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INVESTIGATOR: Rutto, L. K.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA 23803

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION TO BUILD CAPACITY IN HOPS DISEASE MANAGEMENT AND ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTION PRACTICES

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: This application stems directly from two challenges encountered during implementation of an integrated (research an extension) 1890 Capacity Building Grant on hops (Humulus lupulus) awarded in 2015:That disease management is going to be a bigger problem than initially anticipated and addressing the challenge calls for knowledge and skills exceeding those currently available at the applicant institution.The observation that high trellis hops production favored by large-scale commercial producers in the Pacific Northwest may not be suitable for small and limited-resource clientele served by Virginia State University (VSU).Contact with professionals and other stakeholders involved in US hops research has prepared the ground for the PI to gain knowledge and skills for addressing the challenges above through professional development. The highlight of the plan is a mini-sabbatical to the USDA-ARS Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit in Corvallis, Oregon. The PI will be hosted by Dr. David H. Gent, a distinguished Research Plant Pathologist working on integrated pest and disease management in hops. The period will also include contact with officials and members of the Association for Development of Hop Agronomy (ADHA), an association working on alternative practices including low trellis hops production and development of dwarf hop varieties. Planned activities during the 1-year period will equip the PD with knowledge, skills, and research linkages that will greatly enhance hops research at VSU and support development of alternative agronomic practices more suited to small and limited-resource farmers in Virginia and the mid-Atlantic.

OBJECTIVES: The primary goal of this 1-year professional development grant is to equip the PI with knowledge, skills, and research linkages that will enhance hops pest and disease research at VSU, and support development of alternative agronomic practices more suited to small and limited-resource farmers in the mid-Atlantic.These objectives will be addressed in two planned activities:Working with Dr. David Gent, a hops pathologist attached to the USDA-ARS Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit in Corvallis, Oregon to acquire knowledge and skills on field scouting, disease forecasting and data collection/processing required for the study of integrated pest and disease management in hops.Visiting and developing a working relationship with the Association for the Development of Hop Agronomy (ADHA) as part of a process to identify alternative hops production tools and practices more attuned to the needs and capabilities of small and limited-resource farmers served by VSU research and extension. The ADHA Head Office is located in Washington State and has a working relationship with the USDA-ARS host Dr. Gent.