SPDN Newsletter June 2004
Sudden Oak Death: 14 states now have positive trace-forward test results for Phytophthora ramorum - keep track of your sample costs! If you are processing survey samples, make sure to talk to your State Department of Agriculture about funding/billing options.
§ Current news and educational materials can be found on the Sudden Oak Death page and revised protocols are located at the USDA-PPQ page at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/ispm/sod/survey.html .
§ SOD poster and a quick ID card available now in Powerpoint format so you can customize it for your state.
§ P. ramorum genetics decoded article.
§ Let us know about updates! All 5 regional hub labs are standing by to provide surge relief to state labs doing SOD testing. Please call Carrie to coordinate shipments at 352-392-3631 xt 254 or email at CLHarmon@ufl.edu.
Entomology workshop: The SPDN will host an intensive ‘Homoptera’ workshop http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/homoptera for general diagnosticians and extension specialists in Gainesville, FL, from December 9-11, 2004. Sponsorship forms are also available on the website. For more information about the ‘Homoptera’ workshop, contact Amanda Hodges achodges@ifas.ufl.edu
Mark your calendars for the Third Annual Regional Meeting! November 4-5 in Atlanta, GA. Meeting information can be found at http://www.sepdn.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=40 . The following are possible topics to be covered at the meeting (please send additional topics/comments to clharmon@ufl.edu): Pest Hot Topics (a few pathogens, a few insects – suggestions?), Committee Reports from the Chairs, Entomology Program update, Crossnore update, FL-SART update, CAPS program, FERN program, industry workshop development, Matrix explanation for use in quarterly reports, development of a Regional Meeting Planning Committee and discussion of rotating the meeting location. Send in your ideas!
NACAA meeting is in less than a month – remind your county agents! .
Budget forms are available. This year’s subcontract process may be a little easier - we are looking for shorter Plans of Work (2 pages, with justification of last year's spending and plans for this year's). Each state will have $36,000 to spend in the areas of Training and Education, IT, Diagnostics, and Entomology. The regional budget and related forms are available for use as templates (your “Total Request” should equal $36,000).
First Detector and First Detector Educator testing: Scantrons are available and can be shipped to you on request. We can even do the grading and enter the registry information for you! Contact Amanda Hodges at (352) 392-1901 xt 122 or ACHodges@ifas.ufl.edu
Explore the website: The In The News section of the SPDN homepage is available for advertising your state's training events. Please email information and/or links to clharmon@ufl.edu for posting.
