Have you had a chance to review this week's module on IPM and Problem Solving? This is one of the most important topics we can teach our new MGV's and veteran volunteers as it puts all this information they have been learning so far into practice. Because they are out in the community disseminating research-based information from Cornell, they must have the proper tools and information needed to confidently do so. Especially when it come to inputs to our environment.

We knew this topic was so important and that it needed to be relevant and useful. It was one of the last to be developed in the Learning Library right up to the new material on Pesticides and Reading Labels just added from Mike Helms, Extension Support Specialist from the Pesticide Management Education Program (PMEP). Mike has worked very hard on this section (for the last couple years!) and it is packed with essential information and hands-on practice.

The Problem Solving: Pests of Food Crops and Ornamental Plants and Pests of Food Crops and Ornamental Plants sections in this module took many different forms before this current version. This version was based on county issues and feedback we collected throughout the Learning Library development process. We found there was no 'one size fits all' to Problem Solving as it can be very diverse in our NYS counties. Each has different issues and problems they address. Structural pests in one county may be more prevalent in one county whereas tick education is a priority in others. We all know that dealing with deer used to be only an 'upstate' issue, but now...

Your feedback on this module is important so we may provide proper guidance to our volunteers who are educating the public. Take time to look at the activities in the Learning Library in the Problem Solving: Pests of Food Crops and Ornamental Plants and Pests of Food Crops and Ornamental Plants sections, and join the forum this week. Let us know what you think!

Have a great day,

Donna