Yes (see above). Our grant reviewers have ability to recommend funding for one or more than one grant applicant. Their sole purpose is to make recommendations so we can “hire” trainers that provide maximum impacts. Please peruse the “score sheet” in the RFP for the specific elements they will be scoring.
We want to work with the hired trainers to select a “representative” group. We have been collecting contacts from interested companies and may send out a quick survey to them soon, to gather some detail on their operations, including their “level” of understanding and utilization of e-comm and digital marketing. We want to hire “trainers” who can work with us through this process. (Update 5/28 – see the first question on the list to get an overview of the types of companies you would be working with.)
We want to work with the hired trainers to select a “representative” group. We have been collecting contacts from interested companies and may send out a quick survey to them soon, to gather some detail on their operations, including their “level” of understanding and utilization of e-comm and digital marketing. We want to hire “trainers” who can work with us through this process. (Update 5/28 – see the first question on the list to get an overview of the types of companies you would be working with.)
No, they will be under no obligation to implement recommendations from the trainers, other than to cooperate and participate in the process, if they are selected.
No, they will be under no obligation to implement recommendations from the trainers, other than to cooperate and participate in the process, if they are selected.
Yes. This work is eligible for cost-sharing through our E-commerce Cost-Share Program.
So, if we set up a program with a trainer that includes fees to participating companies, those fees would be 50% reimbursable to the company (under the rules of that program). Note – qualifying companies are free to apply for 50% reimbursement for e-comm and digital “consulting” work already under that program– and separate from this process– but we have not seen much utilization for e-comm and digital consulting to date.
Yes. This work is eligible for cost-sharing through our E-commerce Cost-Share Program.
So, if we set up a program with a trainer that includes fees to participating companies, those fees would be 50% reimbursable to the company (under the rules of that program). Note – qualifying companies are free to apply for 50% reimbursement for e-comm and digital “consulting” work already under that program– and separate from this process– but we have not seen much utilization for e-comm and digital consulting to date.
Emerald Ash Borer Biocontrol Research & Implementation - Phase 1
Project Partners: Robert Venette (1 and 2), Brian Aukema (1), Jonathan Osthus (3) and Monika Chandler (3)
Project Period: 07/01/2011 - 06/30/2014
We made great progress with the biological control for emerald ash borer (EAB) in Phase 1 of this project. We simultaneously released wasps that parasitize EAB while we studied them. EAB can kill ash trees quickly (within five years). We have responded rapidly to EAB finds so that we might avoid large numbers of EAB over extensive areas, a situation that would be difficult to manage effectively. At the same time, we studied the parasitoid wasps to understand their cold tolerance and dispersal capability. Our studies improved our implementation strategies.
Over 127,000 parasitoid wasps were released at 21 sites in the Twin Cities and southeastern Minnesota. Recovery of immature parasitoids in the field demonstrated that these agents are dispersing then finding and parasitizing EAB. We will continue releases in Phase 2. Research efforts demonstrated that the egg parasitoid, Oobius agrili, is the most cold tolerant and the larval parasitoid, Tetrastichus planipennisi, is the least cold tolerant. Therefore, we began releasing T. planipennisi earlier in the season to allow multiple generations to build a population sufficient to withstand anticipated cold induced mortality losses. We learned that T. planipennisi is capable of dispersing almost 5 miles within 24 hours but that most will fly ¾ miles in 24 hours. Therefore, we began releasing T. planipennisi over a large area at a release site rather than at a central cluster to enable faster T. planipennisi dispersal. Research efforts trained a total of six graduate students, five undergraduate students and three technicians in whole or in part on these projects.
We will continue a study of ash health, EAB and parasitoid wasps in the Twin Cities area where EAB was first found in 2009. To date, ash mortality within the study area has been substantially lower than anticipated.
Summary of Project Findings:
We made great progress with the biological control for emerald ash borer (EAB) in Phase 1 of this project. We simultaneously released wasps that parasitize EAB while we studied them. EAB can kill ash trees quickly (within 6 years). We have responded rapidly to EAB finds so that we might avoid large numbers of EAB over extensive areas, a situation that would be difficult to manage effectively. At the same time, we studied the parasitoid wasps to understand their cold tolerance and dispersal capability. Our studies improved our implementation strategies.
Over 127,000 parasitoid wasps were released at 21 sites in the Twin Cities and southeastern Minnesota. Recovery of immature parasitoids in the field demonstrated that these agents are dispersing then finding and parasitizing EAB. We will continue releases in Phase 2. Research efforts demonstrated that the egg parasitoid, Oobius agrili, is the most cold tolerant and the larval parasitoid, Tetrastichus planipennisi, is the least cold tolerant. Therefore, we began releasing T. planipennisi earlier in the season to allow multiple generations to build a population sufficient to withstand anticipated cold induced mortality losses. We learned that T. planipennisi is capable of dispersing almost 5 miles within 24 hours but that most will fly ¾ miles in 24 hours. Therefore, we began releasing T. planipennisi over a large area at a release site rather than at a central cluster to enable faster T. planipennisi dispersal. Research efforts trained a total of six graduate students, five undergraduate students and three technicians in whole or in part on these projects.
We will continue a study of ash health, EAB and parasitoid wasps in the Twin Cities area where EAB was first found in 2009. To date, ash mortality within the study area has been substantially lower than anticipated.
Affiliations:
- University of Minnesota
- USDA Forest Service
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture