Success StoryUniversity of Kentucky Crop Pest Management Webinars--2022



University of Kentucky Crop Pest Management Webinars--2022

Author: Kiersten Wise

Planning Unit: Plant Pathology

Major Program: Integrated Pest Management

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

The University of Kentucky Grain Crops Integrated Pest Management group created a 5-week webinar series in November and December of 2022 to provide stakeholders with research-based information, and also provide Certified Crop Advisor continuing education credits, County Agent In-service training, and pesticide applicator training to clientele. The webinar series was organized by Jason Travis, Extension Associate, and hosted by the Southern Integrated Pest Management Center.  Speakers and topics included Dr. Kiersten Wise, “Corn Disease Management Questions asked in 2022;” Dr. Carl Bradley, “Managing Important Soilborne Diseases of Soybean in Kentucky;” Dr. Raul T. Villanueva,“Entomological Studies in Corn and Soybeans Under Difficult Circumstances (Covid, a Tornado and Drought) in 2022;” Dr. JD Green, “Weed Control Lessons Learned From the 2022 Crop Season;” and Dr. Travis Legleiter, “Implementing Defensive Shifts Against Problematic Kentucky Weeds.” These webinars had over 227 total attendees. In addition to local stakeholder and Agent attendees, each webinar had attendees from states outside of Kentucky. Multiple people attended more than one webinar in the series. Several locations hosted viewing sessions for individuals who either did not have consistent internet access or chose to view the webinars at local businesses or extension offices. Feedback on the webinar series indicates that this is an important tool for Agent education on field crop integrated pest management topics.