Join Stephanie Frischie, Agronomist & Native Plant Materials Specialist with the Xerces Society, and John Tooker, Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Entomology at The Pennsylvania State University for this virtual short course.  This online short course is intended for NRCS staff, Soil and Water Conservation staff, Extension Educators, farmers and other agricultural professionals in the northeastern region of the US, and participants will learn about common soil invertebrates, their ecology and roles in soil health, scouting methods, and management strategies to increase beneficial soil animal populations.  No-till, cover crops, and diverse rotations help build soil health, but they can also build populations of arthropod predators that will control pests. Unfortunately, many farmers inadvertently handicap their farm fields by overusing pesticides, particularly insecticides. John will discuss the evidence and benefits of using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to help protect soil health while managing insect and slug populations by building predator populations.  

Click here to register.