Tactical Agriculture (TAg) In New York State: On-Farm IPM Education in Field Corn, Alfalfa, Soybeans and Vegetables

Abstract

The Tactical Agriculture (TAg) program is an experiential, hands-on training program designed to teach integrated pest and crop management concepts to field crop producers and other agribusiness personnel. The TAg program, which has been active in New York State since 1990, teaches field crop producers to better manage field crops, protect the environment and reduce health risks associated with production agriculture. Participants are actively engaged in a growing-season-long educational program that discusses critical pest and crop management issues that arise during the growing season and reinforces the learning experience with the timely collection of data from their fields during the growing season. In 2006, 81 producers in 10 counties in New York State participated in TAg teams covering Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Crop Management topics in field corn, alfalfa and other hay crops, soybeans, and vegetables.