- Author: Kathleen Reyes
- Author: Ashley Van Vliet
- Author: Vonny M. Barlow
The Integrated Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education (iPiPE) is dedicated towards creating a nationwide data base system that tracks various crop pests and diseases. The program aims to address the need for a more efficient form of pest and disease management in crops to increase profit by decreasing the amount
iPiPE is currently collaborating with several integrated pest management programs (IPM) and universities across the United States in order to refine the online system and begin to introduce iPiPE to the agricultural community. Here at the University of California's Cooperative Extension facility in Blythe, CA, entomologist Dr. Vonny M. Barlow is currently working on his second year with Euchsistus servus and iPiPE interns
iPiPE interns Reyes and Van Vliet have been responsible for working with Dr. Barlow in gathering data and sharing their findings in the iPiPE online data system. Their work with the system is serving as a trial to help the program enhance their system features and allow a collection of data to save in order to begin the creation of the pest and disease tracking content for future pest management practitioners. Reyes and Van Vliet have also made efforts to be advocates for iPiPE by reaching out to PCA's and growers through different forms of communication methods. Outreach methods included emails, phone calls and personal meetings. As a form of educating growers and PCA's about iPiPE, a handout with information about the goals and benefits that the
iPiPE's efforts in creating a change in culture by launching their data system has been ambitious and it is the hope of the program that in time the agricultural community will hop on board and take note of the many benefits a nationwide database system can offer. Before that time comes, however, iPiPE will continue to devote its attention to encourage growers and PCAs to join the movement as well as optimize its content for the future benefit of the agricultural industry.