Course Goals and Outcomes
Learn how to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies on any fruit tree, anywhere, with this self-study online course.
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Get to know the most important fruit tree pests and diseases in YOUR region.
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Learn powerful strategies to control those problems using biological, mechanical, and cultural IPM.
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Understand how organic fruit tree sprays work, and create your first fruit tree spray schedule.
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Create a customized IPM workbook that helps you grow organic fruit trees successfully for years to come.
Course curriculum
Click the plus signs (+) below to see the lessons in each module. Each video lesson is short and snappy (less than 15 minutes) so you can watch the videos anytime, even during a coffee break!
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1
Introduction to IPM
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101 Welcome! And How to Use This Course
FREE PREVIEW -
102 History of Integrated Pest Management
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103 What IPM is...and What it is Not
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104 Four Approaches to IPM
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105 Assignment 1: Find Your Resources
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Quiz on IPM
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Module 1 eBook (19 pages)
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2
Non-Chemical IPM
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201 Introduction and Worksheets
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202 Cultural: Preparing the Site
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203 Cultural: Good Habits
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Cultural IPM Tools Quiz
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204 Mechanical: Using and Maintaining Traps
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205 Mechanical: Traps for Pest Reduction
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206 Mechanical: Traps for Monitoring
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207 Fruit Tree Traps eBook
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208 Mechanical: Pruning, Sox and Nets
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Quiz on Mechanical IPM Tools
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209 Biological: Boosting Biodiversity
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210 Cover Crops
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211 Root Stock Choices
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Quiz on Biological Tools, Cover Crops and Root Stocks
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Bonus Video: City Fruit Seattle Installing Netting on a Full Sized Tree
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Module 2 eBook (51 pages)
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3
Entomology and Pathology
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301 Introduction to Entomology
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302 Pest Identification Part 1
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303 Pest Identification Part 2
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Quiz on Pest Life Cycles
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304 Pest Identification Part 3
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305 Assignment 3: Pest Profiles
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306 Symptoms and Signs eBook
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Quiz on Pest Identification
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307 Introduction to Disease
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308 Types of Diseases and Assignment 4
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Quiz on Disease Identification
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Module 3 eBook (44 pages)
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4
Chemical IPM: Using Organic Sprays
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401 Introduction to Chemical IPM Module
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402 What are Pesticides
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403 Organic Spray Options
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404 Spray Timing and Phenology
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Quiz on Spray Timing and Phenology
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405 Blossom Phenology eBook and Poster
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406 Spray Schedules and Assignment 5
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407 Holistic Sprays
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408 Susan's Dormant Spray Demonstration
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Quiz on Spray Schedules
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409 Growing Degree Days Part 1
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410 Growing Degree Days Part 2
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411 Using Your GDD Spreadsheet
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412 Downloading Weather Data
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Quiz on Growing Degree Days
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413 Pesticide Safety and Storage
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Module 4 eBook (53 pages)
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5
Scouting Tools and Techniques
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501 Introduction to Scouting and Record Keeping
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502 Inspecting Trees and Thresholds
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503 Using Pest and Disease Calendars
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504 Using a Journal App
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505 Creating Your Scouting Kit
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Quiz on Scouting and Thresholds
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506 Joining a Network of Growers
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Module 5 IPM eBook (16 pages)
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Resources and Downloads
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What's Next?
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What are students saying about this course?
Students who are enrolled in this course come from across North America and beyond. What are they saying about the course? Find out by reading the testimonials below.
All about IPM
Suzanne Moncion
In my opinion, as a formally trained educator, this is an excellent course. It provides an overall view as well as covering the basics of the Integrated Pest Management approach to growing fruit trees. In each unit of the four sections, the inst...
Read MoreIn my opinion, as a formally trained educator, this is an excellent course. It provides an overall view as well as covering the basics of the Integrated Pest Management approach to growing fruit trees. In each unit of the four sections, the instructor provided essential and relevant information, supported by research and always illustrated with quality slides, props, links and mini- videos. Short tests and application exercises completed the approach. In summary, the course is well-designed, well-paced, visually pleasing, practical and enjoyable. I now feel confident to proceed with IPM in the coming Spring, having acquired a solid base of knowledge and techniques. I only wished I had known earlier about the courses offered by Orchard People. Thank you Susan.
Read LessI savored every module!
Michael Giamo
Sue, I loved your IPM course. I savored every module. During the course I would take pages & pages of notes, the next day off I would go into my orchard and scout problems and, boy, do I have them. My orchard is on the northeast side of a stee...
Read MoreSue, I loved your IPM course. I savored every module. During the course I would take pages & pages of notes, the next day off I would go into my orchard and scout problems and, boy, do I have them. My orchard is on the northeast side of a steep hill. I have three tiers about 150' long x 15' (+ -) wide. The first tier has 4 rows of grapes, second has about 30 different apple trees and the third has peaches, plums, and pears. The orchard is about 10 years old. Things were pretty good up until a few years ago. Some of the apple trees were too tall and a few fell over. Most of the fruit trees have disease & pest problems. That is when I turned to the internet. I thought the "bigger the better." So first I trimed all the trees 50% - I know that is a lot of pruning but they really needed it. Then I found Orchard People. It took me a while to start the class but when I did I loved it and hated it. Now I know my orchard has every pest, direct and indirect, fungal and bacterial. But now I have a game plan starting this winter with copper and dormant oil & in early spring from silver tip to fruit set. I made traps for peach tree borers, bought sticky traps , apple maggot balls, glue, and have my scouting kit ready for pest war. Thank you MIchael Giamo Cedar Grove, NJ
Read LessThorough and Practical
Tim Deibel
Not an "observational" course in which participants simply receive content, this class involves detailed research and development of personal resources to amplify and integrate the learning materials. The result is a useful "toolbox" - literally,...
Read MoreNot an "observational" course in which participants simply receive content, this class involves detailed research and development of personal resources to amplify and integrate the learning materials. The result is a useful "toolbox" - literally, intellectually, and experientially. Accessible, helpful, and motivating. Wonderful.
Read LessGreat course!
Gerri Gassert
As always, Susan has given me what I need to know in a concise format. Along with her expertise, she includes practical exercises that get you out to your trees to see what's going on. She offers outside reference links to keep you learning as w...
Read MoreAs always, Susan has given me what I need to know in a concise format. Along with her expertise, she includes practical exercises that get you out to your trees to see what's going on. She offers outside reference links to keep you learning as well. I'll be signing up for any new courses she offers!
Read LessGood Foundation course
Sara-Jade Woodsmith
Excellent course. Assignments encouraged exploration of local resources. I wish we had the option of downloading the slides at the end of the course (I say end because not having them right away means taking notes and absorbing the info more, bu...
Read MoreExcellent course. Assignments encouraged exploration of local resources. I wish we had the option of downloading the slides at the end of the course (I say end because not having them right away means taking notes and absorbing the info more, but I would like some cleaner/fuller ref for future refreshers).
Read LessLearn to identify and tackle your fruit tree pest
Patrick Kilkenny
This course has provided me with a confident knowledge to look at the pests that have and will come each season and make an intelligent decision on whether to use an organic or chemical solution to combat it and best of all I have several new onli...
Read MoreThis course has provided me with a confident knowledge to look at the pests that have and will come each season and make an intelligent decision on whether to use an organic or chemical solution to combat it and best of all I have several new online resources thanks to Susan to get help in photos and text to identify those darn pests. If you want to win the battle I highly suggest you take this IPM course.
Read Lesslearning how to learn
Jeremy Gray
The IPM course is working for me. At about half way through my biggest take away thus far is how to do research. The volume of information out there is huge and I appreciate your course focuses on presenting the student with the tools to figure ou...
Read MoreThe IPM course is working for me. At about half way through my biggest take away thus far is how to do research. The volume of information out there is huge and I appreciate your course focuses on presenting the student with the tools to figure out problems as they arise. For example.. referencing an insect pest to a time of year and type of damage rather than memorizing every possible bug that may cause a problem. I'm quickly catching on to the similarities in the habits of flies, moths and wasps. Much of this course is useful for IPM beyond just fruit trees.
Read LessCours complet! (Complete course!)
mélissa galipeau
Cours accessible et permet de prendre connaissance de plusieurs sources d'information. très pertinent. (Accessible course and allows you to learn about several sources of information. very relevant.)
Cours accessible et permet de prendre connaissance de plusieurs sources d'information. très pertinent. (Accessible course and allows you to learn about several sources of information. very relevant.)
Read LessIPM
Colleen Partee
course was very well put together, loads of information
course was very well put together, loads of information
Read Lessamazing
Lindsay Stuijfzand
Thank you for all the in-depth information and links to the OMAFRA PDF on all sprays listed for use! Also The Holistic Orchard is EXCELLENT! Right up my alley!!!!!!!! Additional Webinar link was so great!
Thank you for all the in-depth information and links to the OMAFRA PDF on all sprays listed for use! Also The Holistic Orchard is EXCELLENT! Right up my alley!!!!!!!! Additional Webinar link was so great!
Read LessBonus eBooks
8 Beautiful Full-Colour PDF eBooks
Bonus Webinars
Access two, hour-long bonus entomology webinars when you complete the course.
Financial Need Scholarships
For Students and People Financially Affected by COVID-19
Frequently Asked Questions
Arborist Continuing Education Credits, Lifetime Access, and More
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I'm an ISA Certified Arborist. How many continuing education credits (CEUs) will I get if I successfully complete this course?
Your credits depend on the type of arborist you are. Here's the rundown! BCMA Science (3.5), Practice (1.5), Management (1.75), Climber Specialist (6.75), Certified Arborist (6.75), Utility Specialist (6.75), Municipal Specialist (6.75), Aerial Lift (6.75).
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How long will it take for me to complete this course?
This course is made up of videos, quizzes, eBooks and assignments and it can be completed in about 8 hours. you can do it all at once, or do it at your own pace. Once you complete this course, you will have a lot of confidence in dealing with the fruit tree pests and diseases in your community.
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How much contact will I have with my instructor?
You will be in touch with your instructor throughout this course. You will be participating in course discussions and interacting with your instructor to ask questions and to submit your course assignments for feedback. Our goal is to ensure that you feel supported during your Integrated Pest Management learning adventure!
Your Instructor
Susan Poizner is an urban orchardist and the Director of OrchardPeople.com Fruit Tree Care Education

Susan Poizner
Director, OrchardPeople.com
info@orchardpeople.comPartners
This course is brought to you by OrchardPeople.com in partnership with Solida.ca and NaturalInsectControl.com



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