August 31, 2023

The following is a recap of news and updates announced by The IR-4 Project during the month of August.

IR-4's New Program Operations Coordinator

This month, we welcomed Donna Bouffard to the IR-4 HQ team as Program Operations Coordinator! Donna has joined the Operations team to ensure that project objectives are met, office and meeting spaces are well operated, budgets are managed and adhered to, and that support is provided to scientists to ensure on-time grant deliverables. Donna is also working to ensure that IR-4 meetings and events are professionally planned and executed. We're thrilled to have her on the team!  

Donna can be reached at: dbouffard@ncsu.edu

Science Communications Intern Update

This summer, the HQ team hosted a Science Communications Intern through a 10-week Science Communicators of North Carolina program. Our intern, Raven Baez, has been a fantastic addition to the team. We are delighted to share that she is continuing to work with IR-4 part-time! Raven is a Junior at NCA&T majoring in Biology.

Connect with Raven at rebaez@ncsu.edu.

FOOD USE WORKSHOP — Final day for early bird registration is 8/31!

September 12-14, 2023 | Raleigh, NC (virtual option available)

Research priorities for residue studies, efficacy and crop safety research, and integrated solutions projects for 2024 will be identified during this workshop. Visit the FUW event webpage to register, view a tentative agenda and more. August 31 is the final day for early bird registration! The rate will increase on September 1.

Other FUW deadlines:



• Sept. 5: Last day for a registration cancellation/refund
• Sept. 7: Posting of "A" priority project list for the FUW

ENVIRONMENTAL HORTICULTURE WORKSHOP — Registration is open!

October 10-12, 2023 | Little Rock, AR (virtual option available)

Research priorities for the 2024-2025 EHC research cycle will be identified during this workshop. Registration is now open! Don't miss the early bird rate, in effect now through September 28. Visit the EHC event webpage to register, view a tentative agenda and more.

When you register for the workshop, don't forget to RSVP for the environmental horticulture crop tour, happening Tuesday, October 10! The bus tour will feature several local commercial and public horticultural production spaces. Space on the tour is limited and there is a fee for attending. Lunch will be provided. Hope to see you on the bus!

EHC GROWER SURVEY — Final Days for Survey Participation!

The EHC Grower & Extension survey, which helps shape the next research cycle with green industry pest management needs, is accepting responses until September 1. Fill out the survey on the Grower Needs page.

Interested in Becoming a Sponsor?

IR-4's busy event calendar wouldn't be possible without the support of our sponsors. Interested in joining as a sponsor this year? Reach out to ir-4_project@ncsu.edu.

We are grateful for your support!

The following tolerance success was added to our website in August (find these under Food Crop Successes & Stories):

• Acifluorfen (Federal Register date: July 27, 2023)

The EHC Program released 3 new research summaries in August:

This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award numbers 2022-79111-38469 and 2021-34383-34848 with substantial cooperation and support from the State Agricultural Experiment Stations, USDA-ARS and USDA-FAS. In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.