The North Central IPM Center's Signature Programs represent the focus areas that the Center will hope to address throughout its current funding cycle. These programs are the basis of the Center's annual priorities.
Invasive Species and Re-Emerging Pests
Every year invasive species disrupt successful IPM programs and threaten our food supply, natural areas, homes and gardens. Re-emerging pests can also become a problem with changes in climate, pest management practices
and pest species genetics.
Pest Resistance Management
Resistance to pesticides (herbicides, fungicides and insecticides) is a barrier to many effective IPM programs and continues to be one of the largest threats to Integrated Pest Management programs. Pest resistance reduces effectiveness of important management tools and, in some cases, leaves people with very few economically feasible pest management strategies.
Pollinator and Monarch Conservation
Maintaining and enhancing the diversity of pollinating insects on farms, in natural area, parks, and gardens is necessary for stable ecological systems and food production. IPM practices that reduce the use of unnecessary pesticides are an important component of conservation efforts.
Advanced Genetic Tools and IPM
The rapid pace of change that technology has brought to our lives is having a profound change on IPM. Advances in plant breeding have made plants themselves resistant to pests, which fundamentally changes the IPM programs around those pests. It is important the these tools are understood by growers and used to enhance IPM practices.