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May 31, 2022
Pest Management Solutions for Specialty Crops and Specialty Uses
The following is a recap of news and updates announced by the IR-4 Project during the month of May.
LATEST NEWS
U.S. Hop Growers Have a New Tool to Manage Two-Spotted Spider Mite
American-grown hops continue to be desired by brewers around the world. According to Hop Growers of America, the United States is the largest producer of hops in the world, contributing 40 percent of the global hop supply.

As the craft beer industry and demand for American-grown aroma hops continues to expand on an international scale, domestic growers have a key pest standing in the way of exporting hops: the two-spotted spider mite.

Thanks to IR-4 sponsored efficacy, residue, and crop safety trials, as well as coordination among the hop industry, growers now have a tool to combat this pest and ensure a healthy crop for brewers around the world.

HIRING AND STAFF UPDATES
Job Opening: Principal Plant Pathologist
IR-4 is accepting applications for a principal plant pathologist to join the headquarters team at NC State University. As part of IR-4’s Research Unit, this role will manage the technical handling of new requests for assistance for products that manage bacterial and fungal pests. The position will also manage IR-4’s national product performance and integrated solutions research efforts with fungicides and nematicides, while providing support for IR-4’s residue research program. Ideal candidates will have an advanced degree in plant pathology and at least three years of full time professional experience in applied research in plant pathology.

Job Opening: National Information and Communications Officer
IR-4 is accepting applications for a national information and communications officer to join the headquarters team at NC State University. As part of IR-4’s Administration Team, this role will lead and manage information and communications efforts for the IR-4 Project. Duties include managing internal and external communications, content development, brand management, website and social media management. This position will interface with IR-4 and industry scientists and staff across the U.S. and abroad. Ideal candidates will have a bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations or a related field and at least three years of full time professional experience in communications or marketing.

Staff Transition: Allison Ballantyne
IR-4 Project Headquarters is pleased to announce that Allison Ballantyne has transitioned into the role of senior operations associate with IR-4's Administration Team. In this role, she will be responsible for national event planning and implementation, as well as providing travel support to headquarters staff. Allison joined IR-4 in January as the assistant manager with the Environmental Horticulture Program. We are pleased to continue having Allison on the headquarters team in this new, part-time capacity. She can be reached at: alballan@ncsu.edu and 919-515-3015.

For IR-4 Project Environmental Horticulture inquiries, please contact Environmental Horticulture Program Manager Cristi Palmer at clpalmer@njaes.rutgers.edu, and your respective Regional Field Coordinator.
National Chief of Staff Receives Award for Excellence
IR-4 Project Headquarters is pleased to announce that Krystal Chojnacki, IR-4’s national chief of staff, is a recipient of the Award for Excellence from the NC State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

According to the university, this award is the most prestigious honor bestowed upon non-faculty employees and recognizes the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of individual employees, above and beyond their normal job responsibilities. Krystal was nominated by IR-4 Project Executive Director Jerry Baron and received her award at a ceremony held earlier this month. Congratulations, Krystal!

Anna Gore to Lead Strategic Growth of Minor Use Foundation
The Minor Use Foundation, Inc., a non-profit with the mission of providing farmers around the globe with newer, more effective plant protection tools, announced that Anna Gore has been selected Director of Operations. Ms. Gore is a seasoned international development and trade policy professional with over 10 years of experience in agricultural development with a focus on the application of agricultural technology in developing countries.

ENVIRONMENTAL HORTICULTURE PROGRAM NEWS
Crop Vignette: Phlox

Phlox is a genus containing around sixty species in the plant family Polemoniaceae. Phlox consists of both perennial and annual plants that are mostly native to North America. The name phlox comes from the Greek word meaning "flame."

Read more
www.ir4project.org
Crop Safety Research Summaries
Bentazon Crop Safety- 2022

Basagran T/O has been registered for several years as a directed application and as an over-the-top application on limited plant species. However, growers have expressed the need to have additional plants added for over-the-top applications.

Read more
www.ir4project.org
Clopyralid Crop Safety- 2022

Lontrel (clopyralid) was initially registered in 1998 for environmental horticulture uses. This initial label contained an extensive list of environmental horticulture plants where Lontrel could be used without causing phytotoxicity.

Read more
www.ir4project.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
Save the Dates: 2022 Industry Technology Session and Food Use Workshop
Thursday, July 21, 2022 (Location: Virtual)
The annual event gives companies the opportunity to present updates on products already in IR-4 research, as well as new technologies.

September 13-15, 2022 (Location: Bloomington, Minnesota)
Research priorities for residue studies, efficacy and crop safety research, and integrated solutions projects for 2023 will be identified during this workshop.

Additional information for each event, including registration, will be shared soon.
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This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2021-34383-34848 and 2020-34383-32455 with substantial cooperation and support from the State Agricultural Experiment Stations, USDA-ARS and USDA-FAS. In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.