Emerging Plant Disease and Global Food Security

NC State University is looking to hire four faculty to form a new interdisciplinary faculty cluster.
Faculty members can be on any level and will create a new and basic knowledge to understand the fundamentals of emerging diseases caused by pathogens of plants to facilitate quick action to minimize potential damage of new threats. According to the University's announcement, it believes understanding and managing of new plant disease can be accomplished by a "collaborative approach with expertise in epidemiology, population biology, microbial evolution, geospatial modeling and bioinformatics".

For more information about the four positions, or how to apply, please visit the Emerging Plant Disease and Global Food Security page.

For consideration, a curriculum vitae, cover letter, a statement of research experience and goals as it relates to the cluster and contact information for references are requested. Materials for consideration will be accepted electronically via http://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/58983/. A comprehensive review of applications will begin by Dec. 15, 2015 and continue until the positions are filled. The target start date for is August 2016; however, a mutually beneficial time may be negotiated. Questions about the position may be directed with a subject line “GFSCluster inquiry to Jean Ristaino (jean_ristaino@ncsu.edu) or globalfoodsecuritycluster@ncsu.edu.

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application process please call (919) 515-3148.

Florida EDDMapS Reporting Updates Website, iPhone and Android

eBay: A Forum for Invasive Plant Trade

Auctions aren't just good for scoring rare collectibles and cheap second-hand items.  Individuals interested in rare and exotic species are using the site to buy and sell live specimens around the world.  Researchers from the Institute of Integrative Biology surveyed eBay and nine other auction websites for flora/plant species over 50 days.  Their survey found that 2,5625 plant species were available for purchase from 65 countries.  Of those species, 510 of them have been documented as an invasive concern somewhere in the world.  In fact, 35 of those species are on the list of top 100 invasive species put out by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.  This type of trade isn't monitored as intensively as shipping plants through typical retail exchanges, and can bring in more than just the desired plant.  People interested in diversifying their garden, should always check if there is a species native to their area that fits their need.  If a native can't be found, research any non-natives for invasive status before buying, as their fun new plant can cause years of battling the invasive tendencies and won't endear you to your neighbors if it spreads to their property.

Tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum) Growing out of a bag of cow manure, in 1991 by Randy Westbrooks, Invasive Species Prevention Specialist, Bugwood.org

Original Source Article: How eBay Could Be Messing Up the World’s Ecosystems

Southern IPM Center announces Enhancement Grant Program

The IPM Enhancement Grants Program is a one of the key ways the Southern IPM Center address important issues affecting the region.  Groups interested in developing or implementing Integrated Pest Management solutions can apply for funding.  There is no restriction based on setting or commodity nor problems that are being addressed as long as the project is effectively bringing IPM to the region and has the potential to positively impact our region. This means that projects can range widely - from settings that include agriculture, urban and school environments, forestry, and wildlife to a wide variety of topics including invasive species management, organic pest management options, countering pesticide resistance, and development of new tools to assist in pest management decisions.

$220,000 is available this year with projects limited to $30,000 - $40,000 depending on project type The funding covers a one-year project, so please keep that in mind when considering your proposal. If interested, see http://bit.ly/1gUmkaD for more information.

Montana Adds Three Species to their Noxious Weed List

If you don't know what the U.S. Noxious Weed Lists are, here is are some quick facts:

• Separate Federal and State, and even some local/municipal/county lists exist
• Federal Noxious Weed List was established by the Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974, was amended in 1990, and then was superseded by the Plant Protection Act in 2000
• State and local lists can be created by different agencies in each state
• Plants are added based on their ability to damage the environment, cause harm to persons, or disrupt the economy
• Federally - Movement of listed plant species is restricted (without a permit)
• Many of the plants were added specifically for their impact on agriculture or natural areas

As of July, 2015, Montana added three new invasive species to their state Noxious Weed List:

Parrot Feather Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum aquaticum [pictured] or M. brasiliense) by Graves Lovell, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bugwood.org

Brazilian waterweed (Egeria densa) by U.S. Geological Survey Archive, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org

common reed (Phragmites australis ssp. australis) by Caleb Slemmons, National Ecological Observatory Network, Bugwood.org

These are all plants that are found in or near water.  They can choke out native plant species, thus minimizing the food sources for many aquatic species, and they can also dramatically alter the available light and nutrients.


Want to know more about these species and where they are found?

Common Reed - Maps, Species Information, and Images
Brazilian waterweed - Maps, Species Information, Wiki Article, and Images
Myriophyllum aquaticum - Maps, Species Information, Wiki Article, and Images

Source Article: State Adds Three New Invasive Plants to Noxious Weed List

USDA-NRCS SoilWeb App Shows You What's Under Your Feet

A free app available for iPhone and Android phones, SoilWeb provides users with in the field knowledge of the soil type wherever they are.  This smartphone app is the evolution of the Web Soil Survey online tool, a website which allowed users to explore soil information.  The app not only uses you smartphone GPS to give you all the text information about the soil series at your location, but it will also show a graphic of the soil horizon.  Having data in-field while making various decisions about management options will help users make more informed choices and will save time from having to physically dig the land up to learn the area. This tool will be useful for farmers, range land managers, conservationists, and anyone who may be concerned with managing land.

Excavated area showing soil horizons by Andrew Koeser, International Society of Arboriculture, Bugwood.org

Source Article: A Smartphone App Provides New Way to Access Soil Survey Information

Mind Your Business – Hydroponics for Profit

Interested in Hydroponics? Want to make a profit from them? Check out this workshop: Mind Your Business – Hydroponics for Profit.

Learn how to create budgets for your operation, evaluate profitability of alternative systems, assess food safety policies and marketing ideas to increase your bottom line. The workshop is hosted by the University of Florida IFAS Extension’s Small Farms Academy on September 17^th from 8:30 am to 3 pm at the Suwannee Valley Agricultural Extension Center. Primary participant registration is $75 and $50 for one additional participant. Lunch and refreshments are included in cost. To sign up visit: 2015mindyourbusiness.eventbrite.com. Deadline to register is September 11^th. For more information contact Dilcia Toro at dtoro@ufl.edu or 386-362-1725 ext. 102.