities and the environment (Attachment 1). This mission is pursued on a statewide basis potentially for all IPM areas of emphasis, e.g., crops, schools, landscape maintenance and invasive weeds. The overall goal is to increase the adoption of relatively low-risk pest management practices by developing collaborative workgroups, assembling and disseminating technical information, and providing education and training. Delivery of information and technologies is intended for county extension faculty and extension specialists, but other clientele are directly involved. Ultimately, the citizens of Florida are the benefactors. In the event that research is needed to improve IPM methods, IPM Florida seeks involvement by appropriate scientists to conduct focused, short-term projects.

In January 2002, Timothee Sallin, Director of Marketing at Cherry Lake Tree Farm, requested information from IPM Florida on the availability of IPM certification for woody ornamental plants. There were no specific certification programs, so IPM Florida recommended that Cherry Lake consider adapting systems currently in use by Florida Yards and Neighborhoods, Florida Organic Grower’s, Audubon International, or the IPM Institute of North America. IPM certification of woody ornamental plant production sites would enable growers to use IPM labels on their products. Additionally, IPM Florida contacted Dr. Mike Fitzner, National Program Leader for IPM, USDA, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, who provided a recent report on IPM labeling (VanKirk and Garling 1997) and recommended that Dr. Tom Green, President, IPM Institute of North America be contacted. The IPM labeling report concluded that Land Grant Universities “have a responsibility to be involved in facilitator, educator, expert roles in developing IPM guidelines but not in any certification role.” Consequently, IPM Institute became involved as a possible certifier, assisted in preparing the funding request to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and provided expert guidance for the project.

Project Description

The high aesthetic value of ornamental crops and intensive nature of production systems have created an industry that is heavily dependent on pesticides. Additionally, interstate and international plant protection regulations mandate that plants be shipped free of pests and diseases. Producers of woody ornamentals have reported using an average of 5.5 different insecticides, 3.9 fungicides and 2.4 herbicides with a wide range of risk factors each season. Frequent prophylactic "fumigation" is a common practice within the industry. However, IPM practices are available, including scouting, proper pest identification, economic thresholds, and least risk options, i.e., cultural and biological controls (Larson and Nesheim 2000, Attachment 2). There is a need to reduce the ornamental plant producer’s reliance on pesticides and integrate the use of agrichemicals with other pest management options (Hudson et al. 1996).

Currently, there is no IPM certification and labeling program available to the producers of ornamental crops, despite growing knowledge of how to effectively use certification to increase and document adoption of IPM (Green 2002a). Practice-based certification programs in other agricultural sectors have demonstrated increases over time in the numbers of participating growers, acres and crops, and in IPM practices implemented by participants (Hollingsworth and Coli 1999, Petzoldt 1999). Documented results include a 37% reduction in the use of 11 high-risk pesticides over three years in Wisconsin potatoes (Lynch et al. 2000). Certification programs using IPM implementation as a requirement are now available for more than 40 crops in North America as well as forest products, golf courses and structural pest management (Green 2002b).

The goal of this project was to create a measurable increase in the number of producers of woody ornamentals using reduced risk practices and products, and recognition in the marketplace for those producers through a credible certification program. We envision this project as the first step in a coordinated national certification program for non-food agricultural products, including nursery and ornamental crops. Coordinating a national, multi-use program has potential to maximize wholesale and retail consumer support, improve efficiency, and reduce administrative costs (Anonymous 1999a, b; Kane et al. 2001).

Specific activities that were planned for this project include:

  1. Create a multi-stakeholder working group to provide ongoing oversight and direction.
  2. Draft general guidelines or standards to govern operation of the program and develop crop and region-specific evaluation criteria.
  3. Draft quantitative evaluation criteria specifically for woody ornamentals in Florida to measure compliance with the general guidelines. Include a minimum score to achieve certification with producer flexibility in choice of practices and specific incentives for use of reduced-risk options.
  4. Train independent inspectors to evaluate applicants in meeting the criteria.
  5. Create educational materials in print and on-line to inform wholesale and retail consumers about IPM and the accomplishments of certified producers.

This project will identify and recruit a volunteer advisory committee to oversee the certification process, including review of applications and inspection reports and certification approvals. Inspections will be conducted by trained, independent inspectors who will report results to the IPM Institute of North America. The UF, IFAS has coordinated the project and will continue to provide educational support, an appropriate role for a Land Grant University (VanKirk and Garling 1997). Timothee and Veronique Sallin of Cherry Lake Tree Farm, Mike Marshall of Marshall Tree Farm and Jeff Bryan of Shadowlawn Nursery represented the producers of woody ornamentals by describing current practices and evaluating advancements. The generic IPM certification structure and process has been developed by the IPM Institute of North America and applied to specific agricultural commodities. IPM Institute applied what they have learned to customize IPM certification for woody ornamental plant production. The final products will be available on-line for public inspection and non-participant use as an educational and self-evaluation tool. This pilot project is a pioneering effort, the first for this industry.

Chronology of IPM Certification for Woody Ornamentals

Project Results

The Woody Ornamental IPM Certification Workgroup outlined the following incentives for IPM adoption: 1. Plants produced using IPM are generally of higher quality and can receive top dollar, 2. Application of IPM guidelines could protect landowners from claims of environmental pollution, 3. An IPM program can prevent the misuse of pesticides by nursery employees and their employers, 4. Voluntary adoption of IPM may provide an alternative to regulation by state agencies, and 5. Growers who use IPM reduce chemical waste, produce healthier plants and often save money.

The Woody Ornamental IPM Workgroup completed the following project goals:

  1. A Woody Ornamentals IPM Workgroup was formed. The Workgroup will continue to further the goal of assisting producers of woody ornamentals to reduce pesticide use by providing technical support and marketing incentives.
  2. The Workgroup drafted general guidelines for the production of woody ornamentals under an IPM program. These guidelines were based on a tour of Cherry Lake Tree Farm and a limited survey of woody ornamental plant producers.
  3. The Workgroup ranked quantitative evaluation criteria specific to woody ornamentals in Florida for use in measuring compliance with the general guidelines (see section F, IPM and Best Management Practices for Woody Ornamental Plant Production). Woody ornamental producers can use this tool to evaluate their progress in adopting IPM practices and to obtain certification for marketing in the future.
  4. Educational materials were created to inform producers and consumers about the production of woody ornamentals using IPM, including this report, PowerPoint presentations, and a display and associated trade magazine article for the FNATS trade show. Additionally, the Workgroup will prepare a summary article for Ornamental Outlook and an EDIS publication for the University of Florida Extension program.
  5. The IPM Institute of North America will train independent inspectors and provide IPM certification as requested by the woody ornamental plant producers. This project’s principle impact has been to bring together key industry leaders, sensitize the producers to the need for increasing IPM practices, and provide a means to certify and label production facilities that achieve an established industry standard. The number of woody ornamental producers using reduced-risk practices and products can be evaluated after the certification process gains acceptance. This project has provided the basis for a certification program to be managed by the IPM Institute of North America and delivered the supporting educational message to the producers.

IPM and Best Management Practices for Woody Ornamental Plant Production

Scoring: Note whether each practice is satisfactory, needs improvement or is not applicable to your operation.1

I. Reduce pesticide use and risk through IPM
Priority
 Score

A. Biological knowledge
 

1. Designate a pest manager/IPM coordinator to guide the program, review scouting reports and make management decisions related to pests of all types, including insects, diseases, weeds, nematodes and wildlife.
MUST
  

2. Draft an IPM policy to state your commitment to IPM and guide decision-making.
Moderate
  

3. Maintain a print and/or on-line IPM resource library including publications, such as the Commercial Ornamental Nursery Scouting Manual, current Extension agrichemical suggestions for ornamentals, current regulations, pesticide resistance chart and color identification photos of key pests, beneficials and protected species.
High
  

4. Attend at least one Extension or industry meeting or training event annually.
MUST
  

5. On an open-book basis, know key diseases, weeds, nematodes, insects, and wildlife pests for your location and the plant types you grow (e.g., pest names, identifying characteristics, life cycles and conditions that favor problems) and understand how to use this information to improve pest management.
High
  

6. Use qualified diagnostic labs, experts and/or other resources to identify unknown pests or beneficial organisms.
High
  

7. Staff holds appropriate licensing and certification, e.g., pesticide applicator, state nursery licenses.
MUST
  

8. Train field staff to report potential pest problems.
BONUS
  

B. Monitoring and Inspection
 

1. Systematically scout nursery for pests and beneficials, concentrating time on key plants, known hot spots and greenhouse doorways, vents or other openings.
MUST
  

2. Match scouting frequency to need, e.g., scout more frequently during critical times for key pests and plant susceptibility.
Moderate
  

3. Create maps of logical and identifiable management unit to be used to note scouting path, results and recommendations.
Moderate
  

4. Use traps (e.g., color boards, cards, cups) where appropriate to monitor insects, e.g., double-sided sticky tape or scale traps, pheromone traps for clearwing borers, yellow sticky traps for whiteflies, aphids, thrips, leafminer flies, shore flies and fungus gnats.
Moderate
  

5. Mark plants to identify pest/problem detections and hot spots (e.g., with colored flags, GPS).
Low
  

6. Maintain optical aids and collection equipment for scouts, e.g., hand lens, scouting report forms.
High
  

7. Maintain diagnostic equipment for scout/IPM manager use, e.g., dissecting microscope, pH meter, conductivity meter.
BONUS
  

C. Act to Control Pests When Necessary
 

1. Follow all label instructions when a pesticide application is necessary, e.g., reentry times, target pests, label rate.
MUST
  

2. Establish action thresholds, such as specific weather conditions or numbers of key pests, to guide decisions on whether or not to apply pesticides.
MUST
  

3. Time pest control measures to coincide with the pest’s most susceptible stage of development.
High
  

D. Choose Least-Risk Options
 

1. Release appropriate species of beneficials when pest populations are expected (e.g., from historical records) or when first detected, e.g., predator mites for spider mites and fungus gnats.

BONUS
  

2. Identify key beneficials and choose least-toxic pesticides and/or application timing to protect those beneficials, e.g., use pesticides specific to the target pest instead of broad-spectrum insecticides.
Medium
  

3. Identify infested plants and treat only those areas necessary to achieve control.

High
  

4. Calibrate and service application equipment at manufacturer-recommended intervals.
High
  

5. Identify pesticide modes of action, and rotate modes to slow pest resistance.

High
  

6. Prior to weed seed set, manage weeds under propagation benches and along nursery perimeters, roadsides and ditches to reduce pest hosts and weed seed banks.

Medium
  

7. Destroy individual plants with severe pest infestations.

High
  

8. Pesticides are ranked for risk to applicators and others, beneficials, and ground and surface water.
High
  

E. Long-Term, Preventative Practices
 

1. Plant or position beneficial insect host plants throughout the nursery to attract and/or maintain populations of beneficials.
BONUS
  

2. Inspect incoming stock for pests and quarantine where necessary.
High
  

3. Choose pest-resistant varieties.
High
  

4. Maintain healthy plants by using proper culture and management practices, e.g., fertilize according to soil or plant tissue test results, prune properly to preserve bark ridge and speed healing.
High
  

5. Exclude pests when possible (fence out deer, screen greenhouse vents).
Moderate
  

6. Maintain stored potting media and planted pots in a sanitary condition, e.g., prevent contact with non-sterile soil to reduce disease and nematode problems.
Moderate
  

7. Adjust timing, amount and/or method of irrigation to minimize the length of time foliage remains wet and reduce disease pressure.
Moderate
  

8. Adjust spacing, elevation of plants/pots to optimize airflow and drying times and reduce disease pressure.
Moderate
  

9. Disinfect greenhouse benches and cloth ground covers between crops.
BONUS
  

10. Use cloth ground covers, tarps or mulch to suppress weeds.
High
  

11. Clean hands, tools and equipment frequently, especially when moving between plantings.
Medium
  

12. Identify and correct underlying cause for persistent hot spots (e.g., pest immigration from unmanaged plants, high humidity, poor drainage, etc.).
Medium
  

13. Provide information to product purchasers to encourage optimum after-sale placement and care.
BONUS
  

F. Evaluation and Records
 

1. Evaluate results of chemical, cultural, mechanical and biological control measures.
MUST
  

2. Maintain scouting records including name of person scouting, locations, date and results.
MUST
  

G. Pesticide Management
 

1. Store pesticides in a locked and labeled facility.
MUST
  

2. Calibrate equipment and locate pesticide mixing and loading sites away from surface water or wells with provisions for collecting spilled material.
MUST
  

3. Keep spill kits on hand and clean up any spills immediately.
MUST
  

4. Apply any wash or rinse water to the crop.
MUST
  

5. Triple-rinse containers and pour rinsate into the tank.
MUST
  

7. Meet WPS requirements for nursery production
MUST
  

8. Properly dispose of cancelled, suspended or unusable pesticides, and dispose or recycle used product containers, according to manufacturer’s instructions.
MUST
  

H. Continual Improvement
 

1. Nursery maintains a current list of goals with specific improvements to be made.
MUST
  

2. Goals and progress are evaluated on a regular basis.
MUST
  
II. Protect Soil and Water2
 

A. Nutrient Management

    

1. Monitor nutrient levels (substrate, soil testing) to determine when fertilizer applications are needed and amounts

    

2. Follow IFAS extension recommendations for nutrient testing methods and fertilizer application rates, where available.

    

3. Choose the best fertilizer application method(s) (e.g., incorporated in substrate, surface applied) and formulation(s) (e.g., slow release, soluble) to minimize leaching and spills.

    

4. Protect fertilizer storage from rainwater.

    

5. Calibrate equipment and locate fertilizer storage, mixing and loading sites away from surface water or wells with provisions for collecting spilled material.

    

6. Clean up any spills immediately.

    

7. Apply any wash or rinse water to the crop.

    

8. Manage soil/media pH to ensure nutrient availability to plants.

    

9. Reduce nutrient leaching by reducing the amount of water leaching from containers (leaching fraction) compared to the amount of water entering the container.

    

10. Reduce nutrient leaching by decreasing the amount and increasing the frequency of irrigations.

    

11. BONUS: Where possible, manage temperature (e.g., greenhouse venting, container spacing) to maintain proper fertilizer release rates (check fertilizer label for recommendations).

    

12. Collect and contain irrigation runoff to prevent nutrient and chemical discharge into natural ground and surface water.

    

13. Maintain untreated buffers (“Ring of Responsibility”) between areas where pesticides and fertilizers are applied and surface water.

    

< 10 ft.

    

10-15 ft.

    

>15 ft.

    

14. Limit bare soil by using synthetic or natural mulches or ground covers to reduce erosion.

    

15. Compost leaves, trimmings and other plants wastes.

    

16. Allow clippings to compost in place.

    

17. Avoid directing any ground cover or plant clippings towards surface water or impervious surfaces.

    

18. Coordinate fertilization and irrigation to reduce leaching and increase uptake.

    

A. Irrigation Management

    

1. Check irrigation water delivery rates to ensure efficient operation and reduce waste.

    

2. In seasonal growing areas, match irrigation amounts to seasonal plant water use requirements.

    

3. Use efficient delivery systems, e.g., micro-irrigation to plants grown in spaced 7-gallon containers or larger rather than overhead irrigation, which can waste 80% of the water applied.

    

4. Monitor rainfall and adjust irrigation amounts to account for rainfall contribution, e.g., use a rain shut-off device.

    

5. Use backflow protection devices.

    

6. Check irrigation system regularly and repair worn or broken parts as needed.

    

7. Restrict irrigation to planted, non-pervious areas (e.g., avoid paved areas).

    

8. Where appropriate, use efficient container designs and layout, e.g., squat containers retain more water than taller containers; containers that are touching or jammed retain more water than spaced containers. Do not risk disease/fungus gnat management by slowing drying.

    

1 The producers and certifying organization will establish the scoring system and minimum requirements for certification. The priority word “MUST” indicates a practice considered mandatory for certification, while a moderate or high ranking indicates one that should be used in the scoring).

2 BMPs are not counted in scoring, although they are recommended practices for IPM.Producers of woody ornamental plants in Florida already practice BMPs to protect soil and water quality.

Future Activities to Promote Woody Ornamental IPM Certification

The industry wide adoption of IPM certification and branding of woody ornamentals will depend on future pest management options, environmental concerns in plant production and installation, and related adjustments in the marketplace. Most growers of ornamental plants are already seeking alternatives to chemical pesticides primarily because of the increasing cost of chemicals, potential for phytotoxicity, re-entry limitations, health and safety concerns, and loss of effectiveness. IPM and BMPs reduce the cost of producing ornamental crops by maintaining pests at acceptable levels with minimal inputs. IPM is based on pest prevention, scouting, accurate pest identification, action thresholds, preservation and augmentation of natural controls, and application of the most effective, low risk pesticides.

This project to develop IPM certification for woody ornamentals is a pioneering effort many years ahead of the industry’s advancing marketing structure. Cherry Lake Tree Farm provided vision and leadership for this project based on their very successful allied organic citrus business. About ten years ago, fresh citrus was a highly profitable commodity that required very little value added marketing, much like ornamental plants today. However, as profit margins decreased, growers became very receptive to IPM and organic production, and associated marketing. This was primarily a reaction to market competition but also expanded markets for premium products. The Forest Stewardship Council has an international certification program to “support responsible forestry practices” and the International Society of Arboriculture has indicated an interest in IPM. There are many examples of value-added “branding” for agricultural commodities, including ornamental plants.

Nurseries are typically located at the interface between agricultural and urban land, causing concerns about potential contamination of the air and water. IPM and BMPs can help to protect growers from liability associated with the use of agrichemicals. Recordkeeping and third party audits verify that IPM and BMPs are being practiced. Florida fern growers, having been fined repeatedly for contaminating wells with fungicides, are now using an IPM system to prevent the spread of anthracnose (Leahze et al. 1995). A tissue culture laboratory that produces more than 600 kinds of ornamental plants uses cultural practices and biological control exclusively for pest management because chemicals failed to eliminate fungus gnats and other pests. Recently, the Tampa Bay Wholesale Growers Association has offered an IPM scouting service to its members. The scouts are trained by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Environmental communities want landscape plants that are grown and maintained using IPM practices and they will pay a premium. The demand for plants grown using IPM practices already exceeds the supply and this has caused some of these communities to establish nurseries. Neighborhoods, such as Harmony Florida, are marketing the opportunity for people to “live in balance with Nature.” Entire landscapes, such as golf courses, schools, and municipalities are becoming IPM certified by independent organizations, including the IPM Institute of North America and Audubon International. Florida Yards and Neighborhoods certifies individual home landscapes and is expanding into entire real estate developments. The marketplace now rewards Silver Vase bromeliads and orchids as “Grown Clean and Green with Integrated Pest Management” (Attachment 7). As an incentive for growers to practice conservation in the production of woody ornamentals and trees, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services annually awards the Commissioner’s Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award (Attachment 8).

The woody ornamental IPM certification project led to a partnership among Cherry Lake Tree Farm, the IPM Institute of North America and the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences with funding and guidance by the EPA. As a consequence, several associated IPM training and certification projects have been developed: landscape maintenance (Landscape Maintenance IPM Training to Promote Reduced-Risk Pest Management Practices, funded by EPA-PESP), Florida School IPM “Benchmark Pilot Project” (funded by EPA, http://www.mccsc.edu/~mccscipm/html/reg/ipmodel/ipmodel_steps.htm), Cherry Lake Landscape Architects Course ("Cherry Lake University," continuing education program for green industry professionals, especially Florida Landscape Architects and FNGA Certified Professionals http://www.cherrylake.com/Resources/Resources_Ceu_Descriptions.htm), turfgrass IPM survey (Evaluation of Integrated Pest Management Practices in Urban Turfgrass, funded by EPA-Strategic Agricultural Initiative), and an unfunded grant proposal to the USDA, Rural Business -Cooperative Service. IPM training could be added to some of the Florida Nurserymen and Growers Association Certification Programs, and discussions have begun for the initiation of that process. These programs include the FNGA Certified Horticulture Professional, FNGA Certified Landscape Contractor, FNGA Certified Landscape Technician, and FNGA Certified Landscape Designer. The woody ornamental IPM certification project supported several UF, IFAS Doctor of Plant Medicine students who have graduated and begun careers in the ornamental plant and allied industries. These DPM graduates are implementing many of the concepts and practices of IPM for woody ornamental plants. The results of this IPM certification project will be documented expeditiously in Ornamental Outlook and UF, IFAS EDIS articles.

Acknowledgements

In addition to the Woody Ornamental IPM Workgroup (Attachment 9), very helpful guidance was provided by Ben Bolusky (Florida Nurserymen and Growers Association), Hugh Gramling (FNGA Research Committee), Mike Cheminsky (John’s Nursery), PJ Klinger (Lake Brantley Plant Corp.), Chuck Hudson (Grass Roots Nurseries), Randy Jacobs (Flowerwood Nursery), and Ken Poucher (Skinner Nurseries). Heather Nedley (FNGA) and Jeanne Burgess (Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards) graciously arranged for two of the Workgroup meetings. Rebecca McNair briefly joined the IPM Florida staff and provided liaison with Florida Yards and Neighborhoods. Workgroup meetings were attended by Dr. James Sterns and Kevin Athearn of the UF, IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department, Dr. Ed Gilman from the UF, IFAS, Environmental Horticulture Department, Dr. Lance Osborne from the UF, IFAS, Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, and Jim Warneke from Walt Disney World. Ed Burns and Jack Shirley attended a Workgroup meeting as representatives of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. Jason Evans attended a meeting as a UF student in Environmental Studies. The Workgroup especially thanks Dr. Troy Pierce (EPA) for his attention and encouragement throughout the project.

References and Related Websites

References

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Lynch, S., D. Sexson, C. Benbrook, M. Carter, J. Wyman, P. Nowak, J. Barzen, S. Diercks and J. Wallendal. 2000. Accelerating Industry-Wide Transition to Reduced-Risk Pest Management Systems: A Case Study of the Wisconsin Potato Industry. http://ipcm.wisc.edu/bioipm/reports/choicesfinal.pdf

Mizell, Russell F., III. 2001. Pesticides registered for the nursery and landscape and their impact on beneficial and non-target organisms. Monticello-NFREC Research Report BB98-7. http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/applying/tactics/pesticides/mizell_ornamental_pesticide_side_effects.htm

Mizell, R.F., and D.E. Short. 1998. Integrated Management in the Commercial Ornamental Nursery. ENY-336. Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_IG144

Omhart, C.P. and S.K. Matthiasson. 2000. Lodi Winegrower's Workbook: A Self-Assessment of Integrated Farming Practices. Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission, Lodi CA.

Osborne, L.S., N.C. Leppla and R.S. Osborne. 1999. “Biological Control of Foliage Pests” Chapt. 15c. In K.M. Heinz, R.G. Van Driesche and M.P. Parrella (Eds.), Biological Control of Arthropod Pests in Protected Culture. Ball Publishing, Batavia, Illinois.

Osborne, L.A., E.A. Buss, C.M. Mannion and J.F. Price. 2001. Commercial Foliage and Woody Ornamental Arthropod Pest Management. EYN-311. Department of Entomology and Nematology, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG012

Petzoldt, C.P. 1999. Challenges for land grant university personnel resulting from participation in eco-labeling efforts. In Proceedings: Adding Value through Environmental Marketing: Opportunities for Food Producers, Processors and Retailers. Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Minneapolis MN.

Short, D.E., G.W. Simone and R.A. Dunn, eds. 2001. Commercial Ornamental Nursery Scouting Manual. SP 235. Department of Entomology and Nematology, IFAS, University of Florida. http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/lso/SCOUT/INTRO.htm

University of California. 2000. The UC Guide to Solving Garden and Landscape Problems: An Interactive CD-ROM. Publication 3400. ANR Communication Services, 6701 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, CA 94608. 800 994-8849. http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/index.html

VanKirk, J. and L. Garling. 1997. IPM Labeling: A Discussion of Benefits and Challenges to Land Grant Involvement in IPM Labeling and Related Initiatives. A Report on the National Meeting at Indianapolis, Indiana, April 23-24, 1997. http://northeastipm.org/reports/Indylabel97/indyintro.html

Yeager, T.H. 2001. Irrigation and Nutrient Management Considerations for Container Nurseries. ENH-156. Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP077

Yeager, T., D. Fare, C. Gilliam, A. Niemiera, T. Bilderback and K. Tilt. 1997. Best Management Practices, Guide for Producing Container-Grown Plants. Southern Nurserymen's Association, Marietta, GA. http://www.sna.org

Related Websites

Audubon International, Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System: http://www.audubonintl.org/programs/acss/index.htm

Cherry Lake Continuing Education Course for Landscape Architects: (http://www.cherrylake.com).

Consumers Union: www.eco-labels.org

Florida Cooperative Extension's Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS): http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu

Florida Department Of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division Of Plant Industry Publications (Grades and Standards, circulars on Florida pests): http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/pubs.html

Florida Organic Grower’s Association: http://www.foginfo.org/

Florida Yards and Neighborhoods: http://hort.ufl.edu/fyn

Florida Yards and Neighborhoods. 2002.Yard Certification Checklist. http://hort.ufl.edu/fyn/certification.pdf

FNGA - Florida Nurserymen & Growers Association: http://www.fnga.org

Forest Stewardship Council: http://www.sustainablebusiness.com

Harmony Florida: http://www.harmonyfl.com

International Society of Arboriculture: http://www.tourdestrees.org/isa.htm

IPM Florida, University of Florida/IFAS: http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu

IPM Institute of North America: http://www.ipminstitute.org

Southern Nursery Association: http://www.sna.org

Tree Introductions, Inc. http://www.treeintroductions.com

Attachments

  1. IPM Florida Mission and Goals
  2. Larson and Nesheim Crop Profile
  3. IPM Institute of North America PowerPoint presentation
  4. Leppla et al. PowerPoint presentation
  5. FNATS (cover, p. 3, 6, 7) plus IPM photos
  6. Participants Survey
  7. Silver Vase
  8. FDACS Woody Ornamental & Trees Conservation Program
  9. Florida Woody Ornamentals Workgroup

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