Dear Friends,
Happy holidays! As this year comes to a close, I am filled with gratitude for the IR-4 community. In 2024, our team came together to implement multiple new ways of working, including the full rollout of electronic field data books—a massive team effort. We have also taken steps to reboot the Integrated Solutions and Biopesticide Regulatory Platforms. Most importantly, we continue to facilitate and secure new registrations of effective pest management products for specialty food and ornamental crops. For example, IR-4 has supported over 870 new food crop uses this year (and counting). Our field, lab, and quality assurance teams have gone the extra mile this year. Our successes are worth celebrating this holiday season!
I am looking towards the next chapter for this program—and for myself. I recently informed the Project Management Committee that I will be stepping down as Executive Director of The IR-4 Project on/about October 1, 2025. After 40 years with IR-4 and with an outstanding team in place, I am ready to do something different.
When the IR-4 Project moved from Rutgers to NC State University, I came to Raleigh to reshape the program and share the successful culture of IR-4—helping specialty crop growers with their pest management issues—with the new team members. I can proudly say that the team I hoped for has come together, from Headquarters to every Regional office and laboratory. The new team is ready to guide the program into the future while maintaining the core value of supporting farmers in growing healthy food and quality ornamental crops. IR-4 will continue to thrive, thanks to all who contribute your time and talents to furthering IR-4’s mission.
Please join me in reflecting on how much we have accomplished together and the bright future we have worked hard to secure as a team. Thank you for your efforts this year and beyond. I wish you and yours a healthy, happy holiday season!
Sincerely,
Jerry Baron
Executive Director, The IR-4 Project