The National IPM Evaluation Group’s (NIPMEG) mission is to facilitate and harmonize IPM impact assessment and program evaluation. The bulk of this group’s work is carried out by two committees: evaluation and reporting. Committee and supplemental activities have historically been linked by overlapping membership and an annual face to face meeting. However, at the 2007 Dallas meeting, a planning committee was formed for general NIPMEG facilitation and a communications committee was formed to promote NIPMEG and IPM program activities.

Detailed minutes of the 2007 Dallas NIPMEG Meeting of the NIPMEG are available here.Information on these four committees and a summary of their upcoming actionsare summarized below.

Planning Committee

Charge: Track progress of the NIPMEG, plan the content and execute the logistics of the annual NIPMEG meeting, and help maintain the momentum of the group.

Progress: Newly formed

Key Contacts: Bill Hoffman and Regina Langton

Current action items: Based on the 2006 Dallas meeting and subsequent activity, the group will:

• Post NIPMEG meeting minutes and action items on www.ipm.gov.

• Develop the agenda and oversee the logistics for the NIPMEG meeting

• In cooperation with communications group, outline strategies to encourage improved key player participation in NIPMEG (NRCS, SARE, Canadian IPM)

• Develop an maintain an ongoing acronym list to be posted on www.ipm.gov

• Draft a two year plan for the NIPMEG

• Develop a National IPM Evaluation Award for presentation by 1/2008

• Serve as a central clearinghouse and distribution center for periodic committee progress reports

Evaluation Committee (Macro-Logic & Micro-IPM Systems Model Development)

Charge: Develop macro-level LOGIC models to provide greater definition to the national IPM roadmap and develop micro-level models that help to demonstrate the impact of existing IPM activities.

Progress: LOGIC models are currently under development and Bill Coli is exploring models demonstrate the impact of IPM activities.

Key contacts: Carol Pilcher, Barbara VanTill and Bill Coli

Current action items: Based on the 2006 Dallas meeting and subsequent activity, the group will:

• Pull in OPP regulatory experience investigate using FQPA risk assessments as a tool for helping set “Baseline” label risk analysis by 4/2007

• Develop LOGIC models for the National IPM Roadmap, including impact indicators

• Ensure that impact indicators are reviewed and commented upon by 1/30/2007

• Work with the communications committee to identify the subjects of national level commodity studies that show the positive impacts of IPM

• Work with the reporting group to suggest standardized reporting fields that work in concert with developed LOGIC models

• Develop definitions of success for IPM programs and explore data sources to communicate national level successes

• Compare notes with Great American West measures, NRCS, and USFS on macro-level IPM evaluation data sharing

• Provide a progress report to he planning committee by March 1, 2007

Reporting (Analysis, Design, Development, & Implementation)

Charge: Analyze current project level reporting systems. Suggest improvements to standardize existing reporting, design and develop a system that has the potential to harmonize and aggregate outputs and outcomes from these projects, and champion implementation of these improvements.

Progress: A multi-program template is nearing completion.

Key contacts: Liz Thomas, Ron Stinner

Current action items: Based on the 2006 Dallas meeting and subsequent activity, the group will:

• Complete the reporting database template by end of 2006

• Facilitate NIPMEG review and concurrence on template by the end of 2007

• Harmonize definitions between groups for database

• Draft a 1-2 page document describing potential audiences and uses for the database

• Work with the communications group to develop grantee guidance to improve reporting

• Arrange meetings with EPA and USDA to explore funding options for ultimate growth of the system

• Provide an interim progress report to the planning committee by March 1^st, 2007

Communication (NIPMEG Product Development & Communication of Activities)

Charge: Develop products based on NIPMEG activities and use these products to publicize NIPMEG activities and the impact of IPM programs in general

Progress: Newly formed

Key contacts: Fred Moore

Current action items: Based on the 2006 Dallas meeting and subsequent activity, the group will:

• Create a NIPMEG pamphlet and/or two pager which includes the mission statement, summary of current activities, and future goals

• Develop an overreaching communications strategy by May, 2007, which includes a communication plan for IPM success stories and designate individual communications responsibilities

• Make a presentation to the FIPMCC regarding NIPMEG activities

• Acting upon guidance from the evaluation committee, draft six short and two comprehensive commodity based success stories that reflect “so what” outcomes/impacts (for review at the Fall 2007 meeting)

• Work with the communication committee to publicize general national level IPM impacts (beyond commodity specific projects)

• Provide an interim progress report to the planning committee by March 1^st, 2007