Reducing pesticide and bird damage in sustainable vineyards
- This is a paid Summer 2025 project
- Timeframe: May 23 – September 1
- Commitment: Approximately 9.25 weeks full-time (40 hours/week)
- Pay: $16/hour (total of up to $6,000 depending on how much time you work)
- Transportation: A car is required to reach the vineyard field site
The project explores two key challenges in sustainable fruit production: minimizing bird damage using bird-friendly laser deterrents, and reducing pesticide use and toxicity. The student will assist with two trials in a vineyard planted with disease-resistant hybrid grape cultivars.
1. Bird deterrence trial:
The student will help test a cutting-edge laser technology that deters birds from ripening fruit. This approach is more sustainable and bird-friendly than traditional netting, which can trap birds and requires significant labor to install and remove. Bird visits and fruit yield will be monitored and compared between laser-treated and netted vineyard rows.
2. Biopesticide trial:
To reduce pesticide inputs, the student will compare two spray programs:
- A biopesticide-only treatment using an OMRI-listed product.
- A minimal-spray combination of biopesticide and conventional products.
Both will follow a reduced application schedule, triggered only when disease risk is high based on weather models.
The student will track key grape diseases (black rot, downy mildew, phomopsis, powdery mildew), collect yield and damage data, and assist with trial setup and data analysis. This project is part of the USDA Hatch NE2220 multi-state initiative and offers applied training in sustainable viticulture and experimental research.
Essay prompt for students:
In 2–3 paragraphs, tell us why you are interested in sustainable agriculture research. What draws you to this project, and how does it align with your academic or career goals?
This is a unique opportunity to participate in applied agricultural research that addresses real-world challenges in fruit production. Students will gain hands-on experience in sustainable farming practices, including disease scouting, data collection, and evaluating bird management strategies. By working on both biopesticide and bird deterrent trials, students will be exposed to interdisciplinary problem-solving that blends plant pathology, environmental science, and agricultural technology.
This project also connects students to a broader USDA multi-state research initiative (NE2220), offering valuable networking and mentorship opportunities. The skills gained -fieldwork, critical thinking, and data analysis- are directly relevant to careers in research, extension, conservation, and sustainable agriculture. For those considering graduate school or future research internships, this experience will strengthen their applications.