A new in-service training series is set to begin this fall that will provide Extension agents in the southeast with the latest information on integrated pest management within various commodity areas. Trainings will be led by specialists from the University of Georgia with invited speakers from institutions within the Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium (SRSFC).

The first two training events are sponsored by the SRSFC and are offered for any interested agent within the SRSFC region. Trainings will cover the basics of IPM in blackberry production (August 18) followed by blueberry production (September 15). Experts will provide new and up-to-date IPM information, with timely recommendations to help fruit producers. Although originally designed to be companion trainings, some of the topics covered in the Blackberry IPM training will not be repeated in the Blueberry IPM training.

The first two trainings in the series will be held virtually, but as Covid restrictions continue to lift future UGA IPM Academy trainings will be designed as face-to-face events on farms and research stations to provide hands-on learning opportunities.

If you are an Extension agent and are interested in registering for one or both of these courses, reach out to Emily Cabrera at (706)542-5783 or ipm@uga.edu.