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Implementing Integrated Pest Management Practices on Small-Scale Farms

Marjolaine Dessureault

Title: Implementing Integrated Pest Management Practices on Small-Scale Farms

Principal Investigator: Marjolaine Dessureault, Research Director and IPM Consultant, E.S. Cropconsult Ltd.

Duration: April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2022

Project Summary:

This project aims to reduce the gap in integrated pest management (IPM) resources available to small-scale farms. The overarching goal is to reduce regional pest pressure of key pests. The lack of a support system for small-scale growers can result in poor pest management (which impacts grower neighbours as pests move between fields) and reduced berry quality, which have implications for the whole industry. IPM guides for six main berry pests and diseases – mummy berry, caterpillars, two-spotted spider mites, scorch virus, yellow rust, and powdery mildew – will be produced and workshops will be hosted.

This project will be beneficial to all small-scale fruit and vegetable farms in BC, where small farms are more prevalent than in any other province with over four in ten farms considered small. The IPM training materials and workshops will also be helpful for medium to large farms not currently connected with crop advisors. Improving pest management practices on small-scale farms can be largely beneficial to the vegetable and fruit industries by reducing regional pest pressure.

Objectives:

  1. Develop knowledge, information, and training materials for implementing IPM practices on small-scale vegetable and fruit farms in BC via a pilot project in the Fraser and Pemberton Valleys.
  2. Improve opportunities for small-scale farms in BC to increase their adaptability to climate change and shifts in pest pressure.
  3. Improve regional best management practices to reduce regional pest pressure.