Urban farmers get a hand from IPM to reduce pesticides

Greenhouse growers at Greensgrow Farms in Philadelphia are benefiting from a pest management program that limits or eliminates the need for chemical pesticides.

Integrated pest management, or IPM, uses safe, economical and scientific approaches to managing pests. IPM integrates knowledge of pest identity and biology with pest monitoring so that action, if needed, can be taken at just the right time. In addition, IPM uses a combination of management tactics that are more likely to be safe and effective.

"IPM is a perfect fit with Greensgrow's philosophy of being a profitable, green business dedicated to growing the best products, being a good neighbor, and providing a healthy environment for people to work and shop," said Cathy Thomas, Pennsylvania IPM Program coordinator. Thomas and Sarah Pickel, education specialist with the program, have been training greenhouse growers at Greensgrow farms how to manage insect pests in greenhouses using IPM and biological control.

According to Thomas, overuse of pesticides and using them inappropriately can be dangerous to workers in greenhouses. She is showing growers how a successful IPM/biological control system can replace traditional pesticides. Biological control, also known as biocontrol, involves using one organism to control another. Using biologically compatible pesticides combined with biological controls, growers can slow resistance in target pests, create a safer working environment, and maintain quality crops while increasing profitability when marketing them as "pesticide free."

Greensgrow operates a fresh market stand on East Cumberland Street Easter through Thanksgiving featuring locally grown fruits and vegetables, naturally raised eggs and poultry, locally baked breads and baked goods, fresh-cut flowers, artisanal cheese and other locally produced items. In addition, Greensgrow operates a nursery offering locally grown annuals, perennials and vegetable starters. They also supply several Philadelphia restaurants with their fresh produce.

Thomas said Greensgrow was already using some biocontrols, such as lady bugs, but needed help fine-tuning their pest management program. "They obtained a copy of our manual, 'Greenhouse IPM with an Emphasis on Biocontrol,' to learn about the various biocontrols available and pesticides such as biorationals that can be used that don't harm them."

Thomas plans on working with Greensgrow next growing season as well. "We'll start in February to head off any pest problems before they start, which is how biocontrols work best," she explained.

In addition to Greensgrow, Thomas works with many greenhouse growers in the Lancaster and Pittsburgh areas, and she expects that number to increase. "Many farmers are shifting to greenhouse production of high-value vegetables, herbs and flowers to replace or supplement income lost from tobacco production and the low market prices of other crops," said Thomas.

The greenhouse IPM program is funded by grants from the Environmental Protection Agency and from the USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program.

The Pennsylvania IPM program is a collaboration between Penn State and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture aimed at promoting integrated pest management in both agricultural and urban situations. For more information, contact the program at (814) 865-2839 or check http://paipm.cas.psu.edu online.