Tuesday, August 9, 2016: 10:15 AM
Capitol Center Room (Sheraton Hotel Atlanta)
Horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, and weed science extension and research professionals in Southeastern states formed the Southern Nursery IPM (SNIPM) working group to foster collaboration and leverage resources, thereby enhancing programming, increasing synergistic opportunities, and expanding delivery of specialized expertise to growers across a region. SNIPM has now grown to include 10 states and 11 institutions and has been awarded six grants since 2009. Deliverables achieved from this faculty collaboration include 11 peer reviewed publications, 3 books, and numerous abstracts, conference proceedings and extension publications. SNIPM has also been honored with ASHS publication awards and the Southern Region IPM working Group Bright Idea Award. Building a productive and lasting working group requires attracting a group of research and extension faculty with complementary expertise, listening to stakeholders, and translating stakeholder needs into grant priorities to help solve problems. This presentation will cover the inception of the working group, establishing need and working group focus, determining membership, explain the critical role of funding and using initial projects to build a foundation for future projects.