IPC business meeting: 2 pm
Council members in attendance: Dustyn Nelson (CNLA), Darryl Newman (Planter’s Choice Nursery, LLC), Connie Trolle (CT Fed of Lakes), Jatinder Aulakh (CAES), Victoria Wallace (UConn), Simon Levesque (D Ag) Also in attendance Sydney Everhart, UConn PSLA
a. Call to order
b. Minutes of the Feb 15, 2022, and November 9, 2021 were approved. Motion made by C. Trolle to approve minutes as presented, seconded by D. Newman. Motion passed.
c. Old Business:
Chair of IPC – C. Trolle made the motion to nominate V. Wallace to serve as IPC Chair, seconded by D. Newman. V. Wallace abstained, motion passed unanimously.
d. Updates from Council Members:
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- C Trolle: still hearing concern about various aquatic invasive issues, especially hydrilla, although water chestnut and cyanobacteria still are
- Aulakh (CAES) reported his research with Golden Creeper had no survival. He also asked if there is any incentive to work with Palmer Amaranth. (He reported in CT 3 years ago) This weed is an issue in the south with agricultural crops such as cotton, soybean corn, and pumpkins. He noted there is some observed herbicide resistance with this plant and asked if anyone has heard of concerns about this weed in CT?
D. Nelson (CNLA) asked about hire date of Invasive Plant Coordinator and mentioned that legislature did not pass municipal pre-emption as requested by CNLA. Previous IPC annual reports submitted by R. McAvoy requested approval of this exemption as well. Dustyn is going to ask DoAg and other groups about this for action in future legislative sessions.
S. Levesque- Rolling out farmland restoration grants, there is a yearly ($20,000) re-imbursement for removal of invasive plants, excluding equipment reimbursement. DoAg looking to hire Environmental Analyst, will post job requirements
V. Wallace mentioned that Dept. of Extension will be looking to fill 2 Extension Educator positions: one for Pesticide Safety and one for Soil Health. PSLA has an active search for a soil microbiologist and turf faculty position. V. Wallace asked Sydney Everhart to update the IPC regarding the status of the Invasive Plants Coordinator position MOU. Dr. Everhart mentioned that in her discussions with DEEP and CAES, the new Aquatic invasive bill would provide support for an aquatic invasive office to be housed at CAES but would not be able to provide Extension outreach and will be limited to public dissemination of research findings. There was agreement that there should be open cooperation between UConn and CAES within these roles. DEEP administration is working with UConn and remains committed for this MOU to move forward. While in its final review, the intent is for the CAES Aquatic office to work with UConn to support this position. UConn has the Extension/outreach responsibility within the state; therefore the communication needs to flow from the CAES office to UConn. The bachelor’s level 12-month position will be renewed annually.
D. Newman wanted to inquire Callery pear and its tendency to naturalize. He would request that if there was to be a gradual phase out of C. pear grown within the industry, that it be based on its “invasiveness” and would seek recommended non-invasive plants to as alternatives. V. Wallace to speak with D. Nelson and Darryl re: developing qualtrics survey @ CNLA summer meeting. (Ask @ any observed invasive tendencies and if so to list those invasive qualities, recommendations for alternatives, etc.
e. New Business:
f. IPC Council Meeting Schedule for 2022: The next meeting is scheduled for October 19, 2022. Time set for 2-4 pm. Since there is a challenge for those working to travel to and attend this meeting, it was suggested that the October meeting will be a virtual meeting. V. Wallace will send out the zoom information closer to the meeting date.
g. Adjourn: Motion to adjourn was made by C. Trolle, seconded by D. Nelson. Meeting adjourned @ 2:55