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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.