TY - JOUR T1 - Progressive planning to address multiple resource concerns: Integrated pest management in Wisconsin orchards JF - Journal of Soil and Water Conservation SP - 40A LP - 43A DO - 10.2489/jswc.63.2.40A VL - 63 IS - 2 AU - Regina M. Hirsch AU - Michelle M. Miller Y1 - 2008/03/01 UR - http://www.jswconline.org/content/63/2/40A.abstract N2 - Wisconsin apple and cherry growers and the University of Wisconsin worked with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to address orchard pest management resource concerns through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). As a result, Wisconsin's EQIP Pest Management Standard was changed to provide orchardists with extended technical assistance and allow for progressive adoption of a spectrum of integrated pest management (IPM) techniques, from relatively basic to advanced. A significant flat-rate incentive payment encouraged growers to address multiple resource concerns through IPM. In just three years, the NRCS processed contracts that provided 31 growers with the resources necessary to implement IPM on 19% of Wisconsin's orchard acres. BACKGROUND In 2003, specialty crop organizations and environmental groups sought to expand EQIP beyond the traditional program (grain and livestock). These groups wished to address pesticide nonpoint source pollution and IPM adoption in specialty crops. Specialty crops—including tree and small fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals—face significant challenges ranging from pests and diseases to aggressive competition from foreign producers. Specialty crops are exceedingly diverse with complex, site-specific production traits and a tendency toward smaller acreages. Many are perennials that require significant capital expenditures for establishment yet yield no crop for several years … ER -