The IR-4 Project is “a cooperative program of the USDA and the SAES, with the principle goal of developing data to support and to expedite regulatory clearances of newer, reduced risk pest control products for specialty crop growers.” More information on the IR-4 Project can be found at http://ir4.rutgers.edu. As the IR-4 liaison for the state of New Jersey, my main responsibility is to represent the pesticide needs of minor crops in New Jersey at the IR-4 Food Use Workshop meeting.
This year, the IR-4 Food Use Workshop will take place on Tues.-Wed., Sept. 11-12, at the St. Louis Union Station Marriott, downtown St. Louis, MO. New projects must be submitted no later than August 15. These projects will be discussed at the workshop in September. If you would like to submit a project, visit the IR-4 website listed above and click on “Submit a Request”. Nominations for projects can be done August 17-30. I will represent New Jersey grower needs at this workshop. Please let me know if you are submitting a request, and whether you plan to attend the meeting. That way I will be aware of all the projects being submitted and attendees from New Jersey, and thus be better prepared to support your requests.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at 609-726-1590 x 4412,
or e-mail me at crodriguez@aesop.rutgers.edu.
