SAN Announces New Publication on Ecological Strategies to Manage Insect Pests
 

While every farming system is unique, the principles of ecological pest management apply universally. Manage Insects on Your Farm: A Guide to Ecological Strategies, the new title from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program’s outreach arm, the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), provides in-depth look at ecological strategies that improve a farm's natural defenses and encourage beneficial insects to attack the worst pests.

From integrated pest management (IPM) and farm-scaping for insect habitat, to soil management, the 128-page book examines ways farmers can build functioning farm ecosystems. Real-farm case studies sprinkled throughout the book show how farmers have integrated many facets of pest management to minimize – or eliminate – chemical pesticide use.

For NRCS staff, the book will be particularly helpful as it provides comprehensive background on the theory of ecological pest control using a multidisciplinary approach (weeds, disease, soils). In particular, the book’s all-encompassing approach will be particularly useful for those developing conservation practice standards for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Security Program. The emphasis on ecological pest control theory and background, combined with specific case studies, also makes the book useful for those new to the concepts of IPM.

The book opens with a thorough background on the theory of ecological pest management. Readers then learn about many pest management approaches: creating habitat to attract natural enemies, enhancing plant defenses against pests, and managing pests with healthy soils among them. A chapter devoted to beneficial insects explains how to put such "good bugs" to work for farmers. Manage Insects also features a photo gallery of some of the most common beneficial insects and damaging pests.

Go to the SARE site for a full PDF version of Manage Insects on Your Farm: A Guide to Ecological Strategies available for downloading or ordering.

SAN operates under a cooperative agreement between the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES); USDA; and the University of Vermont and the University of Maryland to develop and disseminate information about sustainable agriculture.

About SARE
Since 1988, SARE has helped advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities through a nationwide grants program. The program, administered by  CSREES and USDA, funds projects and conducts outreach designed to improve agricultural systems and natural resources.

NRCS field office professionals frequently collaborate on SARE-funded projects and are valuable partners to the SARE program. NRCS staff serve on SARE’s national Operations Committee, on regional Administrative Councils, on State committees and are actively engaged as technical advisers and collaborators on SARE-funded research grants around the U.S.

For more information, visit the SARE website or for more information about the regional SARE programs, click on the region area of the map below.

Your contact is Diana Friedman, SARE research associate, at 301-504-6422.