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A nonprofit,
non-membership institute providing training and education about biological pest control as
an alternative to the use of toxic chemicals in agriculture.
Our mission is to develop
and offer learning opportunities that promote ecologically based pest management. We
start with practical strategies that restore biodiversity in soil and aerial food
webs. We work mainly with farmers to monitor and manage habitats so that beneficial
organisms take care of pests and disease
Goals Objectives
Values that Guide our
Decisions
Projects in Progress Past Events Organization
and Funding Background
Promote understanding of
agriculture as an ecological system.
Collect, generate and
disseminate knowledge about agricultural practices and values in harmony with the
environment.
Expand awareness of pest
problems in the context of a food web.
Educate about the role of
biodiversity in agro-ecosystems.
Develop biodiversity in
agroecosystems for pest management.
Share knowledge and skills
about ecologically based pest management with frank and open exchange of ideas, including
non-traditional participants, and addressing local group needs within a global scope.
Cooperate with groups on
the same path.
Train people on farms and
in cities to manage their environments to minimize use of pesticides.
Offer training that
enhances understanding of ecologically based pest management.
Offer training for pest
control advisors and field scouts, actively including women.
Produce a website with
educational materials.
Produce materials for
gardeners on use of biocontrol organisms.
Build or acquire a facility
for holding educational meetings.
Sustainability
is our best gift to future generations.
Agriculture is the foundation of successful economic systems.
Interconnectedness, reciprocity and mutual aid guide all relationships.
Diversity strengthens physical, chemical, biological, and human systems.
Local community is the most important level for taking decisions and actions.
Teaching knowledge, understanding, skills AND wisdom is a great service.
Women and men, working together as equals, assures the greatest success.
Group consultation is the most effective means of problem-solving.
The principle of unity in diversity enlightens our consultation.
Biological Control of
Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (GWSS): Observing
over 95% parasitism and strong associations with predators of this new pest.
Millennium Grove Avocado
Demonstration: Creating biocontrol
under challenging conditions.
Biological Control of Pepper
Weevil: Phase 2 development of
mass-rearing of locally adapted parasite strain.
Walnut Husk Fly Project: Managing perennial cover to harbor predators without
impeding harvest.
Habitat Enhancement Training
Project: Six farmers tried various habitat
strategies for biocontrol; lessons soon to be published in a book Helping the Good Bugs
Win.
Biological Control of Red Gum
Lerp Psyllid: Educating
public about biocontrol and role of ants on this high-visibility pest.
Southeast
Asia Project: Sharing
agroecology practices in the region through support of farmer training in Integrated Pest
Management.
Biological Agriculture
Systems in Cotton (BASIC):
Reducing pesticides in Kern County, CA, cotton with habitat enhancement strategies.
Compost Tea Workshop: Extending knowledge of how to make and use
fresh brewed compost tea.
Youth Seminars: Hosted Entomology Club of Bardsdale 4H to get
experience teaching youth.
Ventura River Trail Insect Attracting Garden: Demonstration
on nearby 50 yards of bike trail.
Past
Events
Soil and Compost Ecology
Seminar: Elaine Ingham explained soil food web affects on pest control.
Choosing Borders,
Interplantings for Natural Control of Pests: Field day
demonstrated pest break strips, relationship of beneficial insects to flower structures,
insect-attracting plants perennials.
Fighting New Pests of
Avocados Biologically: 115
participants together studied the signs of insect ecology on leaves brought from their
homes using video projection on our microscope.
Our team has a wide range of skills
and a network of contacts to develop and carry out our programs. We help clients learn,
practice and be successful demonstrators of our approaches. D-Vac Co., Rincon-Vitova
Insectaries, Inc., Schlinger Foundation, the Dietrick family, and other individual
donors provide space and resources that allow us to operate and conduct small projects
while grants and contracts support larger projects. 501(c)(3) tax- deductible
contributions help us continue providing needed training about managing pests
ecologically.
Founded in 1996, our name recognizes the
work of entomologist and agroecology pioneer Everett J. (Deke) Dietrick. Our strategies
build on his experience with the success of biological control and the failure and risks
associated with pesticides. Deke’s professional career has been devoted to guiding
farmers to rely as much as possible on biological control of pests and ensure a profitable
crop. We use his D-Vac vacuum insect net techniques for much of our monitoring.
Future articles at this site will describe these techniques.
We continue to expand our experience with
habitat enhancement, conservation and augmentation of beneficial insects and use of
non-toxic materials for biological control. There is no commercial incentive to do this
much-needed and sought-after work, so the Dietrick Institute was formed. Farmers want to
learn more about biological control and agroecology strategies. See Reports. Become our partner in making this needed knowledge
available.
Dietrick Institute for
Applied Insect Ecology, PO Box 2506, Ventura, CA 93002 ecology@dietrick.org
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