[FARM BILL] Southern Integrated Pest Management Center: A Regional Approach to Networking, Collaboration and Services

Project Title: Mapping the Occurrence and Distribution of Hemp Pests in the South Primary Director: Misbakhul Munir Co-Primary Director: Nicole Gauthier ABSTRACT Nearly 10 years after reintroduction, hemp (Cannabis sativa, THC <0.3%) is settling into its intended markets: food, feed, and fiber. While the increase in hemp acreage and cultivation can be a positive indicator for the US hemp industry, various challenges (e.g., diseases and pest problems) need to be addressed in order to guard the positive trend of this relatively new industry. The project is to 1) coordinate effort to map the occurrence and distributions of diseases and arthropods pests on hemp in the southern states through the use of verified self-reported platform, Early Detection and Distribution (EDDmap) as well as to develop instructional materials for cooperators who will input or report data through the platform; 2) Develop educational materials on common pests in the south based on previous nationwide survey of cannabis pests along with currently available research-based knowledge and information on aspects such as economic impact and pest management. The outputs of this project are a webpage (map) that provides a centralized site for data of the occurrence and distribution of hemp pests in the southern regions and educational videos (webinar series) on important pests on hemp in the south. Technological support or platform for pest mapping will be provided by Southern IPM Center. Respondents for the pest mapping will be obtained using currently established and previously used networks for nationwide pest survey through multistate hemp working group S1084 and southern IPM working group for hemp.