The IR-4 Project is pleased to announce that Deborah "Debbie" Carpenter, Ph.D., was named as the organization's associate director and chief regulatory officer, effective Oct. 4, 2021.

Carpenter has worked with the IR-4 Project since 2005, serving in a variety of capacities including assistant director of registrations and most recently as acting national director at IR-4's former headquarters located at Rutgers University. In her new role, Carpenter will continue to lead IR-4's study director team and regulatory efforts.

"I've been fortunate to spend much of my career with IR-4 and see first-hand the accomplishments this organization has achieved for specialty crop growers and consumers," said Carpenter. "I'm very happy to continue in this new capacity with IR-4 as we move into a new era."

The IR-4 Project has finished moving its headquarters to NC State University, effective Oct. 1, 2021. The move started in 2019. For IR-4, becoming part of the NCSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences family was a natural fit with the college’s significant focus on plant protection and the numerous specialty crops grown in the state. 

The IR-4 Project welcomed the organization's regional field coordinators (pictured at right) and members of the Project Management Committee (PMC) to IR-4 headquarters for the annual National Research Planning Meeting (NRPM) and fall 2021 PMC meeting on Oct. 25-29, 2021.

The annual NRPM gave the RFCs and staff the opportunity to meet in person to finalize IR-4 research planning for the coming year. During the fall PMC meeting, members of the committee were updated on important initiatives underway at IR-4.

In addition to Debbie Carpenter being named IR-4's associate director and chief regulatory officer, the following employees started at IR-4's NC State University headquarters during the month of October:

Environmental Horticulture Program Manager Cristi Palmer, Ph.D., was presented with the IR-4 Meritorious Service Award during the 2021 Environmental Horticulture Priority Setting Workshop on Sept. 28, 2021.

Palmer received this award for going above and beyond her job duties as manager of the EHC program to take on the responsibilities of continuing the organization's public facing communications prior to the national information and communications officer being hired in November of 2020.

We thank Cristi for her service as a valued member of our team!

The Minor Use Foundation will hold a 2021 Asian Regional Priority Setting Workshop on Dec. 2, 2021. The workshop builds on the foundation’s collaborative work to establish international MRLs and break down trade barriers for specialty crops.

The Minor Use Foundation is seeking a program coordinator to manage the foundation’s series of three programs in residue work, training, and education. The program coordinator will support the development and implementation of capacity building efforts with key foundation partners. Candidates experienced in international development programming related to agriculture are encouraged to apply. Visit the Minor Use Foundation website to learn more and apply.

This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2021-34383-34848 and 2020-34383-32455 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.