Introducing IPM into the Jackson County 4-H Program
Project description and objectives:
This purpose of this project was to introduce the concept of IPM to youth and 
volunteers and help them learn basic skills for studying insects.
The objectives are:
1. Teach youth and volunteers basic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) concepts.
2. Teach participants how to tell the difference between beneficial and harmful insects.
3. Teach youth and volunteers how to identify insects using a dichotomous key.
4. Teach insect collection techniques for study, identification, and display.
5. Develop a 4-H IPM insect collection kit for 4-H participants, volunteers, teachers, and agents to teach youth about IPM and how to collect insects.
Project activities:
The training was delivered in a day camp for youth ranging from 8-13 years old. Technical information was delivered in a classroom setting with activities and games to reinforce the learning points. Participants were given an IPM pre-test 
before the camp began and tested again at the end of the camp to measure progress. Field collection activities were hands-on and were conducted outside to practice collection skills. Insect pinning techniques were demonstrated and practiced after the initial collection session.
Guidelines for judging insect collections were covered and participants were encouraged to complete an insect collection. These collections were completed and judged in July 2008.
A summary of this program will be introduced to other 4-H agents at the 4-H Multi-State meeting in February 2009 and at the Extension Professional Associations of Florida (EPAF) in August 2009.
Project accomplishments:
There were 28 participants in the day camp. Participants scored an average of 71% on the Pre-Test quiz while scores on the Post-Test quiz increased to 89%. 
Knowledge of insect families and beneficial insects was most obvious in post-camp discussions with participants. Also important was their increased understanding of how insects contribute to our world and provide necessary functions in the ecosystem.
Five of the participants completed insect collections and competed in the County Judging competition. Several participants have requested a follow-up class in Insect IPM for field crops and ornamentals.
Click here to view the agenda for the Insects Day Camp.
Click here to view the cover of the Insects Day Camp Record Book.
Click here to view the Insects Pre-Test.
Click here to view the Insects Post-Test.
The people that made this happen include:
- Clyde Smith, Regional IPM Agronomy Agent, Jackson County
- Heather Kent, 4-H Extension Agent II, Jackson County