![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Achieving Adoption of Ecologically-Based IPM and Reducing Pesticide Risks in Cold Climate Winegrape Production in Northern New England
Executive Summary
This project is the next step to achieve adoption of ecologically-based IPM and to reduce pesticide risks within cold climate winegrape production in northern New England; it builds upon the achievements accomplished through a previous EPA award under the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program.
The specific objectives of the project are:
- Survey the rapidly expanding community of cold climate winegrape growers as to their pesticide use practices and their knowledge and adoption of ecologically-based IPM and reduced-risk alternatives. This will occur at the beginning and at the end of the project to provide baseline data to guide the educational outreach component of this project and to evaluate the impact of the project.
- Provide education and outreach to address gaps in the knowledge and adoption of reduced-risk IPM techniques and tools within the community of cold climate winegrape growers. The goal is to provide growers with the knowledge and tools to reduce pesticide risks and to increase adoption of ecologically-based IPM.
- Investigate and demonstrate the application of reduced-risk IFM techniques and tools in a vineyard planted with representative cold climate winegrape varieties.
This Reduced-Risk IPM Study will increase the knowledge base on the minimal pesticides required to produce 'healthy' vines and quality grapes, and will demonstrate ecologically-based IPM, incorporating reduced-risk alternatives and pesticide resistance management practices. The project will reach its goals through development and dissemination of educational and outreach materials (i.e., website, blog, newsletter, etc.), training workshops and tours, and in-field demonstrations.
It is a critical teachable' period within the rapidly expanding cold climate winegrape grower community to achieve adoption of reduced-risk IPM and to realize the accompanying benefits to human health, to the environment, and to the economic viability of this emerging agricultural industry in northern New England.