first year, federal funds can be used to augment grower fees needed 

 for hiring scouts, but with the understanding that growers will eventually 

 assume all costs attendant to scouting their fields. The ultimate objective 

 is education and technical assistance rather than providing farmers 

 with individual services . 



Pilot projects that were extended into the demonstrational phase of 

 the program (for a second 3-year period) require that growers must 

 pay all direct costs of scouting fields. This cost has varied from less 

 than $1 per acre to more than $8 per acre, depending upon the commodity 

 and complex of pests involved. (Horticultural crops and small fields 

 are the most expensive to scout.) A statewide pest management specialist 

 (leader or coordinator) provides leadership and assistance to county 

 agents and farmers. The county agent, along with state Extension 

 specialists, and with local farm leadership, organizes either formal 

 or informal associations of growers to carry out the project. Legal 

 arrangements are drawn up between the participating growers and 

 the state Extension Service. 



The growers are responsible for recruiting scouts, collecting fees, 

 paying the scouts, keeping records relating to scouting, and operating 

 the association. The state Cooperative Extension Service is respon- 

 sible for training growers, scouts, and private organizations who provide 

 advice to farmers on IPM decisions. The state Extension Service may 

 also provide participating farmers, other farmers in the community, 

 consulting firms, and chemical industry fieldmen with training and 

 information on IPM. This is done through publications, grower meetings, 

 TV and radio, farm journals, and local newspapers. 



Federal funds can be used to pay professional Extension salaries and 

 travel costs, develop and purchase publications on IPM, provide program 

 support in the form of supplies and assistance for data processing, 

 and procure specialized communication and monitoring equipment. 

 Frequently, federal funds are used to employ area or county pest 

 management specialists who help the county agents provide farmers 

 information on which to make decisions. Or, county agents can employ 

 supervisors to work with scouts. In some cases, the growers pay the 

 cost of scout supervisors. The cost of professional Extension personnel 

 has been paid from public funds. These state projects are mutually 

 agreed to by the state Extension Services and the U.S. Department 

 of Agriculture because all Extension programs have financial commitments 

 from federal, state, and county sources. 



