History of IPM Florida
Dr. Russell F. Mizell, III was the first half-time State IPM Coordinator for Florida from March 1997 to December 2000. His administrative contacts were Dr. Christine Waddill, UF/IFAS Dean for Extension and Dr. Richard Jones, Dean for Research. With Dr. Norm Nesheim, Dr. Mizell became Director of the Southern Region Integrated Pest Management Center in 2000. They hired the first Southern Region IPM facilitator, Dr. Shani File. The Center was moved to North Carolina in 2001.
Accomplishments for 1997-2000, included a review of major state IPM programs, including New York, Texas and California, to determine ways of transitioning UF/IFAS from chemical-based to IPM-based recommendations. A primary goal for Florida was updating the pest management guides. In cooperation with Julie Graddy, Don Poucher and Dr. Howard Beck, a USDA telecommunications grant was obtained that led to both the Extension Digital Information System (EDIS) and the Distance Diagnostic Information System (DDIS). Statewide leadership and coordination were provided for IPM, including assistance in obtaining grant funding, a newsletter that communicated program activities, and national representation for Florida. Funding was obtained from USDA, CSREES to develop a brochure for the U.S. Congress on tomato IPM in Florida, and a number of smaller projects were completed on IPM for ornamental and vegetable crops.
Dr. Norman C. Leppla became the first full-time State IPM Coordinator for Florida in April 2001. 
His administrative contact was Dr. Christine Waddill, UF/IFAS Dean for Extension (2001) but in 2002 became Dr. Joan Dusky, UF/IFAS Associate Dean for Extension. Drs. Norm Nesheim, John Capinera and Mike Martin were particularly helpful in establishing the second generation IPM Florida program in 2001. During that first year, Dr. Jim Cuda provided guidance and crucial grant funding, and Tom Fasulo served as the webmaster. Marion Douglas has served as webmaster during subsequent years, and Rebecca McNair (2003) and Rebecca Baldwin (2006) assisted with specific projects. Administrative staff members of the Entomology and Nematology Department continue to provide essential support, particularly fiscal (Sharon Hoopaugh) and clerical (Pam Howell, & Nancy Sanders) assistance, graphics design (Jane Medley), and computer expertise (Steve Lasley). Assistant State IPM Coordinators have included Dr. Barbra Larson from 2003 until 2004 and Dr. Jennifer Gillett since December 2004.
IPM Florida has been linked closely with the UF/IFAS Plant Medicine Program that was initiated by Dr. George Agrios in 1999 and is now directed by Dr. Robert McGovern. Plant Medicine students have served as IPM specialists for specific project areas. Dr. Daniel Sonke (2001-2005) was responsible for building content on the website and completed projects on woody ornamental plants and a commercial pesticide database, Dr. Esther Dunn (2001 -2005) developed an IPM Toolbox of educational exercises primarily for Master Gardeners, Dr. Stephanie Dickerson (2002) assisted with the woody ornamental plant project, Dr. Angela Vincent (2004) worked on a landscape IPM project, and Heidi HansPetersen (2005-2006) organized the IPM Florida Innovation Grants Program and helped to compile the first IPM guide for Florida. Current Plant Medicine/IPM Florida students, Denise Thomas and Joyce Merritt, have completed the model IPM guide on tomato and pepper, produced educational materials, and updated the website.
Accomplishments since 2001:
- Established a comprehensive statewide IPM program for Florida, including agriculture,
communities and natural areas. Areas of activity are People and Communities, Ornamentals and Turf, Vegetables, Watersheds and River Basins, Pasture and forage Crops, Citrus, and Deciduous and Small Fruits (report: IPM Florida- First 5 Years). - Enhanced IPM Florida website to contain Extension Resources, grant funding, employment, success stories, projects, reports, selected links and a grants showcase.
- Established an IPM Florida Innovation Grants Program that funded approximately 55 grants for a total of $260,000. Several projects were selected for multi-county expansion, e.g., School IPM,
Biological Control Brain Bowl, and Landscape Management IPM. - With teams of UF/IFAS Extension faculty members, the IPM Florida staff and students assembled a “Grower’s IPM Guide for Florida Tomato and Pepper Production” as a model for future guides.
- IPM Landscape Management information from the statewide Extension community is being compiled into a new manual to form a complete English/Spanish training capability for Landscape IPM.
- National Leadership in School IPM (Children’s Environmental Health) and statewide expansion is being supported by IPM Florida, including a team of national experts from Indiana and Wisconsin. The leaders in Florida are Drs. Faith Oi and Rebecca Baldwin
- IPM Florida collaborates on preparing grant proposals and managing Extension and research projects, serving as advisors and mentors, providing liaison among institutions, producing and reviewing publications and reports, organizing and conducting in-service Extension training, producing Extension resources, and publishing and delivering information.
Updated: May 8, 2007